Avg time to climb route: 1 day
Approach time: 1.5 hours
Descent time: 3 hours
Number of pitches:
15
Height of route: 1500'
Overview
The West Face is usually climbed as a free climb. It has just a few short 5.11 sections and the rest is mostly 5.8-5.10. Occasionally it is done "wall style" with the leader using some aid and the follower jumaring. Either way, it is best done as a one day climb because of the tremendous effort to get wall loads to the base. Is it a "true" El Cap big wall route? It's definitely more of a wall than the East Buttress, but not nearly in the league as other El Cap routes. That said, who cares!? It's a big adventure (with a big approach and descent). This route get shade till the early afternoon, and then can become really hot because it is more sheltered from the wind. Start early, and move fast.
Climber Beta on West Face
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West Face
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West Face
| Source: SuperTopo Guidebook Staff |
Last update: March 8, 2011 |
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Other Routes on El Capitan
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| The Nose, 5.14a or 5.9 C2
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| Zodiac, A2 5.7
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1800' of fantastic climbing. |
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| Salathe Wall, 5.13b or 5.9 C2
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The Salathé Wall ascends the most natural line up El Cap. |
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| Lurking Fear, C2F 5.7
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Lurking Fear is route number 1. |
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| East Buttress, 5.10b
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East Buttress with top of The Nose on left. |
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