Man, 81, Becomes Oldest to Scale El Capitan

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK — Overcoming aching joints and chilly weather, Gerry Bloch became the oldest climber to scale the steep face of Yosemite National Park’s famed El Capitan--for the second time.

“The biggest challenge was to do what others have called the impossible--at least for my age--but I knew I could do it,” said Bloch, 81. “This is by far the most difficult, the most satisfying and the most gratifying climb I have ever made.”

Bathed in bright sunshine that reflected off the surrounding snowcapped mountains, Bloch reached the summit about 5 p.m. Sunday, breaking his own record as the oldest person to make the climb.

“Greetings, all,” he said with a tired smile to his grandson and half a dozen reporters who had hiked for eight hours along a trail and were waiting for him at the summit of the granite monolith.

Bloch, a retired chemical engineer from Woodbury, N.J., set out on his quest May 12 with two other men. The climb was supposed to take only a week, but the group was slowed by cold weather and the weight of the food and water they carried.

Bloch also ran out of medication for his arthritis and had to settle for ibuprofen.

Bloch last scaled El Capitan, one of the most popular challenges for serious rock climbers, in 1986, when he was 68. Back then, Bloch took a relatively easy route, up “the Nose.” This time, wearing a bright orange helmet and kneepads, he scaled the more difficult “Aquarian Wall,” rising 2,500 feet to the summit.

He never doubted that he’d break his own record.

“I had confidence in the people, equipment and the technique,” Bloch said. “Besides, I’ve been climbing since I was 16.”

Bloch was accompanied to the rocky summit by guide Mike Corbett and NBC cameraman Craig White.

Bloch and his team planned to rappel down the 7,569-foot mountain today, which they expected to take four to five hours.

Now the elder Bloch plans to relax. “I’m retiring,” he said.