William Moss’s flash ascent of Freerider on El Capitan is one of the most groundbreaking achievements in big wall climbing. His 22-hour, 16-minute ascent marks the first-ever flash of an El Cap route in a single day, pushing the boundaries of what climbers believed was possible.
Moss’s Preparation & Strategy
Moss had been preparing for this ascent for over two years. He meticulously studied footage of Freerider, memorizing every move from the ground up. His approach was mental as much as physical, ensuring he could visualize the entire climb before even setting foot on the rock.
He attempted the flash in 2023, but Yosemite’s notorious weather conditions forced him to postpone. In 2024, he was inspired by Barbara Zangerl’s historic flash of Freerider—though hers took four days. Determined to take it a step further, Moss returned in May 2025, teaming up with Stuart Grossman for the attempt.
The Climb
Starting at 5:00 AM, Moss moved efficiently through the 3,000-foot route, tackling its hardest sections—including the Boulder Problem Pitch—without a single fall. His ability to adapt on the fly was crucial, as he had to modify his beta mid-climb when a foothold didn’t work as expected.
By 3:16 AM, Moss topped out, securing his place in climbing history. His ascent is being hailed as a game-changer for big wall free climbing.
