I never know where to start these posts. There is one thing for sure about my summer which is I had no lack of "adventure". I use this term with quotation marks because the word adventure has become loose. It once held a certain value and merit but as of late seems as though I can "adventure" by driving to my local state park and go on a leisurely stroll. Alas, my summer has been filled with awesome opportunities, life changes and new friendships.
Devlin and Ben riding animal inflatable down the 7 Teacups in the Kern River
One of the most apparent and obvious trips that stands out in my mind representing the beginning of my summer is the to the 7 Teacups in the southern Sierra Nevada. It had been a long time idea of Devlin's to ride down the 7 Teacups, a series of punch bowls in the southern Sierra Nevada that eventually flows into the Kern, on animal inflatables. We had talked about it the night before over drinks and because we, ( Ben, Devlin and I) had the freedom the next day, we decided there would be no reason to wait. We woke up the next morning, met Ben and drove to the southern Sierra.
The hike in was grueling, mostly because for some reason I figured I could fill my water on the way and didn't bring any water on the 95 degree day and 2 1/2 mile hike. There was one river crossing, which was somewhat nerve racking because all of the camera gear each of us brought. Ben's experience as a professional kayaker quickly came in handy as he helped me across the river. After we made the crossing, we did a quick 4th class scramble/slab up to the first of the punch bowls.
We made Devlin test out the waterfalls. He seemed to enjoy it.
It took me a little coaxing by both Devlin and Ben to hop in and ride down the waterfalls. Their pressure was the best thing for me at that time. I felt insecure and doubt flooded my mind. A million possibilities of all scenarios ran through my mind in an instant. I saw myself in a wheel chair, breaking legs and having to be airlifted out of the remote southern sierra at once. I stopped myself and finally Devlin and Ben's voice broke through my insecurities. I took my dolphin, who I later named Josephine, and jumped into the first pool. I came to the lip of the the first waterfall, the same one pictured above, took a deep breathe and went for it. After the flash that was riding down the first Teacup, I quickly made it down the rest enjoying each moment. I can say now that it was one of the coolest experiences I have had in a long while.
In the next post, I go to explore the Inyo's, travel to Texas, assist Ben, and loose my entire climbing film. Stay Tuned.
Dutora (Mamoy), a sacred flower to the Chumash people, grows all throughout the SMM