UPDATE: 2 men reach top of Yosemite’s El Capitan in historic climb

Two Americans have become the first to free-climb Yosemite National Park’s Dawn Wall, which has been called the hardest rock climb in the world.

Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson summited the 3,000-foot granite monolith in California on Wednesday after starting on Dec. 27.

The Dawn Wall is a vertical face on one side of the famous Yosemite rock formation known as El Capitan.

While there are roughly 100 routes up El Capitan, the Dawn Wall is considered the steepest and most difficult.

Climbers across the country have been following the duo’s trek. Kegan Minock said this historic event has brought positive attention to the sport. He has been watching their progress on social media.

“Nothing this hard has ever been tried before, at least nothing this long and hard has been tried before. I think it’s really inspirational, these people are so dedicated to doing this,” said Minock. “It takes so much sacrifice to sit on the wall for a couple of weeks.”

Nesta Hardersen, 4, hadn’t heard about the climbers, but she shares their same love to climb. Her mom said she goes to Pure Bouldering Gym in Colorado Springs several times a week.

“Climbing is so much fun,” said Hardersen.

Minock said there are different types of climbing, and everyone has come together to support Caldwell and Jorgeson.

Though others have climbed the Dawn Wall, Caldwell and Jorgeson are the first to free-climb it, meaning they used ropes only as a safeguard against falls.