( CNN ) Their challenge is the Dawn Wall . Professional climbers Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson are in the middle of tackling this most difficult of challenges at Yosemite National Park 's El Capitan . There are many routes up El Capitan , a 3,000-foot-tall granite monolith that has long beckoned thrillseekers . But only a handful have been attempted by climbers trying to free climb -- using only their hands and feet -- with ropes designed only to catch them when they fall . And perhaps no route is more challenging than the Dawn Wall , which offers few footholds and may be the most difficult climb in the world . A Yosemite National Park official confirmed that if they succeed , Caldwell and Jorgeson would be the first to successfully free-climb the smooth cliff face . That 's why Caldwell and Jorgeson have spent several years planning and practicing their climb , assembling a support team that helps feed and care for them as they make their way up the wall . They chose to climb in winter so their hands wo n't sweat and there 's more friction between their rubber soles and the rock . They relieve themselves in plastic bags . They sleep at night in pitched tents suspended on the wall , with Caldwell waking up twice per night to apply lotion to his hands . They 've already been on the wall for more than 10 days . If all goes well , the climb should take a total of two to three weeks . Follow their journey on Caldwell and Jorgeson 's Instagram accounts , Caldwell and Jorgeson 's Facebook accounts and YouTube .
Two professional climbers are tackling El Capitan 's biggest challenge . The Dawn Wall is a sheer cliff face in Yosemite National Park . They are only using their hands and feet to climb upwards .