Alexander and Thomas Huber Zodiac speed ascent

The Huber brothers in Yosemite once again, and once again the Zodiac. Before making the first free ascent in October, the duo set a speed record of 2hrs 31min 20 sec, which they now set out to beat.

They believed it was possible to climb the 16 pitch, 600m route in under 2 hours, and carefully studied the route at the start of June. Attempts resulted in significant improvements from 2hrs 28min to 2hrs 15min, and 2hrs 10min.

On 17 June Thomas handed over the lead after 50 mins and 50 seconds. Alexander explains: "I knew this was the decisive attempt. I had to give it all, climb full speed, and I knew that we would do it. During the last few pitches I heard the crowd on the El Cap Meadows. About 50 climbers had gathered and - knowing full well that we would do it - cheered us on up the final meters. Thomas and I reached the top after exactly 1 hour 51 minutes and 34 seconds..."


Significant Huber free ascents include:
Salathe Wall 5.13b (1995)
Freerider 5.13a (1998)
El Nino 5.13c (1998)
Golden Gate 5.13b (2000)
El Corazon 5.13b (2001)
Zodiac 5.13 (2003)