The Akron Beacon Journal (Ohio.com) has a pretty good article with some good information about climbing El Capitan.
Akron Beacon Journal: “El Capitan — also called The Chief and The Big Rock — features gray granite that is especially tough and weather resistant. That makes it very appealing to climbers, many of whom consider El Capitan to be the best big-wall climb in the world.
It is where big-wall climbing evolved in the 1960s with pioneers including Warren Harding, Royal Robbins, Chuck Pratt and Yvon Chouinard.
The thrill of climbing El Capitan is like playing golf at Pebble Beach or riding a gondola in Venice.”