ElCap Report 5/30/12 and 5/31/12

By Tom Evans

Yo… Sorry to have missed yesterdays climbing report, but the rescue off the Nose took all my time and efforts. Today was a warm one. Tomorrow is predicted to be even warmer. The Nose is still the center of attention, as it often is this time of year.

ElCap Rescue 5/30/12

By Tom Evans

Yo… A typical late spring day here in Yosemite turned into a difficult day for all concerned. I was shooting the lead team, of many teams, on the Nose Route when the lead climber fell from the top of the Pancake Flake pitch. That section of the climb is a thin crack, unlike the rock on the lower part of the pitch. He fell 30ft from near the top of the pitch and hit the small triangular ledge at the base of that section. The report came in about 2pm and a full on rescue was called.

YOSAR members came from all over the Valley and the team quickly swung into action. The Nose is the scene of many rescues in the past and the team knows exactly how to set it up. The injury was reported to be a broken leg and possibly a hip too. Not life threatening injuries, so a direct short haul from the chopper was not required. Those in charge of the rescue opted instead for a lowering action from the rim. Below find some of the many shots I took that fill out what happened for you.

ElCap Report 5/29/12

By Tom Evans

Yo… Brilliant weather continues but I hear the heat is being turned up by weeks end to the mid 90’s. Well… beats cold and rainy! The Cap is seeing a lot of action these days but most is still on the Nose.

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

ElCap Report 5/28/12

By Tom Evans

Yo… The splendid weather has returned, and with it the rush is on…. mostly on the Nose, unfortunately. Yesterday was as bad a traffic day as today was a good one. I left the van at the Bridge and took the shuttle in to camp and later returned for the van on my bike. I was not able to write a report for yesterday. Yesterday also saw the demise of the Tribal attempt as Mike and Gabe had serious equipment problems with their new haul bags which were not as water proof as advertised. They were drenched and returned to the deck yesterday. The ElCap shuttle is bringing the multitudes to the Bridge once again.

ElCap Report 5/26/12

By Tom Evans

Yo… The clouds and drizzle continued today into the afternoon. Blue skies were seen through a light cloud layer but intermittent showers continue. Traffic in the Valley is reduced considerably because of the weather. I was down at the Cap for a few hours this morning and caught a glimpse of someone on a line above LLL but they soon rapped back to the ledge. Mike has been posting, from the wall, on SuperTopo and writes they are doing fine. No one else is on the cliff at this time as far as I can tell, but I have not gone to look at Lurking Fear.

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!!

ElCap Report 5/24/12

By Tom Evans

Yo… Conditions remain perfect for climbing ElCap…. But no one is taking advantage of them. There is talk of a thunder shower tomorrow and perhaps that has kept some of the aspiring EC climbers off the rock… but since when did the threat of a thunder storm keep climbers off the rock in May thru Sept????????? Seems like timid Pukes are infesting the Valley these days. Why, I remember … back in the day… well… you know I seem to remember that we were all fearless!! Anyway….

ElCap Report 5/23/12

By Tom Evans

Yo… Perfect days and nights here this spring… hasn’t been this good in several years. Good action on the Captain, but we are in need of replacements as several of the teams are topping out today and tomorrow. So saddle up that old nag of yours, not your spouse, and ride hard for the Valley. You are needed on the Captain… report immediately… that’s an order from old Capt. Tom himself. We hear of some possible sketchy weather on tap for the weekend… I…don’t… think … so!