In reply to USBRIT: If you're interested in this topic it would be worth searching out Tommy Caldwell's article El Cap Confidential in Rock and Ice 153, Sept 2006. This is a wonderfully illustrated account of all the attempts to free climb El Capitan up until the time of publication and of the various tactics which have been employed. A few brief quotes:
'Here is my vision of the ultimate El Cap ascent: Someone drives into Yosemite at night, never having seen El Cap in picture or in person. He or she walks to the base and onsight free-solos a new route.'
'The strictest ethical approaches to date are those of Leo Houlding and friends.'
'As long as climbers respect the rock and honestly report what they have done, they should climb in the style that they choose.'
'Free climbing El Cap may seek like a logistical nightmare, which it is. Hauling, jumaring, hiking, rope management and everything attendant to being on a wall is exhausting. The climbing itself is highly technical and not nearly as straightforward as a high-end sport route at, say, Rifle.'
'People are doing things today that were once only dreams, and that trend will continue. Onward!'