ElCap Reports

ElCap Report 10/05/12
By Tom Evans

Yo.. Changing weather is upon us.  High clouds, lower temps, cold winds, looks like Fall to me!  My favorite Sugar Maple is changing fast but not in the usual way.  The tips of the leaves get some color and then the rest of the leaf turns brown and the leaf falls off.  Not what I wanted to see!  The dry conditions have pretty much killed any hope of nice Fall colors.  So there will not be many leaf shots on the report this season.
Activity on the Cap seems to be inversely proportional to the temperature.
The Big Trades are drawing them in but spitting them out too.

ElCap Report 10/04/12
By Tom Evans

Yo.. Much needed cooler weather has arrived.  Thus the Captain is getting some real action.  The Bigs have a lot of action on them and several of the other routes are getting hit too.  Today I didn’t set up the display at the Bridge as I needed some time off and it seems I am the only person willing to work for nothing.  I was super busy, shooting 240 shots, in excellent light.  It was serious fun!  So put aside your toils and take a break.  For a moment think of yourself as a climber and not some Cubicle Puke, chained to your desk… you are going to like these shots…. So let the fun begin!

ElCap Report 10/03/12
By Tom Evans

Yo… Improving weather is starting to bring teams up to the Captain. Tomorrow is supposed to be really nice with cool breezes and warm sunlight.  Maybe Fall is finally coming to Yosemite.  Lots of action at the Bridge and on the Cap today.
Today’s ElCap Report…written just for you…unique in all the world!

ElCap Report 10/02/12
By Tom Evans

Yo… Another hot, sunny day here in the Valley.  Seems like some people took my advice and decided to postpone their climb for a day or so.  Several teams wisely bailed in the heat.  But the weather is due for a change in just a couple of days, so get ready!  
Today’s ElCap Report….written just for you…unique in all the world!

ElCap Report 10/01/12
By Tom Evans

Yo… Heat alert!!!  The temperatures are soaring, and the Cap is a large oven, cooking anyone not fully prepared for the the conditions.  
STAY OFF ELCAP FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS!!
The South West Face is almost impossible to climb in the afternoons, as is the upper east side, of the South East Face.
Climbers low on the Rock are mostly fixing and going down to return another day.  Smart move!  I saw 4 different parties come down today.
Today’s ElCap Report…written just for you…unique in all the world!

ElCap Report 9/30/12
By Tom Evans

Yo… The masses have assembled on the Big Trades, even though the weather remains warm and dry.  The Nose is loaded but the line is moving.  Zodiac is not far behind with three teams and a solo.  So this just might be the time to get out here and start working on that tic list!
The Facelift ends today with a dinner and the usual raffles.  It has been a great week and zillions of climbers have come out to support the event.  We have seen a lot of them passing by and hanging out at the Bridge.

ElCap Report 9/29/12
By Tom Evans

Yo… Continued warm, dry weather is forecast for several more days.  Sure not like any late September I have seen in several years.  The Facelift is wrapping up work today and tomorrow andd the big party tonight should be a good time for all.  Some new records were set in the past two days … read about them below.

ElCap Report 9/28/12
By Tom Evans

Yo… Fall, my Fall, why have you not fallen?  The dry, warm conditions continue to keep teams off the SW Face of the Captain and even the King is suffering some attendance problems.  Nothing to be done but stay in the late summer mode and keep take some extra fluids.  Most of the attention was high on the face and I did manage to get some sweet shots on great rock.  The show at the Facelift tonight features Cheyne Lempe, James Lucas, and what’s his name… ummm let me think… kind of obscure fella…got it!  Alex Honnold.  So I am going to go right to the action then to the show.

ElCap Report 9/27/12
By Tom Evans

Yo… Same old same old with the weather.  Will it ever rain again?  The rock is seeing some interest on the Big Trades with the exception of Genesis.  The Facelift has sucked some teams off schedule but they will have their day.  Fall colors are starting to come into form but have far to go yet.  The maples on N and S side drives are starting to turn yellow and my favorite Sugar Maple has a few leaves turning now but it is no where near what it will be in a week or two.  
Today’s ElCap Report…written just for you… unique in all the world!

ElCap Report 9/26/12
By Tom Evans

Yo… The late summer weather continues for the foreseeable future… pretty warm up there but not blazing hot.  No rain in the forecast for as far out as can be predicted, with some accuracy.  The Big Routes are getting big attention with the Salathe still number one on the hit list.  The air is spectacularly clear and I am getting such good photos that I really look forward to processing the images at day’s end.  
Today’s ElCap Report…written just for you…unique in all the world!