ElCap Report 10/30/12

By Tom Evans

Yo... This is a collection of photo's I took on my last day in Yosemite this season. 

Click on the link to my facebook page to view them.  Then click on the first shot to see it in a larger size, and after that just hit the arrow on the right side of the shot to get to the others.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.416142715105807.95972.100001302456461&type=1

ElCap Report 10/23/12

Special Late Season Storm Report

By Tom Evans

Yo… The storm came, as predicted, and was stronger than expected.  In this report you will get the latest climbing news and get to see scenic shots I took today.  Many teams finished just before the storm and a few didn’t and are still up there.

ElCap Report 10/20/12

By Tom Evans

Yo… The warm days and nights continue, soon to be gone it would appear.  A serious storm is approaching and will be here in a couple days.   Most climbers have gotten the word so there isn’t a rush to the rock now.  I talked to Tommy Caldwell today and he said they were holding off on the project until after the storm.

I have reached the end of the regular Report Season and from now on will be posting some shots and happenings, randomly, until I leave in early November.  I will still be shooting daily, so if you are on the Cap you can expect to get some shots after your climb.  I want to thank everyone who has supported the site with donations and encouragement.  The donations have made the Report, and working at the Bridge, possible for me.   I would be hard pressed to continue this project of mine without your generous support.  Many thanks!!  

ElCap Report 10/19/12

By Tom Evans

Yo… So it continues… perfect weather for early September but not late October!  ElCap can hold a lot more climbers, that’s for sure.  Looks like maybe next week sometime there is a slight chance for showers and then more of the same.  Tommy and Jonathan were climbing on Mikey’s new route, on Middle today, instead of working on the project on EC.  The right side seems to be getting more traffic now as the left side is drying up a bit.

ElCap Report 10/18/12

By Tom Evans

Yo… Warm, warm, warm seems to be the mantra these days.  Rumor has it that by Monday we may get some rain/snow here in the Valley.  I guess that would be a good thing, as long as it doesn’t close out the climbing season.  A lot of routes are being done now, but there are not that many climbers on the wall.   Enjoyable day of photography and hanging at the Bridge, with various heroes of recent ascents of the Captain.

ElCap Report 10/17/12

By Tom Evans

Yo… Seems like the, “no shirts allowed”, rule is gaining popularity on the Captain these days.  It is beautiful at the Bridge but a bit warm on the cliff.  Still the teams come to climb the great rock.  The team of Dave Allfrey and Alex Honnold did get the record time on Lunar Eclipse yesterday, as predicted.  The old record was around 17 hours and they crushed that one down to a very stiff 11:22...low hanging fruit indeed! 

No big news on the cliff today, but for a lot of climbers it was a great day.  Those are “my folks”, the unknown climbers who come out and give it their best shot and come away with wonderful memories of a great climb.  No one is going to put their picture on the cover of any magazines or pay them to give shows.  Here on the report, they get a few fleeting moments of fame, and some shots to hang on the wall at home.  Sometimes I wonder where they get the desire and energy to come out, often off the couch, and grind out day after day on a big route…just for their own satisfaction.  So, today’s Report is dedicated to all those unknown climbers, who come out here at great expense and effort, to chase a nearly impossible dream.  Good for you!!

ElCap Report 10/16/12

By Tom Evans

Yo… Supposedly the weather for the next 10 days will be sunny and ZERO chance of precipitation.  However, it is unseasonably warm.  So be warned and take extra water!  So much going on now that it is hard to keep up with who is on what.  The lighting is wonderful, so I am staying longer down at the Bridge and out west so I may be late getting the Report out…perhaps the next morning.  Lots going on today, so I will get right into it.

ElCap Report 10/15/12

By Tom Evans

Yo… The great days continue one after another, here in the Ditch.  Perfect Fall weather seems to have set in for some time.  Good activity on the cliff too.  These next two weeks will determine what kind of a season we have and thus far things are looking exceptional.  So come on out and enjoy some of the greatest granite in the world, in one of the world’s most beautiful settings. 

Don’t forget the 50^th anniversaryof the first ascent of the Dihedral Wall, to be celebrated this Saturday

 night, at 6:30pm, in the East Auditorium, here in Yosemite.  Ed Cooper will be giving a show about the ascent and other things too. 

So be sure to come on out to this YCA sponsored event.

ElCap Report 10/14/12

By Tom Evans

Yo…Continued excellent weather is bringing them out in droves now.  However, bailers are flourishing too!  The ElCap shuttle is a thing of the past, for the Fall season, so make arrangements to get your kit down to the Cap.   A little warm today, with very moderate winds.  Nights are pretty chilly but not as cold as the typical Fall night.

ElCap Report 10/13/12

By Tom Evans

Yo… Wow! The weather cleared last evening and today was just sensational! The definitive Fall day here in Yosemite. The line up is full of cars and the routes are getting so much action that it is difficult to keep track of what is going on. The ElCap Shuttle ends tomorrow so factor that into your plans. I took over 200 shots today and under my “Best of the Day” were 48 shots… for space reasons, I can’t use a lot of the shots I liked so the ones below are representative of the days work. The lighting was fantastic, so you are in for some cool stuff.