One try. That’s all it took for Babsi Zangerl to send the 3,000-foot Free Rider (VI 5.13a) on El Capitan. Setting off on a ground-up attempt this past November, Babsi and her partner Jacopo spent three days battling polished slabs, offwidths, and cryptic sequences on their historic bid. In the end, Babsi topped out as the first person to flash El Cap. But that’s just the “black and white” outcome of those fateful three days. What truly transpired was captured on film and tells a much deeper story—one of love, partnership, and character. This is the real story of Babsi and Jacopo’s epic ascent, laid bare for all to see.
