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Elevation: 7,116 ft
GPS: 37.73051, -119.6356
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 1,860,142 total · 8,554/month
Shared By: Josh Janes on Jun 15, 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 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...

102 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.
C3
 160
Zodiac
Aid 16 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b C2
 194
Lurking Fear
Trad, Aid 19 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c A3 PG13
 59
The Shield
Trad, Aid 30 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a C2
 580
The Nose
Trad, Aid 31 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a C2
 161
Salathé Wall
Trad, Aid 35 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 513
Moby Dick Center
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 308
Sacherer Cracker
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 485
East Buttress
Trad 9 pitches
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 94
Ahab
Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 266
Salathe (pitch 1)
Trad
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 254
Freeblast
Trad 10 pitches
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 68
West Face
Trad 20 pitches
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c PG13
 70
Freerider
Trad 30 pitches
5.14a 8b+ 32 X+ 32 E8 7a A3
 5
Magic Mushroom
Trad, Aid 31 pitches
5.14c 8c+ 34 XI- 35 E9 7b
 43
The Dawn Wall
Trad 32 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Zodiac 3. Southeast Face
 160
C3 Aid 16 pitches
Lurking Fear 2. Southwest Face
 194
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b C2 Trad, Aid 19 pitches
The Shield 2. Southwest Face
 59
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c A3 PG13 Trad, Aid 30 pitches
The Nose 2. Southwest Face
 580
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a C2 Trad, Aid 31 pitches
Salathé Wall 2. Southwest Face
 161
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a C2 Trad, Aid 35 pitches
Moby Dick Center 1. Base Routes > Southwest Base > Moby Dick & Pterodact…
 513
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Sacherer Cracker 1. Base Routes > Southwest Base > Slack to W Buttress
 308
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
East Buttress 4. E Buttress
 485
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 9 pitches
Ahab 1. Base Routes > Southwest Base > Moby Dick & Pterodact…
 94
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Salathe (pitch 1) 1. Base Routes > Southwest Base > Moby Dick & Pterodact…
 266
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad
Freeblast 2. Southwest Face
 254
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Trad 10 pitches
West Face 2. Southwest Face
 68
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad 20 pitches
Freerider 2. Southwest Face
 70
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c PG13 Trad 30 pitches
Magic Mushroom 2. Southwest Face
 5
5.14a 8b+ 32 X+ 32 E8 7a A3 Trad, Aid 31 pitches
The Dawn Wall 3. Southeast Face
 43
5.14c 8c+ 34 XI- 35 E9 7b Trad 32 pitches
More Classic Climbs in El Capitan »

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