rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Boot Flake is a feature on the “nose route” for climbers on Yosemite’s El Capitan. Shown in the first photo, it can be seen with the unaided eye from El Capitan Meadow where these photos were taken. Climbers make use of vertical seams for most of their assent. When a seam ends a common move is to make a pendular “swing” from an anchor point to move laterally to a new vertical seam. This sequence shows two pairs of climbers making independent Boot Flake swings. The second photo shows the lead climber in red having completed the swing and establishing an anchor for his partner at the top of the boot with their gear ready to pass across. No 3 shows the gear across and the lead climber of a second party moving up the right side of the boot. No 4 shows the second party lead repelling down the face of the boot after tying into an anchor at the top of the boot. In the bottom left corner of no 5 the lead climber begins his swing to the right. No 6 shows a successful swing to the left. And on an on it goes, they are about 2/3 of the way to the top!
This is probably more than most folks want to know but without a bit of explanation….. it’s just some guys hanging around. Some of these were taken with a full frame and some with a crop sensor body, both on a Sigma 150-500 lens.

(Download)

2

(Download)

3

(Download)

4

(Download)

5

(Download)

6

(Download)

angler Loc: StHelens England

Good set.

flyguy Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico

Interesting --- thanks for posting.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Wow.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Enjoyed reading about the technique and the images!!
Pat

will47 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

Good photos but I'm not doin it.

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Great stuff Rockdog...love your info and photos and, I have no interest in trying to climb anything higher than my bed!!

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Thanks Jim!

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Thanks flyguy, you are welcome! I wish I was watching them right now.

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

I know! What a thing to do. Thanks for the visit Longshadow.

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Thanks Pat. The more I learn about these guys the more interesting watching them becomes. I appreciate your comment.

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Thanks Will. Count me with those also not "doin it"!
Phil

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

Wow! Fantastic shots, Phil, and I'm grateful for the info. I always learn from your wonderful posts, and especially this one. I know absolutely nothing about mountain climbing other than it looks very hard to do!

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Thank you jederick. I'm with you there, my interest is purely academic.

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Thank you Donna! I enjoy taking a peek into this very specialized world of big wall climbers. I had a very enjoyable conversation with two climbers who were going to start thier three day climb the following day. They had fun looking through my camera set up and I enjoyed looking them in the eye and hearing thier stories.