funkyfreddy
Well-known member
Tuesday Fu Jow Pai (Josef) finished his Catskill 35’s on Fir. We parked near Frost Valley at the beginning of the Pine/west branch trail and went just past the lean-to. We took a bearing towards Fir and up we went. Snow shoes weren’t necessary till about 3’000 ft. , where they became very helpful due to wet and heavy snow that was still deep in some places. It was a beautiful day and we got blasted with sun, the temperature being close to 60 degrees.
Since our Monday plans had gotten screwed up due to flooding (the bus from NYC not going into Phoenicia, etc.), that left me to still do Eagle and Balsam as a not winter peak. Josef was kind enough to lend me his car and I drove to the McKinley Hollow trailhead late Tues night and slept in his car in order to get a very early start on Wed. This turned out to be a good call as even though I started a little after 6AM the steep eroded trail up McKinley Hollow and the wet snow between Balsam and Eagle took its toll on me as I had to break trail the whole way between Balsam and Eagle. The snow wasn’t too deep in most places but it was thawing and i sunk in with every step regardless of snowshoes. By the time I had gone over to Eagle and back I ended up drawing on my last reserves of energy in order to make it up to the summit of Balsam.
I would have let myself fall asleep on Balsam if I had more time but Josef and I had to take the late afternoon bus back to NYC. Instead I promised myself not to push myself so hard the next time I pursue a list as every time I finish one it always seems so anticlimactic..... maybe I was just lonely and next time I should make more of a party out of it? I guess I’ll do that Sat. at the dinner.........
As I was coming down the trail I witnessed a large boulder fall into the brook and the stream crossing was no picnic either way, my boots getting wet coming and going. The crash of the boulder seemed to announce “Spring is here!” and indeed it is in spite of all of the devastation the floods have caused in the valleys. I’m going to post a separate warning about the McKinley Hollow Trailhead parking area as I think part of it may wind up in the brook soon.
I guess I should wrap this long winded post with a thanks to all of my trail companions, especially Josef and his wife Sarah who have been great friends, very nice, warm, and hospital to me in this strange shared quest of ours........ ah, the mountains and the fine madness they inspire! I would also like to thank some of my other Catskill 35 companions - Laura L., Jay, Matt, Ralph, come to mind particulary. There are so many people on VFTT who have helped with directions, anecdotes, advice, history, too many to list....... OK so I guess I should thank VFTT and say I hope to hike with many more of you soon! Thanks, Fred
Since our Monday plans had gotten screwed up due to flooding (the bus from NYC not going into Phoenicia, etc.), that left me to still do Eagle and Balsam as a not winter peak. Josef was kind enough to lend me his car and I drove to the McKinley Hollow trailhead late Tues night and slept in his car in order to get a very early start on Wed. This turned out to be a good call as even though I started a little after 6AM the steep eroded trail up McKinley Hollow and the wet snow between Balsam and Eagle took its toll on me as I had to break trail the whole way between Balsam and Eagle. The snow wasn’t too deep in most places but it was thawing and i sunk in with every step regardless of snowshoes. By the time I had gone over to Eagle and back I ended up drawing on my last reserves of energy in order to make it up to the summit of Balsam.
I would have let myself fall asleep on Balsam if I had more time but Josef and I had to take the late afternoon bus back to NYC. Instead I promised myself not to push myself so hard the next time I pursue a list as every time I finish one it always seems so anticlimactic..... maybe I was just lonely and next time I should make more of a party out of it? I guess I’ll do that Sat. at the dinner.........
As I was coming down the trail I witnessed a large boulder fall into the brook and the stream crossing was no picnic either way, my boots getting wet coming and going. The crash of the boulder seemed to announce “Spring is here!” and indeed it is in spite of all of the devastation the floods have caused in the valleys. I’m going to post a separate warning about the McKinley Hollow Trailhead parking area as I think part of it may wind up in the brook soon.
I guess I should wrap this long winded post with a thanks to all of my trail companions, especially Josef and his wife Sarah who have been great friends, very nice, warm, and hospital to me in this strange shared quest of ours........ ah, the mountains and the fine madness they inspire! I would also like to thank some of my other Catskill 35 companions - Laura L., Jay, Matt, Ralph, come to mind particulary. There are so many people on VFTT who have helped with directions, anecdotes, advice, history, too many to list....... OK so I guess I should thank VFTT and say I hope to hike with many more of you soon! Thanks, Fred
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