Hiker, 93, hits the heights

A 93-year-old man has become the oldest person known to have climbed the Half Dome, a huge granite feature of Yosemite National Park in California.

Everett Kalin, a retired professor from Oakland, trekked alongside his son Jon, 57, and granddaughter Sidney, 19. 

The 26-kilometre round trip reaches nearly 2.7 kilometres above sea level at its highest point and is described on Yosemite’s website as a “great challenge to many hikers”. 

Everett is no stranger to proving you can achieve your goals at any stage of life. Two years ago, he celebrated his 91st birthday by skydiving.

He told reporters the idea to climb the landmark just “came to him” and that Jon, an avid backpacker, agreed to join him.

The 93-year-old trained by walking up and down the 17 flights of stairs of his apartment building. That was after he got permission from his wife, Clara, to embark on the project in the first place.

After completing the hike, Everett said, “I guess I was pleasantly surprised that when I got up there, I did not feel like I was huffing and puffing so much. As we went up, it felt pretty good.”

Jon said his father couldn’t be stopped, he just “kept going, stretch by stretch, further and further”.

Everett said the worst part was hiking the sub dome, at the base of the Half Dome, which does not have cables for assistance along the way and is steep and slick.

At one point, Sidney and Jon had to hold on to Everett to keep him going.

“He’s stubborn as a mule,” Jon said. “When he sets his mind to something, he’s going to do it... He kept proving me wrong every step of the way.”

The trio took a few days to break up the hike and reached the peak on 18 July. All together, they hiked for 13 hours.

When they finally reached the top, they were cheered on by a large crowd of fans.

“There were tears in everyone’s eyes,” Jon said. “It was like paparazzi, everyone taking videos and photos. It was unreal. I’m choking up just talking about it now. The power of seeing him was so much joy and inspiration.”

The TikTok video posted by Sidney has been viewed 3 million times, with thousands of comments thanking Everett for inspiring them.

“Well done Everett and well said Sidney,” wrote hiking equipment brand REI.

“Going to send this to my dad who said he’s too old to have dreams. Amazing accomplishment Everett! You’re an inspiration,” another added.

The US National Park Service says that despite the trek’s challenges, hikers are rewarded along the way by incredible views of Vernal and Nevada Falls, Liberty Cap, Half Dome and panoramic views of Yosemite Valley and High Sierra.

Related reading: Good Morning America, Great Walks, Daily Mail