Tommy Caldwell Climbing Pitch 15 | The Dawn Wall

In this short, electrifying clip from Patagonia’s Dawn Wall film crew, watch Tommy Caldwell tackle Pitch 15 on Yosemite’s El Capitan—an infamously hard, razor-edged section on the route that he and Kevin Jorgeson would go on to free climb in a historic first ascent. Filmed in the final days of a seven-year effort, this is a focused glimpse into the precision, pain tolerance, and composure required when the rock offers almost nothing and the consequences are enormous. What makes it unmissable is the intimate perspective: four distinct camera angles that let you study every micro-adjustment as Caldwell stands on precarious smears and crimping holds so small and sharp they look unreal, with 1,300 feet of air yawning beneath him. Even if you’ve heard the story, seeing the crux unfold move by move turns legend into lived experience—pure, high-stakes free climbing captured with clarity, tension, and awe.

Patagonia · 3:42

On January 14, 2015, Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson made the first free ascent of The Dawn Wall on Yosemite's El Capitan. Watch Tommy climb pitch 15 (5.14c) in this first footage released by the film crew on the wall. “The crux holds of pitch 15 are some of the smallest and sharpest holds I have ever attempted to hold onto,” Tommy wrote on his Facebook page. Four unique camera angles reveal those minuscule holds and the 1,300 feet of exposure under Tommy’s precarious foot placements. While multiple pitches of extremely difficult climbing remained above, the completion of pitch 15 was considered the last major hurdle to the eventual success of this seven-year project. Note: Pitch 15 was originally rated 5.14d, but was downgraded slightly after the completion of the route. Video: Big Up Productions & Sender Films.