An example of a route that fits perfectly to the "rule of normal start/stop times": The Zodiac on El Capitan. You start on virtually level ground, when your last foot leaves the ground you ARE climbing. The top has a "90 degree finish", you turn the lip and clip the anchors, when the last person and gear you're hauling turn that lip, you are standing on a level ground area that you can walk off, you're done climbing!

Exceptions to the "normal start and stop times" for Yosemite routes, below.

Lurking Fear: Stop time at anchor two pitches above Thanksgiving ledge. There's a 5.10 pitch off TK ledge then 150 feet of 5.4/5.6 that end at a bolted belay with block ledge to the right, (stop time here). Justification: From here you can wind around for 400 more feet before you're really safe, but most people just coil up ropes and shoulder haul bags here and make a precarious solo out as there is virtually no pro for the next 400 feet of circuitous 3rd classing.

The Nose route on El Capitan: Start time when leaving large triangle ledge at base of pitch one as per 98 topo. The topo shows that pitch one starts at the top of 200 plus feet of 3rd class or if you come from the left side after having done 40 feet of 5.7 and 50 feet of 3rd class. Stop time at anchors on slab just below two foot step onto slab and bushy "flats" that lead up to big tree. These anchors are about 40 feet down from the big tree. There are no bolts or anchors in between the tree and this "stop time anchor". Justification: most "normal parties" ferry their loads to the ledge at the base of the first pitch rather than outright roping up, so the The Climb starts here for most people. "I've always heard of people starting their time here" - not a justification in my mind but it is true. Most parties unrope at the top anchors described and shoulder their haul bags to carry to the tree 40 feet up, thus they are finished with the climbing portion of the program. As of 2002 the record on The Nose route has come under a great deal of "interest." Certainly some parties did shoulder loads and walk off from the chain anchor described above and some hauled and dragged their bags off an anchor attached to the prominent tree which marks "the top of The Nose Route." All parties that have been in contention for the speed record since 2002 have timed to the tree rather than the chain anchors.

If you know of other routes that have "start/stop times" that are in exception to the rule send them in, via email, with a description of the "rule" for that route.