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Gowns for Greenbacks has commenced! On 6/18/11, Slide, Cornell and Wittenberg were done up in style, as 7 hikers and 4 dogs took to the trail. After the requisite car shuffle at Woodland Valley and the first round of introductions, the hikers met up at Slide Mountain Parking Area. We were...

So do the ones we already did in winter count? Or do we have to start over? Not that we're committing to any new lists... :D

The 35 Summarized and Superlatized: Halia's picks - Favorite peak: Tough choice. Twin, because we got married there? KHP has a great vibe… but I hate that ring of mud around the summit. Love the trail up to Wittenberg, but it is too popular, too heavily traveled… Maybe Slide, just because...

In a last ditch effort to finish up the 35 before 2009, Flammeus and I headed out to Fir Mountain in the southern Catskills for our second effort at this peak. The weather report was iffy – 30% chance of snow and a wind advisory. And we were a little tired from bagging Blackhead the day before...

12/29/08 - Up Black Dome Trail, and down via the escarpment. Could have barebooted up most of the way- lots of dry snowless spots, some packed snow and ice. Every ephemeral stream, brook, creek and puddle was full and running. The escarpment trail up Blackhead is VERY icy - treacherous...

Shot from the upstairs window. Basically looking at our driveway. JayH, I am counting on you for 1970's cartoon references - ;) heh-heh-heh-HEH-heh:D

Thanksgiving morning Flammeus and I decided to get out a little for some pre-feast exercise. We decided to try the Lake Maratanza loop in the Gunks, as we'd never done it before. I vote it the best hike for non-hikers I've met so far! :D We parked at the Sam's point parking lot - yes, there...

Our 34th of the 35 started with a healthy dose of trepidation. Driving out to the trailhead, it seemed that closer we got, the nastier the weather looked. Elsewhere in the Catskills, the sun shone, but out west the mountains looked snow-covered, and clouds sat atop summits threatening viewless...

Flammeus is German, and our teenagers are studying German at school, so sometimes things get kind of overboard for me (the only non-German speaker in the group). That’s when I start channeling Helga, my wacko alter-ego whose German is all gleaned from Hogan’s Heroes reruns. Anyway – we parked...

Hi - Re: Tice Teneyck in Boiceville/Shokan: just wondering - correct pronounciation on this one? Meaning? Where I grew up (Rockland County NY) Ten Eyck was a local family name. I assumed it was Dutch. I was guessing this is too, but I've heard some very different ways of saying it. Thanks, H

It all started last night with a trip to Gander Mountain. Blaze orange vests for the dogs – we don’t have any. I chose the cheap kind… I just couldn’t stomach the thought of $40 per dog for clothing. Even protective clothing. Pennywise…:rolleyes: That meant that we got home late, and chose...

It was The Swede's idea. How about a nabbing of the four bushwack peaks, he suggested, back a month or so ago. A few of us expressed interest, and I took on the job of Administrator, responding to inquiries and organizing the date. I guess that was only natural since it was framed as Flammeus...

Anyone know how otters typically respond to predators? This morning Iske (canine) decided to swim with the otters - must be the local lack of dolphins. I was floored to see what sure looked like the otter was playing with her: Iske would swim toward the otter. The otter would wait until Is...

The much discussed, eagerly anticipated ascent of Slide from the Neversink occurred on 9/1! Flammeus and I, with Iske and Lily, hit the trail at 9:00 a.m. Denning trailhead might be my favorite trailhead in the Catskills – it is such a reward after the long drive. Our first time there we met...

Just wondering... looking at the NYNJTC map, it looks like one could approach Slide from Denning by heading out to the "fisherman's trail", and following that all the way to the end, then bushwhacking up to the W-C-S trail. What is it like out there? I saw last year in a few trail reports that...

Hard to write a trip report about Wittenberg and Cornell - a trail that is so popular, and for good reason, that many folks reading this probably consider this trail a good friend. Hopefully I bring a couple of new insights to bear on such a great place. Choosing to hike on Saturday (8/9)...

Ok, if you are standing on the summit of Wittenberg, looking south (i.e. your back is facing Overlook), on a clear day, with binoculars, what the heck is that huge thing way off in the distance? By way off, I'd guess at least 40 miles or so. The compass bearing was 194 degrees South. It...

Berries, that is! Does anyone know if the berries are ready up on Ashokan High point? Or any other suggestions for blueberry picking? Huckleberry point? Gunks? Do they ripen from lower elevations up the mountain, or do they just respond to exposure (sunlight, temperature, etc)? The ones in my...

Howdy folks, Just wondering - are loons expanding their range? Is it unremarkable to see a loon in the Catskills? There is one on our pond - they are so wonderful to see and hear. Sorry - no photo... if I can get the camera back from the teenagers, I'll take and post photos.

Has anyone been up Fir Mountain lately? Just wondering about all the delights awaiting us - we are planning to head up from the Biscuit Brook trailhead tomorrow. We would welcome advice re: favorite routes, current blowdown conditions, height of nettles, bugs... time of the party at the lean to...