Avg time to climb route: 1 hour
Approach time: 30 minutes
Descent time: 30 minutes
Number of pitches:
1
Height of route: 120'
Overview
For years, this pitch represented the start of a hopeful line up El Capitan’s (then unclimbed) Southeast Face. After numerous attempts, this line was climbed in 1964 by Royal Robbins, Tom Frost, Chuck Pratt and Yvon Chouinard, a climb Steve Roper dubbed “The most difficult rock climb ever done.” This pitch is about the same difficulty as any of the three crux aid pitches on The Nose (Great Roof, Below the Glowering Spot and Changing Corners). During the winter this pitch may be wet. Practice on a few easier aid pitches before you tackle this one.
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| Source: SuperTopo Guidebook Staff |
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Pitch 1 of the NA Wall. Photo: Chris McNamara
Other Routes on El Capitan
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| The Nose, 5.14a or 5.9 C2
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| Freerider, 5.12D
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| Zodiac, A2 5.7
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| Salathe Wall, 5.13b or 5.9 C2
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| Lurking Fear, C2F 5.7
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Lurking Fear is route number 1. |
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