ElCap Reports

ElCap Report 10/21/11
By Tom Evans

Yo… The “End of the world Day” was a nice one at the Bridge.  We had a little party to celebrate the last day of history… but alas… it didn’t happen!  So… we will be waiting for the next enlightenment, from our fundamentalist Christian friends, who like to tell the rest of us, the revealed truth, from the Bible.  However, it was the end of the world for the thousands of people who died today… so in a way, the geezer preacher making the prediction, was correct.  On to the more realistic matters of climbers on ElCap!

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

1)  The Prophet:  Will and Sonnie were spotted this morning working hard on this Leo Houlding masterpiece, as the photo shows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zodiac:  A French photographer/climber, fixed the first two, of this classic route, in short order this morning.

TC?KJ project:  Kevin is out of the climbing for a time with a sprained ankle but the work continues from the palatial digs high above the deck.
2)  Camping for three.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tempest:  Alik Berg climbed the third pitch this morning and was hauling to the top of it early in the afternoon.
3)  Alik breaking the bivy down this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4)  Leading the third on Tempest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5)  Taking a break from hauling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nose:  Solo Dan climbed from his bivy at the edge of the Great Roof this morning.  He lost considerable time yesterday by letting a couple of teams pass him.
Dan lead the Pancake Flake without difficulty and was seen leading into Camp 5 this evening.  There is a team soon to encounter him, on their journey up the Triple Direct. 
6)  Dan leading Pancake Flake this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3D:  The solo, Mason Robison,  from yesterday was climbing to the Glowering Spot as I arrived this morning and was out of view by the time I departed.
  7)  Mason leaving Camp 5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I spotted another team crossing the traverse this morning.  These two guys are climbing pretty fast and should be high on the face tonight.  I would liked to have stayed to watch them meeting Dan but had other, more pressing matters to attend to…. Like doing the Report!
8)  3D climbers crossing the traverse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shield:  Looks like Ian and Tino have arrived on the route.  I spotted then climbing the traverse pitch to the start of the roof later in the afternoon.  They should be very visible for the next two days.

Salathe:  There is a team finishing the upper part right now.  Maybe Mandy and Nate.  Not dressed so well but getting it done.
9)  Traverse off The Block to Sous le Toit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lower down three well dressed guys were climbing above the Ear this morning.  They were interrupted by Daryl and Colin, who for reasons unknown, bailed today.  So… as is standard practice on the Report… they win the prize!!
10)  BAIL OF THE DAY!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In other news:  Tomorrow night, 6pm, there will be a show by the remaining members of the first ascent team of the Salathe Wall.  East auditorium.  Be there or miss a good time and a good chance to see some of the real founders of modern wall climbing.
So that’s the way it is, for this Friday, the 21st Day of October, 2011.
See you around town,
Tom