[3][4][5] That same year, 48-year old Swiss immigrant, John Salathé, had also been attempting the spire and had invented a major improvement to the climbing piton using the alloy used for the Ford Model A axle, which would be able to endure the compact granite of Yosemite without buckling (called Lost Arrows).

[9] In June 1985, Jerry Moffatt did the first free ascent of the Lost Arrow Spire Chimney with Ron Kauk, as a live television event with an audience of over 30 million for ABC's Wide World of Sports.

Once the route is completed climbers can return to the main wall via a dramatic and famous Tyrolean traverse.

Lost Arrow Spire was to become one of the early hotspots for highlining, the version of slacklining in very high places.

[13] The first person to perform a slackline to the Lost Arrow Spire was Scott Balcom on July 13, 1985; he used a safety leash.