The Latest: Climber proud another broke his Yosemite record

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:34 p.m. ET

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FRESNO, Calif. (AP) The Latest on a Czech climber scaling Yosemite's El Capitan (all times local):

4:35 p.m.

Renowned climber Kevin Jorgeson says he feels like a proud parent seeing a fellow climber break a record he set nearly two years ago in Yosemite National Park.

Jorgeson said Tuesday that it was inevitable somebody would top the feat he and Tommy Caldwell established in 2015. The duo were the first to free-climb El Capitan's Dawn Wall, making it up in 19 days.

On Monday, 23-year-old Czech climber, Adam Ondra, completed the second-ever free assent of the wall - taking just eight days.

Free-climbers use only their hands, feet and strength. Ropes and harnesses are just for safety to catch a fall.

Jorgeson of Santa Rosa, California, says he's honored that Ondra was drawn to the challenge. He says the point of setting a record is to push others to strive harder.

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2:20 p.m.

A climber from the Czech Republic has scaled what's considered one of the world's most challenging rock walls, using only his hands, feet and strength to scramble up the cliff in Yosemite National Park and doing it in record time.

A spokesman for Black Diamond Equipment confirmed Tuesday that 23-year-old Adam Ondra completed a half-mile free-climb up the famed El Capitan's Dawn Wall.

Company spokesman John Dicuollo says Ondra made the second-ever free assent of the wall and finished in eight days.

Two years ago, U.S. free-climbers Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson were first to chart the route, conquering it in 19 days.

Free-climbers use ropes and harnesses only for safety to catch a fall.

Yosemite climber and historian Ken Yager calls Ondra among the world's elite climbers.