ElCap Report 6/21/2015

ElCap Report 6/21/15

By Tom Evans

Yo…Another nice day has passed here in the Valley.  Still not much climbing going on but tomorrow and the next day will see some fast and fun climbing on the Captain.  So stay tuned!

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

1)  It seems like some of my scenic shots are getting more attention than the climbing ones!  So here is one from late evening heading back to camp. 

Lenticular cloud over the high country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2)  Zodiac:  The Seoul Climbing School team is moving along very well thus far.  They are the best of the three Korean teams here this season. 

Lead climber on the center pitch of the White Circle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3)  Later in the afternoon they did the Nipple pitch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4)  Sea:  Big Andy continues to get the pitches done on this highly respected and seldom done climb.  Here he is in the business later in the afternoon.  Big Andy!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5)  Nose:  Mike and Johann (I think those are the guys) did a NIAD yesterday.  Here they are on the pitch into Camp 4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6)  NIAD team turning the Great Roof.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7)  Higher they climbed the nasty pitch into Camp 5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8)  The Real Nose team reports on doing some climbing, but late in the day when I am not there… when I am there, this is what I see.  My misgivings about the climb are that I am so stupid that I didn't even think about the age of the team!!!  I was griping that they were not doing it in the style of the first ascent!  Ha!  Am I stupid or what?  The first ascent team was Grossman and Cole who were in their prime at that time and certainly could do it in one push... but Duh, I just plain forgot that Pete is 55 and Steve is almost 60 and to expect them to do it in the same manner is just stupid on my part.  So I have changed the report here to reflect my own stupidity at expecting the team to climb like youngsters!!  Please accept my apology Pete, Steve, Heather, and Cristobal.  I was way out of line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9)  El Rapitan:  Yes the rappeller’s are back for some speed rappin and jugging on the 3,000 ft line hanging down the Dawn Wall.  DO NOT TRY TO USE THIS LINE AS YOU WILL DIE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10)  Moon shot from late this evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In other news:  A team of three locals are starting early in the morning to get the speed record on Aquarian.

Brad Gobright and Alex Honnold are going to climb the upper part of the new free Heart route in a day.  Brad is in support of Alex.

So that’s the way it is, for this Monday, the 22nd of June, 2015.

Capt. Tom

moon!

tom! thanks for the continuing updates. you continue to outdo yourself - every day's shots seem better than the prior.

hope to be reading the report for years to come. (and maybe be in a few more.. maybe)

thanks!
b.bob

Jack and Jon

Hello Tom! First off, thanks so much for your commitment! You are the man! Im in Connecticut right now while my brother Jack and his friend Jon are climbing triple direct. Also, my father figure (friend) Mark is headed out there to watch. If you have a few mins to explain stuff to mark that would be so cool. you will notice him as a 6"4 Swedish looking Viking guy. I really think you guys would get along great. If you were able to take a few pictures of these guys while they were on the wall id be happy to pay you for your work. Thanks so much Tom. My brother and I hold high respect for you and fully appreciate what you do.

Thanks for everything Tom!
----Chris Kelly