Soggy report from Gathering 7.0

[bigmoose]

Uh oh, AlG...
I spelled out the VFTT with white stones near the Burroughs plaque to welcome Audrey, Pat, Little Bear and TeeJay who were heading west while our contingent was heading east. They were supposed to scatter the stones..."leave no trace" and all that.
I later found out they didn't...TeeJay said a subsequent VFTT hiker would enjoy finding it...I guess you're the one!
JT

 

[ALGonquin Bob]

I'm edu-macated!

By "Mr. Burroughs", I mean the prominent naturalist and author John Burroughs, who made Slide Mountain known to the public in his writings back in the early 1900's. I've attached a photo of the rock face under which Burroughs slept several nights while staying atop Slide as he wrote about the area. If you look closely at the right foreground, you will see the special rock formation that's visible in the avatar that I'm currently using... Thanks JT (bigmoose)!

See, I didn't just drink Harry's beer all weekend, I actually LEARNED something!

http://www.catskillarchive.com/jb/itc.htm

 

[teejay]

Many thanks and more pictures

Thank you to all the intrepid Gatherers who didn't blame me for the weather and for not pillorying (look that up in your Funk and Wagnall's) me on a tent pole to be scorned and ridiculed for the "slight" increase in the campground's rates.

The memories of the Gathering are too many to recall here. Let me just say, they all have left a cherished "trace".

Now that I've finally figured out Kodak's moronic, self-serving software, the pictures are finally at the link below.

http://community.webshots.com/user/teejaydk

"Happy trails to you, until we meet again." (Do I hear NH and VT calling or is it that song running through my head?)

teejay

 

[Ridgerunner]

Congrats TJ

Looks like the biggest success yet, with great planning, despite the weather. Sorry I could'nt make it all. I am booked solid through mid-october. TJ, you da man !
And Darren : Bonne fête !

 

[SherpaKroto]

Finally. I decided to stay up late and get my PICS posted. Mine are actually of hiking, or as Morphine would say "Like Swimming"

 

[chomp]

"Like Swimming"

Nice Morphine reference, Sherpa. I was actually listening to this CD on the way back from NY. It should have been on the way out, I suppose, but its good nonetheless.

 

[Jay H]

Photos

Here are my photos from a waterfall hike on Saturday and a bushwack to Wittenberg on Sunday with FunkyFreddy and Nancy.

Grovestreet link

Also, from before my panoramic shot on the summit of Wittenberg:

Summit Panoramic

Prominent landmarks is the Ashoken Reservoir. (Notice all the brown runoff from the Esopus creek) and Samuel's Point as well as Ashoken High Peak and Friday and Balsam Cap.

Jay

 

[hikethe115]

Hey Sherpa...nice avatar!

 

[ajtiv]

Jay H nice pics it looks like you, Fred and Nancy had the right day for wittenberg.
Sorry I missed out but I would have gotten home too late.
I was driving home and since it was soooo nice out I just had to stop at Denning TH and explore the likely approach through the Neversink valley for my last two peaks BC and Rocky.

It wasn't bad fairly open but there was a lot of water run off from Lone and the hump before Table. Still much better than the white water on Panther Fox hollow as per Spongebob's pics.

I think in the middle to end of November when I plan to go up, it might be a little better. I bushwacked around for a few hours and was home at 730 pm at least I made use of the time I had.
Again great weekend despite the weather
Love all the pictures.
Al

 

[hikethe115]

approach through the Neversink valley for my last two peaks BC and Rocky

You can do BC and Friday from Moonhaw which is probably the most common unless you are doing them with Lone and Rocky. Friday is a nice peak. Enjoy.

(Thanks for the pic MichaelJ)

 

[snowshoe]

Wish I could have been their. My New Job and new baby made it imposible. Hopefully next year I can join ya's. Glad everyone had a good time even with the rain. It was great reading everyone's posts.

 

[ajtiv]

Thanks Dawn
I hiked Friday from Moon Haw last winter and it was a beautiful clear day nice hike in although I got a late start and did not get over to BC did not want to get stuck in the dark
I did Peekamoose Table and Lone in February also and it was too late to get over to Rocky.
So unfortunately I have to go in there and get those two to finish my Catskill 35. The Neversink is longer but it looked more open and less steep than the East approaches.
I guesss I will see in a month of so.
As long as I get an early start it should be a good and rewarding hike in many ways. Maybe in the winter I will try the Moonhaw approach as long as ther is good snow pack.
Thanks again great hihe on Overlook
Al

 

[bubba]

Although I'd like to have some pictures to post, they are not yet available. BUT... there is one to please many who have it in their HEAD to remember the evening.

Thanks to everyone, 'cause I was a slug and mooched a meal without anymore of a contribution than a bottle of wine! (Like I was worried that there would be enough food!!). Unfortunately, my family planned a retirement party for my wife on Friday night, thereby eliminating any thought of arriving in time to fit in a hike. Further, my exchange student "son" from Argentina was stateside in Darien, CT. for sailing competition, and I was primarily focused on meeting up with him as I hadn't seen him in four years. Imaging that... this gathering of hikers in-between me and my seashore son!

'Twas a fun gathering. I missed the rain and was there to see the swollen creeks and rivers! It was excellent to place some new faces and connect with a few that I hadn't had the opportunity of doing. The best to be together with old friends and share some new times. The tarp city worked out well and the muddy areas were capable of being delt with. Nice fire w/smoky beginnings thanks John and Daxs firewood mobile), lots of laughs. We behave differently when we're not moderated!!! My comment to outsiders is how positive and upbeat we all are when we gather. I think that's part of the special magic to these Gathering. We're all so glad to get together, such a precious short time that we make the most of it.

Teejay -- hats off for pulling it together. Now... as far as the leather apron, I have to wear it on every peak??? The whole year?? Just because I live so far away?? Maybe I can lend it to SpongeBob, I feel so bad! Kris, you paying attention? They dressed me instead of... you know. Leather apron... this isn't any kind of sex toy or anything... hummmmm, ah... nevermind.

Well, party on! Sorry to leave so early on Sunday, hoping not to disturb on the way out. Connecticut was super!! From Mtns to seashore in no time (and a GPS that was reading 54' on the dock!) A great reunion. The event: J-24 World Championships, was outrageous. Teams from all over the world for races that will take place starting this Monday. During practice I caught a crew position on a local boat that needed a "fifth". Windy day with choppy sea, made for one memorable afternoon!! Spent time getting to know the rest of the ARG team, dinner and beers. Very special time with my boy. Love all you hikers, but he's grabbed a special place in me heart. ARRGGGGHHH, tough to send him back out to sea.

I clocked total miles just under 1000 miles. Looking forward to 7.5 - located ????? Just ordered some new crampons, so I'm ready when it happens.

 

[LittleBear]

Next time I go to a gathering, I'm gonna drive around until I rack up about 450 miles so I can get the leather apron!!! 326 miles just wasn't enough this year!

Enjoy Bubba!

 

[Blue]

Littlebear,

I didn't realize the leather apron was such a desireable item that you would drive extra, but I guess it beats the doctor any day!

-LK

 

[chomp]

but I guess it beats the doctor any day!

Ooohh... I already have a plan for the Winter Gathering. I am bringing a stethoscope and awarding it to the person to has the "best" visit with the doctor. So Audrey, you get the honorary award for now.