Emily Harrington Becomes First Woman to Free Climb Yosemite’s El Capitan in Single Day by CBSN Bay Area
El Capitan’s Golden Gate ft. Emily Harrington | The North Face
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK (AP) — Mountain climber Emily Harrington has become the fourth person and the first woman to free-climb the face of Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan, a 3000-foot sheer granite wall, in a single day.
While most of the country was focused on the results of the U.S. presidential election early Wednesday, the 34-year-old began to scale El Capitan, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday. She reached the top 21 hours, 13 minutes and 51 seconds later. Only three people — all men — have made the free climb in a day.
Free climbers use ropes to catch them if they fall but not to help them ascend.
El Capitan is one of the world’s most famous climbing spots. It has been a proving ground for the best climbers for decades in the national park, which many consider the birthplace of modern rock climbing.
Harrington had climbed a particular route on the wall, called Golden Gate, many times, but never in a single day. Nearly a year ago, she endured a scary fall and was taken to the hospital with injuries. She vowed to try again and spent months training in her home gym in Tahoe City, California.
This time, she ascended with the assistance of her boyfriend Adrian Ballinger, a renowned Mount Everest guide, and Alex Honnold, famous for his unprecedented free solo climb of El Capitan. They were tied to the same rope. To read more go to the link below:
