Chapter 14 ~ Page 194
If you chuckle, as I did, at a name as ridiculous as Oppie Dildock Pass, you are in good company—if only a few years out of date. Dildock was an early newspaper cartoon character known for bending everything he picked up, accidentally, completely out of shape.
At the time this trail was constructed, Oppie Dildock was as familiar as Beetle Baily is today. Can you imagine the outcry from blue nosed traditionalists if people went around tagging topographic features as Bumstead Butte, Spiderman Spring, and Peanuts Pass. I personally feel that would be much more appropriate than names honoring politicians, army generals, and British admirals.
However, the powers to be in the official government process of name selection are serious men; the rules are rigid. I think, therefore, that "Oppie Dildock Pass," being printed on their maps is just one of the measures of appreciation honoring the man who had built this trail. Five miles further north, there is a memorial observatory, built out of natural blocks of Aa type lava, in his honor. This, of course, is a unique homage to someone who was only a Forest Service packer and trail builder. Yet, somehow, I feel that the spirit of Dee Wright hangs around Dildock Pass, instead; laughing.
At the time this trail was constructed, Oppie Dildock was as familiar as Beetle Baily is today. Can you imagine the outcry from blue nosed traditionalists if people went around tagging topographic features as Bumstead Butte, Spiderman Spring, and Peanuts Pass. I personally feel that would be much more appropriate than names honoring politicians, army generals, and British admirals.
However, the powers to be in the official government process of name selection are serious men; the rules are rigid. I think, therefore, that "Oppie Dildock Pass," being printed on their maps is just one of the measures of appreciation honoring the man who had built this trail. Five miles further north, there is a memorial observatory, built out of natural blocks of Aa type lava, in his honor. This, of course, is a unique homage to someone who was only a Forest Service packer and trail builder. Yet, somehow, I feel that the spirit of Dee Wright hangs around Dildock Pass, instead; laughing.
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Text and Photographs © Barry Murray 1971-2007 Mac&Murray Multimedia