Coochie 9/21/05

[ward]

Left the parking lot around 6:30 am. A vehicle had arrived a bit before me and two figures headed up the trail. I checked the register and they too were going to coochie. Great i thought . I should be able to catch up with them and we can try to find coochie together. Climbed my way up to time square, and found the rock Slam had told me about. By now the weather had turned cold and windy . And the peaks were shrouded in fog. Headed down the trail to what i thought was cooch. About a half hour down the trail i met three gentlemen coming back toward me. Going to coochie they asked ? Why yes i am i replied proudly."" well this is the trail to Santononi"" they informed me.
I said Noooo Slamdog told me exactly which trail to take. After showing me on their Gps's where we were standing i reluctantly agreed i was on the wrong trail.After a brief introduction Tom from Amsterdam, and Dave and Jim from Schroon lake asked me if i would like to join them over to Cooch, as they too had taken the wrong trail. Gladly i tagged along as we wound our way over to cooch. By the time we arrived the sun was out and we had some wonderful views. Made it back to timesquare about 3:15 Jim wanted to go over to Panther so i went with him on the 15 min jaunt over to Panther.
After some picture taking, we joined the others and headed down.
Back to the access road just as it started to get dark.
All in all a wonderful day , and great company to boot.

 

[slamdog]

The simple mind, hath no boundries...

I said Noooo Slamdog told me exactly which trail to take. QUOTE]


Ward, I told you, Ward I said, hello, go to the RIGHT of the great big rock that's all the way at the back of times square. If you go to the LEFT it goes to Santa. As in, we've been to Santa before. So don't go to the LEFT, go to the RIGHT.
I am glad though that I read these trip reports. I'll make sure I read up and prepare for next weeks "final four". The last thing I want to do, is follow your misguided feet around the mountains. Again.
(See you at the thruway at 4:30 ma fren.) slamdog

 

[Doc McPeak]

It could have been worse, Mr. Ward. I was there a couple days after you and heard distant voices as I descended to the swamp off the summit. Turns out a group of 8 got steered to the south of the swamp by Barb McMartin's outdated directions and went a whackin' to the summit! Via the little southern bump you see from Times Square! A five hour roundtrip from TS!

Glad you enjoyed the Cooch. After doing it first in the rain, and then in the deep snow of winter, I relished this year's sweet first day of fall weather and sheer solitude of mid-week in the Santanonis. Gotta love that opening mid-route that gives you the nice views of Ouluska Pass between Seymour and Seward. Good luck on your finish!

 

[bubba]

Nice job Wardy!! At least you didn't find any ADK bees over there, huh??

So, where's the finish?? Are slam and you up to 45 or do you have a couple/few to go? What's the plan?

Doc - you're such a loner... can't wait to help you celebrate on your final peak(ha!!)

 

[slamdog]

On behalf of Ward....

Bubba,
We're at 41, and 42 . Heading up next Thursday night to finish up. Ward needs Tabletop, so I think we're going to bang that Friday at sunrise. Then off to Cliff and Redfield Saturday followed by Gray and finally Skylight Sunday for #46. Funny thing, we never inteneded to do this 4 years ago. Then after a few peaks, I thought if I could do 4 or 5 peaks a year I could get it done in 10 years. To think that we're at this point is somewhat surreal. My daughter (why I started climbing in the first place) looks at this "final four" as another step in her recovery, and although she has never climbed, has been with me every step of the way. Let us know when you're finishing up on Marshall. We'd like to join you. ( I don't usually answer Wardys e amils, but he has retired, and doesn't have access to a computer regularly). As a footnote, I'm chilling up at camp (Speculator) this weekend with my yak and fishing poles. If you're in the paddling mode, send me a PM, and I'll give you directions. That applies to anyone reading this!! Slamdog