The Hardest Pitch in Yosemite Goes Down!
According to Tommy Caldwell, Yosemite's hardest pitch of free climbing has now been established ... smack dab in the middle of the Dawn Wall!
Unlock this article and more benefits with 25% off.
Already have an Outside Account? Sign in
25% Off Outside+.
$4.99/month $3.75/month*
Get the one subscription to fuel all your adventures.
- Map your next adventure with our premium GPS apps: Gaia GPS Premium and Trailforks Pro.
- Read unlimited digital content from 15+ brands, including Outside Magazine, Triathlete, Ski, Trail Runner, and VeloNews.
- Watch 600+ hours of endurance challenges, cycling and skiing action, and travel documentaries.
- Learn from the pros with expert-led online courses.
*Outside memberships are billed annually. Print subscriptions available to U.S. residents only. You may cancel your membership at anytime, but no refunds will be issued for payments already made. Upon cancellation, you will have access to your membership through the end of your paid year. More Details
According to Tommy Caldwell, Yosemite’s hardest pitch of free-climbing has now been established … smack dab in the middle of the Dawn Wall!
“I regret to inform anyone looking to climb the hardest pitch in Yosemite that now they have to get to the absolute middle of El Cap to make it happen,” posted Caldwell via Facebook. “PITCH 15 WENT DOWN!!!”
Caldwell credits winter conditions for his send, and accompanied his post with a picture of a snow-filled Yosemite Valley, writing: “It’s looking like winter conditions are the way forward.”
Pro Climbers International also shared the news on Facebook, posting: “Breaking News: Tommy Caldwell just sent Pitch 15, the second “traverse pitch” on the Dawn Wall. At 5.14d, it’s the hardest pitch in Yosemite and represents a huge step toward an eventual send of the entire route.”
According to one of Kevin Jorgeson’s Facebook posts from October, Pitch 15 contains the infamous eight-foot sideways dyno. However, the 15th pitch Caldwell redpointed actually ends just below the sideways dyno, which is now part of Pitch 16.
Regardless, progress has continued on what will certainly be the hardest big-wall free climb in the world.