Trip Report
The other Valley (lots of pics)
Tuesday March 18, 2008 1:17pm
Well, a about five years ago this chick I know organized a camping trip to a lake with a bunch of friends of ours. She and I decided we'd take a few extra days and explore Kings Canyon together.

We ended up camping together and this magical trip to this magical place prompted me to ask her out and eventually ask her to marry me. We've been married almost three smashing years and have a child on the way.

Ain't King's Canyon grand!!!

The pics are taken in sequence as you drive in through the valley. It starts out with slightly chossier rock but gets better as you get deeper into the valley. You could spend weeks backpacking and climbing here!
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Post you own KC pics if you got 'em. Ihateplastic initiated this thought in another contest thread. Kick a$$!

  Trip Report Views: 2,612
bluering
About the Author
bluering is a trad climber from Santa Clara, Ca..

Comments
J. Werlin

Social climber
Cedaredge, CO
  Mar 18, 2008 - 01:35pm PT
Cool shots of Se-Ki! Love the high country around there.

Best wishes for your marriage and the coming baby.
TKingsbury

Trad climber
MT
  Mar 18, 2008 - 01:37pm PT
NICE

looks pretty dang cool out there...
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
  Mar 18, 2008 - 01:38pm PT
Nice photos, I like a story with a happy ending!
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
  Mar 18, 2008 - 02:32pm PT
The other Valley...

I was thinking it had to be one of two places.

Climber's pics are funny, you can read their minds at they took the photos "I can climb this" "and I can climb this"...
L

climber
Just livin' the dream
  Mar 18, 2008 - 03:52pm PT
Beautiful photos, Bluering. Wish I was there right now, as a matter of fact.

Can't wait to see photos of the tot when she/he arrives, too!
paganmonkeyboy

climber
mars...it's near nevada...
  Mar 18, 2008 - 04:24pm PT
nice !
(is that a cigarette in yer hand ? ;-) )
nita

Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
  Mar 18, 2008 - 06:11pm PT
Bluey, Thanks for the pics, but..I think the other Valley- is Hetch Hetchy. Kings Canyon= is the other- other valley. ;-)

Wishing you a Beautiful and Healthy baby..NOW -QUIT SMOKING!
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Author's Reply  Mar 18, 2008 - 06:43pm PT
What's kind of a coincidence is that orange hat I'm wearing is a 'Roland Martin Fishing Marina, Lake Okeechobee, Florida' hat, and C-Mac is running Roland Martin fishing show ads on the top of some pages (along with Hank Parker's fishing show).

Cool. Too bad I lost that hat, I really liked it.
Mtnmun

Trad climber
Top of the Mountain Mun
  Mar 18, 2008 - 07:32pm PT
On the 8th picture from the top, I believe that face is near the end of the road. There is a 5.8, 5.9 put up by Fred Becky on that baby. Has anyone done it?
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
  Mar 18, 2008 - 07:37pm PT
Gotta jump in with these others, quit smoking! you're a role model now (or soon)

-still, great photos and sentiment!
Mtnmun

Trad climber
Top of the Mountain Mun
  Mar 18, 2008 - 07:39pm PT
I thought he was scratchin willie.
Ricky D

Trad climber
Under the Webmasters Thumb
  Mar 18, 2008 - 07:52pm PT
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  Mar 18, 2008 - 10:16pm PT
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  Mar 18, 2008 - 10:17pm PT

glorious morning sun
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Author's Reply  Mar 19, 2008 - 11:48am PT
Munge, is that on Tehipite Dome, which route? Post more pics if ya got 'em.

Jaybro, PMB, Nita, I have been kinda lazy on quitting. I've been cutting down, but haven't stopped. I made a deal with PMB and damnit I'm gonna do it. Sorry Tom for waiting so long...we had a deal!

Eddie Joe (e.c.) has his name on lots of Seq/KC routes. He's probably got loads of pics. Post up...please.
Raydog

Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
  Mar 19, 2008 - 12:46pm PT
cool thread bluering


the Watchtower in the other, other (other?) valley...

here's the thing;

in Tokopah valley,
across from (to the N of) the Watchtower
up and set back a ways
is this amazing orange and black streaked crag.
the symmetrical black grooves are incredible,
the texture of the orange granite
remains in my mind some of the most beautiful stone
I've ever seen.

like something out of a fairytale,
or a movie.

Oh yeah, I went up there.
right to the base.
looked all over - back in '77.
no signs of climbers then,
now, almost for sure I would guess.

anyone else checked this crag out?
know what I'm talking about??

you can't miss it if U hike into Tokopah valley.

cheers,
Ray
Captain...or Skully

climber
Boise, ID
  Mar 19, 2008 - 10:52pm PT
I saw that rock...A bud(Flipper) & I climbed the Watchtower a while back, but I know the orangey streaked rock you were talking about...rad stone, there...
Raydog

Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
  Mar 19, 2008 - 10:54pm PT
cool,
probably someone's secret crag!
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
  Mar 19, 2008 - 11:38pm PT
hey there bluering... say, thanks for the pics... i have never seen kings canyon... and i grew up in calif... my, oh, my...

say, you all... .great and marvelous pics, as always, at supertopo....

say, raydog... sure do love that watchtower huge beautiful rock... thanks all... great stuffffffffffff... :)





edit:
oh, and congrats, for the future baby... i love babies... :)
murcy

Gym climber
sanfrancisco
  Mar 20, 2008 - 12:30am PT
sweet tr, bluering, cool to see wifey, and congrats to you both on this new ascent!
Raydog

Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
  Mar 21, 2008 - 12:23am PT
I'm psyched to go back to Kings Canyon and Sequoia.
love it there.
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  Mar 21, 2008 - 01:27am PT
already posted elsewhere on this weaksauce trip...

still fun to sleep on the wall











CP is the main though. Done a number of climbs there. There's a climbing ranger in the Kings that seems super active.


near Chimney Rock...
Raydog

Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
  Mar 21, 2008 - 02:34am PT
yes, thanks for the pics munge.
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Author's Reply  Mar 21, 2008 - 11:40am PT
Kick a$$, munge!
Ben Rumsen

Social climber
No Name City ( and it sure ain't pretty )
  Mar 26, 2008 - 11:54am PT
You should go finish FS this year Munge!


Looking down pitch 4 on Freak Show, North Dome, Kings Canyon
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
  Mar 26, 2008 - 12:04pm PT
Wow, I've always wanted to go there...maybe someday.
Thanks for the awesome pictures folks!
Ben Rumsen

Social climber
No Name City ( and it sure ain't pretty )
  Mar 26, 2008 - 12:05pm PT
There is a lot of great climbing in Kings Canyon!

nita

Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
  Mar 28, 2008 - 12:51am PT
hey Bluey, I was looking at my Vintage Post cards, and realized that your second to the last pic- is this-
Not that familar with Kings Canyon, have only backpacked the Rae lakes loop, and entered the park over Kerarsarge pass several times............ Thanks for the pics- everyone.
k-man

Gym climber
SCruz
  Mar 28, 2008 - 01:59am PT
Sweet, a wonderland...

Nita, that is wild.
Zander

climber
  Mar 28, 2008 - 08:42pm PT
So cool, This thread just keeps going. Thanks All.
Zander
ec

climber
ca
  Mar 28, 2008 - 09:27pm PT
bluering, That last pic that you posted of the limestone hunk was first climbed by Mark Powell and company in ancient times. I believe Leversee went up on that and found a register. I have some photos of some SK stuff that isn't scanned. Right now, it'll have to wait.
Risk

Mountain climber
Marooned, 855 miles from Tuolumne Meadows
  Mar 29, 2008 - 02:18pm PT
Lacking hotels, lodges, tee-shirt racks, bars and easy access, the “other valley” remains much as it was 40+ years ago.



tiki-jer

Trad climber
fresno/clovis
  Mar 30, 2008 - 11:03am PT
Nice pics Munge!! When are you coming out to our neck of the woods? Lets do Chiquito Dome again dude!!
TMJesse, I thought you were in Minkler?
rincon

climber
Coarsegold
  Mar 30, 2008 - 11:22am PT
The Sphinx...


MZiebell

Social climber
Prescott, AZ
  Apr 4, 2008 - 12:50pm PT
Climbing relevant bump
HighGravity

Trad climber
Southern California
  Apr 4, 2008 - 02:38pm PT
I love the Canyon, going to be there for three weeks this summer!

Routes are great and the boulderin ain't bad either.





MZiebell

Social climber
Prescott, AZ
  Apr 4, 2008 - 04:41pm PT
Nice!
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  Apr 14, 2008 - 01:09am PT
bump thread time

tiki-jer, may come down for some Freak Show revisitation this year. I'm really looking forward to the lack of climbing crowds down that way.


Ben, how was your trip? The A3+ up high on the route? Any trip report written up? Did I miss it? or forget it?

rockermike

Trad climber
Berkeley
  Apr 14, 2008 - 07:03pm PT
No early morning coffee shop,
No post climb ice cream nor beer,
No "too lazy to cook", lets get some pizza
and No Supertopo guide book.

that place clearly ain't no climbing destination!
Texplorer

Trad climber
Sacramento
  Apr 14, 2008 - 07:50pm PT
This post actually reminds me of the old supertopo. . you know when it was about climbing.
HighGravity

Trad climber
Southern California
  Apr 14, 2008 - 08:49pm PT
I can't wait to get back out there this year!!!
HighGravity

Trad climber
Southern California
  Apr 14, 2008 - 10:10pm PT
A few more pics of my favorite place.







For your viewing pleasure.
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Author's Reply  Apr 15, 2008 - 12:35pm PT
HighGravity, nice pics.

HighGravity

Trad climber
Southern California
  Apr 15, 2008 - 09:45pm PT
Thanks! Every time I look at photos of Kings I get all worked up about climbing there. Only two months to go!!



Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  Apr 16, 2008 - 01:48am PT
HG, have you checked out "highlands"? I tried half heartedly to find it last year, but I think the roads and bldg arrangements have changed.
HighGravity

Trad climber
Southern California
  Apr 16, 2008 - 08:24am PT
Is that the bouldering area in Sequoia? If so a buddy and I wandered around the area and found something, but it turned out no to be worth the trip.
HighGravity

Trad climber
Southern California
  Apr 16, 2008 - 09:50pm PT
Bump for more pics.
Scott_Nelson

Trad climber
Boulder, CO
  Jun 19, 2008 - 08:39pm PT
http://poorboy44.smugmug.com/gallery/5105302_2NF4Y#308039499_FJwUC
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  Jun 19, 2008 - 08:48pm PT
I don't know what kind of stunt your trying to pull here, but that kind of flagrant FA material just isn't accepted around here.






gracias for the linkage SN
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Author's Reply  Jun 19, 2008 - 09:03pm PT
Yeah, what munge said, how dare you!!!

(you gotta cute wife there too! Watch out for poison oak,)
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
  Jun 19, 2008 - 09:49pm PT
hey there highgravity... say, those last two mountain/valley kind'a type views... where are those from?.... those are great shots... thanks... the waterfall looks nice too....

will check back in a bit, for the info... thanks so very much...



EDIT: oooops, seems it is NOT the last two, as more pics are unfolding... my computer is slow...

but say, some are from kings, you said... but those two large mountain views... what are they?...

also, actually, i do not know what "kings" is... so i will have to go look all this up... thanks for whatever you have to share on it all...
HighGravity

Trad climber
Southern California
  Jun 20, 2008 - 04:12am PT
The first is of North Dome from Zumwalt Meadows and the second is a rad boulder problem Phillip Gross showed me. Very hard!

And I saw a few more of Phillip's routes on the TR. I love Ocean King, a great slab route. And the Mars boulder is one of my favorites. Has anyone got the problem on the lower left side of the over hung side yet?
Scott_Nelson

Trad climber
Boulder, CO
  Jun 20, 2008 - 01:23pm PT
>Has anyone got the problem on the lower left side of the over hung >side yet?

I think we watched Phillip send it when we were there. Impressive!
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  Jun 20, 2008 - 02:21pm PT
this thread has far reaching potential.

keep up the good work, more pics.

Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
  Jun 20, 2008 - 02:58pm PT
The Kings Canyon back country is special. Here is the East Face of the Silver Turret, in The Gorge of Despair:
Here is the view down to Tehipite from our camp under the Silver Turret:

Photos by Guy Keesee.
Nostrodomas

Trad climber
Visalia, Ca.
  Jun 20, 2008 - 03:26pm PT
Hey Blu thoes pictures look like there were taken in Cedar Grove. I have been going there since I was 6 months old, and as soon as my son is born 8-8-08, I will be starting that tradition with him as well.
We actually spred my grandparents ashes into the kings river there.
I have so many pictures of Kings Canyon I cant post them right now as I am on lunch at work....lol So if I get a chance when I get home tonight I will post some of them up.
Im not sure if you remember me, Larry Zulim and I met you at Manuer Pile during last years Yosemite Facelift.
Nostrodomas

Trad climber
Visalia, Ca.
  Jun 25, 2008 - 10:57pm PT
You know I didn't think about it at first, but the very first date I took my wife on was a camping trip to Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon. We were married 5 years later and are now expecting our first child in August...What a coincidences..
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Author's Reply  Jun 26, 2008 - 11:57am PT
Nostrodamus, that is a weird coincidence...I told you it was a magical place.

Congratulations on your child, wife and life!

Honestly, I don't remember meeting you at the Manure Pile last year, next time we'll have a beer or something and chat for longer. Cheers.

Were you the guys starting Nutcracker?
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  Jun 26, 2008 - 12:49pm PT
Kris, nice!!

I was scoping summit post on the Turrets.

Holy sheep dip! (to quote a friend of mine)

that's some good stuff in there you guys got on.


what's the ethics on using mules to bring in the gear though? got to work up to that backcountry hike.
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  Jun 27, 2008 - 01:34am PT
bump bait
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Author's Reply  Jan 24, 2009 - 03:35pm PT
This is a Sir Hartouni bump.....enjoy!
Thorgon

Big Wall climber
Sedro Woolley, WA
  Jan 24, 2009 - 04:04pm PT
Double-Nice!

Thor
Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California, now Ireland
  Jan 24, 2009 - 06:46pm PT
Bluey, Munge, High Gravity and others, those are some great pix. I have only ice climbed in Kings Canyon not rock climbed (okay a bit of rock with the ice) and that was back in 1984.

I'd love to get back there.
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Author's Reply  Jan 24, 2009 - 06:51pm PT
Paddy, next time you're in the States we'll go. Of course, Fatty or Jaybro will have to belay you, I'll take pics or something, maybe rope-up behind you.

King's Canyon is an undiscovered country (if you're into Star Trek).
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Author's Reply  Feb 25, 2009 - 11:58am PT
badda bing!
mooch

Trad climber
Tribal Base Camp (Riverkern Annex)
  Feb 25, 2009 - 01:54pm PT
Hey Rob....

So you guys were tackling Freak Show after Craig Peer went back for the SA in late 2007. You know he "modernized" the route by replacing old Leepers he had placed in '86 with fat 3/8" on the A3 traverse. So, you guys didn't finish it? Been wanting to do the 3rd on this thing after Craig told about his trip with Carolyn. Check out this revised topo (if you don't already have a copy).


And Craig's TR: "21 Years Later...The Second Ascent Of Freak Show"

http://www.summitpost.org/trip-report/300954/21-years-later-2nd-ascent-of-freak-show-.html
mooch

Trad climber
Tribal Base Camp (Riverkern Annex)
  Feb 25, 2009 - 04:26pm PT
As mentioned earlier about the initial pictures posted (particularily the 8th one from the top....North Dome). The apron on North Dome is called The Chernobyl Wall. Craig Peer, Mike Stewart and a few others put up a handful of 5.9 to 5.10+ routes there in the mid-80's. Did two of their routes a few years back......'Jerks On A Joyride' (5.9) and 'Enchanted Pork Fist' (5.10). 'Jerks' is a very fun exercise in balance control. However, EPF is an exercise in not shitting your pants!! Runout wandering route with bad deck potential!
Ben Rumsen

Social climber
No Name City ( and it sure ain't pretty )
  Apr 20, 2009 - 09:01pm PT
I didn't know you climbed those face routes Dave. Split Lips and Broken Bits was my favorite. Some day I might get around to replacing those bolts!
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