This Article is From Jan 12, 2015

Yosemite Climbers Push to Finish El Capitan Ascent

Yosemite Climbers Push to Finish El Capitan Ascent

Kevin Jorgeson, 30 (left), and Tommy Caldwell, 36 (right), prepare their climbing gear for the climb. (Associated Press)

San Francisco: One of two climbers attempting a grueling ascent up a half-mile (800 meters) of sheer granite in California's Yosemite National Park is making a push to catch up with his partner.

Thirty-year-old Kevin Jorgeson has been behind 36-year-old Tommy Caldwell for about a week as they try to scale El Capitan's Dawn Wall.

A spokeswoman says Jorgeson will try on Monday to catch up with Caldwell at a rare ledge.

From there, it will be a push to the 3,000-foot (900-meter) summit, possibly by midweek.

On Friday, Jorgeson got past one of the most difficult stretches after days of failed attempts and waiting.

The climbers are two weeks into what's billed as the first free climb of Dawn Wall.

Free climb means the men only use ropes to prevent deadly falls.
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