ElCap Reports

ElCap Report 9/21/11
By Tom Evans

Yo…Very nice here today…. Right up until the big thunder boomer blew through a little after 3pm today.  It came from up behind the Dome and was looking like serious business but it subsided a short time later.  The Facelift evening program is soon so I will hit it quick and hard so I can get on the move.

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

Zodiac:  I did see the team of Ben Lepesant, from Luxembourg and Danny pushing on the route this morning.  They short fixed and hauled a small bag.  Around 2pm they reached the Black Tower pitch and sat down for a long time talking it over.  They undoubtedly saw what I couldn’t….the big clouds building over the Dome!!  I think they bailed but not positive.

1)  Almost to the end of the 3rd on Zodiac.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continental Drift:  I actually saw Pete out leading today instead of just dealing with the Show.  Looked pretty tough too as he was pounding hard on what appeared to be some heads.  The Brits seem to have lost the banner they put up yesterday.
2)  Neil, Pete and the hammer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NA Wall:  The lads on the route yesterday bailed due to heat and lack of enough water for the route.

PO Wall:  The crew bivied on the Island in the Sky and were up early and going at it.  Bill lead off the Island and the team should be at the High Brow tonight.

3)  Bill leading off the Island in the Sky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4)  Jordan leading off the Black Tower.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Dawn:  I was wrong yesterday… there is a team of two not a solo on the route!   They are Steve Canavero and Brant Didden.  They were well up the corner by the time I left this afternoon and will bivy close to  ECT tonight.
5)  Leading off Lay Lady Ledge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nose: I did see Mayan and partner climbing the Great Roof this morning when I arrived and later learned they were going for the NIAD.  They were over the top around noon.  Sweet!
Lower down the team of three who languished in the Legs yesterday and bivied on Dolt were seen taking the Jarding Traverse to the Gray Bands and were last seen around Camp 4 as I left the scene.
6)  Climbing off Eagle Ledge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lower down I spotted a very well dressed team of three who were making good progress up the Stovelegs, as the guy leading was free climbing everything.
7)  Sharp dressed team in the Legs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below them, but not for long was the team of Scott and Luke, Dolt boys, out for a run up.  They soon passed the sharp dressers going up and coming down.
8)  Deputy and Luke low in the Legs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Nose is getting empty so this is the time for all you NIAD’ers to come on out and give it a run.

Shield:  A team of two Russians, who I spotted heading up the Muir cutoff yesterday, did make the left hand turn to the Shield this afternoon.  I hear they have no portaledge and were planning on climbing from Gray Ledges to Chickenhead ledge today.  Dreamers, will soon be suffering!  But one never knows about those Russkies, they are a pretty tough lot!  Stay tuned…
9)  Second clearing the Shield Roof.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salathe:  I did spot a team of two climb the Freerider traverse off the route this morning.
Lower down a team of two came across Hollow Flake and were just getting to the Ear as I departed.

In other news:  Lots of climbers at the Bridge today… several teams just down from the Big Stone… good fun having some beers and listening to the spray!
So that’s the way it is for this Wednesday, the 21st day of September, 2011.
I’m out a here…
Tom