"Yeah, what are they going to do? Kick us off the pass? Ha ha!"
And that’s exactly what Ranger K Waterfall did. Two hundred vertical feet from the top of Bishop Pass we were turned around and given the boot. We all wanted to cry.
The evening prior, JJ and I had arrived at the Ranger Station at 5:02 just in time to see the Open sign flip to Closed. I peered in the window and watched a forest green colored “pear shape” waddle away. It seemed that the government hadn’t reissued new uniforms in the last ten years which coincidently hadn’t been very kind to this derriere.
I threw my hands in the air as if to say we tried our best. We’re not going to need a permit anyways. JJ and Taylor’s group didn’t have one last year. We’ll be fine.
We spent the rest of the evening rationing our food for a six day mission. I highly recommend the Pad Thai Mountain House- to die for! I packed for seven days in hopes of a lay day at Tehipite.
With a pretty sizable hike into Upper Cherry 2 weeks earlier I had a pretty good idea of the necessary adjustments needed to make the Middle Kings hike a success. The next morning I fastened up my Asics 2110’s which proved as great footwear for the next week aside from a few portages in the Bottom Nine. I duct taped pads to my hip bones, collar bones and mid spinal region. I wore a trucker hat with a mosquito net ready and a long-sleeved polypro which tripled as mosquito protection, sun block, and a coolant when dipped into streams along the way. My Salamander back pack was key in supporting my boat properly on my back for the entire hike. I’ve tried and witnessed people’s “systems” and for me it’s not worth messing around. The Salamander pack works! Another important matter is where to put one’s paddle. I’m not a fan of attaching the paddle to the boat in case one “turtle shells” and lands on the paddle shattering it. I had it tied in front of me to help with balance and resting my arms. Thankfully I had a new AT2 Super Light and my paddle was nearly weightless. Although, I was carrying the oh-so-essential whitewater running barge Nomad 8.5, and the whole “weight concern” became null.
For me the Middle Kings hike was much more pleasurable then Upper Cherry. I learned about my feet and my bony body parts on UCC and transferred that knowledge to a bigger and better experience. Bishop Pass felt more like hiking through my homeland, Glacier Park, then the typical dry California domes. The lakes, green grass, wild flowers, snow patches, and bare jagged peaks kept me occupied…
That is until K Waterfall roared at us to “Stop hiking! Stop! You must stop!” He charged up the switchbacks in hot pursuit. For a moment I entertained the idea of running for the summit. The Tortoise and the Hare, guns, and the circling helicopter above stopped me.
K Waterfall was pretty cool, just a little disappointed in our team for trying to “Raw Dawg” the mission. Even though he made us hike back down 5 miles and 2000 vertical feet, he made sure the station remained open for us and allowed us to keep our boats and gear at the pass. So, back down the pass we went and made it just in time for happy hour at the local pub recommended by Waterfall. (I tried to get him to admit he was packing heat the whole time but it is unlawful for the rangers to reveal any information pertaining to the contents of their packs. I’m pretty sure he had a gun though.)
8:30 am we were back at the trailhead, permit in hand, with high hopes of catching up with JJ who’d avoided our misfortune. We made it to the top of Bishop Pass, again. Happy to see my gear intact without nibble holes, I assumed the position and we were off. The Middle Kings hike was so stunning I’m actually looking forward to doing it again next year. We made it to the river with plenty of daylight to greet JJ, take baths, and recap our stories thus far.
The next 5 days of whitewater kept getting better and harder every day and Team Raw Dawg rose to the occasion. No Big Bad Beaver for us but we ran most of what had been run plus a little more including the complete top to bottom of Raw Dawg Gorge.
Lizzy in Squeeze Play (WP)
Rock Jumble below Squeeze play (WP)
If you want to know how to stick Raw Dawg Falls next year, ask Taylor (Dave Mourier)
I, on the other hand, fell off a little sideways- but still had a blast!
Check out more pics at...
http://www.willypell.blogspot.com/
http://www.guttersoftheearth.blogspot.com/
http://kineticinstasis.blogspot.com/
... because I don't have a camera ;)
(WP)= Willy Pell photo credit
