Warren Harding (climber)

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This article is about the rock climber. For the U.S. President, see Warren G. Harding.

Warren Harding (June 18, 1924 – February 27, 2002) was one of the most accomplished and influential American rock climbers of the 1950s to 1970s. He was the leader of the first team to climb El Capitan by the Nose in 1958; as well as many other prominent first ascents in Yosemite and elsewhere.

Nicknamed 'Batso' he was known for his doggedness, drinking, and farcing, his motto was Semper Farcisimus!.

Harding authored the book Downward Bound: A Mad! Guide to Rock Climbing. This book describes Harding's first ascent of the Nose on El Capitan (1958) and the Wall of Early Morning Light (1970); as well as farcical instruction in climbing basics, plus ratings of prominent climbers of the period.

1 First Ascents
2 Publications
3 References
4 External links

[edit] First Ascents

1958 'The Nose', El Capitan, Yosemite, CA, USA with Wayne Merry and George Whitmore.
1961 'West Face', Leaning Tower, Yosemite, CA, USA
1964 'South Face Route', Mt. Watkins, Yosemite, CA, USA with Yvon Chouinard and Chuck Pratt.
1969 'Southwest Face', Liberty Cap, Yosemite, CA, USA with Galen Rowell and Joe Faint.
1970 'South Face Route', Half Dome, Yosemite, CA, USA with Galen Rowell.
1970 'Wall of the Early Morning Light', El Capitan, Yosemite, CA, USA with Dean Caldwell.
1978 'Forbidden Wall', Yosemite Falls, Yosemite, CA, USA with Dave Lomba, Christie Tewes and Steve Bosque.^[1]

[edit] Publications

Harding, Warren (1990 (reprint, original 1975)). Downward Bound, A Mad! Guide to Rock Climbing. Birmingham, Alabama, USA.: Menasha Ridge Press. ISBN 0-89732-101-4.