A 19-day ascent on the 3,000-foot vertical face of El Capitan marks the first-ever big wall free climbing route attempted by Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson.
Synopsis
A 19-day ascent on the 3,000-foot vertical face of El Capitan marks the first-ever big wall free climbing route attempted by Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson.
Go deeperPeople
View all →
Synopsis
Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson attempt a historic ascent of El Capitan's southeast face, known as The Dawn Wall, in Yosemite National Park. Over 19 days, they tackle the 3,000-foot vertical climb, which had only been scaled using aid climbing techniques since Warren Harding's first ascent in 1970. The film captures their physical and mental challenges, alongside Caldwell's personal struggles that fueled his determination. Premiering at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam on November 18, 2017, the documentary received critical acclaim, with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- See Tommy Caldwell's historic climb on El Capitan.
- Meet Kevin Jorgeson as he tackles The Dawn Wall.
- Find out about the first free climbing route on El Capitan.
Did You Know
- The Dawn Wall premiered on November 18, 2017, at a film festival.
- The film has a 100% positive rating from 18 critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Warren Harding made the first aided ascent of El Capitan's southeast face in 1970.
- The film has a duration of 101 minutes.
Perfect For
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed The Dawn Wall?
The Dawn Wall was directed by Josh Lowell and Peter Mortimer.
What is the significance of The Dawn Wall in climbing history?
The Dawn Wall is the first-ever big wall free climbing route on the southeast face of El Capitan, previously ascended only by aid climbing techniques.
When did The Dawn Wall premiere?
The Dawn Wall premiered at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam on November 18, 2017.
Awards & Festivals
What are people saying?
Play More Like This
Explore The Dawn Wall
Browse more like this
Related Films
Is this your film?
If you made this film or hold the rights to it, we'd like to talk. We can license it and pay you a share of what it earns.
Comments