All Locations > California > Yosemite NP > Yosemite Valley > Valley N Side

El Capitan Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in El Capitan

1. Base Routes 45 / 5 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 4 / 0 / 0 / 49

2. Southwest Face 30 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 25 / 0 / 0 / 32

3. Southeast Face 21 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 26 / 0 / 0 / 28

4. East Buttress 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1

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Elevation:	7,116 ft	2,169 m
GPS:	37.73051, -119.6356 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	1,865,247 total · 7,863/month
Shared By:	Josh Janes on Jun 15, 2006 · Updates
Admins:	Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Latest updates on closures, permits, and regulations. Details

Please visit nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/… for the latest information on visiting Yosemite, including permits, regulations, and closure information.

Yosemite National Park has yearly closures for Peregrine Falcon Protection March 1- July 15. Always check the NPS website at nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/… for the most current details and park alerts, and to learn more about the peregrine falcon, and how closures help it survive. This page also shares closures and warnings due to current fires, smoke, etc.

Description

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

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

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

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 224 ● Lurking Fear Trad, Aid 19 pitches 2. Southwest Face
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b C3 183 ● Zodiac Aid 16 pitches 3. Southeast Face
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c C3 PG13 72 ● The Shield Trad, Aid 30 pitches 2. Southwest Face
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a C2 644 ● The Nose Trad, Aid 31 pitches 2. Southwest Face
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a C2 186 ● Salathé Wall Trad, Aid 35 pitches 2. Southwest Face
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 560 ● Moby Dick Center Trad 1. Base Routes > Southwest Base > Moby Dick & Pterodact…
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 342 ● Sacherer Cracker Trad 1. Base Routes > Southwest Base > Slack to W Buttress
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 547 ● East Buttress Trad 11 pitches 4. E Buttress
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 98 ● Ahab Trad 1. Base Routes > Southwest Base > Moby Dick & Pterodact…
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 291 ● Salathe (pitch 1) Trad 1. Base Routes > Southwest Base > Moby Dick & Pterodact…
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c 276 ● Freeblast Trad 10 pitches 2. Southwest Face
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a 77 ● West Face Trad 20 pitches 2. Southwest Face
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c PG13 78 ● Free Rider Trad 30 pitches 2. Southwest Face
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c 11 ● Golden Gate Trad 36 pitches 2. Southwest Face
5.14d 9a 35 XI 36 E10 7c 55 ● The Dawn Wall Trad 32 pitches 3. Southeast Face