Devil's Path Day hike

[JimB]

I don’t want to steal any one’s thunder, but I haven’t seen a trip report yet for the Dare to Dayhike the Devil’s Path event. So here’s my take on it. We have all thanked everyone so I’ll take another approach.

Last November when this whole thing got started I decided it was just the challenge this old guy (47) was looking for. It gave me a reason to train over the winter and I section hiked the trail as training and recon. Most of it was done solo, in winter, except the Westkill section because of the deep snow depth and the length. My son joined me on that one and it was a memorable day in the mountains. I also did a few trips to the Adks to work on my other list and lots of ski/snowshoe trips in the state forests near my home. Last month we backpacked for 3 days into the Santanoni Range including a snowshoe ascent with a winter daypack. I was as ready as I could be.

It worked out that my wife had the weekend off from work so we made a camping trip out of it and spent some time together. She helped with the support and had a great time meeting all the Vfftrs. She is even talking real serious about doing some hiking with me.

The trip itself was a great test of physical and mental discipline. It took some restraint for me to maintain an easier pace at the start so that I could be assured of finishing. As we descended off from Plateau (1840 ft descent) after already traversing Indian Head, Twin, and Sugarloaf I felt small twinges in my knee that forced me to rely more on my poles. I had to consciously take the impact off from each step and there were very many of them on that slope. A couple vitamin I’s helped too. Once I rested and refueled at 214 I had no other problems and was even able to hammer the last downhill onto Spruceton Road so I could finish by 7:30.

For food/fuel I carried a 500 ci Platypus hydration pack with 2 bladders in it. One 100 oz with plain water and a 70 oz with grape Cytomax mixed in a rich mixture. I also carried banana Hammergel and ate a few Nutrigrain bars. The food at the “feed zones “ was an added bonus that probably made the difference in finishing in relative comfort. I think the fact that we stopped to rest and regroup often helped keep our energy levels up.

The first 16 miles I hiked with Laura M and Jay and then Spongebob caught up with us as we rested and joined us through to the end. We maintained about a 2 mile per hour speed over the whole trip and never failed to stop and enjoy the views from the summits. Once the initial fog cleared, the views were exceptional. There were also 7 young men from West Point that we leap frogged over the course of the whole trip and it was fun to see their youthful enthusiasm. This was never really a death march, as I never failed to enjoy the beautiful wild flowers along the trail and truly enjoyed the smell of all the springtime blossoms. Many miles of the trail appeared to be strewn with small reddish petals that had recently fallen from some sort of tree making for a magical look (if you were to see it).

It was nice to see the trail again in a different season, but I think the best part of the whole trip was the camaraderie that was shared before, during and after the whole event. It was great seeing friends and making new ones as we worked together for the event. I also got to put a few more faces with the names here on Vfft. I’m still a little fatigued but it’s a good feeling. I look forward to next event.

 

[spongebob]

The hike I experienced.

Please note when I say total elapsed hiking time I stopped my watch for only those 11 times.(peaks, support stops and end.)

I drove from Maine at about 12:30 in the morning. After a few cups of coffee I arrived at a trailhead in New York around 5:30. Mmmmm….coffee, but a nice dehydrator too. Well it turned out to be the wrong trailhead, and I met TomEske who was at this trailhead too as support staff for the hike. We figured where I needed to go, and I found the Prediger trailhead. I started around 5:55 AM going up the trail. It was cloudy and quite humid to start. I felt kind of tired with the first up in elevation of the hike. I was going at my usual clip up though. There were several lookouts along the trail on the approach up, but the clouds socked them in. I noticed someone hiking. It was Seema. We talked for a few minutes, and then I started to climb again. Still in the clouds I could feel I was near the summit of Indian Head. I made it to the lookout on the west side on the mountain, and the clouds cleared up for me. I could see many mountains to the south, and Twin Mountain not to far away. (Total elapsed hiking time 1 hour 46 minutes to summit.)

I then descended quickly down Dolan Notch between Indian Head and Twin Mountain. The climb up to Twin Mountain was fun, short, and steep. I stopped at what I thought was the peak, but it was the East Peak of Twin mountain. It was a great lookout vantage point though. About fifteen minutes after Twin Mountain East Peak is the actual Twin Mountain summit. (Total elapsed hiking time 2hours 35 minutes) I took a few more pictures of the surroundings and a quick snack. You then start to go down into Pecoy Notch. The trail just goes down steeply. It is then I start to realize all the notches are going to drop one thousand feet each time. I see Steve and we negotiate a steep section with roots and wet rocks. We talk a bit, and I am off again. I hear some voices, and I know it is the Pecoy Notch crew with water and snacks. As I didn’t officially sign up for the hike no one knows, since I am was not part of the crew that started earlier in the day. Darren hands out a couple miniature snickers and I take some water. Darren showed me a picture of Jay with the devil horns. I see Nancy who I have met briefly before. The crew is so nice. I am sweating quite a bit now, but I feel good. I am going at a pace I normally hike, but that will wear me out for the ending miles of this longer hike. (Total elapsed hiking time 2 hours 58 minutes) I take off and start to climb Sugarloaf. There are a few views east towards Twin Mountain that are cool. You can see the some neat rock slides?? On the lower third of Twin mountain on the Pecoy Notch side. Yet again a fairly steep climb up to Sugarloaf. I am on the top of Sugarloaf. It is a wooded summit. I take a picture next to some spider web. The moist morning air really made the spider webs stand out. (Total elapsed hiking time 3 hours 42 minutes.) I hiked a little further and on the west part of Sugarloaf there was a nice lookout. I have realized these mountain drop rather dramatically on the west sides from the lookout. I can see Plateau Mountain ahead. Time for more photos, liquids and food. I usually don’t drink or eat this much, but I have a feeling I will need the energy later in the day. The drop into Mink hollow is steep with the usual fun large rock formations to enjoy. I see a family of hikers going up and asking if I am part of that hike is doing the devils path. I tell them “I hope I can make it.”. I get to the bottom of Mink Hollow and meet Eric. We talk for awhile. This is the first time I noticed the bugs. They start to annoy me. So off to climb Plateau. The trail is a little wet. I met two more nice hikers. The ups and downs of this trip are becoming more noticeable on this up. I make it to what seems the summit of Plateau in the woods. (5 hours 11 minutes total elapsed hiking time.) I ended up being right that this was the summit. The next stretch of hiking on Plateau is a rejuvenator. The flatness gives my body recovery time. You can tell there was trail work done as spruce branches have been laid in the trail at points. There are two good viewpoints the right hand side of the trail to the North. Then finally a really nice viewpoint to the West is reached before the start of the descent down to route 214. The breeze here was the best of the day. The descent down is fairly steep then moderates. The trees growing thru the extensive fields of rocks is interesting. You continue down down down. My knees are telling me they are getting tired for the downs now. I reached 214 and finally meet up with Laura, JimB, and Jay. (Total elapsed hiking time 6 hours 33 minutes) I drink some water. We are resting in the sun on the tar, not the smartest. But it seems comfortable. The support crew so nice again. Knowing I have to get up to the Devils Acre lean-to next is weighing on me. I know my pace is going to drop off now, as I haven’t done any distance hikes yet this year. Jay, Jimb and Laura start climbing away. I hangout for another 10 minutes or so, and then I am off. I think it is 1:30 in the afternoon. I climbed this trail three week earlier, and finally know what to expect on the trail. Whooh! A snake slithers by. That always freaks me out as I hike. I made it to the Lean-to. (Total elapsed hiking time 7 hours 43 minutes) The climb up was slower than the other ups. I look around for the herd path to SW Hunter as a mental note. The trail has some charcoal-ish look to it for awhile. I am plugging away. I hear some voices and see Jay, JimB and Laura ahead. I see a lookout to the left of the trail though, and check it out. You get a decent view of SW Hunter I believe. I then continue down to Diamond Notch Falls. I see the three crew again, and catch up to them as two other hikers are going up the trail. We get out to Diamond Notch.(total elapsed hiking time 8 hours 32 minutes) Snowshoe is there barefoot after completing the hike hours before. He tell us of P*ss Me off Hill near the end of the hike. I now found it is St. Anne’s Peak of Westkill, but Snowshoe has it right.
The West Point Army Cadets are in the falls finishing taking a dip. We chat with the support crew, and thank them. And we are off up to Westkill. I know I am going to be uselessly slow going up. Jay, Jim and Laura start cruising up and I slow down quickly. It is nice to be hiking with people. Since I am in the back I chat with Laura some. We are both from Maine. After several stops with me dragging up the rear we make it to the viewpoint just before the actual Westkill summit. The bugs have been out in force for about an hour now. Why do they like to go in out ears? (Total elapsed hiking time 9 hours 58 minutes.) The views are nice towards Hunter. You can see some of the ski trails. The West Point cadets are up there too. Jay, Jimb, Laura and I leave the viewpoint and go by the the actual Westkill summit. This is the first Catskill summit I have seen with a sign on it. The trail goes down gradually. The bugs seem to be able to get me at my slowed down pace. Jay, Jimb and Laura set a nice pace. We see P*ss me off peak and start up. We pass a few of the Army Cadet here and there. I hear voices in back of me in the distance closing. (Dave and Danielle.) We make it to the last up of the day. Whew! (Total elapsed hiking time 10 hours 52 minutes) The down begins towards Spuceton Road. Dave and Danielle get by the four of us. We descend down fairly steeply and then it moderates by a brook. Jay and Jimb pick up the pace for the last 1.5 miles. The trail is pretty with the large mass of forest floor green plants to admire. Laura drags my butt down. There is a chainsaw heard in the distance. We are getting close. Or could it be WR1 and WR2 waiting for us in the woods???? On the right of the trial you can see private land that has been logged. Laura and I hear voices and emerge from the woods. I think it was around 7:30. (Total elapsed hiking time 11 hours 56 minutes.) It was fun having the encouragement at the end with everyone being there. Long hike, great challenge, good cause, nice meeting everyone. I’m tired and I want to go home now.

 

[snowshoe]

Heres is my side. I started with the main group at 5AM. AT that point it was just starting to get light out. I was with the group until it started to get steep. I climbed my way up to the summit of Indian Head. Once I got on top I noticed I was by myself and in the fog. Since there were no views I decided to head on over to Twin. Once I got on Twin I was able to enjoy the cool misty breeze flowing over the summit. I soaked that in for a few minutes. After I was cooled off I made my way to Pecoy Notch to meet the support crew and wait for the others. Only problem I was way too early. I waited about 20 minutes when Ralph came. At that point we decided to head up to Sugarloaf. That turned out to be a good move because my legs were getting tight. We started our climb to sugarloaf by the time I got to the top I realized I was alone again and in the fog. I continued on down sugar loaf. As I was decending I heard a large rock slide coming off of Plateau. That was really neat to hear. Also as I was decending the fog started to burn off and the view were opening. Again I stopped for a few minutes and enjoyed the views as well as the breeze. I then treked my way up Plateau. Talk about a never ending climb. I t felt like I was climbing forever. Finally I reached the top and cruised along the top of plateau, enjoying the spruce smell as well as the trilliums. Then i started my long and painful decent down. Not before sitting on the rocks just off the summit looking over at the Hunter area. At that point the skys were clear as well as the views. After a little bit I headed down to hopefully meet the crew. Just as I stepped onto the pavement rob shows up. I grabed some much needed water and food. After chatting for a bit I head up the notch. The climb up was much worst than expected because the sun was really beating on me. Once on top I rested a bit and cooled myself off. Then I continued on. The stretch between the shelter and Diamond notch was very scenic. I then stopped off at the view point well past SW Hunter. I soaked in the views for a bit and headed out again. I fianlly made it to The falls. At tha point I noticed the clouds starting to build. Rather than rest a bit I headed up to Westkill. Once on Buckridge I realized that there would be no storms so I rested on the lookout for a bit. Then I head down to the end. Only I forgot about that hill between Westkill and the end. I called it mt p*ss me off. I climbed up that hill only it felt more like climbing mt Washington. Once on top I was releived because it was all down from there. I made it out at 2:40PM only to find no one around. It was about 5 minuted later when Darren showed up. Overall it was a great expericed even at my pace I still enjoyed the views as well as the flowers. It was great meeting everyone.

 

[Tuco]

My experience on the Devils Path Dayhike, from the perspective of a novice to hiking and one who stopped at rt 214. I particularly mention novice not to explain why I didn't finish, but to explain that I have limited exposure to different trails and this one was certainly different than I have seen so far.

The first couple of miles were exciting, the whole group was basically together (never actually hiked with a person before) and the trail was pretty flat so minimal effort was exerted. We took a break before the ascent started up Indian Head, and the group immedaitly split up with Steve, Seema and I following. Jim caught up to us after a later start and after a quick chat moved on up past us. I started to go up alone, and pretty much hiked that way for the rest of the day. Came around a turn and saw this steep ascent up sheer rocks with tree roots running across them. This is how I kknew this trail was different- the trails I am used to go around places like this- the DP just keeps going up and over anything in its way. Slid down the descent from Indian Head and ran into Jay, Laura and Jim in the notch. They left, I knew I needed more rest. More of the same up Twin, steep climb on rocks. Decended into Pecoy and again ran into the other group plus the support folks in Pecoy. Nice to rest, chat and get some ice cold water (thanks TJ). Went up Sugarloaf and felt suprisingly good, thought I may just make this whole thing. On the descent, fell twice, the second time hanging from a ledge going down hard on my back and bounced (literally) onto my side. Definitely knocked the wind out of me, in addition to the scrapes on my arm, leg and knee. Thanks goodness I had my pack on or else I would have slammed the back of my head on the gound. Never really felt good after this, went into Mink hollow and grabbed a seat to shake the cobwebs and grab a snack. Adrian comes cruising by and we chatted (thanks for the gatorade). I started up Plateau with Adrian and I immediately could tell I had nothing left in my legs. Said goodbye quickly, it took me forever to get up to the summit, with stops all along the way. Midway up Plateau I knew my day would end at 214. Finally got to the top and enjoyed the walk around Plateau, except for the one blowdown that grabbed my pack when I went under it. I was stuck for two minutes trying to figure how to get free, until I just unbuckled it and left it hanging from the tree (go ahead and laugh, I was). Dropped down from the rocks to the steep and rocky decent (ouch my knees) and was thrilled to hear cars and the sound of Rob, Carla and Warren at the parking area with ice cream and drinks.

In retrospect, I had time to sit and relax, eat, and perhaps make the effort to go into Diamond Notch, but I really didn't like the way I felt up Plateau, and didn't want to hurt myself falling (again). Next time- I will defnintely eat a smarter breakfast (in my excitement that morning I forgot to eat until 2 miles in), I'll drink water and some other drink with energy-felt drained too quickly and definitnely try and just take my time and go slowly and enjoy the hike.

As said in an earlier thread, I will go back later and finish- I want to see what PMO hill looks like

Again, thanks to all who participated by hiking, supporting and donating. Really enjoyed it.

 

[TomEske]

Wow Guys, what an incredible set of reports! I don't know how you can remember so many details.
Eric, if it makes you feel any better, I had similar problems coming off the west side of Sugarloaf in April. Going up the east side IS a seemingly endless climb, but when I did it, I thought it was just me, now I know it's like that for everyone.
I can't wait to take my shot at that trail again this weekend, but I don't think there will be any support crews out.
Thank you all for taking the time to write such detailed and eloquent reports. We should make this thread a 'sticky'.
Tom

 

[Jay H]

Here's mine:

Pre-Hike:

The trip for me started on Friday, when I packed up and took my mountain bike to ride the Catskills Scenic Trail from Bruce Porn Rd in Grand Gorge to Bloomville and back, a nice trip, mostly shaded which really helped with the day's temperature and humidity. If this was a sign to come, I knew it was going to be a tough day. Got to the tombstomb around 3pm and I think I was the first camper of the season to register. Computers were off and the two rangers appeared as confused as a polar bear in the Bahamas. But anyway, I get my site and proceed to setup camp. Meanwhile Teejay arrives and starts to setup his Taj Majal of tents which I dismiss as can't be one of us.... Eventually I see Tuco (Eric) arrive and we meet. I go back to his site and we talking and sharing some snacks and gatorade. Later on, Darren and Teejay come up and we all meet for the first time. Darren being a lot taller than his avatar suggests. Over the next few hours, everybody kind of shows up, disappears, and some kind of order is made. Eric has some firewood so we all kind of hang out in his site while the fire is made. So much for the early sleep, we all kind of go our own ways around 10:30-11pm, when out of the darkness Seema and Laura show up in the Seema-mobile. Wow, after thinking that they are either lost somewhere or perhaps sleeping on the side of Rt 23... Enter WR1 and WR2....

Hike day:

An early morning was prescribed for all, I began to feel sorry for the one couple that was next to Tuco's site (out of the 6 campsites, they were the only ones not in our party) for all of us started to mingle around 4am, in complete darkness. Shawn and I basically threw our gear into our cars, not bothering to pack anything in their sacks, just off the site since we had to check out.

We meet Tom and his son Peter in their truck at the tombstone itself, me with my glowing orange devil horns...

http://community.webshots.com/photo/145986984/145990460XWeIEu

Ralph shows up then out of the darkness of Rt214 and we all shuttle to the trailhead to park. Afterwards, I find out from Tom that my horns must of freaked Peter out that morning... After seeing a picture of me in the dark, I can see why!! I think I'll just roam the trails in the catskills after dark and see who I can spook.

We get to Prediger around 5am and everybody is gathering gear. After some group shots from I12climbup (Rob) we all generally leave around 5;15... Amazing fast departure time if you ask me, I'm quite used to folks have to pack and stuff but with the light packs, it makes for a fast departure. Headlights are on in general although it is already fairly bright on the road, but not under the trees yet. The day is cloudy and overcast, and relatively warm already. Hoping that the sun will burn off the clouds later on.

A good pace is setup at first, most of us wishing to keep a steady sustainable pace except for Ralph and Shawn who seem to take off right from the start. Was following Ralph a bit til I saw Laura behind me and we started to chat. Then Jim B who got his wife Mary B to shuttle him around and left about 5 minutes after us showed up so Laura, Jim, and I made a little trio of musketeers. By this point, Ralph and Shawn were probably at Jimmy Dolan Notch! as we plodded up Indian Head. Jim had an altimeter on his watch and also Aaron (askus3)'s profile that was posted on the VFTT so we had an idea of whether we were behind schedule or ahead. Being that we left a bit earlier and our pace and the timesheet indicated we were on a slightly faster pace, we had a good idea of how fast to push and when we wanted to end. This was extremely helpful in making our pace not overly fast but sustainable and enjoyable. Coming off of Indian head, we all could see the clouds just starting to dissipate and the views from the descent were fantastic. The peaks were just poking about the low alitude clouds and the darker storm clouds were moving away, yet the sun wasn't completely out so it kept things a little cool. Going back up Twin, presented us with more great views back towards Indian Head and beyond.

Still ahead of schedule, we made it to Pecoy Notch, coming down, we could hear the folks down there so we rushed ahead thinking of ice cream and sugar plum fairies.. Of which we had neither, just the disciples. At this point, I met Nancy who was there with the gang. We all reloaded on cookies, snickers and water, waiting for the push up SugarLoaf.

Going up Sugarloaf was where it starts to feel in your legs, but we still made a good pace and good progress. It also started to get much warmer and hotter. Very small streams would provide a little evaporative cooling and running into the West Point guys was a lot of fun, we would criss cross each other throughout the day and they seemed like they were having as much fun as we were.

Wearing my devil's horns, surprisingly didn't make much an impact on hikers we ran across. I got one or two "nice hats" and lots of odd looks (perhaps they thought I was a psychopathic axe murderer). Seriously, a pitchfork and a red cape would of been awesome... maybe next time.

Anyway, once off of Sugarloaf, this is where the fun begins...

Plateau, having done this before but in the opposite direction, I knew was going to be a bear. I ate a NYC bagel from Warren for breakfast Saturday morning and was snacking on nature valley granola bars on the way to Sugarloaf. Knowing my time on Sugarloaf and Plateau was next, I downed a Cytomax Gel on the way off of Twin, figureing the juice will start to hit on the way up Plateau. Good thing because that was really a good push and a steady climb to the top. The West Point gang were with us on the climb to Plateau and I could not let them beat me so I dropped the rest of my hiking gang temporarily so I could take a steady climb all the way to the top. I did beat the WP gang so a little personal challenge met. Plateau is fortunately, a long steady ridge walk because you really need it to prepare for the 1800ft descent. There is no rest for the wicked on the way down, it is endless and it is relentless. In winter, if you took a sled down this, I think you'd be able to slide all the way across 214 and half way up Hunter before you stopped! Anyway, I knew Ice Cream and the volunteers were waiting there so I maintained a steady pace and being very careful not to mistep. I think I slid on my *ss once and landed on my fanny pack but so far, it was a pretty uneventful day. As I got down, I could see Rob, Carla, Warren, Darren, Mary all around Rob's car so I knew we were at 214. Ice Cream! Darren asked whether I'd like a Klondike bar or a Snicker's Bar and I said..Both... Heck, if I knew you had to throw away some from the melting, I would of eaten the rest... I filled up with powerade this time knowing it was hot at 214 and I'd need the electrolytes and also refilled water for the final push.

We stayed quite a bit here, probably a little too long, if the muscles showed it on the way up Hunter but we saw SpongeBob coming down Plateau and we were wondering if he was with us or not. Turns out he is! So we left a bit before SB left, knowing that he'd catch up eventually and we were watching some really dark clouds going east off of Hunter over 214. Didn't want to be up there if the storms break loose. SB eventually did catch up and we continued on... Got to the Devil's Acre leanto where we stopped for a short food break. *burp*. Further along, we, along with everybody else in the hike apparently, made note of the old RR bed and the cinders.. We didn't see a cairn though. Anyway, we continued on, hitting diamond notch after a bit. Noticing the old canister at DN is also gone, we saw a barefoot Shawn there with Darren and the gang. We chatted with Shawn and the rest for a bit while hearing the WP gang frolicking in the falls.

After Diamond Notch, we followed the WP guys again some more til the nice Buck view. Awesome view, very nice in winter too. Kind of did a steady pace, Jim and I would hike a bit and rest a bit and we would try to remain in contact with Laura and SB for the climb up West Kill. Finally after each little ridge and valley hitting the sign that signifies the true summit. Yay! After West Kill, we settled into another rhythm knowing that PMO peak is coming. Sure enough, we were all p*ssed off afterwards and so were the WP gang at which point we caught up to again. Apparently, the peak actually does have a name, St. Ann's Peak but P*ssMeOff Peak just sounds more appropriate after 23 miles of hiking and 5 3500 peaks... St. Ann obviously did not do the whole path from Prediger!

After PMO peak, it was a steady drop for the most part through some pretty evergreen forest. Like mentioned, there were some recent trail maintanance on top of West Kill but a couple of blowdowns on Plateau. Reached the end around 7:20 after Jim was really pushing a killer pace, wind up dropping Laura and SB for a bit at the very end but we all knew the end was near. Saw Seema, Steve, the WP gang, all the volunteers, including Tom who was back for the day. Seema and Steve were apparently, already showered and cleaned up. All the volunteers were there to celebrate the accomplishment! yay, now wheres the shower?

Post hike involved grabbing a burger at a place on the corner of Rt 214 and Rt 23A, unfortunately, they had no desserts (sheesh!) so I had to do without some post-hike nourishment. Burger felt good, I have no idea if it was a good burger, I was just hungry.

Jay

 

[Jay H]

part 2

Hey, wow, first time I hit the 10,000 character post limit... here's part 2:


-------------
Sunday morning, it felt odd waking up to daylight and a view of the Hunter mountain ski lifts right from the room... we mosied down to a diner in Tannersville and we had a great breakfast, which Teejay paid for. Thanks again Teejay.. I went back to the Forester in an attempt to do Windham High Peak that day with Carla and Rob but we decided the weather wasn't that great, a front was definitely moving in with the wind and the clouds were building. Even without the clouds, it would of been hotter and more humid than saturday so we both left for NJ then.

I passed the DT campground on SR214 on the way home and spoke to the rangers there.. They said they would like to join us next year at the Escape the Escarpment hike...

Jay

 

[Rob S]

Excellent reports everyone!

Again, I am in awe!!!

{This thread would be good to print and attach to a photo album or personal journal.}

 

[keb]

Awesome!

Great posts everyone, and more importantly CONGRATULATIONS! You guys are awesome! I wish I could have joined you. Well, next time. Thanks again for all the info.

 

[imarchant]

.........I made it out at 2:40PM only to find no one around. It was about 5 minuted later when Darren showed up. Overall it was a great expericed even at my pace I still enjoyed the views as well as the flowers. It was great meeting everyone.

Snowshoe you amaze me! What kind/frequency of exercise do you do to be able to keep such a pace over such a long span?

All these trip reports a great. It makes me wish even more I could have made this event. I'll definitely have to make one of the upcoming gatherings. Congratulation to all of you who completed this hike or helped make it possible. It is truly inspiring.

 

[ralph ryndak]

Wow,that's some good time! I was only on Westkill by then. Ah to be 28 again. I knew I should have had a bowl of Wheaties that morning.

 

[snowshoe]

Usually during the work week I try to play for an hour but hard. If there is snow I will XC ski and snowshoe. If no snow but cold then I do a fast paced hike or roller ski. Once the weather warms up I like to mix things up. I will either hit the Mt bike, Hike or Roller ski and the really hot days I use the Kayake. I use my days off for long hikes or snowshoes only at a slower pace or at least slow for me. The days I dont have time I use the stepper, only problem I heated the cyliders on it and it exploded the other day. Guess it was not ment for a hard workout It also helps living very close to a SP and SF