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Gene
Social climber
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 19, 2010 - 10:12pm PT
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All of us of a certain age remember Ferdinand who owned the Tioga Pass entry station forever. The man was both cantankerous and a joy. There once was an effort to name a buttress on Mount Dana above the pass in his memory, but, alas, it went nowhere.
Anybody have any tales to tell of this Yosemite institution?
g
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Srbphoto
Trad climber
Kennewick wa
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Jul 19, 2010 - 10:19pm PT
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james Colborn
Trad climber
Truckee, Ca
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Jul 19, 2010 - 11:25pm PT
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My first visit through the park was during the big fires of ? I can't remember. We exited T. Meadows and went into the Hoover wilderness and spent a week in the high country out of the park and out of the smoke. I fell in love with the Sierra. I was completely blown away. Upon re-entering the park, we stopped at the Kiosk and I asked the attendant what the word Inyo meant. It was Ferdinand, and he paused and responded "It means the resting place of the gods" I freak out, We had such an incredible time and felt so connected to the place and to have this sort of mystical figure tell me everything I already knew, moved me. I will forever remembr that momment.
Andy that is f*#king classic!
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Dick Erb
climber
June Lake, CA
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Jul 19, 2010 - 11:46pm PT
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Back in his younger days Roper was heading over Tioga Pass coming back into the park, and nearly penniless. Approaching the gate he realizes it is almost nine o'clock and Ferdinand will soon be off work, so he pulls over onto the shoulder and parks. Ferdinand sees him and knows what is going on. In a while it is well past nine. Roper is sitting in the car, and Ferdinand is still hanging out in the kiosk. Nine thirty comes and goes. The two men wait for the other to make a move. About to doze off Steve sees a car at the ranger shack on his way out. The car drives through, pulls up next to Roper's car and the driver says, "The ranger says he'll let you through for half price so he can go to bed." Steve thinks, "Fair enough"
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sempervirens
Trad climber
Trinity County
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Jul 20, 2010 - 12:13am PT
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"If I only had two hours I would park down by Lembert, walk across the meadow over to the river, sit down and cry"
I was told Carl Sharsmith said that. Either way, just as valid.
What about that legend that says Ferdinand hiked to the top of Dana in the dark and forced a camper back down to the road. Camping not allowed on Mt Dana.
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Gene
Social climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 20, 2010 - 12:17am PT
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What about that legend that says Ferdinand hiked to the top of Dana in the dark and forced a camper back down to the road. Camping not allowed on Mt Dana.
If it's not true, it should be.
EDIT: I'm sure Ferdinand is currently coaching St. Peter on proper gate management practices.
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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Jul 20, 2010 - 12:38am PT
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I remember leaving the year the drug plane crashed, which was also the year that Jack Dorn died from a fall off the Yosemite Falls trail while on a night rescue.
To avoid paying the fee, I told him I was on the rescue team and Ferdinand told me that he had heard a rumor that foul play was involved. I responded that it was BS and he seemed happy to hear it.
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Mike Bolte
Trad climber
Planet Earth
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Jul 20, 2010 - 02:17am PT
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Dick, that is a great story. Stopped at TPR two nights ago for apple pie and there is a great shot of F. there in the shop.
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
climber
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Jul 20, 2010 - 03:32am PT
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"Three dolla? Ten dolla?"
During his reign (when I lived in the park) I'd always have to write notes for family members so they'd not have to pay . Poorly written bs on whatever scrap paper available , and he never balked at it as far as I know .
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Tobia
Social climber
GA
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Jul 20, 2010 - 08:30am PT
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Passing by Ferdinand on a regular basis one season in the early 80's and not being an employee Ferdinand would let me through w/o the fee. Having an old YPCC sticker on my window did the trick, he got the coffee and pie most of the time w/o asking, but I think the biggest factor was a certain passenger that I drove to down to Mammoth on a occasion for a shopping spree.
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Fuzzywuzzy
climber
suspendedhappynation
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Jul 20, 2010 - 12:13pm PT
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Anybody remember the "Butterfly Graveyard"?????
I will write up some memories.
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Risk
Mountain climber
Olympia, WA
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Jul 21, 2010 - 01:18pm PT
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HighTraverse
Trad climber
Bay Area
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Jul 21, 2010 - 01:32pm PT
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TMJesse
That's not the plane crash Rick A was talking about!
(as if you didn't know)
For many years I was bugged by Ferdinand. We always talked about the old curmudgeon when we had to pay. Was way too long before I began to appreciate what a character he was. Ended up the last few times I saw him chatting through the car window or walking over to say hi after a hike or climb in the Pass area. Perhaps he was mellowing? Dunno.
He was an institution and I think all Yosemite climbers and hikers were sad when he died.
My wife and I signed the "Ferdinand Point" petition as soon as it came out. I've got a copy of it somewhere in an old box. Ran across it a couple of months ago. Did NOT throw it out.
I should be named "Ferdinand's Nose". InMyNoSoHumbleOpinion.
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Jul 21, 2010 - 01:33pm PT
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What entrance fee did he charge for that plane?
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pleasantOs
Trad climber
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Jul 21, 2010 - 01:57pm PT
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ferdinand loved mice, fed them, allowed them to multiply. one winter season, a tuolumne ranger couple drowned them via ramp, bucket o' water, and cheese hanging from the bucket's handle. to their pleasure and unfortunate lack of sleep, the mice drowned trying desperately to get to the cheese every night.
"i love you honey. i love you honey." SPLASH, SPLASH, GULP, BUBBLE, BUBBLE.
finally, one day, no more mice scurrying across their bodies and faces at night. no more mouse poop in bed. they dumped their little mouse bodies out back in the snow, and skied back out to the valley below at season's end. road was plowed and ferdinand came back to his trusty gate in the sky; what's this? only to find dead mouse carcas everywhere!!! rumor has it, he almost had a heart attack.
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Gene
Social climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 21, 2010 - 07:39pm PT
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Banquo,
Wonderful article! Thanks. I offer whatever help I can give to a fitting permanent memorial for Ferdinand.
g
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