BlackSpruce
New member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2003
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Calamity Trail was as hard packed and slick as can be. Micro spikes if in our pack instead of at home would have done wonders particularly at the end of the day. It was so windy on Flowed Lands that our tracks were erased instantly but crossing over to Livingston Bay and Island was no problem – no slush, all hard ice, under the snow cover. Once in the bay we found Cory’s tracks from his descent directly from Cliff’s summit the previous day. Considering the terrain and the snow conditions, his route breaking was no small feat. He had obviously chosen his path through the maze carefully and even though each of us unwillingly inspected snow caverns several times we immensely enjoyed what is the best route to Cliff. Once on the summit Brian appeared to express a mix of emotions. He was very pleased to have reached 44 but the beautiful sky made 45, Redfield, towering over us on the other side of Upper Twin Brook, appear like an impossible goal for what was left of the day!
But descending towards Uphill Brook we were privileged to enjoy one the very few occasions when it’s possible to safely butt slide one ledge after another. But it will not last long as the ice is still showing in places. The Redfield climb up a well trodden path was easy “most” of the time because our legs were starting scream “enough”. Once on the summit, #45, Brian finally and totally enjoyed the moment, the day and his accomplishments while looking in the distance at magnificent Colden where hopefully next Sunday he will find his W. Because life gets in the way of climbing and the long travelling (4 to 5 hours each way depending on the trailhead) it will have taken Brian over 14 years to reach the 46 in winter. Mind you as a very accomplished author (http://www.adkpublications.com/) Brian Hoody is often in the Adirondack Mountains without leaving home. ..
But descending towards Uphill Brook we were privileged to enjoy one the very few occasions when it’s possible to safely butt slide one ledge after another. But it will not last long as the ice is still showing in places. The Redfield climb up a well trodden path was easy “most” of the time because our legs were starting scream “enough”. Once on the summit, #45, Brian finally and totally enjoyed the moment, the day and his accomplishments while looking in the distance at magnificent Colden where hopefully next Sunday he will find his W. Because life gets in the way of climbing and the long travelling (4 to 5 hours each way depending on the trailhead) it will have taken Brian over 14 years to reach the 46 in winter. Mind you as a very accomplished author (http://www.adkpublications.com/) Brian Hoody is often in the Adirondack Mountains without leaving home. ..
