Photos by rampage

Dan Rampe climbing the East Buttress of El Cap. Grade IV, 5.10b, old school climbing. It has it all: chimneys, offwidth, crack, face and a beautiful setting. For the common man, the best way to say hi to El Capitan. If you want to get to know El Cap better after this climb, get in your aiders.

Lenny Oliker climbing the fourth pitch arete on the East Buttess of El Cap. I fell on this pitch once with Dan Krotz. A green Alien saved me. I love them.

The North Buttress makes for one of the best car-to-car in a day climbs in the Sierra Nevada. The route has it all -- five-mile approach hike, 200 foot glacier crossing to get on the buttress, face climbing, chimneys, cracks, mellow downclimb off the back side. Bring the crampons and ice axe so that you don't get shut down. I didn't bring them the first time and was forced to turn around. It was a nice hike.

Dan Krotz on the crux pitch of Mt. Goode. The pitch is well protected and involves stemming and finger cracks.

Dan Krotz on the crux pitch of Mt. Goode. The pitch is well protected and involves stemming and finger cracks.

Jonny Kwong climbing the Mithral Dihedral on Mt. Russell. Again, another cold day on Mt. Russell.

Mickey "Siddhartha" Shah after completing Higher Cathedral Spire in Yosemite. Lower Cathedral Spire is in the background. Strong climber. Needs to push his potential.

Dan Rampe on top of Higher Cathedral Spire with El Capitan in the background. I looked over at El Cap and said "I have to do that route someday." I did the next year.

Adan Martinez climbing one of the many chimney pitches on Epinephrine. Good training for offwidths and chimneys.

Dan Rampe lowering from the top of the Boot Flake to do the King Swing on The Nose. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Dan Rampe leading the Pancake Flake pitch above the Great Roof on The Nose route on El Cap. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Dan Rampe following one of the upper pitches on The Nose route on El Cap. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Lynsey Parker hanging out at the belay after completing the Great Roof pitch on The Nose. In my own view, this is the most beautiful pitch on the route. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Lynsey Parker standing on the Texas Flake. We fixed the Texas Flake and the Boot Flake and spent a plush bivvy on El Cap Tower. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Morning coffee on the Nose route on El Cap. Lynsey brought the Jet Boil stove for coffee each morning. Don't leave home without it. It "really" helps with the positive mental attitude. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Lynsey Parker jugging The Nose route on El Cap with El Cap Meadow beneath her. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Dan Rampe on El Cap Tower. It was at this location that I felt that I was in a sea of granite. A huge, comfortable ledge with awesome views. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Lynsey Parker sitting on the haul bag on The Nose route on El Cap. Just two pitches to go. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Lynsey Parker climbing the Great Roof pitch on The Nose on El Cap. The first time I saw it up close, I just smiled. Easily the most beautiful pitch on the route. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Dan Rampe coming out from beneath the Great Roof on The Nose on El Cap. From darkness, into the light. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Dan Rampe on top of the Texas Flake. Quite the vantage point

Sunrises and sunsets on The Nose were particularly appealing. Here, El Cap casts its long shadow on the Valley floor. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Lynsey Parker smiling on top of El Cap after completing The Nose route. Quite simply, Lynsey is one of the most positive people I've ever met or climbed with. Her enthusiasm helped make the climbing fun. Thanks. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Lynsey Parker highlighting the Texas Flake and Boot Flake on The Nose route on El Cap. We stopped at El Cap meadow on our way home to look at the route that had been our home for several days. Slide show can be viewed at: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14v5byqg.atctzz30&Uy=-sbzp9o&Ux=1

Adan Martinez climbing on Lunatic Fringe in Yosemite Valley, Autumn, 2005.