A climber high on the big-wall route on the 450 metre monolith of Karimbony, Tsaranoro Massif, Andringitra National Park, Southern Madagascar, Africa

El Capitan, the most famous big wall in the Yosemite Valley, California, USA.

El Capitan, the most famous big wall in the Yosemite Valley, California, USA.

Man rock climbing, Techno climbing at South West Face, Big Wall Climbing, Washington Column, Yosemite Valley, California, USA

Man rock climbing, Techno climbing at South West Face, Big Wall Climbing, Washington Column, Yosemite Valley, California, USA

Martin Avidan takes a break to phone home from a ledge on Zodiac, a 16 pitch 5.11 A3+ route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California.

Bob Porter aid climbing up Zodiac, a 16 pitch 5.11 A3+, route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California.

Beth Rodden and Tommy Callwell hang out on a rock ledge so Tommy can rest from rock climbing Dihedral wall, a multi pitch route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California.

Beth Rodden places a cam in a crack in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Beth Rodden is one of the worlds leading rock climbers.

Rock climber Tommy Caldwell jams his hands into a crack on while lead climbing the the West Buttress climbing route of El Cap in Yosemite Valley, California.Tommy Caldwell is one of the world's leading big wall rock climbers.

Beth Rodden belays her husband, big wall climber Tommy Caldwell, from a portalege as Caldwell is rock climbing Dihedral wall, a multi pitch route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California.

Big wall climber Tommy Caldwell rock climbing Dihedral wall, a multi pitch route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California.

Bob Porter uses his Funkness device while aid climbing up Zodiac, a 16 pitch 5.11 A3+ route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California.

Male rock climber Tommy Caldwell climbing an overhanging route at the Red Rock Conservation Area in Nevada. Tommy is one of the greatest big wall climbers in the world.

Tommy Caldwell belays female rock climber Beth Rodden as she climbs a crack on the West Buttress climbing route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California. Beth Rodden and Tommy Caldwelll are two of the world's leading big wall climbers.

Tom McMillan blowing out a seam to place protection while making an ascent.

Bob Porter and Martin Avidan rest and eat dinner on a portaledge while rock climbing, aid climbing, big wall climbing up the Zodiac 5.13+ on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California. The team spent three days and two nights on the big wall.

Martian Avidan rock climbing, aid climbing, big wall climbing up the Zodiac 5.13+ on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California. In the photo you see Avidan placing a wire rivet hanger on a rivet. The climber wears leather gloves to protect his skin from the elements. The team spent three days and two nights on the big wall. Several haul bags are visible in the photo.

Tommy Caldwell doing the second free ascent of The Zodiac on El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, California. Caldwell is one of the worlds leading rock climbers. In the lower third Caldwell's climbing partner, Kevin Swift, is visible belaying while laying on his portaledge.

Bob Porter rock climbing, aid climbing, big wall climbing up the Zodiac 5.13+ on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California. The team spent three days and two nights on the big wall.

Chris McNamara uses a sky hook to move higher while rock climbing Mescalito on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California. By the time McNamara was 18 years old he had rock climbed the 3000 foot high El Capitan more than 50 times. El Capitan is considered a big wall and usually requires aid climbing.

Corey Rich photographs Mitch Underhill on a climb on Lower Phantom Spire, South Lake Tahoe, CA, United States of America

Bob Porter rock climbing, aid climbing, big wall climbing on Zodiac 5.13+ on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California.

Bob Porter places a cam on Zodiac, a 16 pitch 5.11 A3+, route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California.

A man climbing a big wall with another man below him in El Potrero Chico, Mexico (High Angle Perspective).

Bob Porter aid climbs Zodiac, a 16 pitch 5.11 A3+, route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California.

Bob Porter adjusts his wall hauler, a pully used to haul gear up a wall. Bob Porter is climbing Zodiac, a 16 pitch 5.11 A3+ route, in Yosemite National Park, California.

Bob Porter makes his way up Zodiac, a 16 pitch 5.11 A3+ route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California.