Wings of Steel FA Team

Richard Jensen and Mark Smith - First Ascentionists Wings of Steel, VI .10+ A5. El Capitan, Yosemite NP This photo was intended to have a rather dark, "in-your face" feel to it, from the beginning. Attitude would be a way to describe what we were seeking. Notice the stern faces, arms crossed, etc. Richard and Mark were apparently "evicted" from Yosemite Valley, without their knowledge, by the locals for what was claimed to be a rivet/bolt ladder. 24 years later, and after many threats and much slander against them, as well as having done several other FA's in the valley, they were back to see if someone would finally be able to accomplish the SA of their route. While 2 different SA teams recently re-confirmed that the route is definitely not a bolt/rivet ladder and is possibly the hardest route on The Captain, Wings of Steel has still not seen a Second Ascent.