ElCap Reports

ElCap Reports 5/29/09
By Tom Evans
Yo… Well it was an interesting day… he weather was unsettled but not really wet.  Around 11:30am a cloud came over and released a very mild drizzle that lasted for several hours but amounted to little accumulation.  The Bridge was quiet but things picked up when Jay and Jeanette showed up with killer CCC’s and Cobras!  Things only got better.  I left early as various teams were in not so photogenic places.  I still say this weather is nothing to worry about but there is this lingering California fear of rain.  Even the most hardened Patagonia or Himalayan veteran cowers in fear at the mere suggestion that there is a 20% chance of rain!!
Today’s report is brought to you by Ian and Pierre who are kicking some serious butt up on Tribal Rite.
The ElCap Report, written just for you on Mt. Everest Day 2009.  Remember Tenzing and Ed on this anniversary of their climb in 1953.

NA Wall:   These guys are getting close to the top of the route… maybe the Igloo tonight and off tomorrow.
Climbing on the pitch above the Cyclops Eye North American Wall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SSPO:  This team of Euro’s is moving up the route rapidly, so much so that they were past the Shark’s Fin when I arrived but I was able to get some shots of them on the Rubber Band Man pendulum pitch after the swing.
They are most likely on the PO portion of the route by now.
Rubber Band Man pendulum pitch, South Seas to Pacific Ocean

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tribal Rite;  Ian and Pierre are moving up rapidly and will be off this route tomorrow after putting on a clinic these past few days.

Nose:  A team of three climbed past the Great Roof and headed upward at a moderate pace.  Off tomorrow.
Three man team working the Great Roof, Nose route.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lower down there were several teams working the legs but most seemed to be wandering aimlessly around waiting for it to really rain so they could bail with dignity!

Shield:  This route is the real showpiece of the Captain these days with two parties playing tag all the way up the headwall.  Another team is poised to get on the route tomorrow. 
It looked cold up there these past few days, as it always is on that part of the wall.
Playing tag on the Shield.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting ready to break the bivy on the Shield.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salathe:  A party passed over the headwall this morning and another was on Sois le Toit when I left this afternoon.
The route is empty below but a rumor persists that a strong party is going for Salathe and Nose in a day tomorrow.

Blast from the past: 
George Homer at the end of Thank God ledge on the NWF of the Dome 1970.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In other news:  Lots of folks at the bridge this afternoon.  Double E and Mike Ousley are here to do something on the SE Face of the Cap.  Jay and Janette came in to give Zodiac a go in the next few days.  PTPP is waiting around for BW Kate to show to do a route on the SE Face.  Scott Stowe stopped by with some clients to hang out and show them the “Real Yosemite Scene”.  Ken Yager stopped by to see how the “Ask a Climber” program was going.  Climbing Rangers, Jesse and Max stopped to chat for a time.  Various other heroes of El Cap stopped by to revel in the glory.  All in all it was a damp but cheerful day here.
Tom, Jay and Scott at the Bridge today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So that’s the way it is for this for this the 29 Day of May 2009.
 

Later Tom Evans