Dean Potter and Sean Leary Set New Speed Record On The Nose

800px Yosemite El Capitan

According to the Outside Online, rock climbers Dean Potter and Sean Leary set a new speed record on The Nose this past weekend, scrambling up the iconic route on Yosemite’s El Capitan in just 2 hours, 36 minutes, and 45 seconds. That beats the old mark, set by Hans Florine and Yuji Hirayama back in 2008, by just 20 seconds.

Originally climbed back in 1958, the route was once considered impossible. The first team to conquer it took 45 days to scale the 2900 foot big wall. According to Outside, The Nose wasn’t climbed in as ingle day until 1975, and now, thanks to better gear, techniques, and an understanding of the wall itself, we have climbers having breakfast in the park, zipping up the route, and returning in time for lunch. Amazing.
Outside received the word on this new record in a letter directly from Potter, who says that he and Leary are just getting warmed up. The two haven’t been climbing together for very long, but expect to make a few more runs on the route, possibly pushing their times even lower.
When asked to comment Florine said that it was “highly likely” that he’d try to regain his record. Looks like we could be in for a speed-competition on one of the most famous climbing routes in the world. 
Kraig Becker

3 thoughts on “Dean Potter and Sean Leary Set New Speed Record On The Nose”

  1. It's just like the World Marathon record – the Nose record is being shaved by mere seconds.

    These are extremely fast times. You can't hike up the backside that fast.

  2. Great analogy with the marathon record, and these climbers are amazing athletes as well.

    As long as they continue to climb safely, I look forward to a little competition to shave even more time off.

  3. There's nothing safe about what they are doing. They'll be the first ones to tell you that.. Speed climbing is probably the most dangerous form of climbing. Surpassing even soloing because you have the illusion of safety……

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