Fingers and stemming, embrace the sufferfest!

All Locations > Wyoming > Devils Tower > W Face > El Matador (5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b)

Fingers and stemming, embrace the sufferfest!

ID 119689289 ·

Flag This Photo

· Copyright Violation?

Hard to miss this beautiful stem box

Long Exposure with LEDs. The color changes at the top of each pitch

Rate Photo

0.0 from 0 votes

Zero is my Hero

Oct 5, 2020

“Fingers and stemming, embrace the sufferfest!”

0 Comments

Nearby Photos

Long Exposure with LEDs. The color changes at the top of each pitch

The classic shot from the boulder field...

Bill Geist seconding the classic and amazing second pitch of "El Matador."

Josh leads El Mat for the first time.

Greg Schaffer stems El Matador, at the age of 63, Climbing with Guide John Walker of Devils Tower Lodge!! Greg DID NOT rap after this pitch, but pursued the climb all the way to the Tower Top !!

On the First Matador Ascent (FMA) of El Matador, a matador prepares for the crux pitch.

look ma, no hands...

at 5'0'' it is possible to stem. possible, but brutal.

First jug after 130' of your legs melting...ahh

The First Matador Ascent (FMA) of El Matador. ¡Ole!

As he follows the second pitch, the Matador prepares to fight ze bull!

Christian climbing the first pitch of El Matador 5-10d

Having conquered ze bull, the matadors celebrate the First Matador Ascent (FMA) of El Matador.

El Matador route

Aaron covington following up El Matador! unless you have legs of steel, get a rest however you can!

Rob finishing the 2nd pitch.

Cool shot up the stem box. taken by my cousin

El Matador 5.10d Beta

Stem, palm, push, jam, repeat...

Rocking it old school

Half way up pitch 2

Jenny & I on EL Matador!<br>
<br>
Photo: Torsten Lyon, torstenlyon.com

First go at this AMAZING LINE

Several displays of technique..

Nearing top of P2. Anthony belaying

chossy, bird crap laden chimney on P5-6

THE pitch

Ray thinks he's a starfish

Jenny & I at the first Belay.<br>
<br>
PC: Torsten Lyon

Rob leading the first pitch.

I'm 5 foot tall and wasn't able to use the stem position expect for a few seconds of rest here and there. Did my best to bridge my way up - but definitely had to use the crack for the majority of it. Incredible climb and hope to do it again!!

STEM

Looking up from P1 belay ledge.

Jim & Pat came all the way from the East Coast just to stem the Matador !!! They got what they came for and MORE!!!

Billy Mac leading the first pitch

chimney lichen up close and personal

At a slide show a non climber asked me if this was a man made structure.

An unknown climber on the second pitch of El Matador.

Entering the 10a crux of the 4th pitch around the right side of the roof. Photo by Adam Sinner

Colin Simon and David Alexander atop Pitch 1.

Artley starting up P2

Artley starting up P3

P2 stem action

my pitch, Eldo style roof action

Paul Jacobson following midway on pitch one.

Artley cruising the P2 fingerlocks

Artley about to finish P1

Looking up El Matador from the bottom.

An unknown climber nearing the end of the stemming pitch. (That's me rapping off of McCarthy West Face).

summit grassland(?!)

Cletus and Andrés on P2 (crux)

Following up pitch 2

Logan R. leading pitch 2.

P2 El mat on a nice October morning

Unknown climber nearing the top of P2. I took the picture as I was rappelling the route.

Feel the burn in your calves

Stem for your life!

Hard to miss this beautiful stem box

Fingers and stemming, embrace the sufferfest!