Sounds great, but completely unrealistic. People have almost universally embraced social media because we're social animals. How would it disappear, short of an outright global ban?

This is exactly the kind of barrier to entry that keeps people out. You need to pick an instance to sign up, but may not even understand their differences or limitations until you sign up. It's mind blowing to see people act like this doesn't severely limit adoption.

Hopefully someday, but pics of the crowds on the cables pushes it down my priority list.

Looks like the overwhelming consensus (of me) agrees that PA had the best trail network in the region.

At the risk of missing the sarcasm, this is a very different Half Dome. It's just one of the many hills surrounding Pine Creek in north central Pennsylvania. I'm guessing it's called Half Dome because the side facing the river is cut pretty sheerly (but not vertically), and you climb up the edge of that cut.

For the Half Dome in Yosemite I'm guessing you're right, that no camping is permitted.

I specifically came to mention the hydrolysis issue. Most plastics/rubbers will have similar issues, and will break down faster if not used/flexed. Overall I agree with the other person that said you don't need good hiking boots. The traction you'd gain isn't huge, and you can easily do better adding Yaktrax/MicroSpikes/a cheap knockoff to regular waterproof boots. Hiking boots would be overkill for little benefit.