Kevin Jorgeson and Ben Rueck Free 1960 Yosemite Aid Line

Kevin Jorgeson announced on Facebook that he and Ben Rueck made the first free ascent of the 1960 West Face route up Sentinel Rock in Yosemite. First climbed by Tom Frost and Yvon Chouinard, the 400-metre 11-pitch route is a classic for locals and visitors. Up too 99 per cent of the route had been freed in the past by John Bachar and Mike Lechlinski in 1983 using an original undercling. In 1993, Jonny Woodward and Scott Cosgrove sent a new variation without the undercling. Visit here for a pitch-by-pitch breakdown or how climbers have been sending it with some aid.

Sentinel Rock has a number of free climbs up to 15 pitches. The Psychedelic Wall is a 5.12c 11-pitch freed by Cedar Wright and Jake Whittaker in 2002. Medicine Wall is a 13-pitch 5.13a freed by Cedar Wright and Jose Pereya in 2002. The Direct North Face is an 11-pitch 5.12 freed by Kevin Thaw and Adam Wainwright in 1994. The Chouinard/Herbert is a 15-pitch 5.11c sent by John Long, Pete Minks and Eric Erickson in 1976. How the West Was Won is a 16-pitch 5.12b. Be sure to follow Jorgeson and Rueck below for more on their send and proposed grade.

Look ma, no hands! Yesterday, @benrueck and I checked out the upper pitches of the Sentinel's West Face. What we found was bold, wide, classic climbing that left us both impressed. Grades may have progressed a lot since 1960 (when Tom Frost and Yvon Chouinard made FA), but I would argue that the boldness of Yosemite's early climbers remains unrivaled. If all goes well tomorrow, we will follow in their foot steps and make the first free ascent. I expect a good fight though! Thanks to @johnevansphoto for the pic!

A photo posted by Kevin Jorgeson (@kjorgeson) on Sep 29, 2016 at 12:37pm PDT

My offwidth/chimney face almost 1000 feet up. @kjorgeson and I are cranking up the third established wall in Yosemite Valley- originally done by Tom Frost and Yvon Chounard in 1960- this spire inspires the boldness and adventure that is inherent in those that can imagine, work hard, and create. We are trying to clear the 99% freed status and make it 100%. Tomorrow is the push. @adidasoutdoor @sterlingrope @campusa @getkanoa @addaday @lasportivana #ospreypacks. PC: @johnevansphoto

A photo posted by Benjamin Rueck (@benrueck) on Sep 29, 2016 at 3:21pm PDT