Ever since the first time I stepped foot in California in 2016, I wanted to summit Half Dome. Four years later, I was able to reach the top.

It was the last day of a five day backpacking trip. Before dawn, I reached the base of the infamous cable section. I stared up in awe but also in fear. My stomach was in knots looking at the remaining 400 feet of the trail. “I can’t do this”, I kept telling myself.

I nervously walked to the cables and placed my hands on them. I moved one arm up after the other, and my legs followed. I felt like I couldn't breathe because I knew if I let go, I would fall. Nonetheless, I pushed through and after what felt like an eternity, I made it to the summit.

A year later, I returned to the valley with my camera. I will never forget the feeling I had as I rounded the bend and saw Half Dome’s stark beauty staring at me. The massive granite structure was perfectly aligned with the road that led me there. This was the way I would remember my climb.