Rock climbing is a competitive sport derived from mountaineering. It originated in the Soviet Union in the 1950s as a military training exercise and was recognized as an official world competition event in 1974. By the 1980s, modern competitive climbing focused on difficulty had begun to rise in popularity and attracted widespread attention. In 1985, Italy hosted the first difficulty climbing competition.
El Capitan, USA
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El Capitan is an iconic vertical rock face located in Yosemite National Park, USA, standing approximately 910 meters tall. The granite on the cliff is said to be around 100 million years old, and there are almost no natural cracks for easy climbing. As a result, El Capitan is considered a tremendous challenge by climbers around the world.Among the several challenging climbing routes on El Capitan, the Nose Route is undoubtedly one of the best in the world. This route has been around for over 50 years and consists of 31 pitches. Due to the smooth and extremely steep rock face, it typically takes four days to complete, posing immense physical, technical, and mental challenges. Each year, it attracts many elite climbers, yet few succeed.
Mount Thor, Canada
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Also known as Thor Peak, Mount Thor is located in Auyuittuq National Park on Baffin Island in Canada’s Nunavut Territory. At 1,250 meters high, it is the Earth’s most sheer vertical cliff. With a 105-degree overhang, it is a favorite spot for climbers and campers alike. In 1953, members of the Arctic Institute of North America were the first to climb Thor Peak. The longest recorded rappel from the peak was achieved in July 2006 by a group of American youths.
Mount Roraima, South America
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The highest peak of the Pakaraima mountain range in northern South America, located at the border of Brazil, Venezuela, and Guyana. It is a flat-topped, steep-sided tabletop mountain, approximately 14 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide, with an elevation of 2,810 meters, mainly composed of sandstone. The southwestern cliff of Mount Roraima stretches about 6.2 kilometers and ends at the triple-point peak of Täufer Spitze. The 1912 novel "The Lost World" by Arthur Conan Doyle is set against the backdrop of this cliff.
The Devil’s Tower, Canada
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Nestled between two glaciers, the Devil’s Tower is one of Canada’s famous rock climbing destinations. In 1916, Austrian immigrant Konrad Kain, who came to settle in the then-remote Canadian Rockies, discovered and climbed the peak. Even by today’s standards, his climb is considered extremely perilous and technically demanding.
Cerro Paine Grande, Chile
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Located in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, the main peak of Cerro Paine Grande is a popular tourist destination due to its combination of mountains, glaciers, rivers, and lakes. It lies 112 kilometers from Hotel Portales and 312 kilometers south of Puerto Natales, the southernmost city in Chile. From the mountains of Torres del Paine National Park, you can overlook the vast plains of Patagonia. Climbers are often drawn to the allure of the Eastern Andes here, where they can admire numerous crisscrossing canyons.
The Matterhorn, Switzerland
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One of the highest peaks in the Alps, standing at 4,478 meters. In 1865, a climbing team led by British mountaineer Edward Whymper made the first ascent of the Matterhorn. Due to the steep terrain, one climber lost his balance during the descent, causing three others to fall with him into the valley.
Mount Torre, Argentina
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Mount Torre is located in Los Glaciares National Park near Patagonia, Argentina, and stands just over 3,000 meters high. The mountain is extremely steep, with all climbable routes rated above 5.7 in difficulty. Its south face, affected by westerly winds, experiences particularly harsh weather conditions. Many climbers take pride in conquering this formidable peak.
The Trango Towers, Pakistan
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Also known as the Nameless Tower group, the Trango Towers are located in the Baltoro Glacier region of northern Pakistan. They consist of a series of peaks along the Trango Glacier, with the main peak being the Great Trango Tower, which rises to 6,286 meters. The Trango Towers feature extreme elevations and elevation drops, and they also host the world’s longest climbing routes, making them a dream destination for climbers seeking technical challenges and difficulty.