ElCap Report

Submitted by Tom Evans on Thu, 04/23/2009 - 01:44

Welcome to the ElCap Report website.  Below you will find the reports I have written for the past several climbing seasons in Yosemite.  I use a 500mm and an 800mm lens for the images you will see below.  Many of the reports were written before I was able to post images, so don't expect to see images with all the reports.  Originally the reports were done on Supertopo.com so you will find references to that site in the writings.  I started this site in late April of 2009 and have been pleased with the interest you readers have shown.  Website design and operation by Chris Falkenstein of El Portal, CA.  Many thanks Chris!!

IF YOU SEE ANY SPAM IN THE COMMENTS SECTIONS PLEASE DO NOT CLICK ON IT AS IT ONLY ENCOURAGES THE BASTARDS!

DISCLAIMER: 

THESE REPORTS ARE THE MUSINGS OF AN OBSERVER WHO IS FAR FROM THE ACTION AND ANY RELATION TO THE TRUTH IS THE MEREST OF COINCIDENCE.  SOME OF WHAT IS WRITTEN IS SIMPLY  A FABRICATION, WRITTEN TO MAKE THE STORY "BETTER".  SO DON'T TAKE THIS STUFF TOO SERIOUSLY.  IT IS MEANT AS ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE MOST PART ALTHOUGH I DO TRY TO GET THE CLIMBING FACTS RIGHT.  THESE REPORTS ARE WRITTEN FOR CLIMBERS SO DON'T BE SURPRISED IF YOU, A NON-CLIMBER, DON'T GET THE TERMINOLOGY.

Read and enjoy the exploits of the climbers who take on El Capitan.  They are a diverse group with a common bond and each has a unique story to tell.

Many thanks to those who have made a donation to the site... all donations are really appreciated no matter the amount!  It is for all of you who read the reports, and for the climbers who are in them, that I spend the many hours it takes to keep this thing going. If you want to read about my life then click on the "About Tom Evans" box above.

A new feature of the site is the Photo Gallery above.  If you just want to see some pics from 2009 then click on this box or click on any images in the thumb nails grouped on the left of the page, or the Monthly Archive for April 2010.   Be sure to click on "original" to see a larger image of the shot.  Enjoy!!

Best wishes,  Tom Evans

  The "read more" for this section will give you additional information about getting pictures and processing, and comments.

ElCap Report 11/01/11

Submitted by Tom Evans on Wed, 11/02/2011 - 01:41

ElCap Report 11/01/11
By Tom Evans

Yo… Spectacular weather continues unabated.  Solid blue sky for all the climbing going on today.  This will be the last report as I am leaving soon and the weather is supposed to cave in later in the week, which will most likely end the season for most climbers.
Donations are greatly appreciated folks and if you have enjoyed all the zillions of great climbing shots and the report itself then please consider donating whatever you find reasonable.
I want to thank Ken Yager for his untiring efforts in the many areas he works to benefit climbers and the park.
Thanks to Jesse McGahey for all he has done to make it possible for me to stay in the park and do what I do here.
Special thanks to my fellow “Ask a Climber” program workers.  Thanks to Friends of YOSAR for the high speed internet connection.  Thanks to Merry and Werner Braun for putting up with me all those evenings when I was writing the Report and processing images!
Also thanks to my photo buddy Jerry Miller for all the help he has given me with the technical aspects of my camera and shooting in general.
And last but surely not least, a very special thanks to all of you who have supported the Report and my photography.  I appreciate every one of you more than you can know.

ElCap Report 10/31/11

Submitted by Tom Evans on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 22:08

ElCap Report 10/31/11
By Tom Evans

Yo… I spent a really nice afternoon in the ElCap Meadow, in perfect weather.  Tommy is taking the day off so that leaves me with some free time.  There is not a lot to write about but I do need to make a correction from yesterday.  
The Hans/Honnold show on the Nose is not starting until between 9 and 10 a.m.  So include that in your plans.

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

ElCap Report 10/30/11

Submitted by Tom Evans on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 04:06

ElCap Report 10/30/11
By Tom Evans

Yo… October rules here in the Valley.  Best month in years!  Very little action on the Captain today.  So this is going to be brief and to the point.
Today’s ElCap Report…written just for you…unique in all the world!

ElCap Report 10/29/11

Submitted by Tom Evans on Sun, 10/30/2011 - 03:57

ElCap Report 10/29/11
By Tom Evans

Yo…Spectacular day to hang out or climb on the Captain.  Tommy got started on the send on his route this morning.  Will and Sonnie were up on the Prophet doing some work on their quest to send it.  Ryan and Trevor were high on Freerider working on the send.  The Nose is empty.  Alik Berg is down from the Tempest.  Read all about it below!  Thanks Curt for the DVD’s I really needed and appreciate.

ElCap Report 10/28/11

Submitted by Tom Evans on Sat, 10/29/2011 - 02:25

ElCap Report 10/28/11
By Tom Evans

Yo… Clear and warm today, just like most of the Fall season has been.  Loving it!!   Seems like most of the teams are climbing off either today or tomorrow.  We are in need of replacement climbers, who want their 15 minutes of fame, on the ElCap Report!  Thanks for the DVD's Clint!!  I will pay you when I see you again... thanks!

ElCap Report 10/27/11

Submitted by Tom Evans on Fri, 10/28/2011 - 03:29

ElCap Report 10/27/11
By Tom Evans

Yo…Cool and clear here in the center of the rock climbing world.  Excellent air today made for some really good photography for old Tom.  It was cold in the shade but we kept warm by yelling encouragement to teams on the wall.  We got to see some speedy climbing via a NIAD and by the push team on Scorched Earth.  So tighten your harness, check your knots, chalk up and come with me to all the action on the Captain today.

ElCap Report 10/26/11

Submitted by Tom Evans on Thu, 10/27/2011 - 03:17

ElCap Report 10/26/11
By Tom Evans

Yo… Well it looks like Fall is really here, brought in yesterday by a cold, hard wind from the west that continues to blow.  The prow of the Nose had another day of strong gusts and very cool temperatures.  The SE Face showed little evidence of wind today, but by late afternoon climbers were reaching for hoodies and puffy’s.  As I type these words, low clouds and fog have unexpectedly moved into the Valley.   It was cold and windy at the Bridge all day and not many people hung around for long…except me of course!

ElCap Report 10/25/11

Submitted by Tom Evans on Wed, 10/26/2011 - 02:09

ElCap Report 10/25/11
By Tom Evans

Yo…Finally a Fall day here in the Ditch.  It was windy and pretty cool up on the cliff today.  Puffy’s were in evidence on the Nose and Salathe, while shirt sleeves were the dress on other routes.  
News Flash:  Hans and Hondo’s Nose attempt put off until next week!
The Big Stone is seeing a late season resurgence these days as the weather is expected to hold for another week at least.  So… last call for ElCap climbers!!  All aboard!

ElCap Report 10/24/11

Submitted by Tom Evans on Tue, 10/25/2011 - 01:27

ElCap Report 10/24/11
By Tom Evans

Yo.. Nice today with some high clouds thickening by afternoon.  No precip forecast for the next week.  Climbers are starting up again, to take advantage of the weather for one last time this season.  The Fall colors are fading fast with the exception of the maples that line the North and South Side Drives.  Those are looking really nice.  The big Oaks are dull now and the Dogwoods are not much this year either.  So come on out to see the climbing, if nothing else.  

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