Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson start Dawn Wall push

The final countdown has begun. America's Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson are back in action on their mammoth Dawn Wall project in what is likely to be their definitive attempt this season, regardless of the outcome. After investing six years of efforts, rehearsing all the moves on the 1000m line and - importantly - unlocking the final sequences in November, the two are now on day 3 of their two-week, ground-up free attempt of what has been hailed as one of the hardest - if not the hardest - big wall climb in the world.

Progress on El Capitan is currently better than expected, with both climbers having already sent the first 10 pitches, two of which are 8b+ and the 10th one day ahead of schedule even as the two "decided to push through the fatigue left over from pitches 1-9" since bad weather had been forecast.

Currently the duo are enjoying a well-earned rest day in their portaledges, moral is high and was boosted further by a visit from Alex Honnold. While only 9 pitches remain to be climbed free, Caldwell and Jorgeson know full-well that what they just achieved so far can in many respects be considered nothing more than the "warm-up" that paves the way to the main difficulties: three pitches, one after the other, all offering extremely technical 8c or harder face climbing.

Information about the ascent can be gleamed from various social network platforms - both Caldwell and Jorgeson provide precious updates - as well as Tom Evans on his authoritative El Cap report. The next days will prove decisive…