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Gene
Social climber
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 19, 2010 - 10:12pm PT
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All of us of a certain age remember Ferdinand who owned the Tioga Pass entry station forever. The man was both cantankerous and a joy. There once was an effort to name a buttress on Mount Dana above the pass in his memory, but, alas, it went nowhere.
Anybody have any tales to tell of this Yosemite institution?
g
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Srbphoto
Trad climber
Kennewick wa
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Jul 19, 2010 - 10:19pm PT
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james Colborn
Trad climber
Truckee, Ca
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Jul 19, 2010 - 11:25pm PT
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My first visit through the park was during the big fires of ? I can't remember. We exited T. Meadows and went into the Hoover wilderness and spent a week in the high country out of the park and out of the smoke. I fell in love with the Sierra. I was completely blown away. Upon re-entering the park, we stopped at the Kiosk and I asked the attendant what the word Inyo meant. It was Ferdinand, and he paused and responded "It means the resting place of the gods" I freak out, We had such an incredible time and felt so connected to the place and to have this sort of mystical figure tell me everything I already knew, moved me. I will forever remembr that momment.
Andy that is f*#king classic!
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Dick Erb
climber
June Lake, CA
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Jul 19, 2010 - 11:46pm PT
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Back in his younger days Roper was heading over Tioga Pass coming back into the park, and nearly penniless. Approaching the gate he realizes it is almost nine o'clock and Ferdinand will soon be off work, so he pulls over onto the shoulder and parks. Ferdinand sees him and knows what is going on. In a while it is well past nine. Roper is sitting in the car, and Ferdinand is still hanging out in the kiosk. Nine thirty comes and goes. The two men wait for the other to make a move. About to doze off Steve sees a car at the ranger shack on his way out. The car drives through, pulls up next to Roper's car and the driver says, "The ranger says he'll let you through for half price so he can go to bed." Steve thinks, "Fair enough"
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sempervirens
Trad climber
Trinity County
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Jul 20, 2010 - 12:13am PT
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"If I only had two hours I would park down by Lembert, walk across the meadow over to the river, sit down and cry"
I was told Carl Sharsmith said that. Either way, just as valid.
What about that legend that says Ferdinand hiked to the top of Dana in the dark and forced a camper back down to the road. Camping not allowed on Mt Dana.
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Gene
Social climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 20, 2010 - 12:17am PT
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What about that legend that says Ferdinand hiked to the top of Dana in the dark and forced a camper back down to the road. Camping not allowed on Mt Dana.
If it's not true, it should be.
EDIT: I'm sure Ferdinand is currently coaching St. Peter on proper gate management practices.
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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Jul 20, 2010 - 12:38am PT
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I remember leaving the year the drug plane crashed, which was also the year that Jack Dorn died from a fall off the Yosemite Falls trail while on a night rescue.
To avoid paying the fee, I told him I was on the rescue team and Ferdinand told me that he had heard a rumor that foul play was involved. I responded that it was BS and he seemed happy to hear it.
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Mike Bolte
Trad climber
Planet Earth
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Jul 20, 2010 - 02:17am PT
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Dick, that is a great story. Stopped at TPR two nights ago for apple pie and there is a great shot of F. there in the shop.
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
climber
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Jul 20, 2010 - 03:32am PT
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"Three dolla? Ten dolla?"
During his reign (when I lived in the park) I'd always have to write notes for family members so they'd not have to pay . Poorly written bs on whatever scrap paper available , and he never balked at it as far as I know .
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Tobia
Social climber
GA
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Jul 20, 2010 - 08:30am PT
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Passing by Ferdinand on a regular basis one season in the early 80's and not being an employee Ferdinand would let me through w/o the fee. Having an old YPCC sticker on my window did the trick, he got the coffee and pie most of the time w/o asking, but I think the biggest factor was a certain passenger that I drove to down to Mammoth on a occasion for a shopping spree.
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Fuzzywuzzy
climber
suspendedhappynation
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Jul 20, 2010 - 12:13pm PT
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Anybody remember the "Butterfly Graveyard"?????
I will write up some memories.
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Risk
Mountain climber
Olympia, WA
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Jul 21, 2010 - 01:18pm PT
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HighTraverse
Trad climber
Bay Area
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Jul 21, 2010 - 01:32pm PT
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TMJesse
That's not the plane crash Rick A was talking about!
(as if you didn't know)
For many years I was bugged by Ferdinand. We always talked about the old curmudgeon when we had to pay. Was way too long before I began to appreciate what a character he was. Ended up the last few times I saw him chatting through the car window or walking over to say hi after a hike or climb in the Pass area. Perhaps he was mellowing? Dunno.
He was an institution and I think all Yosemite climbers and hikers were sad when he died.
My wife and I signed the "Ferdinand Point" petition as soon as it came out. I've got a copy of it somewhere in an old box. Ran across it a couple of months ago. Did NOT throw it out.
I should be named "Ferdinand's Nose". InMyNoSoHumbleOpinion.
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Jul 21, 2010 - 01:33pm PT
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What entrance fee did he charge for that plane?
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pleasantOs
Trad climber
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Jul 21, 2010 - 01:57pm PT
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ferdinand loved mice, fed them, allowed them to multiply. one winter season, a tuolumne ranger couple drowned them via ramp, bucket o' water, and cheese hanging from the bucket's handle. to their pleasure and unfortunate lack of sleep, the mice drowned trying desperately to get to the cheese every night.
"i love you honey. i love you honey." SPLASH, SPLASH, GULP, BUBBLE, BUBBLE.
finally, one day, no more mice scurrying across their bodies and faces at night. no more mouse poop in bed. they dumped their little mouse bodies out back in the snow, and skied back out to the valley below at season's end. road was plowed and ferdinand came back to his trusty gate in the sky; what's this? only to find dead mouse carcas everywhere!!! rumor has it, he almost had a heart attack.
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Gene
Social climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 21, 2010 - 07:39pm PT
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Banquo,
Wonderful article! Thanks. I offer whatever help I can give to a fitting permanent memorial for Ferdinand.
g
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Banquo
Trad climber
Morgan Hill, CA (Mo' Hill)
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Jul 22, 2010 - 12:40am PT
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Okay people, who should do this? We need somebody eloquent enough to state the case for naming Ferdinand Point in a mere 4000 words or less and then to follow through. A call for volunteers is first (Gene started this so I call for Gene to volunteer) and if that doesn’t work out, maybe we can force somebody. There is something called the Tioga Pass Run in September, does anybody know someone associated with that that might collaborate?
http://www.monolake.org/visit/tiogapassrun
Here is where you go to propose a name to USGS:
http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=DGNPPublic
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jul 22, 2010 - 12:52am PT
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Met a retired fire fighter that knew Ferdinand when we were up on the pass this year before the gate opened. He spoke his name with a fondness. Starting to get refamiliar with the name now with these stories. thx
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hooblie
climber
from where the anecdotes roam
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Oct 21, 2010 - 06:54pm PT
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during the arab oil embargo, there were long lines at any gas station, the one next to C4 was no exception. what was different was that they weren't letting you pump your own gas, which was a change-up for me since we cheap guys only patronized self-serve stations.
so when i came out of the loo, there were empty pumps ahead of me, and a huge line behind. i hustled over to jump behind the wheel, intending to park out of the way and go in to pay up.
my sequence was screwed up what with the intervention of a pump jockey, as i only got my wits about me enough to check my side mirror just as the pump nozzle broke off. it had long since shut off at full so no big mess.
boy was the boss man hot! he knew just what the replacement cost would be and he was out to extract that from me right there on the spot. in the same breath he accused me of attempting a drive off, which i apparently failed at.
well that got my back up and i argued that the attendant's performance was lacking, that i provided the revenue to buy insurance with, not him, and what the hell else was insurance for if not accidents. i gave him enough for the gas only and then proceeded to, as he indicated, drive off!
so my nerves had pretty much settled by the time i approached the tioga gate, and out steps ferdinand into the middle of the road. i was promptly swarmed by LEO and grilled pretty hard.
i was more than happy to tell my story and things got progressively more relaxed as ferdinand, and then the others saw things my way. they even sympathized and i got the idea that
the station boss was going to hear from them about his selective reportage.
i was sent on my way with genuine politeness
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dee ee
Mountain climber
citizen of planet Earth
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Oct 21, 2010 - 09:08pm PT
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I was going to ask how long Ferdinand was the man at the pass. I know I saw him there for at least 20 years, he was always super personable and cool, unlike many of the other rangers I have had the pleasure of dealing with.
According to the article it was more like 40 years, wow!
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Lacey
Social climber
Burns,Oregon
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Oct 21, 2010 - 09:24pm PT
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Ah, Being a TRP waitress and living in the park BITD, We all know how Ferd liked his coffee, "DOUBLE CREAM, DOUBLE SUGAR"............. God Bless Him......
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Chris Jones
Social climber
Glen Ellen, CA
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Oct 22, 2010 - 09:04pm PT
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Way back in the last century, foreign visitors could get into the National Parks by showing their passport. So this was a handy way to save a couple of dollars if you happened to be from abroad - and a nice gesture by the US. As I was a permanent resident and had been for several years, this was obviously not intended for the likes of me. But it worked like a charm, especially as, when needed, I hammed up my "Britishness."
But not at Ferdinand's stand. He was on to me like a shot. "You live here," he said, fixing me with a stern eye. My impressive, gold-embossed British passport seemed to wilt in my hand. But he let me through. He got a lot of respect from me, and I never tried that trick again - at least with him.
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overit
Trad climber
Boulder
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Oct 22, 2010 - 10:05pm PT
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I offer whatever help I can give to a fitting permanent memorial for Ferdinand.
There is a nice memorial section in the TM visitor center for him and Sharsmith I saw in August. Also, the prior owners of TPR had a plaque made for of him that is on the wall by the coffee machine in the TPR cafe.
Ferdinand:Look out for Bighorn sheep on the Road
Me:I have never seen one in all my years here
Ferdinand: Well, they're out there!
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Oct 23, 2010 - 02:27pm PT
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Here is a wee blurb I posted from the Barry Bates, Yosemite Riots.......... a while back.
http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/1209560/Yosemite-riots-the-first-ascent-of-Independence-Pinnacle
Barry
"Those were some interesting and often challenging times. My girlfriend back then was Carol Ottonello and her dad was the judge in Yosemite and he had been there since 1943. A wonderful man and great friend for years.
On the 4th, Carol and I were returning via Tioga Pass back to the Valley after a trip on the East side. The Rangers were hassling the sh#t out of anyone with an old vehicle and long hair as they entered the Park. They were refusing to allow many people to enter.
In front of me at the entrance booth window was an old van loaded with some fun loving folks, picture the Fury Freak Brothers, and Ferdinand was reading them the riot the act and telling them they could not enter the park. I had been a Ranger in the Valley in the mid 60s and had to deal with the police mentality that was prevalent back then. A large number of the seasonal Rangers back then were majors in Criminology. Rather sit in an office and look at their gun than have anything to do with the Valley. One guy to this day reminds me of Steven Colbert when he pulls out his handgun he calls "Precious" and caresses it.
I got mad, slammed my VW Van into the back of the van in front of me, shoved them forward and yelled at Ferdinand to quit f*#king with people and let them into the park. Ferdinand was boiling mad and started yelling at me until he realized I had the judges daughter in the car and I had been a Ranger.................................."
"Go slow and beware of the deer."
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john bald
climber
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Oct 23, 2010 - 03:03pm PT
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Much in the lines of Dick's post....back in '73 I was in the habit to enter and leave the park after Ranger hours to save a buck. For one particular trip I was leaving over Tioga Pass around 10:30 pm. Of course it took forever to get there from the Valley in my '62 vw bus, and after climbing all day I was barely awake when I rolled up to Ferdinand's post.
Utterly suprised that there would be anyone there at that hour, and being so tired, I just pulled on up to pay the piper. Any other day I would have retreated to wait it out as with Dick's method. After forking over the fee I had always managed to get out of, I slowly pulled off and started down the pass in low gear. Now about a mile or two off the summit and not all together there, I was thinking to myself, what was it the Ranger just said? It finally dawned on me. Ferdinand must have noticed that I was a few cups of joe short of being alert and simply said "Watch out for boulders and dead babies in the road".
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Norman Claude
climber
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Oct 23, 2010 - 05:22pm PT
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The quote was "watch for deer and rocks", especially the cairn line that Ferdinand built each year along the side of the road.
Ferdinand had a log (weather, interesting event, how many (50 his p.r.) laps he swam in the top most tarn at Tioga Pass, closing date of pass) from the thirty two years he spent on the pass. He showed it to me one morning as I delivered his coffee (double cream,double sugar) and sweet roll from T.P.R. He always insisted that the resort be called Tioga Pass Resort out of respect for Neil and Georgia.
The renaming of Lion's Head to Point Ferdinand was indeed squashed (or at least he led a charge) by Bob Casper with a C I think. He hung out in the Meadows some and I have no idea why he was so against the proposal.
And better than "watch for deer and rocks", was the salute, "take hair" (take care), from the Ferd joke about the Little Bighorn battle.
And let's see, Ferd also liked to gamble at Hawthorne with Floretta on fall weekends. The only time he left the pass during the season was in his later years, and only with Floretta. He didn't drive and so he lived at the pass.
Valerie Cohen and Dave Norris could probably tell the funniest Ferd stories.
He died two years after the Park service said he couldn't go back to the pass. He was stuck at the Big Oak Flat entrance with a broken heart.
And the photo with Nick and Karl. Great. I remember Nick catching me at the Lodge showers and asking if I wanted to buy a season Pass. I only got respect from Nick after I married Nancy. Then he wanted to know when we were going to have "hippie babies".
We'll never go through the gate without thinking about Ferdinand.
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lostinshanghai
Social climber
someplace
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Oct 23, 2010 - 05:55pm PT
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Years and I mean years ago when I would come in from Lee Vining 3-4 times a year and having a NPS decal as well he would recognize me or the car.
Always would say “Hi Ferdinand”, he was always the polite and gentle guy that would take a couple of minutes to continue with a conservation. We would chat for 1-2 minutes maybe longer. Could not tell the year but was during the summer and cars pilling up and pilling up behind me. I looked through my rear view mirror thinking that it would best to get on my way.
Knowing that I was climber he would say what plans I had. Can’t remember but told him “in the valley”. I asked him what the weather is going to be like. It was pure blue skies and not an inclination of cloud formation. He would look to the West and North and say rain 4:30 Saturday [couple of days]. I would look to see what he was looking for and could not see anything, just a lot of pure blue with green background from the trees.
He started to ask another question and all of a sudden some or one of the cars behind me honks his/her horn. He stops and looks down the long line behind mine. His eyes and face changed quickly. His expression was quite different and thinking “oh! sh#t “some ones in trouble. He spotted the car that was causing the commotion, looks at me, smiles and said “Have a nice and safe climb”. I am on my way. I slow to a crawl almost to a stop and look back in my rear view mirror. Can still see it my mind to this day. You could see his finger/hand/arm jester pointing to that person in the car and could tell that whoever it was getting a good scolding, you know when you were bad and your parents will tell you “don’t you ever do that again”.
I smiled and laughed to myself and then said “Get them” Ferdinand”
Still looking at the skies, Tuolumne, Crane Flat, get to the valley, clear as a bell, Saturday comes, 4:30 it’s raining.
Added Note:
I was quite pissed that the State and NPS would not recognize or honor him and not name something after him.
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lostinshanghai
Social climber
someplace
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Oct 23, 2010 - 06:16pm PT
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Banquo
Did not get a chance to read your link till now.
Looking at it thinking maybe it was Bob Kasper he was scolding.
Hey! I say let's do it.
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Gretchen Umsted
climber
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Sep 13, 2011 - 02:06am PT
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First met Ferdinand in the very early 60's. He brought his guitar and sang songs at Tioga Pass Resort one evening, accompanied by a friend who played the old pump organ. Later, for many years as an employee of TPR, I got to know him well. The old stone station was never the same without him when he retired.
One day, as I was in a line of cars exiting the Park, a car in front of me tore out without paying. Ferdinand asked me to chase the car. Didn't think twice. Caught up with the the culprit at the Ellery Lake turnout, got out and told the person that if he didn't go back and pay the Park fee, Ferdinand had dire consequences in store. Darn, if he didn't go back and pay! (This was way back, before there was a phone up a the Station, or any other form of communication to the outside world!)
Took my young children on one of his last nature walks through Dana Meadows. They still remember him.
Yes, "Double Cream, Double Sugar"!
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Risk
Mountain climber
Olympia, WA
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Sep 13, 2011 - 02:48am PT
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Back about 1979 I was on the Eastside with my friend Rudy and we needed to pass over Tioga, but our budget was quite thin, and I hate to lie to anyone, especially Ferdinand. So, our plan was to wait until the gate closed at 10PM and then enter the park free of charge with the ole “pass on through” sign up. We pulled over at that last, wide turn out above Tioga Lake in Rudy’s International Traveler and waited. 10:20 came and we slowly approached the Tioga Gate, and all was dark, as expected. We proceeded to the stop sign at the booth and stopped; the booth light suddenly snapped on, and out bellowed Ferdinand: “fie dolla one or da ten dolla one?” I quickly stated that I was reporting to work at the Ahwahnee in the morning and had no money to pay. He asked who my supervisor was, and I said “June Rasmussen." He let us pass without charge. Later in life when I got to know Ferdinand, I wish I had told him this story, as I would feel better now, but so it goes in life.
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