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...
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for El Capitan:
The Zodiac C3+ Aid, 16 pitches, 1800 feet, Grade VI
Lurking Fear 5.7 C2 Trad, Aid, 19 pitches, 2000 feet, Grade VI
Triple Direct 5.9 C1- Trad, Aid, 35 pitches, 3200 feet, Grade VI
Salathe Wall 5.9 C2 R Trad, Aid, 35 pitches, 3500 feet, Grade VI
Lurking Fear is the easiest aid climb on El Capitan. The aid is straight forward and the free climbing is excellent. The entire free climb checks in at 5.13c (FFA: Tommy Caldwell and Beth Rodden). Despite the moderate grade of this route, it doesn't see nearly as much traffic as The Nose or The Salathe. There is a fair amount of terrain that can be free climbed at a moderate grade and the aid on terrain harder than that tends to be mostly C1. The...[more]Browse More Classics in CA
Print a Mini-Guide - Includes Routes!
RSS Feed
Slideshow
