Mark cleaning a pitch on the steep classic, Mesacalito

Nice ledge above the Bismark allowed Mark to relax and belay.

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

The book said that climbers most often remember the top wide portion. The view was pretty great.

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

Ian is heading up the Nose. There was scary rockfall later that day up higher on the route.

The crux slab pitch on Freeblast on the Salathe Wall on El Cap. 800ft up on one ambiguous section of slab previously rated A2. Freakin great day.

Moby Dick left was harder than I'd anticipated. My loins took the loins share of the beating, but my knees and shoulders felt it too. The route is old school, physical, and beautiful.

I am heading up the first pitch of Little John Right. Photo: Stephen Schmid

just a pic of me for the ol' profile. i forget which bivi this is, but i tell you that metolius bombshelter makes for a damn nice bed.

up in the muir corners before the Shield traverse. incredible route, done it twice now.

One the most incredible places on earth. Thankfully this time we brought a camera.