ElCap Reports

ElCap Report 5/23/17

By Tom Evans

Yo.. Great weather abounds as does the traffic here in Yosemite.  Still the Big Three are the scene of most of the action but we have parties on the NA, El Corazon, Muir solo, and Adrift.  So, the season is picking up.  As for the traffic… it is easily the worst I have ever seen.  There is so much construction going on that you can never tell what roads are open or closed when you arrive!  The NPS is doing the best it can with a bad situation and are working night and day to get the roads ready for the summer season.  If you need to go from the ElCap area to the Lodge you best go early in the morning or after 7 pm in the evening… otherwise you will be in lines of cars for hours…HOURS.  I will be writing a climbing Report in the next couple of days but this one will deal with the recent rescue practice, with a few scenic thrown in.

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

1)  There is a new helicopter flying for the NPS here in Yosemite.  It is the new 551 and has a new crew too.  The contract for Richard and Tim and old 551 recently expired and they are gone.  We salute their service!  I have not found out the names of the new pilots but will soon.  This is the new 551 working on rescue training, as they do every spring, to get the old and new rangers up to speed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2)  This exercise has the rangers hanging from a 200 foot line and being transported to the scene of a high angle rescue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3)  A sharp eye and a steady hand keep things under control in difficult situations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4)  Jack Hoeflich, already a legend in search and rescue, is seen here taking the ride over to Middle Cathedral Rock in a simulated rescue.  The other rangers did the same in their turn on the rope.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5)  Off to the scene of the rescue…I can’t think of a more “exciting” mode of transportation!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6)  On of the rangers approaching Middle Cathedral rock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7)  Close up and personal with the new 551 crew.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8)  Ranger with a litter being flown to the site of the simulated rescue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9)  Careful flying on a cloudy and turbulent day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10)  551 passing Lower Cathedral Spire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11)  ElCap from down by the river, which by the way is getting higher daily!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12)  Yosemite Falls … the meadow is usually dry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13)  View of Yosemite Falls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14)  Impact area for upper Yosemite Falls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15)  Pink Dogwood… they are not as long flowering as the white ones so they are almost gone now.. the white ones are in full glory now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16)  Yep… ducks on a pond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just wanted to add a bit more about Yosemite Search and Rescue and the team members.  They are much revered by all climbers as they selflessly put their own lives at risk to save the lives of others.  They work day and night and will get the job done no matter the conditions.  Several of the men have gotten the governments “Medal of Valor” for epic rescues in the most demanding circumstances.  Heroes all.

So that’s the way it is, on this Tuesday the 23^rd day of May, 2017.

Capt. Tom.. the eyes and ears of those of you far away from the scene.