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ElCap Report Farewell Tour for 9/21/2023

Submitted by Tom Evans on Fri, 09/22/2023 - 14:22

ElCap Report Farewell Tour for 9/21/2023
 

By Tom Evans

Yo… I arrived here in Yosemite 9/18/2023 and have been busy shooting.  The weather has been warm and the skies clear… until today when a thunderstorm blew in early this afternoon.  My friend Tony Yeary and I were shooting from the meadow and were sent scurrying for our vehicles.  The downpour continued until about 4pm.  As you have probably heard, this is the last season for the Report.  I am no longer able to meet the demands it makes on me.  I will try to post a few reports as the season develops so stay tuned.  The season is shaping up to be a good one.  This report will cover the first several days of shooting.

Today’s ElCap Report… Written just for you… Unique in all the World!

1)  Zodiac had a party fixed to the top of the 4th pitch when I arrived and they soon showed, climbed well and finished the route yesterday.  Here is a shot taken early in the morning as they climbed out of the White Circle, past the mega famous Nipple pitch.
Zodiac had a party fixed to the top of the 4th pitch when I arrived and they soon showed, climbed well and finished the route yesterday. Here is a shot taken early in the morning as they climbed out of the White Circle.

 

2) Tangerine Trip had two parties on when I arrived.  A party of two lead the way with a party of three a couple of pitches behind. The party of two is seen here on the 5th pitch.  Notice the legendary "Black Cat" watching over the team.
Tangerine Trip had two parties on when I arrived. A party of two lead the way with a party of three a couple of pitches behind. The party of two is seen here on the 5th pitch

 

3)  This shot is of the duo on at the start of the long center section of the route.
This shot is of the duo on at the start of the long center section of the route.

 

4)  The 3 man team behind the ones above, are seen here running the 3 person system with a leader out while the bags are being hauled and the previous pitch being cleaned.
The 3 man team behind the ones above, are seen here running the 3 person system with a leader out while the bags are being hauled and the previous pitch being cleaned.

 

5)  The Nose is, of course, the most popular route on the rock.  Sickle Ledge, 500ft up, is the jump off place for the upper regions and is normally packed with aspiring inept teams and a place to pass quickly for the more experienced.
The Nose is, of course, the most popular route on the rock. Sickle Ledge is the jump off place for the upper regions and is normally packed with aspiring inept teams and a place to pass quickly for the more experienced.

 

6) This team of three local guys moved smartly along and are seen here hauling kit to the top of Texas Flake.  It is about  third taller than it appears in my shots due to forshortening as I am 1400 feet lower and half a mile away when I took this shot.
This team of three local guys moved smartly along and are seen here hauling kit to the top of Texas Flake.

 

7)  We always enjoy watching the King Swing and this member of the team above spent some time on the swing but styled it in the end.
We always enjoy watching the King Swing and this member of the team above spent some time on the swing but styled it in the end.

 

8)  This shot is from today as the wind came up in the afternoon.  They passed the Great Roof early in the afternoon.
This shot is from today as the wind came up in the afternoon. They passed the Great Roof early in the afternoon.

 

9)  On the Salathe a compact team were spotted doing the Hollow Flake later in the morning today.
On the Salathe a compact team were spotted doing the Hollow Flake later in the morning today.

 

10)  The next three shots are of a team high up on the route, who finished yesterday.
The next three shots are of a team high up on the route, who finished yesterday.

 

11)A team high up on the Salathe, who finished yesterday.
A team high up on the Salathe, who finished yesterday.

 

12) A team high up on the Salathe, who finished yesterday.
A team high up on the Salathe, who finished yesterday.

 

13)  Way out west PTPP and Luke Antonia are fixed on Hole World and are in search of a third climber as a team member bowed out earlier in the week.  This is their kit at the top of their fixed lines.
Way out west PTPP and Luke Antonia are fixed on Hole World and are in search of a third climber as a team member bowed out earlier in the week. This is their kit at the top of their fixed lines.

 

14)  The strong women’s team of Keiko Tanaka and Clemmie are seen here hauling kit to the base of ElCap and are planning on doing the excellent Sunkist.
The strong women’s team of Keido and Clemmie are seen here hauling kit to the base of ElCap and are planning on doing the excellent Sunkist.

 

In other news… The Facelift is on now and lots of climbers are doing their part in keeping the Valley clean.  Several teams are soon to go on more “interesting” routes and I will keep you posted as things develop.  Early in my visit the traffic was really bad but is improving as various projects are nearing completion.  I am in the meadow from 9am until three in the afternoon so come on out and enjoy the scene.

Capt. Tom… here to the end.