Doin' the El Cap Layback

It was 1983, my first visit to the mythical and mystical Valley. I had been enjoying some free climbing, and had managed to get up a couple Grade V walls.

After a strenuous few days of climbing, Kevin suggested we do the El Cap layback.

Great, thought I. Probably some desperate 10d, hard to place gear, nowhere to rest.....

"No!", said Kevin. "We go down to the Meadows and lay back and look at El Cap!"

Fine by me.

From left to right, Gerry DeMaio, John Kaandorp and Kevin Lawlor

One of my favourite pictures ever, this photo is enlarged to poster-size, and hangs in my front hallway.