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Submitted by Tom Evans on Tue, 09/24/2013 - 03:00
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ElCap Report 9/23/13
By Tom Evans
Yo…We had another beautiful day here in Yosemite. Lots of action of ElCap, so you will be seeing many pics on today’s Report. The air was clear but surprisingly turbulent in the afternoon. Remember, the Facelift starts tomorrow so get out here and pick up all that stuff that shouldn’t be on the ground. We are expecting a big turnout this year.
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Mon, 09/23/2013 - 02:25
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ElCap Report 9/22/13
By Tom Evans
Yo… We had a crystal clear day here in Yosemite. Yesterday’s storm came and was gone by midnight. It was strong enough to force several teams off the wall and make things interesting for those left on. However, all the crews up there seemed ok today and moved steadily along. Cool lighting made for some great shots all day long… so saddle up and ride high with old Capt. Tom.
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Sun, 09/22/2013 - 02:46
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ElCap Report 9/21/13
By Tom Evans
Yo… I got up this morning to clear skies and figured the bet I had with Blake Burwell, that there would be no rain today, was safe. I cruised down to the Cap to do my daily shooting and secured a good spot in the meadow. Soon clouds started streaming in from the south west and soon the sky was overcast and had a bad look to it. I had fun shooting as a cloudy day is the best to get details without high contrast shade and sun. About 1:30pm it really started looking grim so I made a dash for the Bridge and shortly thereafter the sky opened up and it has been pouring ever since. I am afraid to even go to my tent and am holed up here in the Mt. Room Bar, doing the Report. Camp 4 will be a swamp of wet misery.. oh the humanity!!
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Sat, 09/21/2013 - 02:00
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ElCap Report 9/20/13
By Tom Evans
Yo.. Today, climbing continued on ElCap under very windy conditions. The wind blew pretty hard from 10:30 to about 3pm today at the Bridge and one can only assume it was howling up higher. However, I don’t think it caused any problems. Tomorrow they are calling for a fair chance of rain, which would be very welcomed at this point.
The leaves on Maples and Oaks are starting to turn now, but not like we want. It seems the leaves are rapidly turning brown and then falling off the trees. Not good! The Sugar Maple, by the Chapel, is suffering the same fate thus far.
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Fri, 09/20/2013 - 02:28
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ElCap Report 9/19/13
By Tom Evans
Yo.. Beautiful weather continues to send the crews marching to the Captain. Lots of action on the Nose, but not much else. I had a shot of Joe fixing the brakes on my van yesterday and hear that one can’t legally fix cars in the Valley. I’m not sure if it is true, but you can see what a problem it could cause, so use the local garage for work requiring removing or replacing parts.
The Face Lift is coming in a week or so and we would like all the help we can get to clean up the park. Great entertainment is on hand with the premier showing of the film, “Assault on ElCap” kicking off the event. If you have ever been to a Face Lift then you know it is a lot of fun and valuable prizes will be given away.
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Thu, 09/19/2013 - 03:01
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ElCap Report 9/18/13
By Tom Evans
Yo… Cooler today with some high clouds. The Cap had a fair number of climbers on it but could hold a whole lot more. That means that all you “Real” climbers should plan on hitting it soon. I need to get some sleep do I will dispense with the normal bull crap and get right to the Report.
Today’s ElCap Report…written just for you…unique in all the world!
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Wed, 09/18/2013 - 02:11
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ElCap Report 9/17/13
By Tom Evans
Yo… Spectacular day today with blue bird skies! The action on the Captain is slacking off so all you “real wall climbers” get your butts out here. The clock is ticking and I’m only getting older! Tons of folks at the Bridge today and Erik Sloan hung in there, doing his usual good job. In the early afternoon some Touron asked me a question (oh the humanity!) and I automatically went into my teaching mode, explaining about camming units and protection… after I realized what I had done, Erik asked if I was all right! Old habits die hard! Not my job anymore!! These days I just hand off everyone to Erik or Roger and go about shooting!
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Tue, 09/17/2013 - 03:15
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ElCap Report 9/16/13
By Tom Evans
Yo… Great weather is drawing them to the Captain now. Clear skies and mild days are the hallmark of the fall season, so come on out and enjoy the mid September days. I got the website sorted out with my site manager, Chris Faulkenstein, this afternoon after shooting and we think it is working just right.
Sorry about the small print but the program will not allow any different right now... we are working on it!
Today’s ElCap Report…Written just for you..unique in all the world!
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Submitted by superadmin on Mon, 09/16/2013 - 21:45
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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 12th 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!
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Mon, 08/12/2013 - 00:36
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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.
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Sun, 06/30/2013 - 16:57
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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!
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Wed, 06/26/2013 - 16:49
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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.
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Tue, 06/25/2013 - 01:31
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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.
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Mon, 06/24/2013 - 03:10
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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!
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Sun, 06/23/2013 - 02:59
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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 24th.
So you have a couple of days, to get used to the idea …. cold turkey bro… cold turkey!
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Sat, 06/22/2013 - 02:48
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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!
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Fri, 06/21/2013 - 03:59
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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!
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Thu, 06/20/2013 - 03:33
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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.
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Wed, 06/19/2013 - 03:31
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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!
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 02:19
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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.
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