Survival on El Cap!

This shot was taken of me on a 30 x 60 inch ledge half way up El Cap in May of 1974. I was 18 years old and it was my first attempt at climbing El Cap. I can't remember if we checked the weather but we were young and hardy. My buddy, Eric Sanford, who lives across the river and who I see quite often, huddled on this ledge for a very cold, wet night, trying to stay warm and maybe sleep a little. We had lots of food and water, although, back then, wool was the life saving material of the day, fleece, or even Gore-Tex, hadn't been invented yet. We were determined not to get rescued and the next morning, when we saw even the smallest bit of blue sky, though we might be able to continue with our climb, requiring at least two more nights on the wall. We had the haul bag packed and were ready to start climbing when the clouds started pouring over the top of El Cap and it started raining/sleeting/snowing. Needless to say we decide to rappel off. By the time were got to the ground we were totally soaked and pretty cold but Eric's girlfriend drove his van to the road below El Cap and had a big ol pot of soup ready for us. Some friends hiked up to the base to meet us and carried our wet gear down. We spent the rest of the day in the van eating the soup and smoking pot (this was the 70s).
Three days later, in perfect weather, I started up El Cap again, and this time, was successful.

The slide came back scratched from the developer.

Quite an impressive feat, Mark. Even more so over three decades ago. Despite the obvious surface flaws, the photograph tells the story well. Thanks for the story too.

I remember a couple of things about that. Mark has a shot of him looking up at the top of El Cap before the climb. The top was in the clouds. Afterward Mark said, "You don't do that [start a climb] when the top of El Cap is in the clouds."

The other thing is that he didn't tell our mother he was going up El Cap then. Our brother and I both knew. My mom worried about Mark the whole time. She talked about being worried about him constantly. Once Mark got down, he called home. Obviously our mom was quite relieved. But that's some kind of Mom Psychic Mojo to worry about your kid 3,000 miles away and be right.

Quite impressive, and a great story Mark. Soup and pot eh? Sounds like me at 18-24 as well

I'd shoot myself before I'd ever do anything like this. It's more nuts than anything I know...but I do gather tons of respect for you (and you need all the respect you can muster ) for your triumps here.
Thanks for not including the way you went to the toilet up there!

Great story Mark.

Wow, you look a little uncertain in this shot - great story and nice memory photo... you could clone the scratches out if you wanted too.

Cool story Mark. I myself would NEVER even begin to attempt something like that. Heck, the trail up to the Punchbowl freaks me out. BTW, those seventies(and eighties) were good times, weren't they?

Now you know why it doesn't bother me to stand at the edge of cliffs.
BTW we shared the 30x60 inch ledge for the night. We sat there and leaned against each other and tried to sleep. I remember those clouds now, yeah, don't ever start up El Cap when it's top is hidden in them. That's a sure sign of coming bad weather.

Great story and an awesome image.

I don't know that could really just be Rocky Butte for all we know!
Sweet shot and story Mark!