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  1. #1
    AT 2012
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    Default The annual leave no hiker behind winter trek open to all?

    ...open to all, indeed! When we started getting together for a winter hike, the intention was to bring together those comfortable with cold weather hiking and camping AND those looking for the experience in a relatively safe environment with lots of "free" advice available. Say you are planning a thru hike starting later this season, for example... The crowd includes a wide range of ages and hiking abilities. So, yes, if you are curious about winter camping, this could be your venue. The disclaimer -- you (as is almost always the case) are responsible for... you! And best of all, there is always a brunch at the Bear Mountain Inn. Dates this year: Friday night 12th of January, Saturday night (the most well attended) and Sunday night for the few still interested.

    Let us know if you will be joining us -- or have any questions.
    Lazarus

  2. #2
    Wanna-be hiker trash
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    Shouldn't you have quotation marks around "advice" as well?
    Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.

  3. #3
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    I plan to participate in this mad outing.

    thom

  4. #4
    imscotty's Avatar
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    I'll be there. They are making me work on Friday, so I'll either be in late Friday or Saturday morning.

    Scott
    “For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
    the saddest are these, 'It might have been.”


    John Greenleaf Whittier

  5. #5
    Coach Lou coach lou's Avatar
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    There will be cheesecake.

  6. #6
    Clueless Weekender
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    My daughter wants to come along this time.
    I always know where I am. I'm right here.

  7. #7
    Registered User Glogg's Avatar
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    I will attend as well and bring an apple cake.

  8. #8
    Registered User LIhikers's Avatar
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    Me and Kathy, and our dog Tora will be there.
    Is there a plan yet?

  9. #9
    Registered User LIhikers's Avatar
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    It looks like the plans for this hike are developing in https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthr...Trek?p=2185465

  10. #10

    Default

    We'll be making a parallel MLK hike in PA this year, but our thoughts will be with you guys.


    No Hiker Left Behind....
    There are strange things done in the winter sun by the folks who lurk the blaze.
    The AT trails could tell some tales to astonish and amaze.
    The New York parks can host queer larks but the queerest they ever did see
    was that night in the dark in Harriman Park when Teacher wrenched her knee.


    Now Teacher Jeanne came on the scene of WhiteBlaze one year back
    with Snacktime Ed, a boy she's led through miles of wooded track.
    Through field and stream they could be seen a-trekkin' in their style
    of stopping here and resting there, and learning all the while.


    We'll take all day” she'd often say, “we're not here to run a race”.
    She'd come to know that “low and slow” could be their only pace.
    The boy's in school and this trail's a tool and everybody knows
    that lessons learned at every turn mean frequent stops and goes.”


    This King's day past some folks amassed to give NY a try
    in winter's cold, but they would hold that if kept warm and dry
    there was no hike they didn't like when frost was in the air.
    The cold's ok”, is what they'd say, “as long as you prepare.”


    Teacher knew (and Snacktime too) the challenge they would face
    on tough terrain with elev gains to even just keep pace.
    Still” she thought, “perhaps we aught to learn what it is like
    with others there.” and so they dared to join this winter hike.


    Sure they'd be warm and safe from harm, that others had their backs
    they set about their fitting-out of winter clothes and packs.
    Brave and bold they'd face the cold clad in their down and wool,
    so came to pass another class in Snacktime's nature-school.


    The Bear Mountain Lot was the rendezvous spot, and with almost an hour to spare
    T&S, Another Kevin, Moose717, Coach, Elf, and RSocks met there.
    They drove to Elk Pen and met with more friends: Brighteyes, Askus with Trekker in tow.
    The smiles and excitement and squeals of delight meant that there'd be no turning back now!

    “What a beautiful day” Teacher started to say, as she reached out and hoisted her pack.
    Once it was lifted she squirmed and she shifted until it set onto her back.
    The pack weight was more than she'd dealt with before. “It's awfully heavy” she sighed.
    (Last night she'd been packing and sleep she was lacking and thus it had never been tried.)


    But Snacktime whose pack was secure on his back was already off at a tear.
    So off she went too to keep up with the crew; the weight was just something she'd bear.
    Thus hiked the pair in the brisk winter air, enjoying the woods and the weather,
    and Snacktime would stride ever close by her side; another fine day spent together.


    Over dale, over hill, they continued until both her spirit and muscles were tired.
    And after some distance her knees gave resistance and definitely rest was desired.
    She felt a small pop and the jolt made her stop with the fear of hurt muscle or sinew,
    but she started again with no sign of pain, which left her with hope to continue.


    Now Askus had led all the others ahead for lunch-breaking at Island Pond.
    Too late for a sup by the time they caught up, T & S just kept plodding along.
    Then some were so kind as to linger behind and slow their own pace to a crawl,
    (or maybe they knew the next mile or two would prove to be toughest of all.)


    Joined now by a few who instinctively knew that extra support might be needed,
    off they all made to become lemonade; yes, on to the Squeezer they headed!
    Elf, Kevin and Socks led them down to the rocks that would prove that day's greatest of trials
    (they'd waited all day for this chance at rock-play and just couldn't suppress their big smiles).


    Elf got it started and delved where rocks parted too narrowly for him to fit.
    Snacktime was next and quite clearly perplexed on just how he would make it.
    Packs were all shed and Kevin then led everyone through the rock shelf.
    With groans and some grunts and scrambling stunts, most reunited with Elf.


    The end within reach, they were all (except Teach) having a well-deserved rest.
    Tired indeed she still fought to succeed; her mettle was put to the test.
    She could not get her knees to bend 90 degrees and reach where the others were standing,
    so bracing her tush she gave one mighty push, heaving herself to the landing.


    Next was the scramble through boulders and brambles o'er deadfall with footing uncertain.
    Elf and A-Kevin went bidding for Heaven in trying to scale the sheer curtain.
    For those that eschew any trail that is blue, please be aware of the fact
    that the “easy” of Squeezer is only a teaser and will still have you breaking your back!



    (this poem remains unfinished, as did, unfortunately, our hike)

    Last edited by Teacher & Snacktime; 12-25-2017 at 12:36.
    "Maybe life isn't about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it's about collecting the scars to prove we showed up for it."

  11. #11
    Registered User LIhikers's Avatar
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    Teacher, that's GREAT!
    No, not the fact that you had a hard time, I mean the poem is great!

  12. #12

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    Quote Originally Posted by LIhikers View Post
    Teacher, that's GREAT!
    No, not the fact that you had a hard time, I mean the poem is great!

    Thank you. Things went decidedly downhill on the hike from this point, but overall I have no regrets. Snacktime and I were very well cared-for and left that next day with wonderful memories of friendship, camaraderie, and accomplishment. And we learned so much....like how to not overpack and/or overtax. Thank you again for your part, and for making our retreat possible, and pleasant.
    "Maybe life isn't about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it's about collecting the scars to prove we showed up for it."

  13. #13
    Registered User LIhikers's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Teacher & Snacktime View Post
    Thank you. Things went decidedly downhill on the hike from this point, but overall I have no regrets. Snacktime and I were very well cared-for and left that next day with wonderful memories of friendship, camaraderie, and accomplishment. And we learned so much....like how to not overpack and/or overtax. Thank you again for your part, and for making our retreat possible, and pleasant.
    We actually met on that hike.
    My wife Kathy and I drove you back to your car.
    But not to worry, we all have a bad outing now and then.
    I'm just glad you didn't give up the hiking thing.

  14. #14

    Default

    I remember, Paul. You and Kathy and Nora?, Ed and I had a beautiful walk in the snow to your car. One of my best hiking memories!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    "Maybe life isn't about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it's about collecting the scars to prove we showed up for it."

  15. #15
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    Default

    A friend of mine wanted to do a dayhike yesterday and I wanted to do an overnighter, so we did a loop that started and ended at the parking loop at the end of Johnsontown Rd. My friend continued to his car to end his dayhike and I stopped at Dutch Doctor to spend the night, and also to check out the area around the shelter because I had never camped there before.

    This a good venue because there are ample tent sites near the shelter and plenty of trees good for hammockers. I camped there mainly to test my hammock setup and my little stove hanging rig. The floor of the shelter is rather grungy and somebody planning to sleep in the shelter might want to bring a small broom. The hike from Johnsontown Rd parking to the shelter is 1.7 very easy miles on the White Bar trail.

    Last night was fairly cold at 10°F but the wind was light. I was greeted by an 8-point buck this morning as I was packing up, and he stayed and browsed on something under the very thin snow cover the entire time I was packing, about 25 feet away and totally unafraid.

    Camp_Dutch_02.jpgCamp_Dutch_03.jpgHanging_stove.jpgDeer_at_Dutch_doctor_shelter.jpg

  16. #16
    Registered User
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    I'm in. Unless the weefe counters...

  17. #17
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    I’m hoping it will b warmer for the event then Northern NY . The temp is -24 at 3am . Had to feed the wood stove.

    Thom

  18. #18
    AT 2012
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cheyou View Post
    I’m hoping it will b warmer for the event then Northern NY . The temp is -24 at 3am . Had to feed the wood stove.

    Thom
    Anyone who has to drive past the Adirondacks and the Catskills to get to our little winter gathering has my respect!
    Lazarus

  19. #19
    Coach Lou coach lou's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 1azarus View Post
    Anyone who has to drive past the Adirondacks and the Catskills to get to our little winter gathering has my respect!
    10 in Phoenicia

  20. #20
    Clueless Weekender
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    Got down to -6 last night here. I'm really only marginally geared for that, and my daughter is a newbie to deep winter conditions, so I hope it will warm up a few degrees for MLK. A friend reported that it was -25 up in the hills.

    (Fortunately, it's a trifle milder Downstate. Usually Harriman has conditions comparable to Stewart Airport, if you want a location to check.)
    I always know where I am. I'm right here.

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