My stomach shrank and my feet felt weak. Beneath me was 3000 feet of air all the way to the ground. My only connection to this world lay in a rope running up above me and disappearing over a roof. The bright white granite apron of El Capitan splayed out beneath me, and the trees far beneath looked like small bushes. A gentle breeze blew, and I slowly twirled on my lifeline, getting a 360 degree view of the scenery around me. I paused, thinking now would be a good time to take a picture, but the intense exposure of my situation put only one thought in my mind: Up.
This is an abridged photo summary of Vinnie and my NIAD a little over a week ago. The much more verbose TR and many more pics are here: https://plus.google.com/116793708900066114376/posts/j1rFMbcg6eu
We started at 11 pm to let us (hopefully) finish with daylight. This was to keep the psyche high for the last few pitches. I think it worked out!
Getting ready to hit the trail and head up there
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 About to start our journey @ 10:30pm Credit: septikus |
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Start your engines!
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 At the start of the Nose @ 11 pm Credit: septikus |
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Fastest time to top of Dolt yet: 4:24. We did two practice runs to Dolt and p19 to get the logistics out of the way a month before.
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 Vinnie gearing up for his block on top of Dolt Credit: septikus |
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Video of Vinnie sticking it on King swing!
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 Riding the wave in the Great Roof Credit: septikus |
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 Me sitting @ camp 5 and Vinnie following. Photo credit to Marlin Thorman Credit: septikus |
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 Vinnie on Changing Corners Credit: septikus |
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 Vinnie heading up Changing Corners. Photo credit to Marlin Thorman. Credit: septikus |
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 Heading up to the summit roofs Credit: septikus |
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Video of us at the top
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 Classic shot of us in front of El Cap Credit: septikus |
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We had a great time on our first full climb up the captain, and I think we'll be back for more...
