Shield Pictures - Mountain Adventure stock photos, fine art prints by QTL

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Shield

In terms of difficulty, the Shield is a moderate route, requiring sustained use of aid climbing techniques including, for most climbers, pitons. However, in terms of esthetics, it rates very high among other El Capitan routes for its headwall, which is absolutely flawless and constantly overhanging. Yves Briere (whom I knew only from the internet) and I climbed the Shield in June 1994, spending five nights on the wall.

The first part of the route (common with the Triple direct) is reminiscent of the Nose : free climbing and clean aid. The harder aid begins on the traverse just below the

Belaying the Triple Cracks, the crux of the route

Climbing the Triple Cracks, the crux of the route

Tuan and Yves on the Triple Cracks, the crux of the route

Party on the Triple Cracks, the crux of the route

Leading the next pitch, a thin crack in the middle of nowhere

Belaying the following pitch, a thin crack in the middle of nowhere