Storm Strands Two Climbers on Yosemite’s El Capitan as They Wait for Weather to Clear
Yosemite’s first big winter storm of the season has brought heavy rain, snow and cold temperatures to the valley. Two climbers spending days high on El Capitan are now waiting it out.
Professional climber Sasha DiGiulian and partner Elliot Faber have been working for weeks on a difficult route on the massive southeast face of El Capitan. The pair has been slowly making their way up the wall and are currently camped on a small hanging platform called the Gold Ledge, roughly 32 pitches, or thousands of feet, off the ground.
The team was making steady progress before this week’s storm rolled in, turning the rock slick and dangerous. With the wall too wet to safely continue, they are pausing and riding out the weather in their shelter until conditions improve.
The climb they are attempting was first completed in 2016 after weeks of hauling supplies and nearly two weeks spent on the wall. It has since become one of the most challenging routes on El Capitan.
The storm hitting Yosemite has been significant. The Merced River surged to its highest November flow since 1973, fueled by the combination of rain and melting early snow.
Fortunately, the forecast is improving. With sunny skies and warmer weather on the way, DiGiulian and Faber could continue their push once the rock dries. Yosemite climbers and fans around the world are watching closely.
