Yosemite National Park: El Capitan's Impossible Climb

El Capitan is one of the most famous views of Yosemite National Park. This cliff towers over the valley, with walls that extend straight up. Once, this cliff was considered impossible to climb.

In this episode, we cover the original three climbers who navigated their way up the cliff. It took them months to make up to the top. And then, we move on to Alex Honnold with his incredible free solo, climbing up the 3000 foot summit with zero ropes.

But how did this cliff get so huge in the first place? And why didn't the glaciers take it out while they bulldozed everything else in this valley? Learn how ancient magma, slow cooling, and cracks have everything to do with it.

Thank you to Lauren Harter for providing us with our park sound today.