ElCap Reports

ElCap Report 10/05/11
By Tom Evans

Yo…The Big One has landed.  I heard it as a pitter patter on the tent around 2am and it soon grew to a roar as torrential rain poured down.  Camp 4 was soon awash in runoff from above.  The rain continued unabated until there was a break around 10am.  I took that opportunity to head down to the Captain to see what was to be seen.  Keep reading to learn more…

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

1)  The Captain looked beautiful, as ever changing storm clouds passed silently over its' countenance this morning .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2)  I had some company at the Bridge.  Werner Braun, YOSAR and climbing legend, showed up and, just like me, was wondering what was happening up on the Cap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3)  We spotted the ledge of Gedas and Savle at the top of the first bolt ladder on the Trip.  Soon Gedas came out and started leading.  Making a run for the top might not be the best strategy during a short break, but I suppose he felt it was better than just sitting there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4)  Horse Tail Falls has sprung back to life and will only get stronger as this storm continues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5)  The Nose region of the wall looked wet and fortunately was devoid of climbers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6)  The Salathe Wall area looked beautiful in the brief sunlight, with ElCap Spire standing out proudly, and even Mason and Brads project, the long, well lit, corner to the right, had a commanding look about it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7)  Looking south, I noticed that the East Buttress of Middle Cathedral looked wet and cold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8)  I walked out a ways in the ElCap Meadow and photographed a couple of plants near the trail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9)  Lupine plant, ECM.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10)  After a time I drove back to town, stopping to take a shot of invigorated, Yosemite Falls, through the renewed storm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday’s Name the climbers and Climb was:
1) Jesse McGahey, Greg Stock, Lincoln Else on Mescalito.
2) Husband and wife team of Jay and Jeanette Rennenberg on the Nose.

11)  Today’s Name the climb and climber.  First one... this climber is soon to arrive in the Valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12)  Second one:  This famous climber needs no introduction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In other news:  Regan was seen to climb off Mescalito late in the evening yesterday before the storm struck.  He has not been seen in the Valley yet, and we assume he is sheltering on top.  
Also, Rylee Sweney made it off her solo of Lurking Fear, just in time to meet up with Scott Deputy, who had hiked to the top with ropes in tow to help her get kit up the slabs.  They took advantage of the storms late arrival to make a break for the Valley and were down in a couple of hours.

The storm continues on as I type these lines and is expected to get colder as the day progresses.  The snow level is expected to drop to around 5,000 ft tonight with possible accumulation on the valley floor.  The visibility above the Valley floor is so bad that all helicopters are grounded.  So… you are on your own up there.

So that’s the way it is, for this Wednesday, the 5th day of October, 2011.
I’m off to the Mountain Room Bar to sit by the fire and dry out.
Later
Tom Evans