bigwall

Bigwall climbing refers to ascents of large, vertical or near-vertical cliff faces that typically require many rope pitches and often multi-day endurance. The term is most associated with routes on high granite walls such as El Capitan in Yosemite, though big-wall climbs occur worldwide.

In contrast to shorter sport routes, bigwall climbs demand sustained planning, hauling gear, bivouacking on the wall, and the interplay of free climbing and aid climbing. Climbers typically use aid equipment to progress on overhanging sections, including pitons, copperheads, nuts, camming devices, etriers (rope ladders), and hand-built fixed lines. A belay or hauling system allows climbers to transport gear and supplies up the wall; a portaledge provides sleeping space suspended from the rock. Ropes and protection must withstand long exposure and weather variability.

The practice emerged in the mid-20th century, with climbers in Yosemite developing techniques that allowed ascents of enormous walls. Over the decades, big-wall routes grew longer and more technically demanding, culminating in notable ascents on El Capitan and other faces. Modern big-wall expeditions often combine long free-climbing sections with aid to negotiate the hardest ground, followed by rest days and careful logistics.

Notable examples include The Nose and Salathé Wall on El Capitan, which helped define the genre, and more recent routes such as the Dawn Wall, which attracted wide attention for sustained difficulty. Safety concerns include rockfall, weather, and complex rescue scenarios, as well as ethical considerations about fixed gear and leave-no-trace principles.

See also: big wall climbing.