Climbing Through the Ages

Rock climbing as a sport is going through a growth spurt thanks in part to its inclusion in the 2020 Olympics. Its roots began in Yosemite on the sheer granite faces of El Capitan and Half Dome. Alex Honnold’s “Free Solo” of El Capitan was memorialized in a stunning documentary film that propelled the sport to new heights.

For those with an interest in just learning about the deep history of climbing – or even testing their own skills – it’s easier than ever to get in touch with the sport in Yosemite Mariposa County. In Mariposa the Yosemite Climbing Museum and Gallery celebrated its grand opening in 2022 to tell the story of climbing and the people who shaped it in Yosemite. The Yosemite Mountaineering School & Guide Service leads guided climbs tailored at all skill levels.