Emily Harrington: One day tour of the Golden Gate on El Capitan

The American Emily Harrington manages the one-day ascent of the big wall route Golden Gate (5.13b / 8a) on El Capitan, Yosemite Valley. It took Emily 21 hours and 13 minutes to climb all pitches.

About a year ago, the 34-year-old professional climber made her first attempt to cover the 41 pitches of the route Golden Gate to climb red point on El Capitan within one day. During this attempt, she fell and got away with relatively minor injuries. From this setback left Emily do not be put off and made another attempt this fall.

Emily Harrington on the one day tour of the Golden Gate on El Capitan. (Photo Jon Glassberg)
Emily Harrington on the one day tour of the Golden Gate on El Capitan. (Photo Jon Glassberg)

Another attempt with the support of Alex Honnold

At 01.34:XNUMX a.m., Emily Harrington, accompanied by Alex Honnold, in the light of the headlamp into the first pitch of Golden Gate (5.13b / 8a). 21 hours, 13 minutes and 51 seconds later, the exertion of the 41 pitch route was over and Emily Harrington got off the route.

I never thought I'd be able to climb El Cap in a day free when I set myself this goal. It was just completely unrealistic. But that's exactly why I chose this goal and stuck to it.

Emily Harrington

The Golden Gate route was first freely climbed by the Huber brothers in 2000 and so far only by Tommy Caldwell, Alex Honnold and Brad Gobright repeated. Emily is the first woman to climb Golden Gate redpunk and the fourth woman ever to climb a route El Capitan Free climbed in less than 24 hours.

Emily Harrington at Golden Gate on El Capitan

That might interest you

+ + +
Credits: Cover picture Jon Glassberg

News

Mountains on Stage 2026: Mountain Cinema and Adventure in the Winter Edition

The Mountains on Stage film festival returns to the big screen with its Winter Edition! Starting November 23, 2026, the festival, centered around adventure and mountains, will be back on stage in 23 countries worldwide. The German-language tour kicks off on November 23, 2026, in Basel and will stop in 38 cities across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

From 8C to 9A: Matthew Mendes replays Realm of Torment

This week, 20-year-old Briton Matthew Mendes made the second ascent of Will Bosi's "Realm of Tor'ment" (9A) in the Peak District. It is his first boulder problem of this grade – after only five years of climbing outdoors and indoors.

Climbing and knee problems: where they come from and how to prevent them

Knee pain is common among climbers. Klaus Isele explains what to do in case of knee pain.

A tie in the final: The decision at the German Lead Championships 2026 was that close.

Anna Maria Apel (cover photo) and Yannick Nagel remain Germany's number one in lead climbing. Both successfully defended their titles at the German Championships in Darmstadt. While Apel had to wait anxiously until the very last moment, Nagel set the decisive mark in the men's competition.

Mountains on Stage 2026: Mountain Cinema and Adventure in the Winter Edition

The Mountains on Stage film festival returns to the big screen with its Winter Edition! Starting November 23, 2026, the festival, centered around adventure and mountains, will be back on stage in 23 countries worldwide. The German-language tour kicks off on November 23, 2026, in Basel and will stop in 38 cities across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

From 8C to 9A: Matthew Mendes replays Realm of Torment

This week, 20-year-old Briton Matthew Mendes made the second ascent of Will Bosi's "Realm of Tor'ment" (9A) in the Peak District. It is his first boulder problem of this grade – after only five years of climbing outdoors and indoors.

Climbing and knee problems: where they come from and how to prevent them

Knee pain is common among climbers. Klaus Isele explains what to do in case of knee pain.