Northeast's High Peaks this winter ? Any odd info ?

I'll probably be on Bear/Frissell in CT, Marcy, Washington and maybe Katahdin anyway this winter, so I'm considering adding VT, MA & RI. My current plans need to change somewhat to be officially in Winter (Dec 21 - Mar 20 this season I think), so I have a couple questions. Do I have to include PA or NJ if I'm including NY ? Can I skip RI ? Are there any other oddities like Bear/Frissell in CT ? Do lists take the fun out of the hike ?

The Highpointers Club divides the country into 4 regions. The Northeast Region includes the following 12 states:

Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia.

I'm not exactly sure if that's what you're asking. Are you trying to do the Northeast HPs in winter?

Some of these highpoints should not even count. I am going for the highpointers goal but some of these places are bumps of flat road..what a total waste of my money. They should change it to "highpoints of signifigance" much like the NE 111.

Mark S said:

The Highpointers Club divides the country into 4 regions. The Northeast Region includes the following 12 states:

Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia.

I'm not exactly sure if that's what you're asking. Are you trying to do the Northeast HPs in winter?

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Yes. That's good info you posted, thanks. Looks like New England vs. the "Northeast" for me this winter. I just thought it would be fun since I was doing several regardless.

I agree with the "bumps in the road" as well, which is why I'm not going to get too kooky about this, as time is limited.

ADK4Life said:

Some of these highpoints should not even count. I am going for the highpointers goal but some of these places are bumps of flat road..what a total waste of my money. They should change it to "highpoints of signifigance" much like the NE 111.

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You're right. It is a total waste of money if you don't want to see the country and go new places and meet new people. I'm not going to go into a long defense of highpointing, but why knock what others enjoy? I've done the 111ers and now I'm loving doing something a little different. Hike your own hike.

What about not bagging?

Opinions for and against obviously. But, how many here peak bag? I realize this is probably a thread that has been repeated many times, but I can't help but notice that the O.C.D. element is very present in the North East hiking community. I've been chasing lists on and mostly off and I've noticed that sometimes list chasing and peak-bagging are not always about hiking but, in some cases goals, and in other cases exercise motivation, and in yet some other cases life experience. Do peak baggers look to other hikers who haven't bagged lists as inferior hikers? I don't think so, but I don't really know. I actually have friends who have hiked 200+ peaks and never completed a list because their hikes have been so random. At the same time coming from a person who likes to travel the world as much as hike (sometimes seeing these two things as being completely different and sometimes not) I find the highpointers list to be an adventure that could provide not only some nice hiking but a good excuse to travel the country and meet some interesting characters. Life is about the stories we collect. I hate running into old friends who I haven't seen in years only to find out they don't have any new stories. That sucks! Are there any non-peakbaggers out there? What is your motivation? It makes me feel lucky to be a part of VFTT so I can be a part of a great community of explorers yet still not be restricted in my travels. I'm ranting. My apologies Saranac variety packs just went on sale and I have 3 days worth of summer vacation before the kids come back. Back to the Devil's Path.

Sorry Chip, I kind of ignored the question. List can take the fun out of hiking for some people yet add tons of fun for others so it's all up to you. If your feeling like bagging a list you have in mind right now then get it. If it becomes a burden then foret it. It is all up to you.

Catskillclimber, I just discovered Saranac variety packs so I understood your post perfectly !
I've always been more into overnight backpacking. Although lately I've been doing more day hikes during the warm weather and saving the overnights for winter. Living where I do, it takes planning to get anywhere major, so it tends to be multi-day and "known" destinations.
I've re-thought my "bumps in the road" comment and understand highpointing and peakbagging are just another form of adventure and reason to get out there, which is all good.

Now that Jerimoth has better access you shouldn't skip it, it's been discussed here too, is that every weekend all year?

BSP requires you to jump through lots of hoops in the winter for Katahdin (you may know that already) but several people here have been before.

For Frissell, easiest access on the trail is from NY over Brace, no overnight packing at trailhead providing shortest winter access. The dirt road that provides the shortest summer time access is not open.

I'm many things, peakbagger yes but I'm also a view junkie so 2,000 & 3,000 foot peaks with views are great too, I like going for sunsets after work so 1 & 2 mile trips are nice too. I keep my own list with so many variations on it I almost always "need" a peak for some reason.

Finished New England when 65 was it now I'm half way thru the ADK so I went back & did Redington for the 113, or 111 or 115. (Did Spaulding before) Have done the two Catskill 4'ks but don't know if I'll do the 3500 & I have 6 of the South beyond 6,000 done but don't forsee finishing those although a trip back to at least get the remaining 6600 & 6500 may be in my distant future

Wife wants to go some place warm for April vacation this year & she has a friend in AZ, I've already looked at Mt. Graham & Miller Peaks, so we may go south(west) next year to add to the peaks above 6288 list

It's all good whether it's a major trip or an hour on the rail trail, whether the view is a swamp a 360 wide open panarama or the forest. (okay I prefer the 360 from up high best) the list is just another way to remember the trips & easier to lug than thousands of slides, pictures or a Server.)

Mike P. said:

Now that Jerimoth has better access you shouldn't skip it, it's been discussed here too, is that every weekend all year?

BSP requires you to jump through lots of hoops in the winter for Katahdin (you may know that already) but several people here have been before.

For Frissell, easiest access on the trail is from NY over Brace, no overnight packing at trailhead providing shortest winter access. The dirt road that provides the shortest summer time access is not open.

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Jerimoth's new owners now allow access on the weekends from 8am to 3pm.
It looks to be every weekend. I don't see where a "Highpointers" escort is required any longer, but it wouldn't hurt to check, I guess.

Katahdin will be with Acadia Mountain Guides in Jan or Feb skiing and hiking up Abol. I'm not ready for Katahdin yet on my own (I'm not going to use their "no soloists" policy as an excuse. )

Frissell would be from Bear going to Race or out Sages. I was hoping to find GPS coordinates for that as I understand it's a challenge to locate. I've been doing Bear since I was a kid and only recently discovered "the truth" there.

Since my avatar is a picture of me on the south slope of Frissell (at midnight in the pouring rain) I feel I should reply to this post.

The CT. highpoint is pretty easy to find in the summer but I can imagine that it would be tough if there was snow on the ground and you hadn't been there before. And the route over Round Mountain is pretty steep and it probably gets pretty icy. The Jeep Road Route would be a lot easier in winter and can be accessed from Bear.