ElCap Reports

ElCap Report 6.2.13

By Tom Evans

Yo… It is getting warmer here and it made for a slow weekend.  We had a climbing accident on the East Buttress this afternoon and YOSAR responded with the appropriate action.  Official news release coming soon.  I spent the afternoon shooting the operation from the Bridge.

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

Zodiac:  The lead team, of the two on the route, Chris and Apple, topped out late this morning, after making good time on the route. 

 The lower team, Bryan Pyne and Corwin Diamond, climbed into the White Circle this morning and were at the start of the Nipple pitch when I departed around 5pm.  Here they are climbing into the Circle.

1)  Bryan leading the climb into the Cricle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nose:  There seemed to be a lot of Dolt/practice climbing today.  We did have a team go over the top in mid day.  The route is pretty empty.  The team of Zeb and Diana climbed to ECT this afternoon.

Jim Herson climbed up to the top of the Boot with a young 12 year old boy from his regular climbing gym.  The lad climbed well but I think the heat took its toll or maybe they had not planned to do the whole route.

2)  Marko Caballero, in the company of Jim Herson, climbing above Dolt Tower.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PreMuir:  Joe and Madaleine hung out at the belay for most of the day.  It looks like they fixed a pitch above and were seen moving kit in the late evening.  Probably climbing late in the evening as the climbing is difficult and requires the best conditions.

3)  Nice updraft on the PreMuir this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salathe:  Seems to be the track to do these days.  Several parties are hauling kit for runs at Freerider and the Salathe. 

4)  The Costra Rican Team of Alejandor, in orange, and Gino, out of the view, hauled kit from Lung to Hollow Flake Ledge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I didn’t get out west this afternoon due to the YOSAR operations. 

 

In other news:  Hard days here in Yosemite as we have had several recent deaths in the rivers and on ElCap.  Sure takes the fun out of being here for a lot of us.  Hopefully, we will see a change in the recent trend.  For more information, go to the NPS website for official news releases.  More information coming as it is released.

Remember, this site reflects my opinion and the comments have absolutely no connection to any government or private agency. 

So that’s the way it is, for this Sunday, the 2^nd day of June, 2013.  A very sad day here.

Later, Tom