El Capitan

El Capitan, the largest exposed-granite monolith in the world, rises 3,593 feet (1095 meters) above Yosemite Valley. Once deemed unclimbable, it has since become a benchmark for big-wall climbing. In 1958, Warren Harding achieved the first ascent of the ‘nose,’ a feat that transformed El Capitan into one of the most sought-after rock-climbing destinations in the United States. Today, visitors can marvel at its sheer, towering face and observe climbers as they tackle its challenging routes, making it a central attraction in Yosemite National Park.