El Capitan

The El Capitan Climbing War The news spread through Yosemite Valley last Oct. 15The news spread through Yosemite Valley last Oct. 15 Dean Potter and Tim O'Neill had scaled El Capitan's Nose route in less than four hours -- three hours, 59 minutes and 35 secondsDean Potter and Tim O'Neill had scaled El Capitan's Nose route in less than four hours -- three hours, 59 minutes and 35 seconds Sports Illustrated / CNN

Steph Davis and Dean Potter climbing Half Dome Yosemite, CA

Dean Potter climbing pitch 30 on Freerider El Capitan Dean Potter climbing pitch 30 on Freerider El Capitan Yosemite, CA.

The El Capitan Climbing War Nine days Florine and Jim Herson covered the route in 3:57:27Nine days Florine and Jim Herson covered the route in 3:57:27 Even though they lost 10 minutes when Herson stopped to fix a broken shoelace, theyEven though they lost 10 minutes when Herson stopped to fix a broken shoelace, they Sports Illustrated / CNN

Hans Florine nearing the top of Half DomeHans Florine nearing the top of Half Dome

Hans Florine racing toward the top of El CapitanHans Florine racing toward the top of El Capitan

TrooperJohnson

This is the hike up to the base of El CapitanThis is the hike up to the base of El Capitan Everybody focuses on the climb itself, but getting there, and getting back are just as difficultEverybody focuses on the climb itself, but getting there, and getting back are just as difficult

This is the first pitch of the climbThis is the first pitch of the climb

This is a shot from above as we get startedThis is a shot from above as we get started We are a few hundred feet off the ground now and the valley floor is starting to shrinkWe are a few hundred feet off the ground now and the valley floor is starting to shrink

From the valley floor we are starting to look like antsFrom the valley floor we are starting to look like ants We are still only a few hundred feet up.We are still only a few hundred feet up.

As we start going into the first nightAs we start going into the first night 150 ft pine trees below look like shrubs150 ft pine trees below look like shrubs

Getting even higher on the rockGetting even higher on the rock As we went into the next day we passed the 2000 foot mark.As we went into the next day we passed the 2000 foot mark.

Finally summiting.Finally summiting. It was 5:15am and I started my last pitch.It was 5:15am and I started my last pitch feet above the valley floor on an overhang.3000 feet above the valley floor on an overhang. This is what it's all about.This is what it's all about. Total exposure.Total exposure.

After doing pull-ups for 38 hours, the only thing my body could handle was sleep

Goals What were their goals?What were their goals? –Did they have the same starting point? –Did each succeed in getting to the top? Was one better than the other?Was one better than the other?

Class Goals My goal is to provide you with the material so you can do well at LCHS and in college.My goal is to provide you with the material so you can do well at LCHS and in college. What is your goal?What is your goal? –Do each of you have the same starting point? –Do some of you have to work longer to obtain the same goal?