Colden and JBL

[percious]

Friday was a crazy day, with my friends changing their plans for Stratton, VT to Keene Valley, NY. JBL was going to be our basecamp, to avoid the rains forecasted for Southern VT. This was a newb trip, consisting of Ben's girlfriend, my buddy Will, and most notably Colden.

Friday night I arrived at the parking lot around 9pm expecting to see Ben's Cobra, but it was not to be found, so we packed up, donned our headlamp and headed in. My partner found the woods to be a bit scary, and he was tired, suffering two "meltdowns" on the way to Bear Brook. I offered him assurance that the "mountain house" was not too far away, and upon arrival he was begging for his bed. My companion helped me hang the bear-bag, and we both drifted off with thoughts of Kanga.

Soon Ben, Will, and Christina arrived, and the 5 of us were re-united with smiles, but my partner slept on. Everyone settled for a sort-of dry night. In the night I woke to terror cries as the sleeper to my left woke to dripping water. I too fought off the wet stuff dripping from above.

By morning our bearbag was soaked, but the goodies within were safe, and I cooked up some oatmeal. Two of us were headed off early with the destination of JBL in mind. We walked down the trail, and soon came upon the Deer Brook shelter and took a long break while eating granola bars. A 6 person party arrived, and everyone looked happy but wet. Did I mention it started raining durring breakfast.

It was not long after Deer Brook that my companion and I were over-taken by the other 3 members of our group. They were a fast bunch! Fueled by a canadian bacon, eggs, and hash brown breakfast, they moved on.

1 meltdown later we arrived at the large rock stamped with a large medalion reading something about USGS, whatever that is... ;-) My partner got a much deserved break, and I fueled him up with some granola bars. A few parties came by and comented about what a strong hiker he was. He obliged, explaining about his "water backpack" and "hiking pole". (cape and septor?) He was being a superman indeed.

We carried on through the rain. I felt bad for my companion, as I knew his feet were pruned while mine were comfortably dry in my new boots. The trail was getting rough, and tumble, and my partner and I were forced to share hands through the thick of it. Two more meltdowns, and we arrived at last on the long climb leading to the quick decent before John's brook. I sighed a relief at the top of the climb, as I knew we would make it to the shelter today. Twice I had considered turning back.

(cont.)

 

[percious]

The Howard shelter was a roar, with high water forcing me to warn my companion of it's danger. Again our team was re-united, and the other three members about to head up to JBL. They spoke of fire, and I thought it would be best for all of us to head up together to dry off and warm up.

JBL was an interesting place to take a break. I had never been inside. It has always served me well, one time I even Bivied on the porch to avoid the rain (please don't tell). We all spent some time warming by the fire, including Kanga. She was soaked to the filling!

Soon our welcome was worn out, and we hurried back to the Howard leanto. We all donned our dry clothes and settled in for a long nap. Will, Ben, and Christina had dashed their plans to visit Bushnell falls, in favor of a warm dry nap.

I awoke, and started dinner. We all shared our wet experiences for the day, and marvelled at the height of John's brook. It was not long before darkness approached, and we all settled into our bags for the night.

Again I was awakened by a frieghted three year old, who was more easily soothed, knowing that daddy was nearby. Colden was awake at dawn, and we all layed around enjoying each other's company while breakfast water was boiled. We packed up and left. The other three were going to make an attempt at the south side trail while Colden and I headed down the slippery path to the Garden.

Colden started off with a burst of energy this morning, and we were quickly at the top of the hill. We headed down, passing happy hikers and a ranger. Everyone who saw Colden had a smile on their face. Colden was happy too, for the most part. One or two meltdowns later we arrived at the Medalionized rock and took a long break to eat tuna from a packet, and the old standby, granola bars. It was good to be half way there. Colden was up and ready to go, but the next part was challenging. We passed some large boulders, and finally I gave up the urge to resist some climbing and found an interesting problem aside the trail to work on.

I explored the 'V2' (my guess at the rating) with my hands and hiking boots on. A large fall sent Colden into histerics. Soon, Will arrived, stating that they had abandoned the south side trail after the Ore Bed Brook was deemed unsafe to cross. I finished off the problem cheering at the top to an audience of Girlscouts. It felt good to climb a bit. Will helped me leap off the top of the rock, and we were all cruising down the trail, energized by some chocolate affored to us by Will. The fast three soon dissapeared ahead, and Colden and I were again singing Old MacDonald.

(cont.)

 

[percious]

The next meltdown evoked a promise of MacDonald's, and armed with the knowledge of impending fast food, Colden took to the trail (trial?) with new vigor. We cruised by the Deer Brook shelter, Colden refused to stop. Passing some Kayakers carrying heavy loads, we did not pause at the Bear Brook shelter that had sort of served us well at the start. I talked to some fishermen and met a new friend while we hiked on out. At the .5 mark, Colden finally gave in for a break, and we sat down to share our last remaining Granola bar.

We headed down the trail, and I almost stepped on a large black and yellow centipede. Had I been going at my usual 3+ MPH pace, I would have completely missed this unusual creature! Colden got a kick out of the "catapiller" and he crawled away so we headed out for the last few yards to the car. One more meltdown to go! Colden was asking me to carry him for the last few yeards, but I persisted in making him haul himself out the last few feet to the car. Colden was happy to see daddy's car!

What a great trip. It's amazing what a 3 year old can do, despite some pretty aweful conditions! Colden's first backpacking trip!

Fin.

-percious

 

[smitty77]

Sounds like an awesome trip! I wish I (we) could have made it, but alas we're just minutes, hours, or days away from delivery. (To the wife it all feels like an eternity!)

Keep me posted on the next foray into the woods, even if it's 'just a dayhike'.
And tell Colden he's a champ!

Smitty

 

[mavs00]

What a great trip. It's amazing what a 3 year old can do, despite some pretty aweful conditions! Colden's first backpacking trip!

.... and one he'll likely treasure for quite some time, meltdowns aside

Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed it.

 

[rdl]

Nice report...

Take a lot of pictures with the two of you, it will be something special to look back on those years from now.

My son was 3 when he climbed his first High Peak, Cascade. He made it up on his own(with a lot of stops), but coming down he'd get a little too much momemtum for his little legs to stop him. After a couple scrapes I put him in the backpacker for the way down.

 

[bubba]

My companion helped me hang the bear-bag, and we both drifted off... By morning our bearbag was soaked, but the goodies within were safe...

With your change in plans and short notice, you subjected yourself to a $250 fine and/or 15 days in jail for not properly following ADK regulations regarding the use of Bear Canisters.

FYI: here are the regulations and more information about the bear nuisance and DEC's attempt to reform these big guys. The bear reformatory is in the woods itself, and it will only work by all of us adhering to the rules.

 

[percious]

Thanks for the info bubba. As one of the proponents of Bear canisters, I must admit, with all the packing I had to do for the two of us, I plum forgot. Good news is that my friends arrived with space in their bear canister for the second day. I have been using the canisters in the summer in the dax since before they were required. Having your food stolen by bears one time is enough.

-percious

 

[percious]

Nice report...

Take a lot of pictures with the two of you, it will be something special to look back on those years from now.

My son was 3 when he climbed his first High Peak, Cascade. He made it up on his own(with a lot of stops), but coming down he'd get a little too much momemtum for his little legs to stop him. After a couple scrapes I put him in the backpacker for the way down.

I'm going to try and get said photos up tonight for anyone who is interested.

Sounds like you guys had a ball climbing Cascade. I think I might take Colden up Phelps for his first official 46er (he's been on 3 in the pack before) on a three day trip so he can see his mountain.

-percious

 

[cbcbd]

Awesome time! Reading through the story just kept making me think of how many awesome memories your son will have.
Good times