Three big walls in Yosemite climbed free by František D'Agostino, Samuel Stroh

Their main goal was to freeclimb El Niño (800m, 27 pitches, 5.13c/8a+) in a day, which they successfully accomplished on the morning of May 4th, having climbed through the night. Previously they had spent six days working all the pitches, including one day when they rappelled from the top. The final push took them 18 hours and 21 minutes. They both free climbed all the pitches, sharing the lead on the crux pitch (5.13c/8a+) and swinging leads on the others.

"It was our first real try squeezed in between the rainy weather. We didn’t really expect to send it, but after an anxious beginning where Sam took two falls on the 1st pitch we found our flow and didn’t have any major problems (I took just two falls on easier pitches). It was a warm and beautiful night with the full moon shining on our way. We just had a lovely time climbing together, listening to music, enjoying snacks and eventually sending in a glorious sunrise!” reflects František.

Four rest days later, the boys got right back on the Big Stone to try Golden Gate (900m, 34 pitches, 5.13a/7c+) in a day. Samuel had already climbed this big wall ground‑up in wall style with Adrian Vanoni in 2022, while František had only climbed Freerider in 2022, so from the Alcove ledge at half-height, all the rest was uncharted territory for him.

"We were also the first party on a route this spring, so it was a true ground-up climbing experience for me, which made it a great adventure!” Comments František.

Climbing through the night and following morning, they finally arrived at the Tower of People ledge at around 1pm, with two 5.13 pitches behind them and two more immediately above. Already tired, in full sun, and behind schedule, the pressure was on. Golden Desert (pitch 28; 5.13/7c+) went well, with František flashing it (with preplaced gear) and Sam following clean on his second try. But then came the notorious, short and pumpy A5 traverse (pitch 29; 5.13/7c+). František continues:

"We were throwing try after try hoping to make it in time but we kept falling off of the crux being just very tired and super pumped. On my 4th try I fell past the crux and thought maybe it really was over, but right after that Sam miraculously sent the pitch, finding his calm rhythm! I was so inspired and I knew I had one last try, so I gave it my absolute all and found myself at the chains, not falling! It was just incredible, we really couldn’t believe it!"

After climbing a very strenuous last few pitches to the top the pair, alongside photographer Daniel Teitelbaum, stood on top of El Capitan once again, a full 26 hours after they had set off from the ground. It was just after sunset on May 9th.

"Climbing 5.11s had never felt harder than it did on those last pitches of Golden Gate, my biceps were cramping so hard, hands were sweating with no chalk left and I really felt like I reached my limits. Although we didn’t fully accomplish the goal, I don’t really mind. I am glad we freeclimbed the route and simply had the biggest day of climbing in our lives! What a crazy experience!"

They rested their bodies and minds for four days before deciding to try one more big wall. This time it was a legendary route put up by Mikey Shaefer, Father Time (650m; 20 pitches; 5.13b/8a), leading up Middle Cathedral Rock. Since it’s shaded for most of the day, Sam and František started early in the morning and finished in the dark 14 hours and 47 minutes later, having both freeclimbed the route once again. For František this was a ground‑up effort. Here is his take:

"We approached Father Time in somewhat relaxed fashion, having no pressure to send. Our main goals were having a good climb and good time together. The route delivered some of the best granite climbing I’ve done, really exceptional quality of rock and movement! I felt reasonably tired from El Cap and honestly had to dig deeper than I would have wanted to, but the route was definitely worth it! It is far from easy, especially the last crux pitch called "Index 11d”. Glad we did it, it was a great way to say goodbye to the valley."

D'Agostino is sponsored by: Singing Rock. Sam Stroh is an Arc'teryx athlete