I think someone put it best, going for the first point is an uphill battle, and a not-so far one at that, having to cross that large courtyard, just to have to go up another hill, defiently not the best. I would suggest working on shorting the yard, less hills, etc.
Also, I believe the reason with the first time going through and people not capping is because they couldn't find the point... Needz moar signage!
Sniping line of sight, albeit small, are there and are deadly, I was sniped a couple times (while trying to snipe) from long distances through small, but long LoS's... The opposite end of my sight was in the spawn.