ElCap Reports

Welcome to the ElCap Report website.  Below you will find the reports I have written for the past several climbing seasons in Yosemite.  I use a 500mm and a 600mm lens for the images you will see below.  The early reports were written before I had my own website, so don't expect to see images with the early reports.  Originally the reports were done on Supertopo.com so you will find references to that site in the writings.  I started this site in late April of 2009 and have been pleased with the interest you readers have shown.  Website design and operation by Chris Falkenstein of El Portal, CA.  Many thanks Chris!!

IF YOU SEE ANY SPAM IN THE COMMENTS SECTIONS PLEASE DO NOT CLICK ON IT AS IT ONLY ENCOURAGES THEM!

DISCLAIMER: 

THESE REPORTS ARE THE MUSINGS OF AN OBSERVER WHO IS FAR FROM THE ACTION AND ANY RELATION TO THE TRUTH IS THE MEREST OF COINCIDENCE.  A SMALL PORTION OF WHAT IS WRITTEN IS SOMETIMES SIMPLY A FABRICATION, WRITTEN TO MAKE THE STORY "BETTER".  DON'T TAKE THIS STUFF TOO SERIOUSLY.  IT IS MEANT AS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT, FOR THE MOST PART, ALTHOUGH I DO TRY TO GET THE CLIMBING FACTS RIGHT.  THESE REPORTS ARE WRITTEN FOR CLIMBERS, SO DON'T BE SURPRISED IF YOU, A NON-CLIMBER, DON'T GET THE TERMINOLOGY.  THIS REPORT IS IN NO WAY "OFFICIAL" AND IN NO WAY REFLECTS THE OPINION OF ANY GOVERNMENTAL OR PRIVATE AGENCY.  ALL CONTENT IS STRICTLY MY OPINION.  IF YOU DON'T WISH TO BE MENTIONED IN THE REPORT, OR PHOTOGRAPHED, JUST SEND ME AN EMAIL (CLICK "CONTACT" ABOVE) TO THAT EFFECT, OR COME BY THE BRIDGE, AND LET ME KNOW AND YOUR PRIVACY WILL BE RESPECTED.  NO ONE IS REQUIRED TO READ THE REPORT.. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT THEN DON'T READ IT.  

Read and enjoy the exploits of the climbers who take on El Capitan.  They are a diverse group with a common bond and each has a unique story to tell.

Many thanks to those who have made a donation to the site... all donations are really appreciated, no matter the amount! The costs of doing all this far exceeds the amount of donations received, but without donations, the photography and Report would not be possible.  It is for all the readers of the report, and the climbers in it, that I spend time and money to keep this thing going.

Best wishes,  Tom Evans

  The "read more" for this section will give you additional information about getting pictures and processing, and comments.

If I photographed you on ElCap and you want the shots, just let me know through the "contact" button.  The photographs can be sent on a cd or memory card, so I will need your mailing address along with your request.  I can send them on the internet, through Dropbox, if you wish, but you will have to wait until after the season ends, as the slowness of the internet, in Yosemite, will not support sending large files.The best way is to come by the Bridge after your climb, with a memory device, and get them directly.The photos I give to you are free and so is access to the website. 

The photos will have a minimum of processing done by me as I have many thousands to do in a season.  I  do a little brightness, contrast, and sharpening so be prepared to refine them further to get the best results.  You may see a shot of you on the Report but not see the exact shot on your cd.  The report shots are almost always cropped and compressed to fit the report, but the original hi rez shots they came from are on your cd.   Your shots are mostly taken with a very sharp 600mm lens and YOU WILL WANT TO CROP THE IMAGES TO GET A "CLOSER VIEW" or put on the internet. 

Since the shots are long lens shots they are sometimes not as sharp as ones taken much closer in.  This is due to the condition of the atmosphere I am shooting through as well as various vibrations caused by the wind and traffic going by the bridge. In a perfect world I would just shoot under the best lighting conditions.  But climbers are where they are on the wall, without regard to my lighting desires, so I will shoot the best shot I can get for you, under the prevailing conditions.

To the readers who make constructive comments and update incorrect information.... your interest and support are greatly appreciated.

To those who are trying to use the "comments" section, at the end of each days posting, to put links to commercial websites.... the site is checked daily and your spam is deleted as soon as it is found.