percious
Well-known member
Ropes and gadgets packed, John's Brook trail passed as we glided by, passing some deer and a few leanto's. Howard leanto contained a slumbering family, so good weather meant a night under the stars.
Five water crossings deposited us at the junction for the Brothers. A short 'whack lead us to our destination for the day. A broad rock face loomed above, garnished with flakes and small imperfections to make a climber think. We roped up. I was pleasantly surprised by the options for protection and flew past the two bolts on the first pitch wondering why at least one of them were there. Ben rocked the first section after a tricky traverse and we started up the second pitch. Some problem solving and zig-zagging later and I was starting at some mossy ugliness and soon stationed at a pine tree. We tunneled to the summit to find 15 people hell-bent on finding the elusive view that we enjoyed for the better part of the day!
211 slid down our throats while the brookies nipped at our feet. The cool water and some pleasant dinner revived us. We made it as far as Bear Brook before calling it quits for the day.
Ben agreed to some ground school lessons and I wanted the practice. Since I am leaving soon, I wanted to make sure Ben had some knowledge about climbing if he was to continue learning from others. It was hot. Owl's head is a beautiful small peak nestled in the Keene Valley between Cascade, Porter, Pitchoff and Hurricane. It has a rewarding view. At the top there is a short cliff which is great for instruction, but it is south facing which makes it a scorcher on a hot day.
Kish Duna is a special place for my family, and for Ben and I it provided a reprieve from the hot and sweaty back country. Showered up and steak-filled, we raced off to the secret campsite for the night. The nipping bugs limited our beer-intake to 1 apiece and we were soon sleeping beneath the stars.
I found myself balanced on one ski behind a roaring motor boat. Schroon lake is a beautiful place even if it is being developed. It is a place of relaxation and childhood memories. We zipped around the lake a few times before calling
it quits. It was soon time to head back into the high peaks.
(cont.)
Five water crossings deposited us at the junction for the Brothers. A short 'whack lead us to our destination for the day. A broad rock face loomed above, garnished with flakes and small imperfections to make a climber think. We roped up. I was pleasantly surprised by the options for protection and flew past the two bolts on the first pitch wondering why at least one of them were there. Ben rocked the first section after a tricky traverse and we started up the second pitch. Some problem solving and zig-zagging later and I was starting at some mossy ugliness and soon stationed at a pine tree. We tunneled to the summit to find 15 people hell-bent on finding the elusive view that we enjoyed for the better part of the day!
211 slid down our throats while the brookies nipped at our feet. The cool water and some pleasant dinner revived us. We made it as far as Bear Brook before calling it quits for the day.
Ben agreed to some ground school lessons and I wanted the practice. Since I am leaving soon, I wanted to make sure Ben had some knowledge about climbing if he was to continue learning from others. It was hot. Owl's head is a beautiful small peak nestled in the Keene Valley between Cascade, Porter, Pitchoff and Hurricane. It has a rewarding view. At the top there is a short cliff which is great for instruction, but it is south facing which makes it a scorcher on a hot day.
Kish Duna is a special place for my family, and for Ben and I it provided a reprieve from the hot and sweaty back country. Showered up and steak-filled, we raced off to the secret campsite for the night. The nipping bugs limited our beer-intake to 1 apiece and we were soon sleeping beneath the stars.
I found myself balanced on one ski behind a roaring motor boat. Schroon lake is a beautiful place even if it is being developed. It is a place of relaxation and childhood memories. We zipped around the lake a few times before calling
it quits. It was soon time to head back into the high peaks.
(cont.)