The forecast is not looking good, says the Fresno Bee.
"December is dismal in Fresno -- zero rain so far. Even worse, a dry December brings bad tidings for the rest of winter. Only once in the past 134 years has Fresno gone without December rain. This is shaping up to be the second time. And when December is dry, there's a good chance rainfall will come in sprinkles instead of buckets in the next few months, say meteorologists."
Verum audaces non gerunt indusia alba. - Ipsi dixit MCMLXXII
Sounds good to me. After 3 years of growing snow fall in the Sierra it would be nice for a real low year. I might try to hike from June 1st into October so this is good news for me.
Being swarmed by Mosquitoes when it was almost October this year was unacceptable!
Doug, the cables are "down" -- but they are still there. The cables are still usable, and anyone who wants can go. Hikers just pick up the cables where they lie on the granite, and climb up.
Here's a thread from last May: Half Dome with Cables Down Climbing Half Dome now would be easier, since there is no snow even on the approach.
I just won powder skis at the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center season kick-off last night. (Andrew McClean was the guest speaker, presenting on skiing at 80deg north latitude and Antarctica)
You better believe there is regular snow dancing, rituals, and sacrifices being made to Jobu!!
The trail was virtually free of snow and ice. Rarely is the Mist Trail so dry, and there were literally a small handful of patches of snow that were easily avoidable as you made your way from Little Yosemite Valley to the summit. Sub Dome was bone dry and the cables were free of any moisture.
By the way, if you visit that blog, he has some incredible Vernal Fall ice pictures near the bottom.
Thanks, Steve. Half Dome was a blast and very dry. I was up Sonora Peak yesterday and that was crazy dry also. Whitney on New Year's Day was a bit troublesome for a couple members in my group about halfway up the switchbacks. Snow melts and refreezes causing some steep narrow ledges. 2 in our group made it past Trail Crest, but I went down with the ones who were having a hard time. Crampons are a must! A couple of us may give it another go in a couple of weeks if this weather pattern stays the same.