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First Ascent adventurers Christopher Korbulic and Ben Stookesberry set out to hike and paddle the Middle Fork of the Kings River in California in one day, becoming only the second team to do so. They completed the 45-mile adventure in only 17 hours – the fastest time ever – encountering Class III, IV and V rapids that tested their endurance, skill and ability.
By Chris Korbulic
It seemed too early for sunrise, but as we climbed the steep six miles toward the top of Bishop Pass, morning crept over the ridge to the east. The trail, lit by our headlamps, gently wove upward through alpine meadows, passing lakes and stands of whitebark pine.
Ben Stookesberry and I began this 11-mile hike with the goal of completing the Middle Fork of the Kings River in one day. Our boats were packed for one day instead of the usual five to seven days required to paddle this river. Empty except for light snacks and the requisite safety rope, my kayak balanced comfortably on my shoulder.
After little more than two hours on the trail, we reached the top. We rested briefly and then continued racing the sunlight down to the river. Soon after entering the river and negotiating the first low-volume rapids, we were portaging. It was our second trip of the week, so we already knew exactly where to portage and re-enter. We counted on memory and motivation to keep us moving.
Our first camp from the previous trip came and went before the sun hit the river. I knew we were doing well, but had a long way to go. We hit the first major canyon, which usually requires most of a day to negotiate, and nodded to each other that it was a go. Every move swept into the next as we routed down some of the biggest rapids on the river, and 25 minutes later we were at the bottom.
We passed through miles of Class III/IV water and the towering scenery of Kings Canyon National Park and finally took a break to relax and regain strength for the second half of the day. For miles, the river changed from steep Class V boulder fields to beautiful meadows and back again, and at 2 p.m. we reached a critical point, Tehipite Meadows, which marks the beginning of the “Bottom 9” miles of the Middle Kings. The “Bottom 9” are the most continuous, difficult miles of whitewater on the river – tilting on edge and barreling down to the confluence with the South Kings.
Relying on memory, we stayed in the current as much as possible and portaged when necessary. The miles passed quickly, and we reached the confluence at just after 5 p.m. There were ten miles left, and we pushed through to the take-out at Garnet Dyke campground. We pulled up to the rocks at exactly 7 p.m., fewer than 17 hours after starting our hike that morning.
When it was over, I felt a strange sensation. Sitting on the sun-warmed rocks, resting safe and tired after an adventure more challenging and engaging than I could have imagined, I already missed the river and experience from the day. It had started with an unanswered question, “Could we complete a supposedly unachievable mission?” We had answered.
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Comments 
Amazing feat guys! What most people do not realize is that completing this expedition period is one of the most difficult challenges a person could face. By completing the hike, the middle kings and continuing on through the main kings is a feat of athleticism that has not been matched in any sport.