I think this is one of the few goals that if I never actually accomplish, I would feel a large sense of regret. Ever since I started climbing and became more familiar with the legendary climbers and locations, climbing El Cap has always been on my mind. Not sure which route I would like to do first but after a few successful routes on El Cap, I dream of one day climbing the Nose. Accomplishing that will take more skill and knowledge than I currently have. As of right now only have done 5-7 multi-pitch climbs and haven’t lead anything longer than probably 4 pitches. I definitely need a lot more big wall and aid climbing experience before heading out west. But I love climbing, so the training and obtaining the needed experience is something to relish, not dread.
People doing this are also doing these things:
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Always wanted to do this, don’t have the training for that many 5.10 pitches in one shot.
I have been climbing for about 8 years. I am nowhere near the skill level to do it. I really need to get fit and lose some more weight
A couple years ago, my wife, a friend, and I did the Muir Wall for our first El Cap route. What a fantastic adventure. Yvon Chouinard and TM Herbert did an incredible thing with their ascent.
Make sure you’ve read The Vertical World of Yosemite. The articles are all first-person accounts of the first ascents of the most classic big walls. It really adds a ton to the experience of the route when you’re thinking about what the first ascencionists were experiencing in the same place that you are now.
Now off to try Zodiac next weekend…
By “climb”, I mean actually finish it. Now it’s much harder, but if they can do it in a day…
