Massive Rock Fall on El Capitan In Yosemite!

There was a rock fall in the Horsetail Falls area today around noon that kicked up a huge cloud of dust that I could see from Yosemite Lodge. By the time I got down there the cloud had moved east into the valley. Did not hear of any one getting hurt.

Hopefully Tom will have some good photos later!

Ammon McNeely posted some awesome video on this thread as well

Check out Massive El Capitan Rock Fall

Sleeping Pad 2010 Editors’ Choice Awards announced by SuperTopo.com

MILL VALLEY, CA--SuperTopo.com, one of the most popular climbing web sites in the world, revealed today the results of the SuperTopo 2010 Editors’ Choice Awards for Sleeping Pad category, listing this year’s best sleeping pads and best value for sleeping pads. The SuperTopo.com staff chose the following winners after extensive field testing and road trips in Yosemite, Squamish and Smith Rocks. Each pad underwent extensive side by side tests to evaluate key performance metrics such as warmth, comfort, durability, weight, packed size and other factors. The complete sleeping pad review test results for 2010 are available on SuperTopo.com at http://www.supertopo.com/best/Sleeping-Pad-Review

The winners are:
Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus – winner of the Editor's Choice Award for 2010 for sleeping pad. According to gear tester Max Neale, "You can stop reading other pad reviews now for you’ve found the pad that can do it all. Whether your next trip is a week on the snow or summer night on the beach, you’ll be pleased that you bought the ProLite Plus. This is the warmest and most comfortable portable pad we reviewed. If we were to get have one pad this would be it. "

Therm-a-Rest Z Lite - winner of the Best Buy award for 2010. This award is given to a product that balances an extremely high score in our tests and a very reasonable price. According to Max Neale, "The Therm-a-Rest Z Lite is the go to sleeping pad for anyone with a high priority on price, durability, and weight. It works in just about any camping situation whether on a big wall, in Yosemite, or backpacking. There is no set up time or need to worry about packing it up. This is also the most compact closed-cell foam pad."

Therm-a-Rest ProLite - winner of the Recommended award for 2010. This award is given to products that scored very highly, and offered unique capabilities. According to Max Neale, "In our opinion the Therm-a-Rest ProLite is the finest minimalist sleeping pad on the market. It weighs a scant one pound, packs down to a size no one can complain about, and employs a durable time-tested design. "

Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest Solar - winner of a Recommended award for 2010. According to Chris McNamara, "This is the most comfortable closed cell pad we reviewed. For a less voluminous and less comfortable, but cheaper option get the Ridge Rest. For a lighter and more compact pad get the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite. If you don’t mind spending another $20 we recommend this over the Ridge Rest.."

REI Camp Bed 3.5 - winner of the Recommended award for 2010. According to Max Neale, "This is the most comfortable pad we reviewed. It has nice features like dual air valves, a very soft cover, and it comes with compression straps and a stuff sack. It’s massive and cannot be carried far, but if you want a pad for car camping you can’t go wrong and won’t loose sleep over the decision to buy this. When compared to the REI Trekker 1.75 and luxury pads from Therm-a-Rest (such as the Luxury Map), the Camp Bed 3.5 is the best value. A strong recommend. "


About SuperTopo.com: SuperTopo offers the most detailed and exhaustive side-by-side comparison climbing gear review in the industry. Each product is evaluated on a common set of metrics, tested both hands-on and in a lab setting, and then field tested exhaustively on Yosemite's Big Walls, The Alaska Range, Cascades and other serious climbing areas around the world.
SuperTopo.com is the premier destination site for active, influential, and outdoor-oriented rock climbers in the United States. Offering detailed information on the most popular climbing routes in the United States’ most popular climbing areas,

SuperTopo.com serves as one of the critical sites to visit when planning an outdoor climbing trip. SuperTopo.com also features the United States most-active climbing discussion forum, by and for experienced outdoor rock climbers. With topics ranging from how-to-aid climb to bolting ethics, route beta, and general fireside chit-chat, the SuperTopo Climber’s Forum is regularly frequented by many of the most well known and famous rock climbers in America.

Media Contact: Chris McNamara - 530.545.0424 - chris@supertopo.com

San Quentin News: My Dad's New Project

My Dad, Steve McNamara now serves as advisor to the San Quentin News, the only inmate-produced newspaper in California. Check out their web site!

Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sleeping Pad Wins Best Buy Award

MILL VALLEY, CA--SuperTopo.com, one of the most popular climbing web sites in the world, revealed Therm-a-Rest Z Lite as the winner of the 2010 Best Buy award for the sleeping pad category. The SuperTopo.com staff rated the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite after extensive field testing in Yosemite, Squamish, High Sierra and the Bay Area. The Z Lite also underwent extensive side by side tests with others in the sleeping pad category to evaluate key performance metrics such as ease of use, performance, warmth, packability, durability and comfort. The complete sleeping pad review is available on SuperTopo.com.

According to gear tester Max Neale, "The Therm-a-Rest Z Lite is the go to sleeping pad for anyone with a high priority on price, durability, and weight. It works in just about any camping situation whether on a big wall, in Yosemite, or backpacking. There is no set up time or need to worry about packing it up. This is also the most compact closed-cell foam pad. Unfortunately, it's not the most comfortable. For a larger and more comfortable option go for the Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest Solar.."

Neale continues, "This is most compact closed-cell pad we tested. Tying with two other pads, it’s also the lightest. The Z-Lite is a great value for traveling and backpacking and also makes an ideal second pad for winter activities. For a more durable and comfortable, but much larger pad consider the Ridge Rest Solar (same price). If you want a super light inflatable pad get the Therm-a-Rest Prolite ($60 more)."