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Elevation: 7,116 ft 2,169 m
GPS: 37.73051, -119.6356
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 1,870,267 total · 7,562/month
Shared By: Josh Janes on Jun 15, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes, Salamanizer Ski
Warning Access Issue: Latest updates on closures, permits, and regulations. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

The Captain. How can you properly describe 3000 feet of beautiful granite loaded with awesome routes? El Cap is probably the most recognized chunk of rock in the world to rock climbers. Climbers come from across the globe to challenge themselves on the 3000 foot walls of El Capitan. It's an awe-inspiring thing that first time you go to the Valley and stand at the base of El Cap, looking up. So much rock, so little time...

Note: When climbing El Cap, parties should come prepared for harsh weather with little notice. Rescues and even deaths have occurred over the years due to unprepared climbers that were hit by unexpected storms.

Getting There Suggest change

El Capitan is found on the north side of the Valley, just east of where highway 120 meets highway 140 coming in from El Portal. Can't miss it...

110 Total Climbs

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Location: B. El Capitan Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at El Capitan

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b C2
 234
● Lurking Fear
Trad, Aid 19 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b C3
 191
● Zodiac
Aid 16 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c C3 PG13
 73
● The Shield
Trad, Aid 30 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a C2
 671
● The Nose
Trad, Aid 31 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a C2
 191
● Salathé Wall
Trad, Aid 35 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 586
● Moby Dick Center
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 357
● Sacherer Cracker
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 567
● East Buttress
Trad 11 pitches
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 100
● Ahab
Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 301
● Salathe (pitch 1)
Trad
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 289
● Freeblast
Trad 8 pitches
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 83
● West Face
Trad 20 pitches
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 11
● Golden Gate
Trad 36 pitches
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c V6-7 7A+ PG13
 79
● Freerider
Trad, Boulder 30 pitches
5.14d 9a 35 XI 36 E10 7c
 56
● The Dawn Wall
Trad 32 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Lurking Fear 2. Southwest Face
 234
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b C2 Trad, Aid 19 pitches
● Zodiac 3. Southeast Face
 191
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b C3 Aid 16 pitches
● The Shield 2. Southwest Face
 73
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c C3 PG13 Trad, Aid 30 pitches
● The Nose 2. Southwest Face
 671
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a C2 Trad, Aid 31 pitches
● Salathé Wall 2. Southwest Face
 191
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a C2 Trad, Aid 35 pitches
● Moby Dick Center 1. Base Routes > Southwest Base > Moby Dick & Pterodact…
 586
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
● Sacherer Cracker 1. Base Routes > Southwest Base > Slack to W Buttress
 357
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
● East Buttress 4. E Buttress
 567
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 11 pitches
● Ahab 1. Base Routes > Southwest Base > Moby Dick & Pterodact…
 100
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
● Salathe (pitch 1) 1. Base Routes > Southwest Base > Moby Dick & Pterodact…
 301
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad
● Freeblast 2. Southwest Face
 289
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Trad 8 pitches
● West Face 2. Southwest Face
 83
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad 20 pitches
● Golden Gate 2. Southwest Face
 11
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Trad 36 pitches
● Freerider 2. Southwest Face
 79
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c V6-7 7A+ PG13 Trad, Boulder 30 pitches
● The Dawn Wall 3. Southeast Face
 56
5.14d 9a 35 XI 36 E10 7c Trad 32 pitches
More Classic Climbs in El Capitan »

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