Grueling 23-Day Climb Makes Sasha DiGiulian First Woman to Free Climb El Capitan’s Platinum Wall
A major milestone was just made on Yosemite’s iconic El Capitan. World Champion climber Sasha DiGiulian has completed the first female free ascent of the notoriously difficult Platinum Wall (Direct Line), a 39-pitch testpiece rated 5.13d and considered one of the longest and most demanding routes on El Cap.
DiGiulian spent 23 straight days on the wall in a continuous ground-up push, battling cold storms, slick rock, and the sheer physical toll of the route. She led 27 pitches, including every crux section, and called the climb the most challenging and formative of her career.
The Platinum Wall was established over nearly a decade by Rob “Platinum” Miller and partners and first freed in 2017. Only three teams had completed it before this season—including Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell. DiGiulian’s climb marks just the fourth free ascent in history.
What makes the route so extreme? Long stretches of glacier-polished granite with almost no features, forcing climbers onto difficult bolted sequences, roof traverses, and powerful 5.13 moves stacked pitch after pitch.
DiGiulian and partner Elliot Faber started their push on November 2, but a massive storm trapped them on a portaledge for nine days. They endured heavy rain, snow, and freezing winds with condensation soaking their gear. When the storm finally passed, the upper wall was wet and treacherous. Still, DiGiulian pressed on.
Near the top, Faber had to leave for a family emergency. After waiting two days, DiGiulian finished the climb on November 26 with the help of Ryan Sheridan and a film crew.
With more than 30 First Female Ascents worldwide, DiGiulian adds another historic achievement—one that will inspire future generations of Yosemite climbers.
