El Capitan is the most famous face in rock climbing, and it isn't even close. Fifty years ago, three climbers defied the odds, scaling El Capitan in a single day—a feat that redefined what’s possible in rock climbing.

In this special episode, starting at the Yosemite Climbing Museum and ending under the shadow of El Capitan, we sit down with John Long -- one of the legendary trio behind that historic 1975 ascent--to relive the adventure and reflect on El Cap's singular legacy. We climb into:

The bold plan to conquer El Cap in a day, hatched by Jim Bridwell with John Long and Billy Westbay

How Warren Harding’s grueling 1958 ascent set the stage for El Cap’s epic history

The rush of climbing 3,000 feet in 15 hours, fueled by honking horns and camp camaraderie

The evolution of El Cap feats, from Lynn Hill’s free ascent to Alex Honnold’s jaw-dropping free solo

John’s raw reflections on 50 years of climbing, loss, and staring down “the big stone”