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Dawn Wall: Four Pitches to go! Summit Day?

Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson might complete their Dawn Wall climb today, Jan. 14, after nearly 20 days on the wall.

**WATCH LIVE NOW**

Jorgeson crimps onto one of the small holds  Photo Corey Rich
Jorgeson crimps onto one of the small holds Photo Corey Rich

Progress

Gripped’s editor, Brandon Pullan, has had a line to the valley for the last few weeks.

This morning, Tom Evans, told him that the team bivied on Mescalito Ledge a.k.a Ship’s Bow, only four pitches from the top. “Unprecedented good weather continues to bless this climb. We had another blue bird day, that was a bit cold at the start but warmed nicely in the morning sun,” said Evans.

Pullan also had a conversation with Alex Huber about the Dawn Wall. Huber said, “Brandon, in short, what they are doing is impressive and amazing, an amazing climb. I haven’t been to Yosemite since 2007, but I might have to plan a trip sooner than later now.”

The always insightful Andrew Bisharat wrote a piece for National Geographic yesterday and said, “Another piece for National Geographic. I know very little about the world in general. In fact, it’s safe to say that I’m probably dumber than the rocks I like to climb. But I kinda know a little bit about climbing. It’s been fun to have two seconds of the world’s attention to share some of the aspects of our sport, lifestyle and culture.”

Read Bisharat’s Piece Here

El Cap's routes, the free routes are bold. Can you find Dawn Wall?
El Cap’s routes, the free routes are bold. Can you find Dawn Wall?

Live Cast

On Jan. 13, Gripped relayed a live cast from Yosemite. It was exciting to watch the action live with people across North America. Before the feed was cut, we watched Caldwell and Jorgeson climb towards Ship’s Bow. As the headlamps came out, the feed stopped. We are waiting for the live cast to start back up today.

Day 18, Caldwell leads on Photo Tom Evans
Day 18, Caldwell leads Photo Tom Evans

What’s Left?

From their high bivy, four pitches from the top, Caldwell and Jorgeson have some hard work ahead.

“The crowd dispersed, leaving the men to themselves, knowing they had gotten their seven pitches done this day, and were poised for the summit in the morning. But not so fast, breath of a thousand swine.  Tomorrow is no cake walk. The Old Captain has four pitches of 5.12b, 5.12b, 5.13a and finishes with a pitch of 5.12b, waiting to pester their efforts, just in case they get a little over confident,” wrote Evans on his El Cap Report.

Is today the day Caldwell and Jorgeson step into the history books for freeing El Cap’s hardest route?

Dawn Wall News Here

The Free Dawn Topo
The Free Dawn Topo
The Free Dawn Topo
The Free Dawn Topo

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