YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. – Climbing enthusiasts from around the world will gather here this weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary the first climb up the sheer granite face of iconic El Capitan.

Fresno's George Whitmore will be a part of the celebration, which includes talks and slide shows.

Whitmore, Wayne Merry and Warren Harding climbed the 3,000-foot El Capitan in November 1958, a feat many had considered impossible to that point. It took them 47 days over 16 months to complete the climb now done by some in fewer than three hours. They set fixed lines and rappelled down, then used the ropes to return to the same point later.

The 77-year-old Whitmore said they didn't realize then "how special" their climb would be.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20081106/ap_tr_ge/travel_brief_el_capitan_anniversary;_ylt=AvTrWudvhluYmkyhuckQFi08sM0F