Cheyne Lempe Breaks 21-Year Record on Salathe Wall

In just over 20 hours on November 6 and 7, Cheyne Lempe rope soloed the Salathe Wall (VI 5.9 A2, 2,900', Frost-Prett-Robbins, 1961) of El Capitan, the fastest solo ascent of the route yet made. Lempe's time bests Steve Schneider's 1992 record by 98 minutes, yet the 22-year-old YOSAR member downplays the accomplishment. "It's not going to be difficult for someone stronger than me to solo the route much faster," he writes. "There are many pitches that can be quickly free soloed, and a stronger free climber will be able speed through terrain that I had to aid climb."

Shortly after finishing the climb, Lempe produced an edit of his time alone on the wall. Watch it below.