Austrian climber Barbara “Babsi” Zangerl has made history as the first person to flash a route on El Capitan, completing the 3,300-foot Free Rider (VI 5.13a) in a four day ascent, without falling. Supported by her partner Jacopo Larcher, who also aimed for a flash but fell once, Zangerl succeeded in this remarkable feat on November 19 to 22. Free Rider, one of Yosemite’s most iconic routes, was famously climbed by Alex Honnold in the film Free Solo. Zangerl, known for her versatility across bouldering, trad, and high-altitude climbs, has previously completed difficult ascents like The Nose and Magic Mushroom on El Cap, as well as the Alpine Trilogy in the Alps. Her success on Free Rider is another testament to her prowess in tackling challenging, long routes.
Zangerl’s climb was not without difficulty. She faced technical challenges on the first pitches, including insecure footwork and tricky smearing. The “Monster Offwidth,” a sustained crack pitch, was particularly tough for her, as she is not known for her offwidth climbing. A tip from Alex Honnold about resting during the pitch helped her push through. The most difficult section, however, was the “Boulder Problem,” where Zangerl’s height presented a challenge. Despite a risky moment where she almost fell, she managed to stick the critical move. While Zangerl topped out with a flash, Larcher’s attempt ended with a fall on the Boulder Problem, leaving him disappointed but proud of Zangerl’s achievement. The duo, partners for 11 years, shared their success as a team effort, with Zangerl acknowledging that she couldn’t have done it without Larcher’s support.
