ElCap Reports

ElCap Report 9/15/13

By Tom Evans

Yo… Ok the Report is back and all your anxiety was for nothing!  Rumors abound around the Valley about my demise, but the Report lives on.  Still some smoke in the Valley from time to time but nothing we can’t deal with.  I arrived on the 12^th of Sept. to see a cliff that was not getting much action but now things are on the move.  This report will cover the last 4 days, today included.  So take a break Cupcakes, Cubicle Pukes, Internet Climbers, and get ready for today’s report … ditch the kids, the spouse, the pets… because this is your time to head up on ElCap with old Captain Tom!

SPECIAL Edition ElCap Report 8/11/13

By Tom Evans

It is midsummer and I have been having an enjoyable time.  I have done some travelling and am presently visiting my son and his family in Phoenix.  However this report has nothing to do with those things.  After reading comments and responses written here and elsewhere, I feel the need to clarify some things and have rewritten my original report.  Once again I have edited some of my previous writings, as they were of a personal nature and I don't think they belong on the Report in the long term. The Report is a kind of history of Yosemite climbing and should only contain matters related to climbing.

Late Season ElCap Report 6/30/13

By Tom Evans

Yo… Climbing on ElCap did not stop when the Report stopped.  I am posting a few late season shots here for your viewing pleasure.  All the action has been on the Nose and Salathe, so that’s what we have here.

All of ElCap is now open to climbing.  Falcon restrictions lifted!  Mescalito etc. all open!

Special ElCap Report:  Rescue off the Leaning Tower 6/25/13

By Tom Evans

Yo… I know..... I told you that I have stopped reporting for the Spring season… But we had a big rescue off the Tower yesterday, that was quite similar to a big ElCap rescue, so I thought I would give you my inside look at it.

It started with a call from a solo climber, Shane Houbart, who fell on the West Face Route.  He injured his lower back and didn’t feel he could make the overhanging rappels to the deck.  YOSAR swung into action early in the morning.

ElCap Report 6/24/13

By Tom Evans

Yo…  The weather closed in this morning, and that sent several teams hustling for the top, or looking for a place to hide.  At the present time we are experiencing lots of low clouds but not a lot of rain.  It is chilly on the cliff, but not yet really cold.

Today’s is the last ElCap Report for the 2013, Spring season.  It has been a difficult season for all of us, as the odds finally came up again, and we lost two excellent climbers and really fine men.  We will remember Mason and Felix for their skill, humor, and character.  They will be missed. 

ElCap Report 6/23/12

By Tom Evans

Yo… Spectacular weather today both for the climbers and for me too!  A nice layer of clouds hung over the Captain all day today, making for some excellent, shadow free, photographs.  I always love a cloudy day here in Yosemite.  Remember that tomorrow will be the last Report for the season, BUT I WILL STILL BE AT THE BRIDGE, WORKING AND SHOOTING, UNTIL I LEAVE IN EARLY JULY.  If you are considering donating to the site, then that would be great, as it always helps me out and keeps my Report and photography going.  Any amount is greatly appreciated! 

ElCap Report 6/22/13

By Tom Evans

Yo… We did it again folks, another perfect day to be climbing ElCap!  I hear the weather calls for some rain by early in next week.  Maybe… maybe not!  Most of the action is still on the big trade routes and I suppose that is how the season is going to finish out.  I will be finishing the Reports for this season on this Monday, the 24^th. 

So you have a couple of days, to get used to the idea …. cold turkey bro… cold turkey!

ElCap Report 6/21/13

By Tom Evans

Yo…Need I say, that the weather was perfect today?!  Well it was, and climbers on ElCap made good use of it.  The Nose and Salathe are empty from half height, down.  Want to do that NIAD before the Cap is hot enough to melt lead?  The season is rapidly coming to a close, so you better do it now Bro!

ElCap Report 6/20/13

By Tom Evans

Yo… Whoa, another splendid day, of climbing on ElCap, is in the books!!  This is the best Spring weather I have seen in years.  The breeze is cool and the sun warm.  Action is heating up on the SE Face, thus the SW Face is getting very jealous!  Where are all the Freerider’s and Salather’s hiding?  What about the Shield and other Headwall climbs?  If you don’t do them, then who will?  The ElCap Report will be closing out for the season before you know it, and you will miss all the fun and glory!

ElCap Report 6/19/13

By Tom Evans

Yo… Another gorgeous, Fall like day, here in Yosemite.  Not a trace of smoke until around 2pm when the west wind brought some in, from the Mariposa fire.  There was quite a bit of climbing going on today, so I am going to get right to the details.

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

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

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

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

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 6/12/13

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.