🧗 Grueling 23-Day Climb: Sasha DiGiulian Becomes First Woman to Free Climb El Capitan’s Platinum Wall

🌟 A Historic Achievement

Sasha DiGiulian, one of the most accomplished climbers of her generation, has etched her name into climbing history by becoming the first woman to free climb El Capitan’s Platinum Wall. The ascent took an astonishing 23 days of effort, underscoring both the difficulty of the route and the sheer determination required to complete it.

🏔️ The Platinum Wall

  • Location: El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, California

  • Route: The Platinum Wall, a notoriously demanding big-wall climb with pitches rated up to 5.13.

  • Challenges:

    • Sustained technical sequences across multiple pitches.

    • Thin cracks, overhangs, and delicate slab climbing.

    • Harsh conditions: fluctuating temperatures, fatigue, and logistical hurdles of living on the wall for weeks.

The Platinum Wall is considered one of El Capitan’s most formidable free climbing challenges, with few ascents even attempted due to its relentless difficulty.

đź’Ş The 23-Day Effort

  • DiGiulian and her climbing partners spent nearly a month on the wall, meticulously working through each pitch.

  • Free climbing means ascending without aid gear for upward progress—only using ropes and protection to prevent falls. Every move had to be executed with pure climbing skill.

  • The climb demanded not just physical strength but mental resilience, as setbacks and repeated attempts on crux sections tested endurance and patience.

đź‘© Trailblazing Impact

Sasha DiGiulian’s ascent is more than a personal triumph—it’s a milestone for women in climbing:

  • She shattered barriers by proving that one of Yosemite’s hardest free climbs is within reach for female athletes.

  • Her success adds to a growing legacy of women pushing standards in traditionally male-dominated climbing disciplines.

  • The climb inspires a new generation of climbers to pursue bold objectives on the world’s most iconic walls.

🎤 Sasha’s Reflections

DiGiulian described the climb as one of the most grueling yet rewarding experiences of her career. The Platinum Wall tested every facet of her ability, but the achievement represents years of dedication to the sport and a commitment to breaking boundaries.

🔥 This ascent places Sasha DiGiulian alongside legends who have redefined what’s possible on El Capitan. It’s not just a climb—it’s a statement about perseverance, equality, and the future of big-wall free climbing.