Attraction: El Capitan

El Capitan, also known as El Cap, is a vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, near the valley’s western end on the north side. Climbers flock to the granite monolith, which rises 3,000 feet from base to summit along its tallest face.

The west end of Yosemite Valley is dominated by El Capitan’s famed granite walls. It is 2.5 times the height of the Empire State Building, or more than 3 times the height of the Eiffel Tower’s top, at more than 3,000 feet (900+ m) above the valley floor. Coming around the corner and unexpectedly seeing El Capitan fill your field of vision will bring people to tears. It is a tourist attraction, a photographer’s dream, and one of the world’s most difficult climbs.