MattC
New member
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2004
- Messages
- 1,038
- Reaction score
- 69
Jay finished his winter 35 today on Kaaterskill High Peak. We had quite a crew. I met up w/ Fu Jow Pai in Phoenicia and we took his truck on up to Platte Clove w/ his famous Jack Russells (Trixie and Dino) in tow. There we met w/ T-max, Zero-G and Catskill Climber. In due time Dax, Chip and Jay arrived, fresh from a wet day on Windham High Peak and a cold night at Devil's Kitchen leanto.
Most of us barebooted at first, and then had crampons on and off at various points. After yesterday's rains there is a lot of running water in the Catkills, particularly on this notoriously poorly drained section of the Long Path. Over this stream bed of a trail there were thin sheets of ice, w/ lots of rocks everywhere, and 2-3 inches of powder in places. Just enough of everything to make for some interesting walking.
And then there was the wind. Lots and lots of wind. Face protection was needed for much of the day. It wasn't quite as bad in the hemlock-lined areas as in the leafless hardwoods, but it never really let up all day. Needless to say, motion was the order of the day, w/ very few and very brief stops.
As we climbed we could see Indian Head and Twin through the trees, and later the Blackheads and Escarpment as we went round to the north side. As last we hooked the left up to the snowmobile loop, took the short jog over to the unofficial blue trail and ground on up. A fair amount of ice, only a couple somewhat iffy ledges, but nothing too scary. The last 250' or so was just a tough, steep climb. As a reward, the vistas of the Blackheads and Kaaterskill Clove continued to open up behind us, although they were still a little blocked by trees.
By the time T-Max and I approached the summit, most of the others were headed back, except Jay himself and Catskill Climber. It was cold, so most didn't want to linger too long. Jay took a few quick shots and I threw on a layer since I wanted to go check out Hurricane Ledge. Catskill Climber had never seen that view, so he came along. I lost the trail for a minute on the way down but eventually found the Ledge, where we had a stunning vista of peaks from Overlook to Plateau, w/ the southern Catskills and the Shawangunks in the background, the mighty Hudson off to the east and the Highlands in the far distance. It was one of those really clear views you seldom get in any season but winter. Good stuff.
We then headed back to the summit and back down, since everybody else was on their way. We carefully picked our way down the steep slopes of High Peak and then cruised when we hit the Long Path. Back at the lot, Catskill Climber, Fu Jow Poi and I ran across the road for a quick look at Plattekill Falls, then it was back to Phoenicia for Jay's celebratory dinner at Brios. Ralph and Maddy were there, having just climbed Ashokan High Point. We enjoyed a delicious meal, traded hiking stories and raised a toast of sparkling apple juice in honor of Jay's accomplishment. Here's to great friends, great mountains, great times. Okay, so the trail conditions were a little lousy, what are you gonna do...
Matt
Most of us barebooted at first, and then had crampons on and off at various points. After yesterday's rains there is a lot of running water in the Catkills, particularly on this notoriously poorly drained section of the Long Path. Over this stream bed of a trail there were thin sheets of ice, w/ lots of rocks everywhere, and 2-3 inches of powder in places. Just enough of everything to make for some interesting walking.
And then there was the wind. Lots and lots of wind. Face protection was needed for much of the day. It wasn't quite as bad in the hemlock-lined areas as in the leafless hardwoods, but it never really let up all day. Needless to say, motion was the order of the day, w/ very few and very brief stops.
As we climbed we could see Indian Head and Twin through the trees, and later the Blackheads and Escarpment as we went round to the north side. As last we hooked the left up to the snowmobile loop, took the short jog over to the unofficial blue trail and ground on up. A fair amount of ice, only a couple somewhat iffy ledges, but nothing too scary. The last 250' or so was just a tough, steep climb. As a reward, the vistas of the Blackheads and Kaaterskill Clove continued to open up behind us, although they were still a little blocked by trees.
By the time T-Max and I approached the summit, most of the others were headed back, except Jay himself and Catskill Climber. It was cold, so most didn't want to linger too long. Jay took a few quick shots and I threw on a layer since I wanted to go check out Hurricane Ledge. Catskill Climber had never seen that view, so he came along. I lost the trail for a minute on the way down but eventually found the Ledge, where we had a stunning vista of peaks from Overlook to Plateau, w/ the southern Catskills and the Shawangunks in the background, the mighty Hudson off to the east and the Highlands in the far distance. It was one of those really clear views you seldom get in any season but winter. Good stuff.
We then headed back to the summit and back down, since everybody else was on their way. We carefully picked our way down the steep slopes of High Peak and then cruised when we hit the Long Path. Back at the lot, Catskill Climber, Fu Jow Poi and I ran across the road for a quick look at Plattekill Falls, then it was back to Phoenicia for Jay's celebratory dinner at Brios. Ralph and Maddy were there, having just climbed Ashokan High Point. We enjoyed a delicious meal, traded hiking stories and raised a toast of sparkling apple juice in honor of Jay's accomplishment. Here's to great friends, great mountains, great times. Okay, so the trail conditions were a little lousy, what are you gonna do...
Matt
Last edited:
