Nice group of 5 of us, including Bookah whacked Balsam Cap and Friday Mtns today. 2 of the Catskill 35ers.
No snow down low, traces mid way up, icy in the upper reaches of the mountains.
MicroSpikes worn in the summit area, but in some rocky areas, I would have flet more comfortable in boot crampons.
Snow covered the top 400-500' of the peaks and in one small area we saw 3 sets of bear tracks, including a decent sized bear that crossed over our tracks shortly before we came back across them. Beautiful day, sunny for most of it, warm( REALLY warm for January ).
Really nice hike with good group of companions.
Hermit grew up on the slopes of these mountains. They were his childhood playground and he knows every variation both peaks.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.354360761247123.103369.100000196052414&type=1&l=b47b536bcf
No snow down low, traces mid way up, icy in the upper reaches of the mountains.
MicroSpikes worn in the summit area, but in some rocky areas, I would have flet more comfortable in boot crampons.
Snow covered the top 400-500' of the peaks and in one small area we saw 3 sets of bear tracks, including a decent sized bear that crossed over our tracks shortly before we came back across them. Beautiful day, sunny for most of it, warm( REALLY warm for January ).
Really nice hike with good group of companions.
Hermit grew up on the slopes of these mountains. They were his childhood playground and he knows every variation both peaks.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.354360761247123.103369.100000196052414&type=1&l=b47b536bcf