before Labor Day weekend....everyone would just ropes and your favorite climbing Knotts to attached themselves to the down cables. making it slower and more difficult to ascend Half Dome. Good hiking shoes are essential. the risks is much higher with the cables down...situation awareness is important. this hike was an annual hike for almost a decade before it gotten super crowded now...still not a walk in the park...so do get conditioned for it. good luck and go for it!!!
