ElCap Report 5/21/11
By Tom Evans

Yo.. Weather held today and with a high cloud base the Cap was nice and cool.  It was nice at the Bridge all day with little wind for a change.  There is a chance that some good weather is settling in now.  Another word to the wise… the boys in green were out in the Lodge parking lot last night ticketing any and all cars without Lodge parking passes.  Something like 50 tickets were written and at $50 a pop it looks like the NPS made some spending money yesterday.  So, hate to tell you but, if you are parking over night in the valley you need to park in the Apple Orchard, at Curry, or down by ElCap in the line up.  Otherwise you will stand a good chance to catching a ticket.

ElCap Report 5/20/11
By Tom Evans

Yo… Great weather today with warm temps and mild breezes.  Action is building on the Captain.  Had a nice chat with our climbing rangers, Jake and Jesse, this afternoon.  They informed me that there are now THREE BEARS who roam the base of ElCap.  So it is vital, if you are hauling kit up there, to secure any packs and food out of reach of the bears.  They will shred any pack they find in hopes of finding something.  So no food doesn’t mean no bear!  Day climbers at the base should not leave things either and a bear proof container could be useful.  If your stuff is broken into by a bear YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE and can be cited.  So…. Beware.

ElCap Report 5/19/11
By Tom Evans

Yo… Ok, now we have a climbing season!!  The weather cooperated today with clear skies and warmer temperatures.  As a result the rock saw many teams up and at it.  Some dark clouds scudded in later in the day, so we will see what happens.  The entire upper wall shines with water and the cracks abound with it… suffering up high will be the order of the day!
So, kick the tires and light the fires because we are heading up on the Big Stone to see what is to be seen.  Here we go!!

ElCap Report 5/18/11
By Tom Evans

Yo….  The weather continues to confound.  Enough!!  Enough I say!!  Snowed last night and dawn broke cold and beautiful.  I was out early taking some shots… always wanted to visit in the winter and now I know what that season looks like.  The climbers are here and impatient to be climbing.  We are to have two nice days starting tomorrow but the weekend will bring more of the same shitty weather.  Late next week looks like a more solid forecast.  The SE Face is the only alternative for those wanting to get on the Captain, and it looks like the women have it to themselves.  There is a rumor that a team is to start on Zenyatta Mondotta tomorrow… yep and they are men too!!  A team of women is eyeing Zodiac for later in the week.
 

ElCap Report 5/17/11
By Tom Evans

Yo.. Man oh man what a soggy mess the Valley is and will be for the foreseeable future.  My advice…. stay away, far away from here until the weather settles down.  Rained last night and the clouds are hanging thick on the cliffs.  I went down to ElCap earlier and couldn’t even see it!  So the report will be pretty thin today with mostly scenic stuff to fill it out.

Update:  I was just down at the Captain and caught some glimpses through the clouds.  I saw Holly having a bite to eat at the ledge on top of the 10th pitch.  She is climbing, as her portaledge is cased and she is on dry rock.  Looking good Holly!  The bad news is that it continues to rain, rain and rain.  Thus far just a light but steady drizzle.

Today’s ElCap Report…written just for you…unique in all the world!
 

ElCap Report 5/16/11

By Tom Evans
Yo…  No precipitation today, but a stout west wind and low temperatures, made for a cold day at the Bridge.  A heavy rain started around 8pm so more bad weather.  There is little action on the Captain, save the two solo women on the SE Face.  One has requested not to be reported on so, as always, I will honor her request.  The weather is the story here and will be improving later in the week.  Spring no longer has a lock on warm, beautiful days here, so be prepared for anything if you are heading up on the hill.  Due to the lack of news I will include a few shots from the last few days.

ElCap Report 5/15/11

By Tom Evans

Yo.. Ok, I know you’ve been starving, all winter, for the start of the Spring, ElCap Report. Well, salvation is at your finger tips!! Hope you have had good winter and are ready, once again, to go big on the Cap! We will be watching them all… the flailers and bailers , pukes and punters, the big guns and senders, famous or other wise. The season is already well under way, although the weather is sketchy at the moment. It snowed late last night and flurries are continuing as I type these lines.

Today’s ElCap Report… written just for you…unique in all the world!