Becky Stickney

Climbers Set Speed Record on Yosemite's Nose of El Capitan

Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell broke the previous record set last October by nearly 10 minutes

Two climbers have set a speed record for ascending the famous Nose route of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, one of the world's most technical and dangerous verticals.

Alex Honnold and his climbing partner Tommy Caldwell on Wednesday raced up the nearly 90-degree, 2,900-foot precipice in 2 hours 10 minutes 15 seconds.

The pair broke the previous record set last October by nearly 10 minutes.

Fellow climber Hans Florine, who once held the Nose record, watched Wednesday's attempt from below. He says Honnold and Caldwell were moving so fast he knew by the halfway point that they would set a record.

Earlier in May, Florine was injured after falling off the popular peak, breaking his ankle and heel. He and Honnold previously climbed the Nose in 2 hours and 23 minutes.

Park Ranger Scott Gedimen congratulated the pair, calling them world-class climbers who work tirelessly to advocate on behalf of Yosemite and all public lands.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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