It's a bit open to question as to whether Zangerl's ascent is more impressive than Honnold's. It is less spectacular, and less dangerous, but physically much harder; and route size makes a difference. Either way, women continue to show the way forward on the most famous cliff in the world.

There are two things to think about: equipment, and prior knowledge. The 'best' ascent relies on the least equipment and no prior knowledge - an onsight free-solo. A 'flash' means no practice, but with other prior knowledge - videos, advice. One fall means an onsight or flash attempt has failed.

2024 - Babsi Zangerl flashes Freerider, and is the first person to flash a big-wall route on El Cap.
I know some people will be confused about all these ascent 'styles' and terminology. Here's a decent summary, but I'll do one more post too: www.outdooractive.com/en/knowledge...

2017 - Alex Honnold free-solos Freerider - you've probably seen this! But note: Honnold knew this route well before he set off - it was a long way from a 'flash' ascent. hbr.org/2021/05/life...

2006-2013 - Many more free routes are established, but nothing really surpasses the above.
2014 - Pete Whittaker *sort of* flashes Freerider. This is complex - basically, there are two versions of the hardest pitch; Pete fell off one, but then flashed the other. For purists, this isn't quite there.

2005 - Tommy Caldwell and Beth Rodden make the second free ascent (and first male ascent) of the Nose. Steph Davis, having freed Freerider in a day in 2004, is the first woman to free Salathe wall. www.climbing.com/news/caldwel...

1998: More free routes are established by Thomas and Alex Huber: El Nino and Freerider - they establish many more over the next few years. Tommy Caldwell and Beth Rodden free Lurking Fear, also the first of many. Scott Burk spends 261 days almost freeing The Nose - but he top-ropes one pitch.

Then (and I still get goose bumps about this), in 1994 Lynn Hill freed The Nose a second time IN A SINGLE DAY. This is a feat that (I think), has only been repeated by one person - Tommy Caldwell, in 2005. Even just free ascents of the Nose are still very very rare. www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS63...

That (groundbreaking) ascent is really overshadowed by the two most impressive ascents in the history of rock climbing. First, in 1993 Lynn Hill freed El Cap's most famous route, The Nose, over 4 days. The hardest pitch alone was amongst the hardest ever climbed. www.tetongravity.com/story/Advent...

First Free Ascent (FFA) - this is tricky. Ray Jardine and Bill Price freed the West Face in 1979, but didn't really fully tackle El Cap. Todd Skinner and Paul Piana freed Salathé Wall in 1988 - they took turns, but still the first FFA of a big wall on El Cap. However.. gripped.com/routes/histo...

Ah thanks!!!

I suspect I'm too late! But if not do please add me!

Ah, but yet they still rely on the labours of a vast hidden (migrant) workforce. I'll be gone from your feed once it can't support me anymore.