El Capitan: Climbers Attempt to Scale Daunting Wall With No Ascent Aid

Veteran rock climbers Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson are chronicling on social media their attempt to free-climb the Dawn Wall route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.

Jorgenson, 30, and Caldwell, 36, hope to become the first to free-climb the Dawn Wall, using ropes only for safety in a fall but not to aid their ascent.

On Wednesday, Jorgeson was batting injured fingers while Caldwell continued to ascend the 3,000-foot El Capitan, The New York Times said.

Caldwell posted well wishes to his climbing partner on Instagram.

 

Tonight was definitely bittersweet. I managed to redpoint the final 5.14 pitch. Keven battled hard on pitch 15 late into the night but came away with another hole in his finger and no send. Tomorrow is a new day. Lets all send Kevin good skin healing vibes. Photo by @coreyrichproductions @bigupclimbing

A photo posted by Tommy Caldwell (@tommycaldwell) on Jan 1, 2015 at 1:53am PST

Jorgeson also posted an update to Instagram.

 

My battle with Pitch 15 continues. After 6 years of work, my #DawnWall quest comes down to sending this pitch. Last night, I experienced a lightness and calm like never before. Despite failing, it will always be one of my most memorable climbing experiences. On my 4th attempt, around 11pm, the razor sharp holds ripped both the tape and the skin right off my fingers. As disappointing as this is, I'm learning new levels of patience, perseverance and desire. I'm not giving up. I will rest. I will try again. I will succeed. Photo by @coreyrichproductions. @adidasoutdoor

Ein von Kevin Jorgeson (@kjorgeson) gepostetes Foto am Jan 1, 2015 at 11:52 PST

The climbers were about 1,500 feet from the top of the Dawn Wall on Wednesday and could reach the top by the weekend.

The Dawn Wall is regarded as the world’s longest, most difficult free climb.

Twitter users followed the climbers’ progress online.

Amazing: 2 guys are trying to climb sheer Dawn Wall of El Capitan in Yosemite without a rope. via @nytimes http://t.co/s0HraaMj6e

— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) January 5, 2015

Cool story about climbers attempting the unclimbale Dawn face of El Capitan at Yosemite. "I like big journeys." http://t.co/1NSTqUaB6B

— Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) January 5, 2015

Story on two amazing (crazy?) rock climbers at El Capitan by @JohnBranchNYT. Just looking at pictures gave me vertigo http://t.co/BqcoeScdQm

— Zach Schonbrun (@zschonbrun) January 4, 2015

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