Yosemite Free Climbers Could Be Days Away From Completing Ascension
YOSEMITE (KCBS)— Kevin Jorgeson of Santa Rosa and Tommy Caldwell of Colorado began free climbing Yosemite's El Capitan' Dawn Wall on December 27th. It's been called the hardest rock climb in the world, but there may be hope on the horizon as the adventurous pair could be days away from finishing their ascent.
Author and long-time climber John Long agrees and said they're near the end with the most difficult climbing behind them.
"It's just a matter of persevering. Another two or three days and they've probably got it. All the rest of the stuff they've already done on previous attempts."
Long, who is in regular contact with the climbers said free climbing means Jorgeson and Caldwell are using ropes only for safety and are scaling the 3,000-foot granite Dawn Wall with just their hands and feet.
Caldwell is now just 1,000 feet from finishing the groundbreaking climb according to Tom Evans, a photographer who has been chronicling their journey.
That has been causing some problems over the past day or two for Jorgeson.
"They got to the last most difficult pitch a couple of days ago and owing to continuous attempts from the previous 10 days their fingertips just get worn out. You can only yard down on those sharp holes for so long before the skin gives way," he said.
Jorgeson is going to take one more day to rest and let his fingers heal before attempting to free climb again. He'll continue with the help of ropes, if necessary.
