Brian, Will, Nic, Justin and I canyoneered through the North Fork of the Kings River Canyon on 8/31-0/1. We started at the top of the canyon just below the
Black Dog Reservoir at the point where the utility 4x4 road crosses the river and finished at the power plant
Watch the video of our canyoneerng trip through the entire canyon.
Watch our video blog from our 2006 canyoneering trip of the top half of the North Fork of the Kings River Canyon
The top portion of the canyon (The Gorge) is challenging with many down climbs, scrambling, jumps, rappels, swims and more. The temperature of the water was warm enough for a shortee wet suit this year but last year we were grateful for our full length warmth...so canyoneer decide with careful consideration. The water level was much lower this year, which may account for the warmer water. Algee levels were much higher, also a warmer water factor. In any case we all had full length wet suits and were never over heated
The canyon provides many long, cold swims. The water is generally deep but because it appear black underwater obstacles can not be seen. Jumper beware. This jumper hit an underwater rock and bruised/broke a couple of ribs. We met another jumper who broke an ankle. There are many stories of canyoneers who have been injured in this canyon. We rappelled on person down to check for rocks every time we were uncertain about the underwater terrain, which was most of the time. Using a body anchor this was easily done without setting up a permanent anchor.
Scrambling on boulders throughout the canyon make for hard work, challenging navigation and lots of fun. Justin, Brian, Nic and Will scramble down the upper portion of the canyon. The upper portion the canyon is great fun, challenging, fun but not nearly as spectacular as the lower part of the canyon
Brian, Justin and Nic under the boulder on the way down the upper portion of the canyon. Call it a bit of caving, but scrambling through bolders that big enough to form caves makes it feel like a spelunking trip at time.
After we rappelled down the 3 sided waterfall and completed a long swim we were treated to another canyon obstacle. The only way past was to span the rocks with our bodies and chimney past this part of the canyon
Taking a rest top/lunch break in the canyon. This beautiful spot was in the lower canyon next to a waterfall.
This canyon is filled with small and large waterfall.
Brian and Jim (Father and Son) after jimping a fun waterfall
The Canyoneering team
Will, Nic, Jim, Justin and Brian.
This was Will's and Nic's first canyoneering trip
Brian, Justin and Jim have done Zion canyon
Justin and Jim did the North Fork Kings River Canyon the previous year.
Will and Jim survey the waterfall to determine how to get around this beautiful obstacle.
Brian drops down the first of the 2 part rap. Part 1 is a 50' rap, part 2 is the 150' rap. You can see the team in front of us setting up their rap for the 150' decent.
Brian rapels the 150' waterfall. View from the top of the rap looking down canyon. To get to this rap you must rappel from the top of the waterfall to a ledge about 20 feet down and to the right (down canyon right). The ledge is big enough for 5-6 people but be sure you tie your safety tether in. This rap allows you to rappel without getting into the teeth of the waterfall
Brian rappelling the 150 ft waterfall.
Often we would be swimming and see the water drop, as shown in this picture. Nic is looking over the edge at a 90 ft waterfall.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Freeze Fest #3
Jacob, Will and I at Freeze Fest #3
We started Freeze Fest #3 on Friday 2/23/07. When we got to the Echo Lake Snow Park we discovered that 3 feet of fresh powder had the parking lot snowed in. Fresh, Fluffy, Virgin powder!! Miles of it just waiting for us. We found a temporary parking spot at the lodge about 200ft down the road, got out our skis and hit the powder. Skiing through powder above your knees is a lot of work but awwwsome.
Will during our practice skiing in the deep powder
Jacob getting used to the great snow at Echo Summit. While we waited for the parking lot to be cleared we traveled around the resort area
The view from the summit overlooking Tahoe in the distance was breath taking
Lake Tahoe in the distance
Jim takes in the great view near Echo Summit
Watch our video from the summit overlooking Tahoe
Joyous Powder and so much of it. This must be powder heaven. In the many years I have been Freeze Festing I have never had the pleasure of skiing in such deep powder. The snow was so light that we sunk to our knees with our skis on. It made it hard to ski through it.
Skiing the road to Echo Lake. The Snow Cat worked the road to the lake all morning and by the time we finally got the car parked the trail to the lake did not require breaking trail through deep powder.
Watch our video of skiing on the trail headed to Echo Lake through the snow, powder and winter wonderland
The Winter wonderland was glorious. The trees were decorated with so much beauty, it was breath taking.
We continued to be awed by the beauty of the fresh snow falling and dressing the trees with winter beauty
Arriving at Echo lake meant breaking our own trail across the lake. The wind was howling, the temperature was dropping and the powder was deep.
Jacob following in the trail on the lake. Staying in the trail that was broken by the lead meant easier traveling and a lot less work.
Watch the video of us skiing across the lake through the thick powder and the howling wind
We set up camp within view of the docks at the lake shore but far from human neighbors. We were the only human tracks across the entire lake. Setting up camp was a lot of work. We had to stop the powder with our skis to pack it down. After nearly 20 minutes of Jacob, Will and I stomping the snow with our skis we thought we had packed down a camping spot in the snow. When we took off our skis and stepped onto the snow we still sunk up to our shins. The snow was so powdery and cold that we began to think we would never get it packed down. As you can see we finally got a firm platform in the snow to establish a campsite.
It was a beautiful view from our camp site on the shore of the lake
Enjoying the beauty of nature in the solitude of winter is one of the wonders of every Freeze Fest. Freeze Fest was pure winter pleasure with lots of fresh powder, freezing temperatures and great companionship. I measured the temperature at 15 degrees F at 7pm. With the wind blowing and the continued drop in temperature we were in for a Freeze Fest of a night
Winter camping means living on water but having to work for it. Melting water for dinner takes a lot of snow
Getting Ready for Dinner at camp with great ambiance. I am not so sure about the quality of the food. We struggled with the stove and once we were ready to eat the food turned cold nearly before we could eat it. It is so hard to server a hot meal in 15 degree weather. But the warmth of the companionship with Will and Jacob make the meal and the adventure all the better.
Melting water in the darkness
Morning brought stories of numb and nearly frozen toes, cold sleepless nights and a desire to find some place warm. Poor Jacob only slept for 2 hours and counted nearly every frozen moment
Will was nestled in his frozen abode with frosted toes and frozen tent. Alas his enjoyment of Freeze Fest was heartfelt throughout the night as he was reminded of the plunging temperatures and frozen wonderland. I heard rejoycing for the Gatoraid bottle which prevented late night wanderings into the frozen darkness.....
Ahhhh a cup of hot chocolate on a morning like this really hits the spot
Jim breaking camp
Jacob and Jim at Echo Lake in the morning. Yes we spent the night together in the same tent.
Despite a freezing night Will regales the pleasure and beauty of Freeze Fest on Echo Lake
A positive attitude makes all the difference in the world. Instead of railing about the hardships Will is the example of seeing the beauty in the journey and cherishing the adventure with every hardship.
Skiing out of Echo lake was a lot easier. We followed the trail we broke the day before. In the places (there were many) where the snow covered our trail we had to rebreak the trail but the snow had settled and we were only sinking into the powder up to our shins
Did I say we were only sinking up to our shins? Will managed to find a hole in the snow and sunk up to his chest, skis, pack and all.
Video of Will fallen and he can't get up. Well he did but it was a lot of work.
Just 5 feet later Jacob managed to find anothe hole and sunk into the snow past his waist. Skis, pack and all.
Yes Jacob struggled to get out of his snow hole too.
Skiing up to the top of the hill leaving the lake below we were now on the downhill and an easy fun ski back to the car.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Freeze Fest #2
Freeze Fest #2 was planned to be a 3 day adventure into the backcountry of Carson Pass. Josh and Bob joined me in this trek. This was Bob's first time on skis!!! Little did he know what lay ahead. Sure I prepared him and coached him along the way but that climb up the mountain and drop into the meadow valley below. The climb and descent over the mountain must be experienced for the novice first timer can not comprehend the true challenge without it. I know I should have taken him on something a bit easier for his first trip.
Still it was a sunny beautiful winter morning with the temperature hovering around 40 degrees F. The snow was a bit slushy, packed and slick. We put our skins on and headed for the backcountry
At the trailhead to the backcountry, headed for Meiss Lake 3 miles of great skiing
Behind the big tree to the right you can see the pass we have to ascend to gain access to the backcountry.
Bob and Josh headed to the pass
Saturday night the wind started howling and a storm blew in dumping nearly 6" of snow on us. Our tents were dug into the snow and buried. Here you can see the roof of my tent peeking above the snow
It was another beautiful day in the backcountry
Skiing back home in the snow
Traveling through the valley headed back to the mountain pass
Taking a break in the snow
Lunch break in the snow
Near the car in the fresh snow
Although we decided to cut it short by 1 day it was a great trip with all of the key elements of a Freeze Fest....fresh snow, cold, snow storm and great skiing. Until the next time!!!
Freeze fest 1
January 2007 was the first Freeze Fest of 07. It was a solo ski for 1 day into the backcountry at Carson Pass headed to Meiss Lake. Round trip about 6 miles. I got there Friday night after work arriving at around Midnight. The Sierras were in the middle of a cold snap and temps were below -3 F....yes it was cold. I slept in the care when I got there in preparation for an early departure in the morning. The altitude at Carson Pass is about 8K feet and the trip to Meiss involves a climb of about 800ft up and over the mountain.
Morning and it was still below -3 F with wind blowing hard. I headed out into the cold, clear day. Here you can see the view on the downside of the mountain looking toward Lake Tahoe in the distance.
At the bottom of the slope you can see the valley and meadow with Meiss Lake to the left of the trees.
Though the temperature was cold with the snow hard packed and icy there were still people headed into the wilderness to enjoy the winter beauty.
This close up give a better view of Lake Tahoe in the distance
The round trip of 6 miles and over 1K ft of vertical gain was a great workout.
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