Free climbers Tommy Caldwell, left, and Kevin Jorgeson embrace Wednesday, January 14, after reaching the top of El Capitan, a 3,000-foot rock formation in California's Yosemite National Park. They are the first to successfully climb El Capitan's Dawn Wall using only their hands and feet.
Climbing El Capitan's Dawn Wall —
Free climbers Tommy Caldwell, left, and Kevin Jorgeson embrace Wednesday, January 14, after reaching the top of El Capitan, a 3,000-foot rock formation in California's Yosemite National Park. They are the first to successfully climb El Capitan's Dawn Wall using only their hands and feet.
Bligh Gillies/Big UP Productions/Aurora Photos
Caldwell celebrates after finishing the climb, which took more than two weeks. The Dawn Wall is more than a half-mile high.
Caldwell celebrates after finishing the climb, which took more than two weeks. The Dawn Wall is more than a half-mile high.
Bligh Gillies/Big UP Productions/Aurora Photos
Caldwell, bottom, watches Jorgeson as they work their way up the Dawn Wall on Monday, January 12.
Caldwell, bottom, watches Jorgeson as they work their way up the Dawn Wall on Monday, January 12.
Tom Evans/elcapreport/AP
Caldwell, in yellow, stands with a photographer at a base camp before continuing to climb on January 12. Caldwell and Jorgeson had ropes designed to catch them if they fell.
Caldwell, in yellow, stands with a photographer at a base camp before continuing to climb on January 12. Caldwell and Jorgeson had ropes designed to catch them if they fell.
Tom Evans/elcapreport/AP
Caldwell climbs on Sunday, January 11. He had already completed five other routes on El Capitan, but family members said the Dawn Wall route consumed him.
Caldwell climbs on Sunday, January 11. He had already completed five other routes on El Capitan, but family members said the Dawn Wall route consumed him.
Corey Rich/Aurora Photos
A close-up of Jorgeson's hands on Saturday, January 10.
A close-up of Jorgeson's hands on Saturday, January 10.
Corey Rich/Aurora Photos
Caldwell, in red, climbs while cameramen record him on Thursday, January 8.
Caldwell, in red, climbs while cameramen record him on Thursday, January 8.
Tom Evans/elcapreport/AP
While two people record him from above, Jorgeson celebrates finishing a portion of his climb on January 8.
While two people record him from above, Jorgeson celebrates finishing a portion of his climb on January 8.
Tom Evans/elcapreport/AP
The climbers have expressed the adventure's joys and heartaches through various social media accounts.
The climbers have expressed the adventure's joys and heartaches through various social media accounts.
Tom Evans/elcapreport/AP
Jorgeson climbs on Wednesday, January 7.
Jorgeson climbs on Wednesday, January 7.
Tom Evans/elcapreport/AP
Jorgeson looks at his hands during a break in the climb.
Jorgeson looks at his hands during a break in the climb.
Corey Rich/Aurora Photos
Caldwell looks up the Dawn Wall during a break.
Caldwell looks up the Dawn Wall during a break.
Corey Rich/Aurora Photos
Caldwell works his way up a portion of the wall on Saturday, January 3.
Caldwell works his way up a portion of the wall on Saturday, January 3.
Tom Evans/elcapreport/AP
Caldwell eats dinner during a break on Monday, December 29.
Caldwell eats dinner during a break on Monday, December 29.
Kevin Jorgeson/elcapreport/AP
Caldwell ascends what is known as pitch 10 on Tuesday, December 28.
Caldwell ascends what is known as pitch 10 on Tuesday, December 28.
Tom Evans/elcapreport/AP
Caldwell sets up camp on December 28.
Caldwell sets up camp on December 28.
Tom Evans/elcapreport/AP
Before starting their climb, Jorgeson, left, and Caldwell prepare their gear on Saturday, December 27. Jorgeson didn't know Caldwell until he decided to join him on the climb.
Before starting their climb, Jorgeson, left, and Caldwell prepare their gear on Saturday, December 27. Jorgeson didn't know Caldwell until he decided to join him on the climb.
Tom Evans/elcapreport/AP
The Dawn Wall has few footholds and may be the most difficult climb in the world.
The Dawn Wall has few footholds and may be the most difficult climb in the world.
Santi Visalli/Getty Images