For the first time ever, climbers ascend El Capitan naked

On June 6, Leah Pappajohn, 29, and Jonathan Fleury, 28, scaled Yosemite's El Capitan naked. On June 6, Leah Pappajohn, 29, and Jonathan Fleury, 28, scaled Yosemite's El Capitan naked. Photo: Photos Courtesy Leah Pappajohn Photo: Photos Courtesy Leah Pappajohn Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close For the first time ever, climbers ascend El Capitan naked 1 / 7 Back to Gallery

Two climbers scaled Yosemite's El Capitan naked – and that's not a fancy climbing term. The pair were bare.

Leah Pappajohn, 29, and Jonathan Fleury, 28, climbed the famed rock formation on June 6 with only ropes, shoes, and packs on their backs. According to Climbing magazine, their nude El Capitan ascent was the first of its kind.

SEE ALSO: Climber, without rope, conquers Yosemite's El Capitan

The pair ascended to the peak via the Nose trail in 12 hours – a personal record for both climbers. Despite the reduced drag of climbing sans clothes, Pappajohn – a nudist – says the ordeal was all in good fun.

"I've rock climbed naked in lots of different places, but El Cap has always been the goal," said Pappajohn, who explained that it's important for her to "do things naked that are nonsexual." Climbing is one such activity.

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Prior to the ascent, friends of the climbers attempted to predict the side effects of nakedness while scaling an exposed rock face. Scrapes? Chafed thighs? Chilly temperatures?

All they got were minor sunburns.

Pappajohn has tackled El Capitan seven times in total, but even then, "It's a big endeavor." Doing it naked, she says, "makes things more complex."

Despite the additional complications resultant of subtracting clothing, Pappajohn sees many bare ascents in her future.

"I'm not necessarily the strongest climber, but I'm tough," she said. "Naked climbs could become my niche!"

Read Michelle Robertson’s latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.