ElCap Reports

ElCap Report 5/24/12

By Tom Evans

Yo… You remember that rain prediction I poopooed a day or so ago? Well I was almost right… but not entirely. It started raining around 12:30 this afternoon and so far is just very light, sporadic, showers. It was colder than usual last night and I awoke to partly cloudy sky’s that quickly turned dark, low, and fast moving. At the Bridge the wind picked up early and it was cold enough for a puffy. So, we wait for more rain and cold or some clearing. I am for clearing, of course!!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1)  ElCap from the Bridge early this morning.

 

ND to Tribal: Gabe and Mike made LLL by late afternoon yesterday and were relaxing when I shot them around 8:30am.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

　

　

2)  Lay Lady Ledge on ECT’s right side, one of the best on the Cap!

　

Nose: The Nose looked to be a cold, windy, and bleak place to visit today. The first thing I noticed, when I set up early today, was that Scott Stowe was not on top of the Boot Flake ready to King Swing like he usually is, at that time of day, on a guided climb. Nope. He and Stuart Watson were on ECT with no ropes fixed and working on packing up their Kit. A short time later they started the bail. It went smoothly, as one would expect from the most experienced ElCap guide at YMS. I did see an obvious NIAD team flying up from below, who ran into Scott at the Jardine Traverse belay. The NIADer’s continued to ECT where they had a long talk about the situation. They soon were bailing and caught up with Scott and Stuart on Dolt. I assume they were all off by the time the rains started in early afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

　

　

3)  Scott with the bags headed down to Dolt and eventually the ground.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

　

　

 

4)  NIAD boys talking it over in the cold and wind at ECT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

　

　

5)  Last rap to Dolt Tower.

　

　

The only other team on the Mt., I am guessing, is the 3 person team of the highly renowned, Kelly Cordes, and friends. I think they are the 3D team from yesterday, and I assume bailed from around Camp 4 sometime yesterday evening. I spotted a portaledge half way down Grape Race, at a belay across from the top of the Half Dollar. They were not making any effort to get down but were sitting on their ledge talking smack, it appeared. Anyway, the ledge didn’t look like a place I would like to hang out in the rain, as the fly’s fit was not quite up to my minimum standard, and the area they are at is noted for being a huge water course during rains.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

　

　

 

6)  The portaledge, the fly, the suffering, soon to begin?

　

In other news: I assume that by now all the teams have gotten off the rock, except the Tribal team. They are the last men on ElCap but fortunately are the best prepared for any eventuality. Mike and Gabe are seasoned ElCap vets who’s toughness, tenacity, and skill have been proven time and time again. They are in the right spot, have the right gear and supplies to be safe and happy up there!

Tomorrow is supposed to be clearing and the next week, sunny and in the 70’s. A little rain is a good thing here to settle the dust and particularly the pine pollen which is covering everything with a yellow powder.

Update:  4pm and raining harder now.

So that’s the way it is, for this Friday, the 25^th day of May, 2012.

I will keep you posted…

Bye for now,

Tom Evans