ElCap Reports

ElCap Report 10/04/11
By Tom Evans

Yo… Cold, windy, with clouds driving in from the south today.  The Dome has a banner streaming off the top and the Capt. took on a dark and somber look for a good part of the day.  The Big One is on the way and teams on the Captain are pushing hard to get off in time.  The rain has held off nicely thus far.

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

Zodiac:  The Swedes and the Canadian team got off ok yesterday evening.

Trip:  The American team, featuring Coby Hart and under the direction of one Dave Lane, YMS guide extraordinary, were seen early in the afternoon going up the last pitch.
1)  Dave taking the team home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2)  The Lithuanian couple was short fixing and moving as if they knew there is big weather headed our way.  I hope they don’t get too high on the route so as to end up in the wet zone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3)  Lower down the team that fixed some yesterday was on the route again today.  I hope they are just fixing a couple more and not blasting.  The blow-in could be dangerous.
Sharp dressed Trippers on the move below the Sombrero.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4)  Mescalito:  Regan climbed to the Bow this morning and is heading up toward the top.  I don’t know if he has the speed to climb out or not.  The top is no bargain during a storm and shelter under the summit overhangs just might be the ticket.
Regan heading toward the Bow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nose:  The teams from yesterday are gone or high in the upper portions of the route and will get off this evening at the latest.
Lower down Nick and.... Svetlana …. Well that part was just made up yesterday… Caroline is really her name but the part about her being a good climber was not.  Anyway, in a very rational moment they decided to bail from ECT this morning.  A very wise move… however… no matter what the reason… they still get…..you guessed it!!!
5)  BAIL OF THE DAY!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Tommy and Kevin are on the way down from Wino as I type these lines.

Special Feature of the Day!  Name the Team members and the route..... from the 2008 climbing season.  Really bad, cheap cigars to the winner/s to be picked up in person at the Bridge.
6)  Team 1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7)  Team 2... in the Stovelegs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In other news:  Not much other news I can write about.  Dave and Luke did come down to the Bridge after getting off Aurora just after dark yesterday.  I also talked to Petter and Stefan after their Zodiac adventure.  They said the conditions were too warm and the route too difficult under the circumstances but did get in some good climbing and had fun!
8)  Dave and Luke doing the Walk of Fame on the Bridge, after their two bivy ascent of Aurora!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So that’s the way it is, for this Tuesday, the 4th day of October, 2011.
Chow
TME