Back in Massachusetts after an excellent time at the 3rd annual Adirondack BBQ and climb fest at Spence and Maddi's in Lewis, N.Y.
I'd hoped to tag along for Pat and Audrey's finish of the 111 on Marshall Friday. But I got a hopelessly late start Friday night, pushing off at 10 pm for a 350 mile drive. (Last minute "request" to stay late by my media outlet to cover the Stones' sound check at Fenway Park. Ole Mick is a perfectionist, (OK, I'm a name dropper!) and the 7:00 sound check lasted til 9:30. Woulda been interesting, but I was in a helicopter and the only sound check I heard was 'whaphapwhapwhap.') Oh well.
I hurriedly packed at home but didn't make it beyond Rutland. (I've fallen asleep at the wheel and cheated death before, so I know when to stop.) I crashed at the Best Western on rte. 4. (They have a Sun-Thu deal in the green Traveler's coupon book you may have seen...$37 for an excellent room...plus nice outdoor pool, tennis court, free breakfast. A tad better than the Northwoods Cabins, gang!) The Pat and Audrey group had pushed off well before time I arrived the next morning, of course, but AlG was my ace in the hole. He was nice enough to wait for me, so we opted for Jay Range Saddleback (ADK #81, 3600') which is only about 15 minutes up Spence's Road.
The road deteriorates quickly, though, becoming a washed-out gravel track
and my Prizm was acting like a road grater. Ouch! AlG was cringing. Amazingly, a Town of Lewis DPW truck was heading down the hill, amazed to see us. He told us we'd never get through to the other end, but we said we were just going to the height of land. Actually, we went a little beyond, encountering basketball-sized rocks and washouts. I backed up a half-mile and we parked in a tiny turnoff.
The only clues I had for this bushwhack were from the McMartin NE Adirondack guide which said to head 55 degrees magnetic from our spot. As we set out, it didn't seem right as we were slabbing a slope on the right, rather skirting Frenyea Mt. to the left. Sure enough, we ended up on a bump to the east of Saddleback and had to dip and rise to the NW to our goal. (Not a good candidate for orienteering, I'm afraid, Prino.) Didn't cost much time, though. The hike was nice, little blowdown, no dense spruce, and abundant raspberries and a big bluberry patch on the E corner of the lower Saddleback bump. The views south to Ausable #4, Green and Giant were hazy, but I'd seen a picture of the Jay Range from the higher bump, so we headed there over long stretches of bare rock and a little tangle. Before long we found the "official" high point and after a little searching, found the dramatic view of the Jays to the north. (Unbeknown to us, Prino and Neil had passed this way maybe 45 minutes previous and were now down below us somewhere, bushwhacking to Jay!) Later, we all lamented we hadn't known each others' plans.
AlG and I descended without difficulty, but hit the road .2 miles from the car despite map, compass, and Alg's excellent GPS. Well, what's a degree or two anyway??! Saddleback, for us, was an easy 3 miles round trip and 1500 vertical.
To Elizabethtown for cold refreshment, then back to tent city in Spence's back yard, where there were 31 tents, but nobody else back yet. I drove back beyond E-town to Split Rock Falls where I had a brisk plunge, opening up my pores, losing my sweat. At this time, showers began, and they'd be with us off and on for the rest of the weekend.
The evening meal was at Crickets up north in Peru. (I scored a ride in Neil's 7-seater van...I think this should be the official VFTT transport wagon.) After success at Crickets last year, the VFTT headed back. The place is great. We had four big, long tables, great food, and excellent service from an efficient and good looking waitress that caught the attention of the males at our table. Alas, she had no black leather apron. (Note to Little Bear...bring yours along for these dinners in case the waitress needs one!)
Back to Spence and Maddi's for libation under the EZ-up and more tales of the day's trips, especially the 20-strong Marshall climb/celebration. Overnight the skies opened up, heralding the next day's weather.
I'd hoped to tag along for Pat and Audrey's finish of the 111 on Marshall Friday. But I got a hopelessly late start Friday night, pushing off at 10 pm for a 350 mile drive. (Last minute "request" to stay late by my media outlet to cover the Stones' sound check at Fenway Park. Ole Mick is a perfectionist, (OK, I'm a name dropper!) and the 7:00 sound check lasted til 9:30. Woulda been interesting, but I was in a helicopter and the only sound check I heard was 'whaphapwhapwhap.') Oh well.
I hurriedly packed at home but didn't make it beyond Rutland. (I've fallen asleep at the wheel and cheated death before, so I know when to stop.) I crashed at the Best Western on rte. 4. (They have a Sun-Thu deal in the green Traveler's coupon book you may have seen...$37 for an excellent room...plus nice outdoor pool, tennis court, free breakfast. A tad better than the Northwoods Cabins, gang!) The Pat and Audrey group had pushed off well before time I arrived the next morning, of course, but AlG was my ace in the hole. He was nice enough to wait for me, so we opted for Jay Range Saddleback (ADK #81, 3600') which is only about 15 minutes up Spence's Road.
The road deteriorates quickly, though, becoming a washed-out gravel track
and my Prizm was acting like a road grater. Ouch! AlG was cringing. Amazingly, a Town of Lewis DPW truck was heading down the hill, amazed to see us. He told us we'd never get through to the other end, but we said we were just going to the height of land. Actually, we went a little beyond, encountering basketball-sized rocks and washouts. I backed up a half-mile and we parked in a tiny turnoff.
The only clues I had for this bushwhack were from the McMartin NE Adirondack guide which said to head 55 degrees magnetic from our spot. As we set out, it didn't seem right as we were slabbing a slope on the right, rather skirting Frenyea Mt. to the left. Sure enough, we ended up on a bump to the east of Saddleback and had to dip and rise to the NW to our goal. (Not a good candidate for orienteering, I'm afraid, Prino.) Didn't cost much time, though. The hike was nice, little blowdown, no dense spruce, and abundant raspberries and a big bluberry patch on the E corner of the lower Saddleback bump. The views south to Ausable #4, Green and Giant were hazy, but I'd seen a picture of the Jay Range from the higher bump, so we headed there over long stretches of bare rock and a little tangle. Before long we found the "official" high point and after a little searching, found the dramatic view of the Jays to the north. (Unbeknown to us, Prino and Neil had passed this way maybe 45 minutes previous and were now down below us somewhere, bushwhacking to Jay!) Later, we all lamented we hadn't known each others' plans.
AlG and I descended without difficulty, but hit the road .2 miles from the car despite map, compass, and Alg's excellent GPS. Well, what's a degree or two anyway??! Saddleback, for us, was an easy 3 miles round trip and 1500 vertical.
To Elizabethtown for cold refreshment, then back to tent city in Spence's back yard, where there were 31 tents, but nobody else back yet. I drove back beyond E-town to Split Rock Falls where I had a brisk plunge, opening up my pores, losing my sweat. At this time, showers began, and they'd be with us off and on for the rest of the weekend.
The evening meal was at Crickets up north in Peru. (I scored a ride in Neil's 7-seater van...I think this should be the official VFTT transport wagon.) After success at Crickets last year, the VFTT headed back. The place is great. We had four big, long tables, great food, and excellent service from an efficient and good looking waitress that caught the attention of the males at our table. Alas, she had no black leather apron. (Note to Little Bear...bring yours along for these dinners in case the waitress needs one!)
Back to Spence and Maddi's for libation under the EZ-up and more tales of the day's trips, especially the 20-strong Marshall climb/celebration. Overnight the skies opened up, heralding the next day's weather.
.
