El Capitan

rock climbing · Yosemite · granite · adventure

A giant rock wall. El Capitan is a massive granite monolith in Yosemite National Park that rises about 3,000 feet straight up from the ground, making it taller than the Empire State Building.

World-famous climbing spot. Climbers travel from all over the planet to tackle El Capitan because it offers different challenges, from climbing with special equipment (aid climbing) to climbing with just their hands and feet (free climbing).

Made of solid granite. This incredible cliff is one huge piece of granite that was shaped by glaciers over millions of years, creating one of the most beautiful and challenging rock faces on Earth.

Located in Yosemite Valley. You can find El Capitan on the north side of Yosemite Valley in California, where you can see it from the valley floor and watch tiny climbers working their way up the massive wall.

Free solo climbing challenge. Some of the world's most daring climbers attempt to scale El Capitan with no ropes or safety equipment at all, which is called free solo climbing and requires incredible skill and courage.