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Contributed by Simon M
The Huber's have freed Zodiac on El Capitan. They've been working on the route intensively and even set a new speed (aid) record earlier in the summer. Zodiac is 16 pitches (A2) and was first climbed in 1972 by Chris Porter. The Huber's topped out on 9 October to bring their tally of big El Cap free routes to four, with El Nino (1998), Golden Gate (2000) and El Corazon (2001). The grade is likely to be in the upper 5.13 range.
Yuji Hirayama has recently completed the second ascent of the Huber brothers' Golden Gate on El Cap. Yuji attempted to on-sight the route, but fell first on the 31st pitch of the 45 pitch 5.13b, after going off route. Once back on the correct line, Yuji continued on up but then fell again on the two crux pitches, before lowering off and redpointing both of them. He topped out at 8pm on his second day. Last year Hirayama set a new speed record on the Salathé.
The Huber's have freed Zodiac on El Capitan. They've been working on the route intensively and even set a new speed (aid) record earlier in the summer. Zodiac is 16 pitches (A2) and was first climbed in 1972 by Chris Porter. The Huber's topped out on 9 October to bring their tally of big El Cap free routes to four, with El Nino (1998), Golden Gate (2000) and El Corazon (2001). The grade is likely to be in the upper 5.13 range.
Yuji Hirayama has recently completed the second ascent of the Huber brothers' Golden Gate on El Cap. Yuji attempted to on-sight the route, but fell first on the 31st pitch of the 45 pitch 5.13b, after going off route. Once back on the correct line, Yuji continued on up but then fell again on the two crux pitches, before lowering off and redpointing both of them. He topped out at 8pm on his second day. Last year Hirayama set a new speed record on the Salathé.