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Submitted by Tom Evans on Mon, 10/17/2022 - 03:26
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ElCap Report 10/16/2022
By Tom Evans
Yo… They say the heat is about to abate, but most free climbers are waiting to see it actually happen before heading up on the Hill. Several strong and well-known European free climbers have recently arrived and you will be reading about their exploits in the near future. The regular trades are seeing action and some of them are covered in this report. So hang on to your computer as there are an abundance of shots to behold in this report. Sorry to have such a lag in them but I have fallen behind in processing images and have been under the weather for a couple of days too.
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Thu, 10/13/2022 - 02:48
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ElCap Report 10/12/2022
By Tom Evans
Yo… Continuing clear weather has dominated this Fall climbing season. The downside is the sun has baked the great rock day after day and the conditions are more late-August than mid-October. However, lots of teams have flocked to the Nose, where the bail rate is an all-time high of 65%. Salathe/Freerider has been deserted, although recently several teams are making plans for Freerider. We await their actual presence on the rock. I am getting some nice shots as Fall has the best lighting of any season. But there still exist a plague of Gray sun hoodies and similar dark colors, on the rock. Actually the bright yellow sun hoodie keeps the sun off just as well as gray does, so consider and up-grade in the clothing department… please.. stay away from the dumpster when picking what to wear on the Cap!
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Mon, 10/10/2022 - 03:39
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ElCap Report 10/10/22
By Tom Evans
Yo… We are still in the middle of the longest, clear Fall weather streak I have seen in many a year. Lots of action on the cliff, with the possible exception of Salathe/Freerider which has been mostly deserted this season. I figure the free climbers are hiding, cowering in fear of the heat and will arise when the temps drop into the 70’s. Wall style teams are on the increase with lots of attention to the Trip and Zodiac along with some activity on the Shied headwall. Still, lots of solo climbers are getting it done on the Captain. The season is rolling along and now is the time to get here and send that dream climb you have always wanted to do. I have moved to Camp 4 so find me there “after work”. Mostly I am in the Café (7 to 9am and 4 to 7pm) or Mt. Room Bar after 5pm, if you are looking to get your shots. I am in the ECM from 9am to 3pm most days.
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Sat, 10/08/2022 - 04:26
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Yo… The cooling trend continues and the action is heating up. The Nose is getting jammed so get there early and get ahead of the crowd. Nice days are at hand and the meadow crew is increasing by the day.
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Fri, 10/07/2022 - 03:46
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ElCap Report 10/6/2022
By Tom Evans
Yo… Hey, it has gotten cooler and the rush is on… get on it, or get in line! The Nose has suddenly come to life with teams that are not bailers. The Salathe has is also seeing an increase in traffic. The Trip and its sub-routes and suddenly popular. Zodiac had a rush a few days ago but all but one team bailed. The Shield has a new team on it. Mescalito is now empty as is the NA. I have had some difficulty getting into Camp 4 as the on-line reservations are still going on as are the walk-in campers. I went on line and got a site starting Monday, so find me hanging around there late in the evenings.
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Tue, 10/04/2022 - 15:06
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ElCap Report 10/4/2022
By Tom Evans
Yo… Spectacular weather is holding firm with no rain in the forecast. Lots of teams have come into the Valley and kit is being hauled to stage many more climbs. Virginia/Trip is a popular choice these days as is Zodiac. The Nose was empty this afternoon from Sickle ledge to the tree! Salathe is also quite deserted these days with a wall-style team of two slugging it out in slings. Don’t be shy Cubicle Pukes… it doesn’t get much better than it is here, right now. However, Gray, brown, and black still infest the Captain, like rats on a ship. I have bitched, moaned, pleaded and begged you “Heroes of the Useless”, to wear bright colors and yet you persist doing just the opposite. You will see more proof that colors are the way to dress, in today’s report … pay attention!! That is an order from the Captain!
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Sun, 10/02/2022 - 04:14
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ElCap Report 10/1/2022
By Tom Evans
Yo… Beautiful weather, although a little on the warm side, continues to draw climbers to El Capitan. Several routes are getting attention and none are crowded. This is the time for you to plan your escape to the land of adventure. So, pack your haul bags and come on down! Big names are arriving daily so stick with the ElCap Report to keep abreast of all the action.
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Fri, 09/30/2022 - 23:37
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ElCap Report 9/30/22
By Tom Evans
Yo… The weather is cutting us some slack with lower temperatures and still, crystal clear skies. The action is picking up on the Great Rock with several different routes being done and none are crowded. The Nose and Salathe are practically empty. So shed the moniker of 'Cubical Puke' and get in on the action here in Yosemite. The maples are turning yellow now, and the air has the smell of Fall. It is a nostalgic time for me as Fall has many memories from years of climbing and shooting and I wonder just how many Falls I have left in my life... so like me... you should enjoy it the fullest!
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Wed, 09/28/2022 - 02:27
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ElCap Report 9/27/22
By Tom Evans
Yo…The hot topic around here just happens to be the weather. It has been sweltering for the past few days and looks to continue to the weekend. This situation has severely affected the numbers of climbers on ElCap. Thus, the report is a bit on the thin side. We do have several solo climbers on “The Hill” as you will see below. As my FB followers learned recently.. I had my shooting kit fall to the deck resulting in my camera getting destroyed. I had to make the tiring drive to Fresno to get a new one. Fortunately, the camera shop had one left and I got it. This would be a good time to donate to the site if you haven't yet. The camera ended up costing close to $900 and it is not cheap to live here in the Valley. All donations are greatly appreciated!! I do all this work so you can enjoy the events on the world's greatest climbing rock... our own... El Capitan!
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Submitted by Tom Evans on Sun, 09/25/2022 - 03:15
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ElCap Report 9/24/2022
By Tom Evans
Yo… Yep, I have returned for the Fall season and plan on being here, in the ECM, until November. I arrived on Thursday 22 September to find perfect weather for climbing ElCap! You know what that means…. Cubicle Pukes, arise, leave your confines and get your sorry butts to the Valley of Adventure. I am here if you can’t make it, so you can still send with the senders and bail with the bailers on the ECR! The annual Face Lift is just about over after another successful year. As in the past, I will not be posting daily reports but plan to post solid coverage every couple of days. Stay tuned for all the latest news from the Epicenter of American big wall climbing!
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