Recent content by freedan

Thanks, appreciate the info.

Anybody been up Couch lately? Is the herd path likely to be packed snow or require trailbreaking, any significant ice? How much snow up high on the mountain? I realize new snow will render any observations obsolete, just wanted to see if anyone had been up over the weekend. Thanks for any...

Best TR I've read on a forum. Thanks!

Spent a couple of weeks wandering around the Adirondacks exploring new places, from lakes to mountains, hiking and climbing to canoeing. It never ceases to amaze me after 25 years of living 15 minutes outside of the blue line and spending countless days hiking, canoeing, climbing and...

Nice pictures on this thread. Anyone know what these are? Seen all over the ledges of cliffs above Creature Wall, while climbing at Chapel Pond over the weekend.

Thanks for the link and the info. I know the new bridge near the Ranger Station is open for business. I was also wondering if crossing Johns Brook on the Southside Trail near the Garden is possible or if the water is running too high (unless there is a new bridge there too?)? I know there...

Just wondering if trail is bare all the way to JBL from the Garden. Also, anyone been down Southside trail in recent days. How high is John's Brook running, is it crossable to access Southside Trail or necessary to go all the way to suspension bridge near ranger cabin at Johns Brook. Headed...

2-7-09 Whiteface Driving up to the High Peaks, we immediately noticed the temperature inversion. The high points on Rt. 8 were up to 12F and the river/lake valleys were as cold as -1F. Warm air was aloft. We made the customary stop at the Peaks rest area on 87 around 6:30am, there were...

A question for the wildlife biologists and hunters out there. Are we currently at the apex of the grouse population cycle? Skiing I have had them erupting from their snow holes from under the tips of my skis, between my legs, and one even hit me in the butt. I have never encountered so many...

2-1-09 Clear Pond, John Pond Cliffs Adks Trail broken by snowshoe up to Clear Pond, ski trail broken to John Pond, untracked bushwacking between on ridgeline. Cloudy, grey day, windy, warm 25F. Deep base with 2' of powder on top. TR: Skied into an area we had noted a couple of autumns ago...

Lots of snow in there. Where we were skiing on Monday there were two bald eagles circling overhead for most of day. I figure they must make their living off winter kill in one of the big deer yards up there. I hear you about the snowmobs, that is what is nice about skiing the steep wooded...

No summits or high peaks involved but many thousands of vertical skied over 3 days on the Tug Hill, NY and nearby state lands. If you like to get out and snowshoe, XC ski or BC ski in solitude and as deep snow as you will find anywhere in the east, the Tug can't be beat. The snowpack currently...

Give a shout if ever in the neighborhood. I'd be happy to show you around.

1/10/09 Cascade Mtn, Adks. Weather: -15F at trailhead, bluebird skies, warmed up nicely once sun crested ridgeline. No wind at the summit, mid teens and very comfortable eating a leisurely lunch in the sun. Trail conditions: Less than 1' and boney down low, hardpacked trail all the way to...

Big toe, little toe, use ankles to tilt onto edges, hip angulation, knees and shoulders pointed downhill, no poodles, keep weight on both skis, hammer that rear foot, keep feet underneath you, speed is your friend, hands out front at waist level, get over the tips not backseat, don't be afraid...