Guinness
Active member
I have had the great fortune of being part of outstanding groups more than once this year. March 19th was another one of those climbs. Our group decided to tackle the Seward Range (Donaldson, Emmons and Seward) as a day hike from the winter parking lot. Our group consisted of hikethe115, nancy, Shin, HarryK and yours truly. The day promised to be ripe for great views, pleasant warm weather and plenty of company. We were not alone in tackling these peaks as a day hike. The end of winter brought out several groups to tackle some or all three.
We left the winter parking lot at 6:35 am and in just one hour we were in the summer parking lot. Alain and Pin-Pin Junior passed us along the way. Nancy had her 15 minutes of fame as she passed Alain and Pin-Pin Junior flat out on the road. Of course being on skis helped. Hikethe115 appeared slow today, with some comments about doing just one or maybe two summits this day (Later she hurt us with her endurance).
We continued on and were at the junction with Calkins Brook in 2.5 hours. Along the way we smelled a fire, which brought back memories of how fun it is having at a campfire and enjoying the great outdoors. There were several tent camps set up along the way. All of whom helped make the Calkins Brook trail extremely good to travel upon.
As we ascended the Calkins Brook trail, our group split into the thoroughbreds and the pack mules. Hikethe115, nancy and HarryK out front followed by shin and myself. We caught up with HarryK on the summit of Donaldson just under five hours after leaving the parking lot. Hikethe115 and nancy moved on toward Emmons. Hikethe115 became inspired and no longer was talking about doing just the two. She was now looking at the Seward Range as a warm up hike for something larger. She was flying and everyone was now panting attempting to keep up.
Off to Emmons we went. All day the weather offered us exceptional views and each summit caught us taking many pictures. On each summit we made new friends also climbing this day. After Emmons, it was off to Seward. As we returned to Donaldson, we could see the thoroughbreds near the cliffs on the second hump toward Seward. Shin and I looked at each other and said "Damn they were flying".
Shin and I arrived at the Seward, just as another group was celebrating one of their own finishing the 46W! What a great day for everyone. Pictures were taken, brownies and handshakes were shared and off we went back down. We joined up with the rest of our group at Reekee’s camp. Thanks Reekee for the venison jerky it was excellent and we promised to leave a couple of beers for his group. Remember, HarryK was with us, therefore beer was with us.
We arrived at the Calkins Brook junction at 5:30 and formed our death march back to the cars. We took 2.5 hours to get in and we took 2.5 hours to get back. Not bad after a long day. Along the way I had to say:
“Where would you rather be…..than right here and right now”.
We all agreed there was no better place to be. Yes we complained about the hike out, but climbing is a mixture of some parts fun and some parts work and together it makes the experience great.
At the cars, we changed and got ready to an evening meal. Off to Desperado’s in Lake Placid for an excellent meal. Then to Rivermede Farm in Keene Valley for a restful evening and to enjoy great company and the beer that Harry brought with him and the special gift of Maudite the Alain left us. Thank you Alain. I tip my glass to you till next time.
We left the winter parking lot at 6:35 am and in just one hour we were in the summer parking lot. Alain and Pin-Pin Junior passed us along the way. Nancy had her 15 minutes of fame as she passed Alain and Pin-Pin Junior flat out on the road. Of course being on skis helped. Hikethe115 appeared slow today, with some comments about doing just one or maybe two summits this day (Later she hurt us with her endurance).
We continued on and were at the junction with Calkins Brook in 2.5 hours. Along the way we smelled a fire, which brought back memories of how fun it is having at a campfire and enjoying the great outdoors. There were several tent camps set up along the way. All of whom helped make the Calkins Brook trail extremely good to travel upon.
As we ascended the Calkins Brook trail, our group split into the thoroughbreds and the pack mules. Hikethe115, nancy and HarryK out front followed by shin and myself. We caught up with HarryK on the summit of Donaldson just under five hours after leaving the parking lot. Hikethe115 and nancy moved on toward Emmons. Hikethe115 became inspired and no longer was talking about doing just the two. She was now looking at the Seward Range as a warm up hike for something larger. She was flying and everyone was now panting attempting to keep up.
Off to Emmons we went. All day the weather offered us exceptional views and each summit caught us taking many pictures. On each summit we made new friends also climbing this day. After Emmons, it was off to Seward. As we returned to Donaldson, we could see the thoroughbreds near the cliffs on the second hump toward Seward. Shin and I looked at each other and said "Damn they were flying".
Shin and I arrived at the Seward, just as another group was celebrating one of their own finishing the 46W! What a great day for everyone. Pictures were taken, brownies and handshakes were shared and off we went back down. We joined up with the rest of our group at Reekee’s camp. Thanks Reekee for the venison jerky it was excellent and we promised to leave a couple of beers for his group. Remember, HarryK was with us, therefore beer was with us.
We arrived at the Calkins Brook junction at 5:30 and formed our death march back to the cars. We took 2.5 hours to get in and we took 2.5 hours to get back. Not bad after a long day. Along the way I had to say:
“Where would you rather be…..than right here and right now”.
We all agreed there was no better place to be. Yes we complained about the hike out, but climbing is a mixture of some parts fun and some parts work and together it makes the experience great.
At the cars, we changed and got ready to an evening meal. Off to Desperado’s in Lake Placid for an excellent meal. Then to Rivermede Farm in Keene Valley for a restful evening and to enjoy great company and the beer that Harry brought with him and the special gift of Maudite the Alain left us. Thank you Alain. I tip my glass to you till next time.
Well, I guess you have an early start on the rest of us!
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