And sure enough like clockwork, we came over a rise in the stone and there was flat summit of Half Dome stretched out before us, complete with a few lingering patches of snow to the north. Approaching the summit was reminiscent of my experience with Joel last August climbing Whitney. Like Half Dome, the last part of the climb is accomplished off-rope over comparatively easy terrain. Short of breath and seemingly having climbed forever, Joel and I were wondering how much further the summit could be. Upon reaching an area strewn with toilet paper and garbage, we both knew we had to basically be there.