ElCap Reports

ElCap Report 5/18/12

By Tom Evans

Yo… The good weather never seems to end this season. We did have some wind that cooled off the upper reaches of the Captain late this morning. Other than that it was another stellar day here in Yosemite. More action to report on today so why don’t you just forget about what is bothering you and come on out to the Valley with me to watch the senders send.

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

Zodiac: The Three man, wall style team, from yesterday, morphed into a two man team today. They are Graham Ottley and Ben
Speicher from Oakhurst.  They made fair progress today from the top of the 4^th pitch. I last saw them heading toward the White Circle around 3pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1)  Cleaning and hauling on the Black Tower pitch.

 

Lost in America: Steve Schneider and partner "The Larry" were spotted on the route today. They moved some kit up their fixed lines as the afternoon progressed.

Nose: Ashley Helms and Josh McClure did a NIAD today. It was Ashley’s birthday present to herself. She climbed very well including a free ascent of the Boot Flake, most often aided by other climbers. She sported a red synthetic shirt and an orange helmet, in an effort to counter her partners dismal dress. They were at the Great Roof by early afternoon and caught the mixed team from yesterday, at the top of Pancake Flake. Off way before dark, I predict.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2)  Ashley making the sweet moves on the Boot Flake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3)  Ashley ready with fingers extended to make the grab on the King Swing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4)  NIAD team catching the mixed team just below Camp 5.

　

The mixed team of Alaina Robertson and Nick, from the past few days, bivied at Camp 4 and were last seen heading to Camp 5 at 3pm. Alaina lead the Great Roof and hauled the kit as the afternoon began.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5)  Alaina hauling kit from the corner of the Great Roof.

　

Lower down in the Legs, two large teams played tag most of the morning. The larger team is a Austrian team of 4, Heli, Jauob, Christian, Thomas,  who take the BEST DRESSED CLIMBERS OF THE DAY AWARD!! Those guys know what works for old Tom! They were just getting the crew to ECT as I departed.

Below them the team of three dragged up the Legs to arrive at Dolt Tower by 3pm. A sad looking lot they were too, with gray shirts and other heinous garb too depressing to describe in any detail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6)  Sharp dressed Germans above Dolt Tower.

　

Salathe/Freerider: The Freerider team, from yesterday, was spotted doing the traverse under the Roof around noon today and were gone from sight early.

The Salathe guys, Erik and Ross, who hauled the Freeblast yesterday, climbed from Hollow Flake to the top of the Ear while I was there. They looked sharp in their nice, colorful shirts too! Look good, climb good, I always say!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7)  Dude…. I can’t find the Cobra’s in the haul bag!

　

Aquarian: Doug and Scotty camped on Timbuktu last night and were seen climbing above as I arrived this morning. It looked a bit hot over there as the sun came on them. They climbed the steep corner above the death blocks as I departed this afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8)  Hauling kit to the small ledge above Timbuktu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9)  Leading the Death Blocks, ready to unleash at a feathers touch!

　

In other news: The Big Guns are out to do a link-up of Freerider and Mt. Watkins tonight and tomorrow. They are too fast to photograph!

Nice at the Bridge today… even the Tourons seemed interested and impressed at the scene. The lack of a Shuttle Bus has kept the Bridge nice and quiet thus far.

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!

ElCap is closed for climbing from Peter Pan to the Dihedral Wall inclusive,  until further notice, due to bird nesting.

So that’s the way it is for this Friday, the 18^th day of May, 2012.

Later, Tom