Lost tripod in front of El cap

Question

Hey all taking a long shot here, hopefully this kind of thing is allowed. Driving out of Yosemite last night on the 3rd I lost a sachtler video 20. I stopped right in front of El cap on Northside drive to shoot some video of the climbers. When I finished I was rushing and foolishly I took my camera off the tripod, got distracted, and drove away forgetting the tripod on the side of the road. I'm posting here because with the government shutdown the lost and found office is closed and I'm hoping there's a slim chance one of you may have found it.

Answer

Losing a tripod in front of El Capitan can be stressful, especially during a government shutdown when the official Lost & Found office is closed. While the odds are slim, there are several steps and alternatives you can try to increase the chances of recovering your Sachtler Video 20 tripod.

Immediate Actions:

Post on Yosemite-specific forums, social media groups, and local photography or climbing communities. Many climbers and visitors keep an eye out for lost gear.
Contact the Yosemite Visitor Center by phone or email, even if the Lost & Found office is technically closed, as staff may still be monitoring messages.
Reach out to local lodging or shuttle services near Northside Drive; sometimes visitors or staff pick up found items for safekeeping.

Alternative Steps During Shutdown:

Check online marketplaces and local “found items” boards in case someone tries to sell or report it.
Leave contact information with any nearby ranger stations or park information points; rangers may log found items even if the main office is closed.
Ask fellow photographers and climbers in the area if they noticed a tripod left behind; sometimes peer-to-peer communication works when official channels are unavailable.

Future Tips:

Take a quick photo of your tripod’s location before leaving it unattended, so you can share exact details with potential finders.
Mark your gear with a contact label or unique identifier for easier return if found.
Keep a small checklist or reminder when moving gear to avoid rushing and leaving equipment behind.

While recovery is not guaranteed, spreading the word to local communities and leaving contact information at accessible points gives you the best chance of retrieving your tripod. Persistence and checking back once the Lost & Found office reopens are also recommended.

Lost tripod in front of El cap

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