ROCK STEADY

Features - Life

In the early 1960s, inspired by the majestic beauty of their surroundings and the pursuit of the cleanest line, a small band of men took to the big walls of Yosemite National Park, California. And in the process redefined climbing forever.

First published Stranger 14 - April 2007

All photos courtesy of the Tom Frost Collection

All photographs courtesy of the Tom Frost Collection

Royal Robbins

Royal Robbins laying down on El Cap Spire, watching the progress of Tom Frost and Chuck Pratt during the first ascent of the Salathe Wall on El Capitan in September 1961. The first ascent team was Royal Robbins, Chuck Pratt, and Tom Frost.

All photographs courtesy of the Tom Fros Collection

Tom Frost, Royal Robbins and Yvon Chouinard

Tom Frost (top), Royal Robbins (middle) and Yvon Chouinard. Bivouac in the Black Cave during the first ascent of the North America Wall of El Capitan in October 1964. The men spent nine days on the wall during stormy weather. This was the first El Capitan route on the overhanging Southeast Face and became the most technically difficult rock climb of the time.

Chuck Pratt

Chuck Pratt taking a drink on El Cap Tower during the second ascent of the Nose of El Capitan in September 1960. The four-man party consisted of Tom Frost, Royal Robbins, Joe Fitschen and Chuck Pratt. They spent six and a half days on the wall.

Tom Frost

Tom Frost in his hammock during the second ascent of the Dihedral Wall on El Capitan in June 1964. Frost and Royal Robbins did the route in a continuous push taking five days. They removed 13 of the 100 bolts placed by the first ascent team

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