El Capitan: Yosemite Duo Complete World’s Toughest Climb
” Two climbers in California’s Yosemite national park made history on Wednesday, reaching the summit of what has been called the world’s hardest rock climb.
After weeks of herculean effort, Kevin Jorgeson, 30, and Tommy Caldwell, 36, scaled the half-mile section of exposed granite known as the Dawn Wall on El Capitan peak.
Upon clambering over the final ledge they paused, looked at each other and raised their arms in triumph.
People watching from the park and online via a live feed hailed the feat, completed just after 3.30pm local time, as thrilling and inspirational.”
” “ In a time full of terrible events those dudes getting up the side of El Capitan is pretty bloody awesome!” said one typical tweet.
“ It’s incredible that we all were just able to witness one of the greatest feats in climbing history,” marvelled another.
The pair made the 3,000ft ascent in what has been billed as the wall’s first free climb, using only natural rock holds for hands and feet. Rope was used only to arrest falls.”
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