Yet, Austrian climber Babsi Zangerl astounds the climbing world time after another: astonishingly, she again stands proudly beneath the iconic granite monoliths on El Capitan at Yosemite National Park, the US. Known for their rare mix of determination and technical capabilities, Zangerl’s outstanding skill has been recognized in climbing history as one of its most remarkable feats ever.
Zangerl completed “The Dawn Wall”, widely regarded as one of the world’s most arduous climbing routes. The multi-pitch route with razor-thin holds and relentless overhangs has defeated many seasoned climbers, but Zangerl approached the challenge with unwavering resolution and completed the ascent in only over two weeks.
A Feat of Physical and Mental Endurance
“This climb was the most difficult I’ve ever attempted,” Zangerl acknowledged in an interview after completing her descent. “Each pitch was a battle not only physically but mentally. There were moments that I thought it was impossible, and I kept reminding myself to take things one move at a time.”
The climb required an extraordinary level of endurability, with a requirement to spend nights sleeping on precarious portaledges and days navigating on nearly featureless rock faces. Weather conditions added to the challenge, forcing her to deal with sudden gusts of wind and intense sunlight.
Cracking the Barriers: Climbing
Zangerl as well has been a frequent record breaker, also being recognized as one of the most versatile climbers in the world. She includes this new climb of “The Dawn Wall” in her list of accomplishments which count some of the hardest alpine, big wall, and trad climbing in the world. She has become one of the few women in the world who could easily scale this route which is a barrier-breaking milestone in a sport that has been characterized by male marines.
Many climbers have congratulated Zangerl in acknowledging that she achieved not only a personal first ascent but a first ascent for the broader climbing community. “Babsi’s climb of El Capitan can only be described as a historic achievement,” noted Tommy Caldwell – a climber who free-climbed the route in 2015. “It reveals the potential of having genius, hard work, and desire to experiment.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
But for Zangerl, the climb is not all about him and his ego. “It gives me motivation, and I would love for others to get motivated as well, no matter how hard the difficulty may seem,” she added.
Her trip has been followed by fans around the world and has created a new buzz for climbing thus giving her a place among the most legendary climbers in the world. Babsi Zangerl’s ascent shows that people are capable of achieving the impossible and never giving up on the incredible.
