ElCap Report

Submitted by Tom Evans on Thu, 04/23/2009 - 01:44

Welcome to the ElCap Report website.  Below you will find the reports I have written for the past several climbing seasons in Yosemite.  I use a 500mm and a 600mm lens for the images you will see below.  Many of the reports were written before I was able to post images, so don't expect to see images with all the reports.  Originally the reports were done on Supertopo.com so you will find references to that site in the writings.  I started this site in late April of 2009 and have been pleased with the interest you readers have shown.  Website design and operation by Chris Falkenstein of El Portal, CA.  Many thanks Chris!!

IF YOU SEE ANY SPAM IN THE COMMENTS SECTIONS PLEASE DO NOT CLICK ON IT AS IT ONLY ENCOURAGES THE BASTARDS!

DISCLAIMER: 

THESE REPORTS ARE THE MUSINGS OF AN OBSERVER WHO IS FAR FROM THE ACTION AND ANY RELATION TO THE TRUTH IS THE MEREST OF COINCIDENCE.  SOME OF WHAT IS WRITTEN IS SIMPLY  A FABRICATION, WRITTEN TO MAKE THE STORY "BETTER".  SO DON'T TAKE THIS STUFF TOO SERIOUSLY.  IT IS MEANT AS ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE MOST PART ALTHOUGH I DO TRY TO GET THE CLIMBING FACTS RIGHT.  THESE REPORTS ARE WRITTEN FOR CLIMBERS SO DON'T BE SURPRISED IF YOU, A NON-CLIMBER, DON'T GET THE TERMINOLOGY.  THIS REPORT IS IN NO WAY "OFFICIAL" AND IN NO WAY REFLECTS THE OPINION OF ANY GOVERMENTAL OR PRIVATE AGENCY.  ALL CONTENT IS STRICTLY MY OPINION.

Read and enjoy the exploits of the climbers who take on El Capitan.  They are a diverse group with a common bond and each has a unique story to tell.

Many thanks to those who have made a donation to the site... all donations are really appreciated no matter the amount!  It is for all of you who read the reports, and for the climbers who are in them, that I spend the many hours it takes to keep this thing going. If you want to read about my life then click on the "About Tom Evans" box above.

A new feature of the site is the Photo Gallery above.  If you just want to see some pics from 2009 then click on this box or click on any images in the thumb nails grouped on the left of the page, or the Monthly Archive for April 2010.   Be sure to click on "original" to see a larger image of the shot.  Enjoy!!

Best wishes,  Tom Evans

  The "read more" for this section will give you additional information about getting pictures and processing, and comments.

ElCap Report 6/18/13

Submitted by Tom Evans on Wed, 06/19/2013 - 03:31

ElCap Report 6/18/13

By Tom Evans

Yo… Another day of smoke filled skies befell us.  At first I figured Chongo had returned, and was holding a safety committee meeting under the Bridge!   However, no matter how hard the wind blew, the skies stayed smoked up.  Thus the opportunities for great shots were severely curtailed.  I did manage to capture a few images, in spite of the smoke.  So put down that smoke generator you are puffing on, hit a breath mint, and come on out to the Bridge with me and the Crew!

ElCap Report 6/17/13

Submitted by Tom Evans on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 02:19

ElCap Report 6/17/13

By Tom Evans

Yo… Not so nice today, as I arrived at the Bridge to find a smoke filled sky this morning.  It hindered my shooting for the first half of the day but later blew off to the east.  There was a stiff wind, up high on the Cap, that kept things cooled off. 

ElCap Report 6/16/13

Submitted by Tom Evans on Mon, 06/17/2013 - 03:22

ElCap Report 6/16/13

By Tom Evans

Yo… Splendid weather continues to dominate the late part of the season.  I’ve been shooting a lot of shots these days, but most of the good ones are in the morning or evening, as the midday light is very severe.  The Nose had a lot of action on it but all the SW Face routes are empty at the moment… Hello?  This is the time to get up on the Shield, Salathe, 3D or anything else that suits you. 

ElCap Report 6/15/13

Submitted by Tom Evans on Sun, 06/16/2013 - 02:54

ElCap Report 6/15/13

By Tom Evans

Yo… The great weather continues to hold, as more and more climbers are taking the opportunity to get on ElCap.  With just a few weeks left of the Spring season this just might be your last chance to climb the Cap, in good conditions.  So grab your kit and make a dash for the car… tell the family you are going out for ice cream and that it may take a while before you come back!  It works every time!!  Just ask my two ex-wives! 

ElCap Report 6/14/13

Submitted by Tom Evans on Sat, 06/15/2013 - 03:01

ElCap Report 6/14/13

By Tom Evans

Yo… One couldn’t ask for better weather than we are having right now.  Mornings have blue skies with beautiful clouds and afternoons seem to cloud over and get nicely cool.  There is climbing going on but mostly on just a few of the Big Trades.  So you are going to get a lethal dose of the Big Three. 

Also…listen up Noobs… the Nose has turned into a parking lot of late, because all you noobs want to do it, but haven’t figured out that it is NOT Easy!  Here are a few common mistakes I’ve observed lately. 

ElCap Report 6/13/13

Submitted by Tom Evans on Fri, 06/14/2013 - 03:58

ElCap Report 6/13/13
By Tom Evans
Yo… Today was absolutely one of the most beautiful Spring days I have ever seen, with cobalt blue skies, air clear as crystal, sun warm but not hot, and good company in the EC Meadow all day! Yep, it doesn’t get better than this! The action was mostly on the Nose and Zodiac but other routes are prepped and ready to go.

ElCap Report 6/12/13

Submitted by Tom Evans on Thu, 06/13/2013 - 02:58

ElCap Report 6/12/13

By Tom Evans

Yo… Well, there were no cooling clouds to make the day better for climbing or photography.  I hear we are to have a cooling trend in the next few days.  Summer will be here soon enough and that will put an end to the climbing season and the Report.  So stay tuned while we still have some good climbing going on.

ElCap Report 6/11/13

Submitted by Tom Evans on Wed, 06/12/2013 - 04:04

ElCap Report 6/11/13
By Tom Evans
Yo…Early in the morning we had some pretty cool clouds over ElCap but as the day progressed a thick layer developed. I loved it!! Those clouds made for some cool shooting and it was my day off, so I could give my full attention to the scene. The Nose was a nightmare and will continue to be so for a couple more days. I took a lot of shots so it is getting late and I need to get this Report on the books.

ElCap Report 6/10/13

Submitted by Tom Evans on Tue, 06/11/2013 - 01:24

ElCap Report 6/10/13
By Tom Evans
Yo… Remember that blistering weather I have been reporting?? Gone! Today dawned with partly cloudy skies and cool temperatures. I had the day off from the Bridge and had a nice time shooting from a favorite shot in the EC Meadow. I think the rush to the Captain will be on tomorrow. Not a whole lot of action one the Cap today. So…..

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