Kaaterskill High Peak #420 6-16-07

[hermit]

I had been hiking for some time now all 35 peaks in the Catskills over 3500 ' in all 12 months of the year. I am certainly not the first one to do this,but I did know that not many people have.I have been a hiker all my life and live in the Catskills and thought since I hike on the weekends why not just keep track.I do hike in other areas,and have many other outdoor activities,but I do tend to lean towards hiking as my favorite activity.In 2001 I became a 46 r,and even had the pleasure to hike MacNaughton Mountain with my 46 er correspondent Tom F..I have hiked in the Western U.S.,Maine ,Canada,and many miles along the Long Trail of Vermont.I just don't climb in the Catskills,but I do most of my hiking there.I will be going out West again next month to hike and be with friends. Hiking the grid became one of the best experiences of my life.Not only because of seeing all the beauty that the mountains harbor each month,but the wonderful people I have met and hiked with along the way.I started keeping track of dates of climbs when I decided to join the Catskill 3500 club in the late 90's after being a hiker since 1964.I hiked the 1 st round ,then the Winters,then my companion Maddy's 1st round and then her Winter round.I know that many mtns. were already under my belt from years of hiking around the Catskills,but we never kept records. I remember hiking with friends during the Summer in the late 70's,and we would pass the canisters on Rocky and Lone,and commented they were for just club members to sign in.The 2 lists did fill up a small part of the grid,charity hikes for the Brain Tumor Society on 2 occasions gave me a few records.Recon.hike with Cave Dog,and the 2 night hikes that followed gave me some dates of climbs.But after that I just had to climb them all fresh.Some I had never been up before joining the club.The grid gave me the opportunity to have some interesting wildlife encounters,a black bear sliding down a wild cherry tree seconds after I passed under it on Double Top.A young fawn sleeping in the ferns on Rusk,are just a couple of the many sightings.Some situations were not so pleasant,nickel size hail and thunder on Bearpen. But this was all part of the experience.Breaking fresh deep powder up Fir and over to Big Indian.I would say that most of the grid was done solo,but many hikes were done with friends from this site and other web sites.My finish on Kaaterskill High Peak Saturday was made very special for me,because I had some of the best company go along with me for the finale.Harry R.a veteran of the grid had a interesting way up that none of us had done before. And I sure could use another route besides the 2 or 3 I was use to.We were treated to fine views of the Devil's Path,and after some group photos we headed over to our house for a celebration.I would have been pleased to finish the grid solo,but this fine group of hikers,and Boohka the dog made it a day that I will never forget!Thanks!Hiking should provide us all with fond memories.After food and champagne,and soft drinks they presented me with a beautiful frame for the grid to go in.Sometime over the summer I would like to go back to the White Mountains again after many years away from them,I guess it's time for the 115.Thank's again for the great turn out Sat.
Keep on hiking!
Ralph Ryndak,aka Hermit,aka Night Dog

 

[deanmacg]

Nice going Ralph! And I thought I was in those woods alot with 235 peaks. I'm planning on doing the 4k in Maine this summer, maybe we'll see you up there. - Dean Macgeorge / trail stewart on Westkill.

 

[Edelweiss]

Congratulations, Ralph on your great day. Itchy poison ivy kept me home. So sorry to have missed the hike and festivities! Here are some pics of the day, courtesy of Alan.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesh...de=fromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1

 

[MattC]

Ralph, again sorry I didn't make it. I hadn't planned to be in the Catskills at all that day, since I thought I was going to a party in the afternoon. I ended up heading up really early and sneaking in Twin/Indian Head before noon! I then headed back home to nap before the party in the evening.

Anyway, amazing accomplishment. Congrats!

Matt

 

[funkyfreddy]

Congratulations Ralph!

Sorry I couldn't make it! Are you going to go for the Cat HH now, since there so close?

I wish I could have been there, would have liked to have been part of such a great group and spectacular finish for an amazing accomplishment. I hope to hike with you again soon!

 

[hermit]

Hi Joanne,thanks for posting the pics.I sure did have a silly look on my face. Champagne does that to me. Nice group shots,and a good group it was.Hi Dean,you sure do a great job on that Westkill Trail.Are you going to climb Katahdin? Knife Edge was a real treat for me,and I had excellent weather.Hey Matt,we will have to get together soon it's been a long time.Freddy , I have climbed quite a few of H.H.,but at this point I have no interest in completing them.
That can change,Maddy and I are going to do some travelling.But Sat.I am going for a hike and Sun. mountain biking.But I am going to give people a break from my trail condition reports.Thanks for the congratulation!
ps I also want to go back to some of the strange things that I had found off the beaten track,and explore the area more thoroughly.Freddy,want to join me?

 

[Doc McPeak]

Congrats, Ralph!

When you started posting the xxx/420 I kept peeking in to see how you were doing. Nice going, and thanks for the mini bio ... I'm glad you travel more to hike than my friend who recently completed the 46x12. I try to talk him away from the adks but no go. He does sing some nice classic show tunes, though.

Good luck on the 115. I'll be finishing my 48, then 67, and saving a Slide, W and C traverse as my grand finale this fall. You will like those New England peaks.

-Sean

 

[Peakbagr]

Sean,

Pls give us some advance notice about SWC.

Alan

 

[keb]

Congratulations Ralph! That is quite an accomplishment! I have been following your progress for a long time. Good luck on your next challange!

 

[Steve-o]

Congrats, Ralph!

When you started posting the xxx/420 I kept peeking

-Sean

Me too! It's a nice round number.
Actually, I've only been out there twice. Slide & Hunter.
Anxious to hear where the "good-stuff" is.

 

[hermit]

Thank's Doc,Keb and Stev-o.Stev-o,I have found that a lot of the good stuff was on the trail-less peaks.I found a flint spear head one time, and an old bear trap. And recently an old wood stove and tea kettle in a ledge in a very remote area.There are many places left to explore off the beaten track.Stev-o,I use to visit a friend in Acton years ago-Phil Dolan-nice town.