OFFICIAL Kings Canyon Camp Swank Thread

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

In light of cancelled pie-in-the-sky plans, I admit to a tinge of jealousy when I see the pictures of you and Thurston in Yosemite. But it's still such a fun bit of irony that I can't help but take delight in it. Not Afraid's the best person to visit the Ahwanee with ... but I hope you will come with me someday to see the more hidden wonders of the Valley that take a little trekking to - - - while I can still trek (which, judging by how my feet feel today, won't be too long).

The good news is that GC is FIRMLY bonded with my Brother and SIL and is welcome any time to visit. It is an easy day trip to Yosemite Valley from their home and many a hike awaits. If we were not on a mission to spend time with my ailing brother, I would've introduced GC to the wonders of the Mist Trail or taken him to Glacier Point (sadly, my favorite Sierra Point hike in Yosemite is no longer open). However, I was intent on seeing for myself if my brother was going to survive this ordeal.

Of course, the real treat in visiting my bro is the trips not to Nature's Disneyland, but to the little-know local spots that are magnificiently impressive and wondrously isolated.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Okay, starting with wildlife.

I did NOT get a picture of the bear. We were about 1/3 of the way back from Paradise Valley (a ~14 mile hike all tolled), I was exhausted, it was getting dark. I heard a snap off the trail, looked over, and not 10 feet away was a small black bear staring right at me. I decided not to hang around and take a photo, especially since it likely would not have come out without a flash, which was the last thing I wanted to use. However, I did get pictures of the deer (the ones in camp, and the one we saw on the trail a few minutes before the bear), some birds, and a snake. Didn't get shot of the millipede.

Click for larger version, contact me for ginormous version.

Spoiler:

Credit to Lisa for this one


This next one is the one from the trail

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Awesome pics, everyone! I knew every aspect of the trip would be covered by someone.

[innerSpaceman]

Hence why I didn't much care that I had no camera of my own.


Thanks, everyone, for the pics!!

[lashbear]

Hmph. Stupid campers and their stupid camp.

Who needs stupid camping anyway. Hmph.

I had a MUCH better time cleaning my bedroom.

Bah, humbug.

[Ghoulish Delight]

On the Don Cheadle Trail (damnit, never going to remember the actual name), I set up my tripod and timer so we could take a group shot. We scrambled up the rocks a bit to pose so it was a mad dash for me to get from the camera into the shot in time.

Here's the final shot:



You'll notice how great everyone's smile is. That's because they aren't smiling, they're laughing. Why? Because 1) They got to watch me nearly kill myself about 6 times running across those rocks and 2) this was the attempt immediately prior to that last one:

Spoiler:

notice I had the presence of mind to at least turn and face the camera the millisecond before I slid into position.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Oh, here's a link to the full album, while I pick and choose my favorites to post here:

http://flickr.com/photos/66141390@N0...7605538251452/

[Ghoulish Delight]

Alex uses a visual aid to describe how to hide a dead body:

[innerSpaceman]

One more and then I'll stop (and it's purely coincidence it's another GD/CP shot).

Groovy Guitar Chick in the Woods:





Not only is the image pure Hippy-Era Goodness, but I love the inadvertent through-lines of the colors. The gray-blue rocks to the two blue chairs through Jen's blue jeans, and then the brown-red trees merging with the hat and the coat and Jens' flowing hair and the guitar. Beautiful.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Lisa and Scout Master Brad brave the icy currents:

Spoiler: