Dawn Wall Going Down

January 5, 2015

by Leafcutter Creative Digital

For those that aren't on the social media train, you may be interested to know that after goodness knows how many years Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson look like they might just be setting a new standard as their two week push to free climb the Dawn Wall on El Capitan is going to plan. Tommy sent pitch 15 yesterday which at 5.14+ and after 14 pitches of climbing in the middle of the 1000m wall is no mere feat. He seamed to be red pointing that pitch forever. I was probably about 7 years old when I first saw footage if him on that light grey streak traverse. These two climbers have been so motivated for so long on this project and have given thousands of hours of footage to climbing media getting all us bumblies excited on youtube to go climbing the next day. I'm already starting to feel the downer that's about to set in. What's Tommy going to talk about know? How is he going to fill his sentences when the words "Dawn Wall" and "sideways dyno" aren't going to be there anymore? But I'm getting way ahead of myself. Must stay motivated. They're still up there. Still with about 10 pitches of grade 30+ climbing to do.

Here are some updates via Tommy Caldwell's Facebook page:

The start of the push is finally here. Yesterday was our first day of a planned two weeks on the wall. We climbed the first five pitches feeling a bit nervous but things went well and we worked out the jitters a bit. Source: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tommy-Caldwell/

Oh snap. The hardest pitch got sent by both of us tonight. I might be in a little shock right now. The route is taking a toll on our fingertips as we are now both climbing with taped up fingertips, but it doesn't seem to be slowing us down too much. Oh yeah!!!! Phot by @brettlowell Image Source: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tommy-Caldwell/

One step closer! I sent pitch 15 last night. Keven got oh so close several times. I am sure he could have done it if he didn't have to tape two key fingers. Weather it's getting hard to sleep forecast looks splitter! It's getting hard to sleep due to the excitement I feel. Photo @brettlowell taken form the most exposed spot on the planet. Image Source: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tommy-Caldwell/