El capitan climb , while speed climbing on the lower pitches of the Salathé Wall on El Capitan—a section called Freeblast—two highly experienced climbers, Tim Klein and Jason Wells, were involved in a fatal accident. 2 days ago · From El Capitan Meadow, pick up the distinct trail that starts 300 feet west of El Capitan Bridge. Climb up and past the pins stepping back right into the corner. If you can only choose one at Yosemite, hikers should go for Half Dome since the cables help. The Nose is a big wall climbing route up El Capitan. On June 6, 2018, Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell climbed The Nose on El Capitan in 01:58:07, setting a speed record for the ages, and fulfilling Honnold’s li. At more than 3,000 feet (900+ m) above the valley floor, it is 2. Climber Alex Honnold has been dreaming of free-soloing the 3,000 feet (900 m) rock wall of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a feat no one has performed. . Once considered impossible to climb, [1] El Capitan is now the standard for big wall climbing. It ascends the most prominent line of the most esteemed wall in the most iconic climbing destination in existence. Included are the few photos he and his partner took for evidence. Karow is a civil engineer who quit his job two years ago to climb full-time. Hike to the base of the wall, as you would for the Nose, and then skirt the base of the wall, hiking up the long slope beneath the face. The Salathé Wall was named by Yvon Chouinard in honor of John Salathé, a pioneer of rock climbing in Yosemite. West Buttress: El Capitan: 20. Afterwards, I often have students tell me their dreams of climbing El Capitan. 0. He had set his sights on taking the iconic climb of The Nose on El Capitan, one of the most difficult climbs in the world and a challenge many have failed at before him. 13 sport routes and 5. It takes the average climber two to four days to ascend more than a dozen pitches. Jorg Verhoeven was determined to make history in Yosemite Valley. Nov 16, 2018 · That climb up El Capitan didn’t only bring innovation in gear, but author John Long says it also brought a new way of thinking about big-wall climbing. On first ascents: Please think about the impacts that will be caused by your new climb- Is the approach susceptible to erosion? Is there a lot of vegetation on the rock? Dec 13, 2024 · It takes a long time to build the technical ability to climb hard on El Cap. El Capitan Climbing. Zangerl blitzed the 3,300-foot granite monolith via Free Rider (VI 5. ” May 11, 2022 · Corbett went on to climb El Capitan 56 times, his family said, in addition to scores of other famous big wall climbs in Yosemite. The iconic El Capitan peak (left) as seen while driving into the park. On June 3rd, 2017, he climbed The El Capitan Hiking Route Experienced El Capitan visitors regard the Upper Yosemite Falls Track hike as the best trip up to the summit. A selective guidebook describing over 350 big wall routes in Yosemite Valley, covering Ribbon Fall, El Capitan, Camp 4 Wall, Yosemite Falls Wall, Rhombus Wall, Arches Wall, Washington Column, Mt. Photo: Mike Murphy; CC BY-SA 3. El Capitan Free Climbs Mar 10, 2020 · “One of the most compelling accounts of a climb and the climbing ethos that I've ever read. Dec 9, 2024 · Honnold, star of the Oscar-winning 2018 climbing film Free Solo has spent the last few weeks attempting to free climb El Capitan’s famed route The Nose, the 2,900-foot vertical climb that is Jun 3, 2018 · On the morning of June 2 at 8 a. “This will be the climb of the first half of the 21st century. Not only was the route one of the last remaining lines on El Capitan to received a free ascent, but with two formidable pitches of 9a/5. El Capitan is the 2nd tallest peak in the Bitterroot Mountains (but not the Bitterroot Range). Here, Jack fills us in on the history of climbing The Nose of El Capitan—possibly the most revered big wall route on earth—and how he added a his one-day ascent to that history. Other climbers like Tommy Caldwell and the late Brad Gobright have summited El Capitan using the same route as Alex Honnold, but they free-climbed it (meaning they used ropes). on June 3 Climbing El Capitan via any route is a logistical challenge that requires careful planning and many choices have to be made in developing a strategy, such as what equipment to take, how far to climb each day and timing climbing for optimal conditions (e. P11 (5. In 1993, Lynn Hill established the first free Ascent of The Nose (IV 5. 8 Climbing Areas Rock Climbing Yosemite Nov 1, 2022 · Two Climbers Made It Up El Capitan Via an Impossibly Vertical Wall. 12 slabs. Best Time of Year to Climb El Capitan. P12 (5. M. The 1950s and 1960s are often considered the “Golden Age” of Yosemite climbing, a period that marked the birth of modern big-wall climbing. The view of El Capitan is a beacon for visitors, a muse for photographers, and climbing El Capitan is one of the world’s ultimate challenges for rock climbers adventurers. Difficulty: Brutal (a new grade for us) Distance: 19. 4 miles (31. Now, Alex Honnold has done the unthinkable; on June 3, he completed the first-ever free solo of El Capitan, climbing the wall via Freerider (VI, 5. Jul 29, 2023 · Even if you know little about rock climbing, you know about Yosemite Valley, El Capitan and have probably heard about the routes of El Capitan. Nov 13, 2019 · The Nose of El Capitan For climbers who want info and beta on the route skip to Part 4 - it's at the end. Essentially it is the Salathe wall with a few variations used (pioneered by Alex Huber) to avoid the numerous 5. It is fairly accessible for El Cap and has experienced a huge uptick Alex Honnold (born August 17, 1985) is an American rock climber best known for his free solo ascents of big walls. To free climb El Cap’s big-wall routes is a proud feat, undertaking difficulties of at least 5. In 1977, Molly Higgins and Barb Eastman climbed the Nose, to become the second party of women to climb El Capitan and the first to climb it via the Nose. 12d. CLIMBING THE NOSE – Jorg Verhoeven’s ascent of the most famous route in the world. Andy Kirkpatrick is a world-famous climber and award-winning writer and film maker. com to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more. This trip report, while lacking illustrations, describes the route. Apr 6, 2024 · Retold in interviews with the first ascent team, their detractors, climbing historians and personal interviews with both McNeely and Barber, combined with footage shot during their historic ascent, the truth about the most controversial climb in Yosemite history was told in the below film: Assault on El Capitan – the Most Controversial Climb 3 days ago · El Capitan, mountain in Yosemite National Park, east-central California. Both provide a strenuous hike, but El Capitan doesn’t need cables for hikers. Then head back to El Cap and do a quick session at YouTube university to freshen up your wall skills. Climbers will love the nearly flawless wall of El Capitan. Climb off the flake up and left to the belay at the lighter Jul 25, 2023 · The history of speed climbing on El Capitan is a thrilling saga of human endurance and relentless pursuit. Chai Vasarhelyi and world-renowned photographer and mountaineer Jimmy Chin, comes FREE SOLO, a stunning, intimate P7 (5. 10b. Listed below are some of the most classic Grade VI big walls in Yosemite. There is no trail to the summit of El Capitan. Warren Harding (June 18, 1924 – February 27, 2002) was one of the most accomplished and influential American big wall climbers and aid climbers of the 1950s to 1970s. 13c) - Climb up and move right to join Mescalito again. Oct 29, 2022 · An 8-year-old boy became the youngest person to finish climbing El Capitan in California’s Yosemite National Park on Friday, according to his father, who has been by his side and cheering him on Jun 24, 2015 · “El Capitan is something every climber aspires to climb one day,” says Peter Mortimer, a Sender Films’ co-director of Valley Uprising, a 2014 documentary about the climbing history in Jan 15, 2015 · The Climb Is Thought To Be The Most Difficult Climb In The World “If they get it completed, it will be the hardest completed rock climb in the world,” Tom Evans, who first climbed El Capitan 48 years ago, told New York Times. [26] In 1978, Bev Johnson was the first woman to solo El Capitan by climbing the Dihedral Wall. Part 4 - Route Beta and Info for interested Nose climbers Party of 3 system Equipment tips Pitch by pitch useful info Hauling with a 2:1 Crowds, queues and traffic Sources… This pack of SuperTopos will prepare you for climbing El Capitan's The Nose or any big wall. Redpoint 5. While there are dozens of hard climbs up to 5. Her monumental ascent took four Feb 16, 2022 · From El Cap Meadow, join the trail starting 100 yards west of El Capitan Bridge and follow to a large clearing, then pick up the climbers’ trail leading to a point 200 feet below the toe of the Nose. Crux Pitches: At Freerider - American Alpine Club (AAC) Publications Honnold says, There had always been eight sections that I considered scary to solo. 13a sequence (originally rated 5. It's around 3,000 feet (900m) high and formed from granite. El Capitan: 20. The world's most renowned huge wall climb is The Nose on El Capitan (one of the climbing routes) in Yosemite National Park. But to really gain a sense of scale, don't forget to bring your binoculars in order to spot the rock climbers. Required climbing skills 2. January 15, 2015. The Nose route goes roughly up the center of the photo. Chai Vasarhelyi (“MERU”) and world-renowned photographer and mountaineer Jimmy Chin comes National Geographic Documentary Film’s FREE SOLO, a stunning, intimate and unflinching portrait of the free soloist climber Alex Honnold, as he prepares to achieve his lifelong dream: climbing the face of the world’s most famous rock the 3,000ft El Jan 1, 2023 · The El Capitan Hike The El Capitan hike stats. Staff Writer Follow. May 25, 2024 · Climbing El Capitan stole the national spotlight with Alex Honnold’s death-defying free-solo climb on “El Cap”. A popular spot for rock climbers, Alex Honnold is the first person to climb the mammoth rock face without using any ropes. [2] El Capitan has two main faces, the Southwest (on the left when Visit http://TED. When Warren Harding, George Whitmore and Wayne Merry first climbed the mighty 914m route in Feb 23, 2023 · While the first climbing ascent of El Capitan didn’t happen until Warren Harding (not the president…) climbed “The Nose” over the course of 47 days in 1958, these days, skilled climbers regularly ascend one of El Cap’s many routes in a week to ten days. El Capitan Routes : SummitPost. Ahhh El Cap, Yosemite’s fabled granite monolith, the most revered big wall in the world, and the dream-send of rock climbers everywhere. My mentor, Jim Bridwell, the biggest cheese in Yosemite climbing, said I had to get up on El Cap while I still was green and could find an epic. com Jun 15, 2006 · El Cap is probably the most recognized chunk of rock in the world to rock climbers. Rock climbing in Yosemite re-entered the spotlight recently with documentary movies like Free Solo and Dawn Wall. Meet the 3-Year-Old Who Visited All 63 U. Jun 9, 2020 · The Nose on El Capitan, in the Yosemite National Park, is the most iconic big wall climb on the planet. Share via Close extra sharing options. Towering nearly 3000' this route offers 31 pitches of superb climbing right up the middle of the wall. Oct 29, 2022 · An 8-year-old boy became the youngest person to finish climbing El Capitan in California’s Yosemite National Park on Friday, according to his father, who has been by his side and cheering him on Oct 24, 2024 · Two American rock climbers from Utah with less-than-household names recently set a new speed record in Yosemite National Park. 9 or 5. 14a) - Continue following Mescalito up the intermittent crack/dihedral system. 11 offwidth—known as the Monster—to the Boulder Problem’s powerful 5. Very large. So much rock, so little time Free-Soloing El Capitan. Learn more about El Capitan. Broderick, Liberty Cap, Panorama Wall, Jericho Wall, FireFall Wall, Glacier Point, 9 O’clock Wall, Sentinel Rock, Lost Brother, The Cathedrals How Alex Honnold made ‘the ultimate climb’—without a rope. Despite its fame and multiple previous attempts, the 7,573ft (2,307 m) El Capitan mountain had never been flash climbed until Oct 15, 2024 · During the busy season, climbing rangers are available at the Ask-A-Ranger climber program at El Capitan Bridge from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm for more in-depth big wall leave no trace and climbing technique advice, safety tips, and route condition information. How to climb El Capitan, one may ask? Perhaps one of the most famous aspects of El Capitan is Alex Honnold’s legendary free solo ascent. 2 days ago · Rock climbing route: El Capitan - Muir Wall - Yosemite Valley, California USA Jun 12, 2024 · Yosemite Valley and its famous El Capitan have long been at the centre of the rock climbing universe. 7 terrain approaching Mammoth Terraces, when the From award-winning documentary filmmaker E. org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering. Modern big wall climbing began in the late 1950's and was developed into a fine art on its faces in the 1960's as climbers from all over the world have come to challenge its demanding routes. 13b/c) on El Capitan’s southwest face, with a few variations to avoid some of the harder pitches. After climbing a few shorter big wall routes, you may be ready to tackle the biggies: Half Dome and El Capitan. It was first climbed in 1958, and free-climbed in 1993. Oct. [National Geographic] El Capitan is the 2nd tallest peak in the Bitterroot Mountains (but not the Bitterroot Range). Feb 20, 2025 · Check the Camp 4 kiosk, the permit kiosk at El Capitan Bridge, or the Mountain Shop for the current peregrine falcon closures. "It’s really like walking on the moon Feb 22, 2019 · Its challenges have obsessed climbers for generations. It's an awe-inspiring thing that first time you go to the Valley and stand at the base of El Cap, looking up. This goal is large. Key points to consider before climbing El Capitan include: 1. On Saturday, Brad Gobright and Jim Reynolds scaled its most iconic route, the Nose, in 2:19: Immerse yourself in the experience of free solo climbing Yosemite’s famous El Capitan alongside Alex Honnold in this breathtaking 360 video. 12d), without ropes. P13 (5. El Cap has Apr 10, 2022 · Yes, Alex Honnold is the first and only person so far to free solo El Capitan. It’s empowering for me. Rock climber shared history at Yosemite Climbing Museum . With Alex Honnold, Tommy Caldwell, Jimmy Chin, Cheyne Lempe. ” Oct 28, 2021 · On her 70th birthday, Alex Honnold’s mom became the oldest woman to climb El Capitan. 14a/b). Oct 30, 2017 · It’s a different world than it once was on El Cap. 14a), and two years later Alexander Huber free climbed a El Capitan is home to numerous classic routes but "The Nose" is the mega classic of them all. National Parks. On October 20, Tanner Wanish and Mike Vaill, both 32, scaled El Apr 23, 2024 · I teach a lot of learn to lead classes. As an El Capitan guide, he has many one-day ascents of El Cap to his name. It is recognized in the historic climbing text Fifty Classic Climbs of North America and considered a classic around the world. 13a). 7 Climbing Areas Rock Climbing Yosemite Nov 22, 2021 · How long did it take Alex Honnold to climb El Capitan free solo? On June 3, 2017, he made the first free solo ascent of El Capitan, completing the 2,900-foot (884m) Freerider route (5. One of the park’s most notable landmarks, the granite monolith features nearly vertical walls and towers some 3,600 feet over the western end of Yosemite Valley. For professional rock climber Alex Honnold, this dizzying scene marked the culmination of a decade-long dream. First scaled in full in 1958 by a group led by Warren Harding (not the US president of that name, who died in 1923 and was less athletic), the ascent involved 46 days of climbing, done bit by bit over a 16-month period, because it was simply too difficult to do in a continuous climb. Chai On a vertical rockface like El Capitan, the soaring slab of granite in California’s Yosemite National Park, perfection is an elusive, almost impossible goal for professional climbers. The route follows complex crack systems up the southwest face of El Capitan. Popular with climbers, it was first summited in 1958. How long does it take to climb El Capitan? The hike to and from the summit of El Capitan is a long and strenuous journey, taking 10 to 15 hours on average to complete. ” There Are Frogs 900 Feet Up Jul 17, 2024 · How to Train for Climbing El Capitan Choose the Right Climbing Shoes. Jul 8, 2024 · In 2018, two climbers were killed while free climbing the demanding Freeblast route on El Capitan, according to park officials. Even the most hardcore rock climbers must train for the feat, and the summit is not always reached in a day. 12d but now considered harder after a hold broke) and 180 feet of 5. Jun 6, 2018 · On June 6, 2018, in California’s Yosemite National Park, Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell accomplished the seemingly impossible—climbing the 3,000-foot Nose route of El Capitan in 1 hour 58 Jun 24, 2015 · Climbing is all about flirting with the impossible and pushing the boundaries of what you think you can be done. Capturing Street View imagery 3,000 feet up El Capitan proved to be an extension of that, especially when you take a camera meant for the inside of a restaurant and mount it thousands of feet up the world’s most iconic rock wall. 2 km) Elevation: 5,219 feet (1,519 metres) Time needed: 8 - 11 hours inc Eagle Peak side trail Apr 26, 2024 · Most climbers are individuals who love freedom--they climb because it makes them feel free. A3 5. Oct 24, 2024 · Two American rock climbers from Utah with less-than-household names recently set a new speed record in Yosemite National Park. Nov 22, 2021 · How hard is the boulder problem on El Capitan? The rest of the climbing involved everything from finger-size cracks and a 200-foot 5. Jun 19, 2023 · El Capitan is one of the world’s most famous mountains, with walls that rise above the valley bottom up to 1,000 metres. 7. Sitting just under 10,000 feet, the peak occupies one of the more rugged looking sections of the Bitterroot Mountains, sitting right next to the rocky pinnacles of the (3) Como Peaks and The Lonesome Bachelor. This pack includes: Dec 26, 2024 · What Should Visitors Know Before Climbing El Capitan? Visitors should know that climbing El Capitan requires thorough preparation, respect for safety protocols, and an understanding of the challenges involved. 13c) - Prepare for the Molar Traverse. Through a wide selection of climbs, Chris McNamara takes you on a step-by-step guide from your first aid climb to the summit of El Capitan. P10 (5. That said, no climb to the top of El Capitan is easy. Mar 5, 2019 · See a brief history of El Capitan climbing. Oct 29, 2022 · An 8-year-old boy became the youngest person to finish climbing El Capitan in California’s Yosemite National Park on Friday, according to his father, who has been by his side and cheering him on Jun 27, 2023 · Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson's heroic 19-day battle for the first free ascent of The Dawn Wall represented a monumental milestone in the climbing history books. From base to summit, it’s a 3,000-foot vertical climb up the face of El Capitan, the landmark granite formation in Yosemite National Park. Now things are different. By James Rainey. Necessary gear 3. His choice of big wall climbing route on El Capitan is called Freerider, a route that was created by Alexander Huber in 1998, and which Honnold has completed several times with protection equipment. 14b) - The Molar Traverse. This comes in several forms, from having the nerve to start the route in the first place (you or your partner may look for reasons not to begin), to wanting to go down on the first day when things are the hardest, to being intimidated by wind, heat or simply gravity. The Upper Yosemite Falls Track is the most heavily trafficked trail to El Capitan, which offers a sense of security for more junior travelers. Freerider begins toward the right side of the formation, then moves up the middle. Jun 5, 2017 · On Saturday, the elite climber Alex Honnold became the first to climb the nearly 3,000 feet up El Capitan, Yosemite National Park’s iconic granite wall, without ropes, called free soloing. In 1958, Warren Harding, George Whitmore, and Wayne Merry spent 45 days climbing the enormous 914m route. He and author of 9 books and viewed as an expert in big walling, soloing, and climbing techniques, having climbed El Cap over 40 times and climbed on all seven continents. Zangerl was supported by her Mar 5, 2019 · “One of the most compelling accounts of a climb and the climbing ethos that I've ever read. End of pitch 11, Fall 1964. El Capitan is the most striking peak in the park, as it can be seen from more than 40 miles away. Caldwell made the first free ascents of several major routes on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. While tackling El Capitan is a goal that requires years of training, you can have the experience of climbing in the park with the Yosemite Mountaineering School. Viewing Routes attached to Mountain/Rock: El Capitan View All Routes 11 Fun Facts on Rock Climbing El Capitan, The Granite Gatekeeper of Yosemite Valley. They appear as tiny dots moving along El Capitan's seemingly sheer surface. 8 free climbing. Hiking the El Capitan Trail. October 23, 2023. Often referred to as the "best rock climb in the world" it is obvious why this route is one of the most sought after big walls in the valley and the In 1994, Lynn changed the definition of what is possible in rock climbing with her first free ascent of the most famous big wall climb in the world called The Nose on El Capitan in Yosemite Valley The summit of El Capitan is most frequently accessed by dropping down from the trail to Guadalupe Mountain and bushwhacking across the scrub to the saddle between the two, then ascending rippling terrain to the summit of El Capitan. Dec 17, 2024 · Climbing El Capitan by any of its big-wall routes is considered a lifetime achievement by many. When facing the wall, walk at 10 o’clock and pick up the climbers' trail that eventually leads to a point 200 feet in front of the toe of the Southeast Buttress and the start of the Nose. Get a coach. Jun 1, 2016 · Yosemite climbing pioneer Yvon Chouinard checking out the view from Big Sur ledge the first ascent of the North America Wall on El Capitan. on June 3 P9 (5. It is the first free solo ascent of El Cap, and arguably one of the crowning achievements of climbing up to this point. Descent El Capitan is perhaps the most sublime feature in all of Yosemite Valley, and second only to Half Dome among Yosemite's most recognized features. 9+, 130'): Climb past a few grassy steps to gain a large corner system. 2 days ago · Rock climbing route: El Capitan - Muir Wall - Yosemite Valley, California USA After climbing a few shorter big wall routes, you may be ready to tackle the biggies: Half Dome and El Capitan. 13a) over a four-day ground-up push from November 19 to 22, all without falling. Honnold rose to worldwide fame in June 2017 when he became the first person to free solo a full route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park (via the 2,900-foot route Freerider at 5. First free climbed by the Huber brothers in 1998, the 3,300 ft climb essentially follows The Salathé Wall route (5. 5 times as tall as the Empire State Building, or more than 3 times as high as the top of the Eiffel Tower. com. Move up and right and skirt the face for 20-30 minutes to reach the start of the route. Jul 15, 2023 · The Nose of El Capitan is perhaps the most decorated and sought-after rock climb in the world. The single, thin seam that runs the duration of the Headwall is unbelievable. 14d climbing, it is also considered the hardest big wall ascent in the world. May 1, 2025 · Flash climbing refers to a climber successfully sending a route on their first attempt without falling, usually with knowledge of, but no prior experience of the climb. [27] See full list on nationalgeographic. The Salathé Wall is one of the original big wall climbing routes up El Capitan, a 3,000-foot (900 m) high granite monolith in Yosemite National Park. Jul 22, 2022 · Climbing El Capitan World famous rock climbing wall of El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, California. 13a, the first-ever big wall free solo ascent at that grade), [3] a climb described in The New York Oct 23, 2017 · For big-wall climbers, El Capitan in Yosemite National Park is the most famous piece of rock on Earth. There used to be so few climbers that it didn't matter where one drove a piton, there wasn't a worry about demolishing the rock. Permits and regulations 4. 28, 2021 5 AM PT . SuperTopo offers the world's best big wall May 16, 2025 · Home > Climbing Routes > Yosemite Valley > El Capitan, Reticent Wall Friday, May 16, 2025: Reticent Wall, El Capitan A5 5. For daily updates from Yosemite during the fall, visit Tom Evans’ ElCapReport. Alex Honnold faces the biggest challenge of his career, climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. He was the leader of the first team to climb El Capitan, Yosemite Valley, in 1958. Chai Free Solo: Directed by Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. Step left at the top of the crack using small face hands and foot holds to gain a ledge with two old pins. Climbing El Capitan is a significant undertaking, and choosing the right time of year for this adventure can make all the difference in safety and enjoyment. Feb 26, 2024 · Is El Capitan easy to climb? While this behemoth is known for some of the world’s most challenging rock climbing routes, there are more moderate routes located on the rock as well. 13 crux pitches first freed by Paul Piana and Todd Skinner in the mid 80's. 13b) - Preparing for the big-deal traverses. It is very similar to the Salathé Wall. The first time I saw the summit, I couldn’t help myself – I literally ran the last stretch out of pure excitement. It is also one of the steepest routes on El Capitan. Mar 1, 2018 · Watch Alex Honnold's journey toward his rope-free climb of the world's most famous rock wall—Yosemite National Park's El Capitan—in Free Solo, a stunning, intimate, unfliching film by E. Get familiar with these El Capitan facts Jun 7, 2017 · The Southwest face of El Capitan, as seen from the valley floor. We may expect then, that having others suggest how they ought to climb will rub wrong. Then, on May 11a climber from Lake Tahoe named Brant Hysell tagged the Nov 22, 2016 · In 1993, Lynn Hill became the first person (not just first woman) to free-climb the 2,900-foot Nose of El Capitan, perhaps the most famous rock climb in the world. The process of preparing and executing that dream was made into the Oscar-winning National Geographic documentary, Free Solo, by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. He is a former Yosemite Search and Rescue team member, a Denali Lead Guide (12 summits), a Lead Guide on Rainier (10 summits in 10 attempts while guiding in 2018), and a Lead Guide on Aconcogua and Carstensz Pyramid. He shares many of his ascents on his YouTube page. Apr 15, 2025 · Home > Climbing Routes > Yosemite Valley > El Capitan, Mescalito Tuesday, April 15, 2025: Mescalito, El Capitan A3 5. However, in recent years, the gigantic rock formation has found its way into the general public's consciousness thanks, in part, to free soloist Alex Honnold's incredible 2017 ascent of the Freerider route and the resulting film, 2018's Free Solo, which became a global sensation and won the Tommy Caldwell (born August 11, 1978) is an American rock climber who has set records in sport climbing, traditional climbing, and in big-wall climbing. 13c. The approach feels long, particularly when carrying a haul bag and comparing it to the Nose. El Capitan, meaning “the captain” or “the chief,” is a 3,000-foot monolithic granite rock formation that towers over Yosemite National Park in the western state of California, USA. However, the current speed record for climbing all 3000 feet of “The Nose” is Nov 13, 2015 · On January 14, after 19 days on the side of a 3,000-foot cliff, Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson scrambled up the final granite ramp that leads to the top of El Capitan, having just completed a Jun 7, 2021 · Additionally, on El Cap, he ticked The Shield in fewer than 12 hours and the Salathé Wall in 11. It has since seen countless ascents, although few of them free. Late spring and early summer, typically from May through June, are often considered the best times to climb El Capitan. Aug 17, 2023 · 6. g. You can hike to the top of “El Cap” using the Upper Yosemite Falls track. The team was simul-climbing through Pitch 9 or 10, 5. They settled on The Shield, established by Charlie Porter and Gary Bocarde in 1973, and rated A3 with mandatory sections of 5. Jun 4, 2022 · For the climbers below, free soloing is one aspect in a mosaic of climbing experiences and achievements. In operation since 1969, the Yosemite Mountaineering School has programs for all skill levels and even specialty programs, such as Girls on Granite. ” See topo and more here. In a hair-raising talk, he tells the story of how he summited Yosemite's El Capitan, completing one of the most dangerous free solo climbs ever. May 2, 2016 · Towering more than 3,000 feet above the floor of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan draws rock-climbers from around the world. Aug 15, 2022 · El Capitan, Yosemite. Imagine being by yourself Jul 21, 2023 · 2. Follow the trail to a large clearing. 12d VI) in 3 hours and 56 minutes. Jul 21, 2014 · The Nose is really an alpine climb, and like any alpine route you will need to be able to hold your nerve. Jun 10, 2018 · The death-defying adventure of scaling a huge granite precipice like El Capitan involves an intricate process in which lengths of nylon rope are tied to the climbers and knotted on bolts, or Jun 13, 2017 · What gave you the idea to climb El Cap naked? Leah Pappajohn: The dream of climbing El Cap naked was an obvious one to me, but it took years for me to feel it was a possible in relation to my climbing ability. It’s a great feeling to climb nude. 3 days ago · Steep, clean and outrageously exposed, the Shield Headwall may be the most spectacular place on El Capitan. Sep 11, 2024 · Half Dome vs. Climbing the Nose route on El Capitan in a single day is one of the great prizes in Yosemite climbing. In Free Solo, Alex Honnold’s ropeless ascent of El Capitan more than earns its acclaim from the sheer audacity of tackling such a long and difficult climbing route without any protection – never mind the amazing storytelling by climbing filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Alex Honnold completes the first free solo climb of famed El Capitan's 3,000-foot vertical rock face at Yosemite National Park. S. Lynn Hill was the first person to free climb the Big Stone in 1993, via The Nose (5. The first part on Freeblast is the same. Apr 1, 2025 · The Golden Age of Yosemite Climbing: The 1950s and 1960s. I would advise against climbing the Monster during the hottest part of the day). ”—Sebastian Junger In Mark Synnott’s unique window on the ethos of climbing, his friend Alex Honnold’s astonishing free solo ascent of El Capitan’s 3,000 feet of sheer granite is the central act. Smoker suggests checking out your local gym’s shoe demo days to try various sizes and models of climbing shoes on the wall 5 days ago · Summit of El Capitan. Yosemite’s towering granite faces, particularly those of El Capitan and Half Dome, began to draw climbers from across the country. Oct 3, 2018 · Watch Alex Honnold's journey toward his rope-free climb of the world's most famous rock wall—Yosemite National Park's El Capitan—in Free Solo, a stunning, intimate, unfliching film by E. Without a road map to get there it can be quite intimidating and people don’t know where to start. Drink protein shakes until you can do a one-arm pull-up. 12d liebacking up a flaring, rounded crack in the most exposed Jun 8, 2017. When Honnold topped out at 9:28 A. Subscribe: http May 31, 2024 · The solo speed record on the Salathé Wall, a climbing route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, had stood for 10 years. Aug 12, 2023 · Following a long, varied and gorgeous crack system, Freerider is one of the more popular routes on El Capitan. Mar 25, 2025 · In 2017 Honnold free soloed the 3,300-foot (1,000-meter) Freerider route on El Capitan in what National Geographic said was perhaps “the greatest feat of pure rock climbing in the history of the sport. (Photo: istock Photo, Marcus Garcia) This was my first full summer in the Valley after graduating high school a month earlier. Face holds and wide crack climbing leads up the corner in along an every widening crack. Although it may look like the tallest peak in the park from a distance, it’s about 700 feet lower than Guadalupe Peak, which stands behind it. However, don't expect to find the cracks Charlie Porter originally nailed as the rurp placements are now 1-1 1/4" scars. You made it!! 🎉 Standing on top of El Capitan is an unforgettable reward after such a challenging climb. El Capitan. 14, there’s one that allows climbers to ascend 500 metres to the top of the east end at only 5. Never Never Land: El Capitan: 20. His stunning scramble up the 3,000-foot granite wall known as El Capitan, in less than 4 hours, came after meticulous planning and Everyone seeing Yosemite Valley for the first time is truly amazed at the enormous size of El Capitan asit dwarfs everything in its vicinity. It all began with Jim Bridwell’s groundbreaking achievement in 1975 when he completed the first-ever one-day ascent of The Nose, alongside John Long and Billy Westbay, in an impressive sub-18 hours. 3 days ago · From El Capitan Meadow, pick up the distinct trail that starts 300 feet west of El Capitan Bridge. Aug 15, 2019 · After a few beers in the Mountain Room that night, the two were set on a trajectory to climb El Capitan within a year. Late Spring and Early Summer. Climb on every Moonboard set. In 2017, when Alex Honnold made his stunning free-solo ascent of Yosemite’s El Capitan, he was taking an unimaginable risk: nearly three thousand feet of cli Feb 21, 2019 · In June 2017, the 33-year-old became the first person to climb Californian granite monolith El Capitan without any ropes – a skill known as free soloing. Lurking Fear is on the far left side of El Capitan. And come on, it’s funny. Notably, Emily Harrington became the fourth woman to free-climb El Capitan in 2020. Like 3000’ tall large. Dec 13, 2018 · From award-winning documentary filmmaker E. As one example, John Bachar and Peter Croft are known soloists but were also the first ever to climb (roped) both El Capitan and Half Dome in a day, in 1986, which each considered a great career high point. Climbers come from across the globe to challenge themselves on the 3000 foot walls of El Capitan. Dec 6, 2024 · Austrian powerhouse Barbara “Babsi” Zangerl has stunned the climbing world, becoming the first person in history to successfully flash a route on El Capitan. Watkins, Quarter Dome, Half Dome, Porcelain Wall, Mt. In 1958, Warren Harding, Wayne Merry and George Whitmore completed the first ascent of this massive glacier-carved granite cliff; today, dozens of routes snake up El Capitan’s two faces and prominent “Nose. “I hope The Direct Line inspires this emerging generation of climbers to repeat its passage as well as to seek out other hidden possibilities. Today, National Geographic broke the story that Alex Honnold, the best free soloist in the world, climbed El Capitan via Freerider (5. Imagine being by yourself in the dead center of a 3,000-foot vertical cliff -- without a rope to catch you if you fall. m. Jan 27, 2024 · What is El Capitan? El Capitan, Spanish for captain or chief, is a vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, California. He went up freerider, a route up the southwest face of El Capitan. Both climbers live in their vans, with Karow basing out of the Bay Area, and Warme from Loveland, Colorado. hpexwzuqkvgnoaxbnwhktepcxvoegcdnshmrycklvqlpxk