I did the Half Dome day-hike on Saturday, October, 27, 2001. Camped Friday night at the Upper Pines campground on the Yosemite valley.
Got to the base of Half Dome and the cables were down against the rock. I had to put heavy-duty gloves that were provided there and climbed up the wall. It was a bit windy at the saddle. I used the right cable to go up. Stayed almost an hour at Half Dome's summit (8,842 ft). Came down on right cable (left cable looking from bottom to top).
Some pictures from the top and also while going up the cables and down the cables:
