Routes : North America : United States : California : Yosemite National Park : Yosemite Valley : El Capitan : Southeast Face: El Capitan : Zodiac
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Zodiac - A2 popular
Average Rating : 4.90 out of 5
Route sequence (left to right): 130
Route Summary | Ascent Notes (50)
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Aid
Mostly clean, 5 LAs, 2 KBs, 2 ea. 1/2" & 5/8", 2 ea. 3/4" & 1" s.o., 2 4.5" cams, cam hooks
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Description:
Zodiac is far and away El Cap's most popular route, and it's not uncommon to see parties up each other's backsides the whole way. But it's worth the wait in the queue - you'll enjoy steep, clean and exposed climbing, excellent rock, and (relatively) painless hauling. The climbing is easy, at least for an El Cap aid wall, and it's only half the length of The Nose and Salathe Wall. You'll find great little ledges at 3, 7 and 13, and if this is your first full-on aid wall with mostly hanging portaledge bivis, you'll appreciate being able to stand up. Although people who have never climbed Zodiac (or any El Cap route for that matter) speak casually about it in the parking lot, it's still a Grade VI Big Wall. Don't be fooled - slightly less than half the parties who start on Zodiac actually make it to the summit. The other (bigger) half ends up bailing, sometimes victims of their own inexperience and overconfidence. If you're one of the majority who doesn't make it, please don't dump out your water! Leave it at the base, or with the East Side Water Commissioner (Chongo) or his Agent (me!).
Submitted by: passthepitonspete on 2006-03-26
Views: 1408
Route ID: 5213
Most Recent Photos (See all 28 photos)
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50 Ascents Recorded
Record an ascent
Read all 50 ascent notes
| Ratings | |
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| Difficulty | 5.10d A3 |
| Safety Rating | G |
| Exposure |  |
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Onsight ascent by:
Swweeet
2nd ascent on Zodiac and it is always good...soloed the 80 foot off width section because of the lack of gear for the pitch holy shit I am still alive.
Added: 2008-10-19
| Ratings | |
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| Difficulty | |
| Safety Rating | G |
w/tb
3 days
Added: 2008-03-05
| Ratings | |
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| Difficulty | |
| Safety Rating | G |
w/jj bill
3 days...factor 2 fall
Added: 2008-03-05
| Ratings | |
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| Difficulty | A2+ |
| Safety Rating | G |
| Exposure | |
| Rock Quality | |
| Scenery | |
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Hang Dog ascent by:
Revisiting the cleaned up zod
Awesome route after clean up!. Keep it clean .. take your shit out.
Added: 2008-02-02
| Ratings | |
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| Difficulty | 5.9 A2+ |
| Safety Rating | G |
| Exposure | |
| Rock Quality |  |
| Scenery | |
| Fun Factor | |
I know why this route is popular, it's classic!
Good intro to steep, clean aid climbing on El Cap. Nice ledges, great rock, fascinating history
Added: 2008-01-12
