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Elevation: 4,100 ft
GPS: 37.72809, -119.63686
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 319,800 total · 1,486/month
Shared By: Sketchy Sam on Jul 13, 2006
Admins: Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes
Warning Access Issue: Latest updates on closures, permits, and regulations. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

The base of El Capitan is home to numerous dreamy classic climbs to cut your teeth on while gazing up at the Big Stone.

Getting There Suggest change

Park in El Cap Meadows area and hike the trail up to the base. Figure on about 10 minutes for the approach.

48 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: 1. Base Routes Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Base Routes

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 523
Pine Line
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 213
La Cosita, Left
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 184
Little John, Right
Trad 3 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 268
La Cosita, Right
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 8
Peter Pan
Trad 3 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 511
Moby Dick Center
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 307
Sacherer Cracker
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 8
West Buttress (pitch 1&2)
Trad 2 pitches
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 93
Ahab
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 5
The Slack, Left
Trad 3 pitches
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b PG13
 6
Party Mix
Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 266
Salathe (pitch 1)
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 27
Hardly Pinnacle
Trad
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 34
Mark of Art
Trad
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 5
The Mountains are Calling
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Pine Line Southwest Base > Moby Dick & Pterodact…
 523
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
La Cosita, Left Southwest Base > Little John & La Cosita
 213
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Little John, Right Southwest Base > Little John & La Cosita
 184
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 3 pitches
La Cosita, Right Southwest Base > Little John & La Cosita
 268
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Peter Pan Southwest Base > Slack to W Buttress
 8
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 3 pitches
Moby Dick Center Southwest Base > Moby Dick & Pterodact…
 511
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Sacherer Cracker Southwest Base > Slack to W Buttress
 307
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
West Buttress (pitch 1&2) Southwest Base > Slack to W Buttress
 8
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 2 pitches
Ahab Southwest Base > Moby Dick & Pterodact…
 93
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
The Slack, Left Southwest Base > Slack to W Buttress
 5
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 3 pitches
Party Mix Southeast Base
 6
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b PG13 Trad
Salathe (pitch 1) Southwest Base > Moby Dick & Pterodact…
 266
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad
Hardly Pinnacle Southwest Base > Little John & La Cosita
 27
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad
Mark of Art Southwest Base > Slack to W Buttress
 34
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad
The Mountains are Calling Southwest Base > Moby Dick & Pterodact…
 5
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad
More Classic Climbs in Base Routes »

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