"Found" on Shepherd's Tooth 8-7-05

[ALGonquin Bob]

Last weekend was my first 4000-footer since my surgery 3 months ago. The object of the hike was to find the camera that I had lost on my last trip up to Shepherd's Tooth (below Iroquois, MacIntyre Range).

On Saturday, I hiked from the ADK Loj in to Lake Colden, where I shared a lean-to with a family from Connecticut. The father and three sons were very hospitible, particularly when I realized I had neglected to pack my "TP".

I had decided to hike up the Cold Brook trail from Lake Colden and attempt Shepherd's Tooth from the bottom. The last time, I hiked over Algonquin and Iroquois, then B-whacked to the Tooth from above. Here's what I found:

I found that there is no discernable herd path that joins the pass, although the route is located just a minute or so east of the cairn marking the path to Marshall.

I found that there is a way to climb up, avoiding the cliffs, which I've observed to be as high as 30 feet of perfect vertical.

I found that I drink a lot of water on a hot day in August, and I was glad to have my water pump.

I found that once getting on the slopes, it's really hard to find a herd path that is grown in with vegetation.

I found that bushwhacking is REALLY DIFFICULT up there.

I found that as I was about to quit and turn back, my GPS receiver indicated I was within 200 feet or so of the top, so I continued.

I found that bushwhacking solo all the way to the top of Shepherd's Tooth is VERY satisfying.

I found that climbing steeply up the final rock face to achieve the summit is scary, especially solo.

I found that the breeze on top is wonderful, as is the view.

I found a water bottle as I descended the herd path. If you identify it properly, I'll mail it to you.

I didn't find my camera.

I found out why people bushwhack through thick scrub: It feels so good when you STOP!

 

[Tom Rankin]

On Saturday, I hiked from the ADK Loj in to Lake Colden, where I shared a lean-to with a family from Connecticut. The father and three sons were very hospitible, particularly when I realized I had neglected to pack my "TP".

I found out why people bushwhack through thick scrub: It feels so good when you STOP!

We were on Colden Sunday afternoon, looking over at S.T. We didn't see anyone there, but we could make out people on Algonquin. We basically climbed up the other side of what you did, the Trap Dike. At the top, we also did some bushwhacking, but not as much as you did, I'd bet.

One of these days, I'll get me over there!

 

[Doc McPeak]

Nice work, AlG. Much rougher going up that route than down. I had hoped you would have found the camera. I am doing that traverse in fall season and will keep an eye out for it.

 

[ALGonquin Bob]

Thanks Doc. Tom, I occasionally think about doing the dike, but haven't gotten up the nerve yet - congratulations.

Re: the camera - I looked very thouroughly (I found a dark object, the water bottle, in the shadows along the trail!), I have to conclude that the camera was found by somebody who isn't a reader of VFTT or the two Adirondack sites on which I posted. Oh well, I guess I'm back in the market for a digital camera. Ironically, just a week ago, I left my camera store job - a job that I've done most of the last 30 years - and now work at Gander Mountain.... no cameras there either. Shaz-bot!

 

[Steve-o]

AIG,
That's a bummer about your camera. I hope it did'nt set you back too much.
Sounds like a challenging hike. I recall, after doing Marshall, and going down to the pass, looking up toward shepherd's toothand thinking,
" there's a trail up there ? "
It kind of took me back several years ago, when I backpacked up the hermit trail in the Grand Canyon.
I kept looking at my map and then looking at this intense cliff and thinking,
" I have to go up that? " Sure enough.
Oh ,yeah, I lost my camera on this trip. I was'nt digital at this point. I took two rolls of 24. I have one roll developed the other was in the camera which I accidentally left in the rental car. I realized I had left it a consealed location in the car about three minutes later but, at this point I was on a shuttle bus heading for the airport. I called up budget rent-a-car five minutes later.
no one had found anything. Hmmm. Keep the lousy $150 camera and give me my film.Oh, and I missed my flight because of this too.

I look forward to doing this hike. It looks like it might be fun. Especially with a day-pack

Steve