Yosemite climber just 1,000 feet from summit
SAN FRANCISCO - One of the men making a grueling ascent of a half-mile of exposed granite in California's Yosemite National Park is now just 1,000 feet from finishing the groundbreaking climb.
Tommy Caldwell climbed to a ledge 2,000 feet up on Thursday, says Tom Evans, a photographer and climber who has been chronicling the journey.
Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson are relying completely on their physical strength and dexterity to make their way up the Dawn Wall, a vertical face on one side of El Capitan. Caldwell could become the first to accomplish the feat.
Jorgeson has been struggling to get past a particularly difficult section lower down and will try again Friday. The men have been climbing toward the 3,000-foot summit for two weeks.
Tommy Caldwell eats dinner during what has been called the hardest rock climb in the world.
Associated Press/Dec. 29, 2014
Tommy Caldwell, 36, of Estes Park, Colo., with Kevin Jorgeson, 30, of Santa Rosa, Calif., not seen, set up camp.
Associated Press/ Dec. 28, 2014
Kevin Jorgeson ascends what is known as Pitch 8 as two men attempt what has been called the hardest rock climb in the world.
Associated Press/ Dec. 28, 2014