K
kerry
Guest
I knew I would never have another chance to do Allen on a warm snowless day so late in November. No one had signed in for a bit. Trail was very wet in places with standing water and mud. Other areas nicely runnable. Herd path is mostly clear despite the leaf cover. The river is low and easily crossed in tevas. I brought neoprene socks but didn't wear them as neither water nor air temp seemed too cold. Calf deep water at the deepest point though I expect that has changed with the rain. The brooks were running high, but also easily crossed on the rocks as there was no ice. Again I expect that will change on the weekend. The climb was iceless until near the summit, but very, very wet with running water everywhere. I brought microspikes and didn't need them. I left the crampons in the car. Given the forecast I would probably bring them as of Saturday to be safe. Cautious to the point of paranoid on the descent since I was by myself and not interested to disturbing some DEC employee's thanksgiving dinner through foolhardiness. Ran most of the way out. Chickadees and pilated woodpeckers on the summit. And down below the bears seem not yet to be asleep.... Just about 8 hours. Nice ferry ride home then off to Grandpa's.
