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B. El Capitan

California > Yosemite NP > Yosemite Valley > Valley N Side
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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...

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The porch swing on El cap
[Hide Photo] The porch swing on El cap
The stellar crux pitch of The Prophet<br>
Photo Cody Sims
[Hide Photo] The stellar crux pitch of The Prophet Photo Cody Sims
El Cap at night.  Photo by Yaman Ozakin
[Hide Photo] El Cap at night. Photo by Yaman Ozakin
West face of El Cap <br>
[Hide Photo] West face of El Cap
El Cap in a storm, May 2008.
[Hide Photo] El Cap in a storm, May 2008.
Dale Bard 5 rurp belay.
[Hide Photo] Dale Bard 5 rurp belay.
EL Cap, Winter.<br>
Photo by Blitzo.
[Hide Photo] EL Cap, Winter. Photo by Blitzo.
A climber and the Salathe Headwall
[Hide Photo] A climber and the Salathe Headwall
Well hello there.
[Hide Photo] Well hello there.
Nice summit shot from the top of El Cap, showing Juli's freshly amputated pinky finger.
[Hide Photo] Nice summit shot from the top of El Cap, showing Juli's freshly amputated pinky finger.
Beware of lizards.<br>
Photo by Blitzo.
[Hide Photo] Beware of lizards. Photo by Blitzo.
The first foot of 3000
[Hide Photo] The first foot of 3000

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Scotty Nelson
Boulder
[Hide Comment] I can't seem to find this rock... Jun 22, 2006
[Hide Comment] Scotty---
If you're coming in from the west it's on your left.It's kinda greyish............... Oct 12, 2008
Alex Temus
Lehi, UT
[Hide Comment] First Free Solo Ascent: Alex Honnold via "Freerider (5.12d)"

Holy crap! Jun 3, 2017
Erik Sloan
Yosemite, CA
[Hide Comment] I made a detailed East Ledges Descent page in my Yosemite Logistics section

yosemitebigwall.com/logistics Sep 26, 2018
Manderson198
Chattanooga, TN
[Hide Comment] Anyone have a topo for Horse Play variation of Horse Chute? Jul 13, 2019
Clint Cummins
Palo Alto, CA
[Hide Comment] > Anyone have a topo for Horse Play variation of Horse Chute?
It's in the 1987 Meyers-Reid guidebook, p.120.
It starts off the left side of the Truck Stop bivy.
16. A3 LFC
17. A2 crack switch to left
18. A2+ to long pendulum right, or A3/4 right from belay with 2 short pendulums right
19. A1 40' to 2x anchor
20. 5.9 ow, 3x to roof, A2
21. short 4th to Thanksgiving Ledge Jul 13, 2019
Jefferson Ashby
Bellingham, WA
[Hide Comment] A really high-res photo of the wall and routes

xrez.com/blog/el-capitan-gi… Sep 22, 2020
[Hide Comment] Hoping to top out on Lurking Fear on Wed the 24th or Thur the 25th (April of 2024). Anyone interested meeting me at the top and earning some cash as a porter? 7 days ago