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Sometimes, reading the papers and watching the television news, you could get the idea that it is violating somebody's civil rights because there is no elevator up to the top of Mount Whitney. Elitist they say. I'm all for having an elite. The best things in life, the most valuable assets this society and civilization have got, were provided by a tiny minority who were better in one way or another, than the common run of mankind. Sometimes they were a physical elite, sometimes they were smarter, sometimes they just tried a lot harder. There should be places only special people can get to. I fell in the river here. As you can see, there is not much to stand on. The water is cold and swift and nice. Acrylic painting on linen, 24 x 36 (sold). Back |
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ay up on this tributary of the American River is "Deep Canyon",
so called because that's what the sign on the road that points
to it says. "Deep Canyon, 13 Mi.". There are about 2 miles of
macadam pavement and eleven of dirt and rock. In the winter you
need a jeep with snow tires, or cross country skis. That's just
to get to the river. Then you get out and climb. No more modern
conveyances. No trail. Straight up the middle of the river you
scramble. I'm glad it's so hard to get to. That's one of the reasons
it isn't spoiled yet. That and the fact that the people who own
the gold mining claim this river runs through look scary and carry
rifles. After convincing him I wasn't a claim jumper, I asked
one of them once if he knew how to get into some of the canyons
up higher, and he replied "Not without ropes and pitons". It's
rough country, there are no trails, and much of it has never been
accurately mapped. That is why it is still unspoiled. I am satisfied
with that. Three decades ago, I might have gotten me some climbing
gear and tried it, but now I am willing to leave that to bodies
younger than the one I drive. I hope places like this will still
exist next lifetime. I'll tackle it then.