sierraclub.org - sierra magazine - march/april 2011 - grapple:a short history of the nose

GRAPPLE | With Issues and Ideas

Scientists Fight Back | Spiraling Down | Woe Is Us | As the World Warms | A Short History of the Nose |
Up to Speed

A Short History of the Nose

Peter and Maria Hoey

The first ascent of the Nose, the iconic 2,900-foot climbing route up Yosemite's El Capitan, took 32 days of preparation and then 12 days for the feat itself. Since then, speed records on the famous route have fallen every few years, with climbers swarming up the precipice with no food or water and minimal protection. Last November 6, Dean Potter and Sean Leary finished in 2 hours, 36 minutes, and 45 seconds, shaving 20 seconds off the 2008 record set by Hans Florine and Yuji Hirayama. Florine has since vowed to retake the record. —Paul Rauber

For details on the climbers involved with the records above, click here.

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