Skip to content
Independent and accessible public media is needed more than ever.
Help us continue keeping communities informed and inspired.
Keep public media independent and accessible
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

2 Men Reach Top Of Yosemite's El Capitan In Historic Climb

Wednesday, January 14, 2015 | Sacramento, CA
Tom Evans / elcapreport / AP

In this Jan. 12, 2015 photo Kevin Jorgeson climbs what has been called the hardest rock climb in the world: a free climb of El Capitan.

Tom Evans / elcapreport / AP

3:30 p.m. Update:

(AP) Two Americans have become the first to free-climb Yosemite National Park's Dawn Wall, which has been called the hardest rock climb in the world.

Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson summited the 3,000-foot granite monolith in California on Wednesday after starting on Dec. 27.

The Dawn Wall is a vertical face on one side of the famous Yosemite rock formation known as El Capitan.

While there are roughly 100 routes up El Capitan, the Dawn Wall is considered the steepest and most difficult.

Though others have climbed the Dawn Wall, Caldwell and Jorgeson are the first to free-climb it, meaning they used ropes only as a safeguard against falls.

 

 

Yosemite climbers embrace near top of monumental climb. pic.twitter.com/KUjgfGTEcU

— KQED News (@KQEDnews) January 14, 2015

(AP) - The two climbers vying to become the first in the world to use only their hands and feet to scale a sheer granite face in California's Yosemite National Park are almost to the top.

  • NYTimes Blog/Q&A with Professional Climber Alex Honnold

A spokeswoman said Tuesday that 30-year-old Kevin Jorgeson of California and 36-year-old Tommy Caldwell of Colorado will likely finish the half-mile climb up El Capitan's Dawn Wall on Wednesday evening.

For 17 days, the two have been attempting what many thought impossible. The men are "free-climbing" to the 3,000-foot summit, meaning they don't use climbing aids other than ropes only to prevent deadly falls.

Each trained for more than five years, and they have battled bloodied fingers and unseasonably warm weather. Plus, Jorgeson fell 11 times over seven days trying to get past one tough section.  

Tweets from https://twitter.com/CapRadioNews/lists/dawn-wall-climb

 


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    Related Stories

  • El Capitan Climbers Reach The Top

    Thursday, January 15, 2015
    Santa Rosa Press Democrat Reporter Phil Barber talks with Insight about the historic climb.

 Yosemite National Park

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

Kris Hooks / CapRadio

California voters could add right to an abortion to the state constitution this November

June 27, 2022

Jae C. Hong / AP Photo

With Roe v. Wade overturned, will California’s universities become safe havens for out-of-state students?

June 26, 2022

Courtesy of Author

Vanessa Hua: "Forbidden City"

June 29, 2022

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Composting starts soon in Sacramento County. Here’s what you need to know.

California coronavirus updates: FDA advisors recommend new formulation for COVID-19 booster shots

California tax relief: What’s in the deal

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Composting starts soon in Sacramento County. Here’s what you need to know.

California coronavirus updates: FDA advisors recommend new formulation for COVID-19 booster shots

California tax relief: What’s in the deal

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.