Quo Vadis

I prepare to this climb 5 years, since climbed Sunkist in 1997. Did few surrounding routes, also few harder one (Jolly Roger, solo: ZM, Reticent Wall). More then 70% of the terrain was virgin, counting even 5 or 10' when crossing another route. I spent 30 days on the wall, 26 climbing, 4 hauling etc. 23 nights. First time start on Oct 8-th, fixing 4 pitches in 5-6 days. First continuous push 19th-26th to reach Turning Point and fixed to Mammoth Terraces. Next was final push Nov 1-st stopped by big 4-days storm on Nov 6-th (still able to fixed to MT). Real final push from Nov 12, topped during the night of November 20–21. Descent by rappel down the ascent route and Muir Wall to MT on Nov 21-22nd.

For me difficulty of cruxes on QV, JR and RW are similar. An Reticent the most technical and strenuous, on Jolly Roger the most dangerous, on Quo Vadis the most mental seeing last pro far away.

Start between Muir Wall and the Dorn Direct, pass Mammoth Terraces to right, crosses Muir Wall another 2 times, take Direct Finish crossing Muir the last time. Top out is even greater then on Zodiac or Dawn.

Fallowing link and posters owing to UKA Warszawa, KW Warszawa and Grzegorz Glazek Master Topo:

Quo Vadis and surroundings (clickable PDF file):

kw.warszawa.pl/topo/el_capi…

Color topo in English (clickable better resolution PDF file)

kw.warszawa.pl/topo/el_capi…

Zoomable image/topo:

mastertopo.pl/plakaty/ncom/…

Zoomable ElCap 2002 Route Poster

mastertopo.pl/plakaty/ncom/…

Four pitches are rated at least A4-. The 6-th pitch is the crux, involving about 35' on skyhooks plus a 15' pendulum from 2 equalized 2" hook to a crack climbed with RURPs and copperheads. Everything above weak cam and old chicken rivet from Meditterraneo (if fail 150+' fall potential).

All belay: 2-3 bolts 3/8 SS, only #10 on Turning Point: 1 old Steve' 3/8

33 new belay bolts + 20 existing

14 lead bolts 3/8 + 6 existing

51 rivets most 5/16 machine head SS, 6 Al + 24 existing

98 holes drilled total

Rack similar to JR or Reticent including many small cams and 2 #6; maaaany heads, beaks, hooks and 15 hangers (fit RP). Not too much angles and LA.