ElCap Report Farewell Tour 10/17/23 The Last ElCap Report.
By Tom Evans

Yo.. Incredible warm weather, is the most common variable of this Fall season.  Lots of action on the Cap these past few days. Crushers and Burners are lighting up the Big Stone. Interesting routes and fast times have distinguished the climbing thus far.  However, as stated above... this will be the last ElCap Report.  I want to thank all of you who have supported my efforts over the years and the many friends I have made through doing this report.  The smoke is heavy in the Valley and the fires are not going to end any time soon.  It is impossible to shoot due to the density of the smoke so I will be leaving here in the very near future. Those of you who still have images you have not gotten can come by and see me and get them in person in the Lodge Cafe from 7 to 9am and in the Mt. Room bar after 5pm. Otherwise send me an email with your information and I will dropbox the shots to you. Finally I would like to thank my partner in all this... If the report was a car and I the driver then Chris Falkenstein would be the mechanic who kept the car working. I would have been lost without him and he was with me all the  way on this years long trip.  I don't have the words to adequately express my graditude to Chris... Thanks to you my dear friend, Chris!!

clElCap Report Farewell Tour 10/15/2023
By Tom Evans

Yo… Solid weather continues to mark the mid-season for climbing and unfortunately so does solid smoke from burn piles that the NPS is getting burned before the cold, wet winter sets in.  At first, they did the piles to the east of the ElCap Bridge and the prevailing west winds, that come in late morning, blew all the smoke east into the east end of the Valley.  That was fine with me because it left the Cap clear of smoke for the rest of the day!  However, yesterday they started on the piles to the west of the ECB and all that choaking, nasty smoke is now blocking the view of the Cap. I took Saturday off because I knew that shooting was not going to be worthwhile, and I have a family matter that is commanding my attention and may lead to me leaving in the very near future.

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

ElCap Report Farewell Tour 10/13/23
By Tom Evans

Yo… Smoke, smoke and more smoke here in the Valley these mornings.  Fortunately, down at ElCap, the normal 11am west wind has been pushing it eastward into the more populated regions.  I did take 10/11/23 off for a shower and procuring some needed items at the store. Much cooler now as the action is heating up. The climbers are still talking about Nick Ehman’s rapid solo of the Nose, a couple of days back, and opinions vary as to the possibility of Honnold returning to retake the record.  I included some shots, not seen in the last report, for your enjoyment.
Today’s ElCap Report.. Written just for you … Unique in all the World!
 

ElCap Report Farewell Tour Special…  Nose Solo Record 10/11/23
By Tom Evans

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

Yo … It is still nice but with a little too much heat out there on the sunny Captain. However, we did have new solo record on the Nose today. Nick Ehman, knocked 1 hour 11 minutes off the 13 year old record set by Alex Honnold in 2010.  Alex set his record of 5:50 as part of a link up with Half Dome, which he did after the Nose.  Both climbers used a rope in places but mostly free soloed the route with occasional use of fixed and placed gear for aid and protection. Alex carried a full-length rope and did the route via the King Swing, while Nick opted for the Jardine Traverse variation and only took an 85ft line.  Hans Florine and the Huber brothers have said that there is little difference in the time either variation would require. Others disagree, saying that having to carry a full length rope and do the King Swing is more time consuming than the Jardine and that the King Swing variation is the traditional route taken for all record attempts. They have a point but it would not account for a 1 hour 11minute difference in the times....so..... you make the call!

ElCap Report Farewell Tour 10/9/2023
By Tom Evans
 
Yo… Sunny and hot on the Hill these days .. soon to change they say, as it is more early September, than October.  There is still time for you Cubicle Pukes to vindicate your existence and get back to the valley of your dreams, for one last time, before the ECR closes down. 
Today’s ElCap Report… Written just for you… Unique in all the world!

ElCap Report Farewell Tour 10/6/2023
By Tom Evans

Yo… Splendid but warm weather is the order of the day here in the Valley.  There is lots of action up on the Big Stone and you have a front row seat, provided free by ElCapreport.com. Well, ahh,ugh.. let’s have a word from your sponsor here folks. Gas prices are high, food is high here, technical expenses are off the chart… so it just might be the time for a friendly reminder that all of this comes at great expense to “Old Tom” who would value highly your support via donations to the site thru PayPal. OK? Last time I will ask.. response in the past has been spotty at best but think about all the zillions of quality photos and commentary you gave gotten mostly for free all these years. Those who have stepped up in the past have a special place in my thoughts and I have appreciated your donations.  It is OK to donate… really it is, take a shot at it… you will feel much better about yourself and… I will too!
Today’s ElCap Report… Written just for you…Unique in all the World!

ElCap Report Farewell Tour 10/4/23
By Tom Evans

Yo… Well sports fans ..The Fall season has suddenly erupted!  Too much to write about in one report so I am going to parse it out over the next few reports. Great weather has returned to the spectacular Yosemite Valley and climbers are out in force on many routes.  Pick a climb Cubicle Pukes and show old Tom what you’ve got for one last time to be seen on the, ElCap Report.. you will never get another chance!  Dust off the old haul bag get the gear out of the garage and come on out for the Farewell Tour.

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

ElCap Report Farewell Tour 10/1/2023
By Tom Evans

Yo … Today, 9/30/23 has been better, weather wise, than expected, as the rain has held off nicely until now at 4pm. I did go down to the Captain and shoot a few shots, as most teams were ledged up but a few had leaders out working on the pitch above their belay.  So, some of these shots are from yesterday, a splendid day with fair skies, clear air, and warm sunshine, and today.  It appears now that the shutdown has been postponed for a month or more and that is enough to let the Fall climbing season continue.  Now is the time to get here and do that climb you always wanted to do but never took the time. Interesting routes are being done and the trade routes are mostly empty or close to empty. The Nose is wide open, Zodiac only has one party on it, Salathe is empty too.

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

ElCap Report Farewell Tour 9/29/23
By Tom Evans

Yo… Great weather makes for great climbing… so where are you now?  Tomorrow, they say it will rain… we always need rain in the Fall so not to worry about that.  We don’t have a lot of climbers on the wall but the quality of the climbs being done is high.  My good buddy Marek Raganowicz has arrived to save the season!  He will be going on Bad Seed on the upper east side.  There is a team of 8 from Ecuador who are taking a paraplegic up Mescalito. That team has fixed to the pitch past the Seagull. More climbs are mentioned below with the photos.

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

ElCap Report  Farewell Tour 9/27/2023
By Tom Evans

Yo.. Excellent weather continues here in the ElCap Meadow.  This is the time to show and get up on the Big Stone.  There was only one party on the Nose today and none fixing to Sickle Ledge…It doesn’t get any better than this Cubicle Pukes… where the hell are you? Everything is wide open so don’t wait until the masses jam things up. 

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