{"id":2555,"date":"2008-07-13T23:16:57","date_gmt":"2008-07-13T22:16:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/paddler-lifestyle-articles\/jseiler\/middle-kings\/"},"modified":"2008-07-13T23:16:57","modified_gmt":"2008-07-13T22:16:57","slug":"middle-kings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/middle-kings\/","title":{"rendered":"Middle KINGS"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0532.JPG\" title=\"natemack-breakfastslide\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0532.JPG\" width=\"540\" height=\"361\" alt=\"natemack-breakfastslide\" \/><\/a> Nate Mack running the &#8220;Breakfast Slide&#8221;<br \/>\nAfter 2 days of rest following our Upper Cherry run, our crew prepared for the hike in to the next multi-day. Despite sore muscles for all, illness and blistered heels (from the upper cherry hike, in old tennis shoes) , and being on a strict time restraint, we all made it through the 32 miles of the everlasting class V rapids on the Middle Fork of the Kings river.<!--more--><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0390_2.JPG\" title=\"donkeys\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0390_2.thumbnail.JPG\" width=\"133\" height=\"200\" alt=\"donkeys\" \/><\/a> Mules for 5 miles was worth the 80 bucks.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/imgp0173.JPG\" title=\"graham-upandover\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/imgp0173.thumbnail.JPG\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" alt=\"graham-upandover\" \/><\/a> Graham hiking across the snow field at the top of Bishop Pass( 11,972 feet; 3650 meters).<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0410.JPG\" title=\"same view for a long time\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0410.thumbnail.JPG\" width=\"200\" height=\"133\" alt=\"same view for a long time\" \/><\/a> The view hiking 3700&#8242; down begins now.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0420_2.JPG\" title=\"fusilli-mk-hike\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0420_2.thumbnail.JPG\" width=\"133\" height=\"200\" alt=\"fusilli-mk-hike\" \/><\/a>Fusilli finishing the hike.<br \/>\nThe Middle Fork of the Kings trip is the hardest kayaking trip I have ever done. Countless marginal class five drops stacked up for miles litter the run. Its a place you go to have fun with the attitude that you&#8217;re not going to let the undercuts, siphons, wood, holes, ill placed rocks, stout slides, portaging unrunnable waterfalls, or hiking with an 80+ lb kayak for 15 miles scare you. All you care about is being out in the woods running the shit everyday.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0427.JPG\" title=\"humble beginnings\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0427.thumbnail.JPG\" width=\"200\" height=\"133\" alt=\"humble beginnings\" \/><\/a> Humble beginnings.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0443_2.JPG\" title=\"7 rivers drop\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0443_2.JPG\" width=\"361\" height=\"540\" alt=\"7 rivers drop\" \/><\/a> This is the drop that is on the cover of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.coloradokayak.com\/7-Rivers-Expedition?sc=2&amp;category=16\">&#8220;7 Rivers Expedition&#8221;<\/a> movie. photo: Jed Selby<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0497_2.JPG\" title=\"money drop\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0497_2.JPG\" width=\"361\" height=\"540\" alt=\"money drop\" \/><\/a> Dave on the Money Drop<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/img_3309.JPG\" title=\"graham-below-moneydrop\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/img_3309.thumbnail.JPG\" width=\"133\" height=\"200\" alt=\"graham-below-moneydrop\" \/><\/a> Graham below the money drop<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0508.JPG\" title=\"camp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0508.thumbnail.JPG\" width=\"200\" height=\"133\" alt=\"camp\" \/><\/a> demshitz<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0509.JPG\" title=\"breakfast slide camp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0509.thumbnail.JPG\" width=\"200\" height=\"133\" alt=\"breakfast slide camp\" \/><\/a> Camp at the slide.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0559_2.JPG\" title=\"graham-waterfallgorge\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0559_2.JPG\" width=\"361\" height=\"540\" alt=\"graham-waterfallgorge\" \/><\/a> Graham in the Waterfall Gorge.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/imgp0216.JPG\" title=\"day2-mk\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/imgp0216.JPG\" width=\"540\" height=\"405\" alt=\"day2-mk\" \/><\/a> This is what you do all day in day 2.<br \/>\nIts such a beautiful river, just being in there is worth the hike. The rapids towards the bottom 9 miles become the most stacked and difficult. Endless boulder gardens, where getting out to scout a rapid and seeing the river trail off and duck around the next bend and still not able to see the bottom is the norm. After a while of getting out and scouting and sometimes portaging just to save time, you could stare at lines out there forever, and they don&#8217;t start looking any better! Bombing rapids boat-scouting hard class 5 because you&#8217;re pretty sure it goes but you know you&#8217;re probably not going to like what you see if you get out and scout, so you just go and read and react!<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0586.JPG\" title=\"tahipidy dome\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0586.JPG\" width=\"540\" height=\"361\" alt=\"tahipidy dome\" \/><\/a> Tahipidy Dome. Camp after Day 2, start of the Bottom 9.photo:Jed Selby<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/imgp0242.JPG\" title=\"bottom 9\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/imgp0242.JPG\" width=\"405\" height=\"540\" alt=\"bottom 9\" \/><\/a> This is what the Bottom 9 is all about!<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0633.JPG\" title=\"boofing-mk\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0633.JPG\" width=\"540\" height=\"361\" alt=\"boofing-mk\" \/><\/a> Boofing<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0638.JPG\" title=\"fusilli-intheshit\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0638.JPG\" width=\"540\" height=\"361\" alt=\"fusilli-intheshit\" \/><\/a> Fusilli getting busy in the bottom 9. photo: Jed Selby<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0651.JPG\" title=\"Graham-bottom9\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0651.JPG\" width=\"540\" height=\"361\" alt=\"Graham-bottom9\" \/><\/a> Graham in the bottom 9.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/imgp0246.JPG\" title=\"Fusilli-boofing-B9\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/imgp0246.thumbnail.JPG\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" alt=\"Fusilli-boofing-B9\" \/><\/a> Fusilli lofting a boof in the bottom 9.<br \/>\nAfter 10 hours in the bottom 9 miles on day 4, day 1 was all hiking, we strapped the boats back on and hiked up 2 miles to the van at the top of Yucca Point finishing the hike in the dark at around 10:30. The bottom 9 with the hike out was the most full day. In 3 days we ran 32 miles of whitewater. Bringing our week total, including upper cherry, 26 miles of hiking with a loaded boat( -5 miles thanks to some donkeys!), and 45 miles of California whitewater.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0658.JPG\" title=\"mkcrew\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/07\/_dsc0658.thumbnail.JPG\" width=\"200\" height=\"133\" alt=\"mkcrew\" \/><\/a> The Crew <\/p>\n<p>So thats it for our Demshitz tour 2008. Hitting the road again here this week, going our separate ways&#8230;back to work. Its been a good summer, good water, crazy times, time to go back to reality. Thanks to everybody out there supporting Demshitz.<a href=\"http:\/\/www.immersionresearch.com\"> Immersion Research<\/a> , <a href=\"http:\/\/www.keenfootwear.com\">Keen<\/a> , <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wernerpaddles.com\">Werner Paddles<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/snapdragondesign.com\/\">Snap Dragon Designs<\/a> , <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vitalyte.com\/\">Vitalyte<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.buffalojoe.com\/\">Buffalo Joes<\/a> , Jug Liquors and of course Moms and Dads and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pyranha.com\">Pyranha<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Hope to see ya on the water soon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nate Mack running the &#8220;Breakfast Slide&#8221; After 2 days of rest following our Upper Cherry run, our crew prepared for the hike in to the next multi-day. Despite sore muscles for all, illness and blistered heels (from the upper cherry hike, in old tennis shoes) , and being on a strict time restraint, we all &hellip; <\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link block-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/middle-kings\/\">Continue reading &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":105,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-creeking-articles","category-paddler-lifestyle-articles"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9tk9G-Fd","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2555","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/105"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2555"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2555\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2555"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2555"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}