Catskills Trip Report

“What a blast! This past weekend, Corporal Nasty, Wolfman's Brother, JMitch and I hiked an overnighter along the 10 mile stretch over Wittenburg, Cornell, and Slide Mountains. Ten miles dosen't sound like much, but this trail is STEEP, a real butt kicker.

The Corporal, Wolfman's Bro and I met up with Jmitch where we'd end our hike (after Slide), left a car there, and took the other to the trailhead in Woodland Valley. After a few hours of turbo-steep hiking and rock scrambling, we reached the top of Wittenburg and were afforded great views. We chilled for awhile. We ran into a friendly but perhaps overly chirpy forest ranger, who warned of how dry it was. This trail was bone dry so far, and we confirmed with her that the springs along the trail were all dried up but there was a glimmer of hope: a bushwhack down to Neversink River from where we were going to camp.

So down Wittenburg and some more scrambling up Cornell. At one point, we had to take the packs off for a really steep section. Well, except for Wolfman's Bro, who (despite his little beeyatch light) was the only person man enough to take on this section with his pack on.

So down Cornell, and into the col between Cornell and slide, where there are several campsites. We hiked to one closer to Slide, which had no trees around and would have been a great place to camp to watch the meteor shower. But alas, two slightly scary looking hillbillies had staked claim, so we took another one about ten minutes back the way we came, which turned out to be a great place to camp, despite the trees.

Despite other hikers (including the hillbilly dudes) shaking their heads earlier that day and saying it was a tough trek down to Neversink river and they wouldn't attempt it, JMitch and I made the bushwhack down to fill our now depleted bottles and Camelbacks. JMitch very masterfully picked up a barely visible dry streambed, we followed it down, and sure enough it grew wider and wider. 20 minutes later we found pockets of water, and a bit further down the streambed.. trickling water. We filtered and filled everyone's bottles/camelbaks, and laughed at the negativity the other hiker's expressed about making the bushwack, and how we'd be drinking our sweet mana while they remain dry-tongued and parched and wishing the donkey man f-er didn't get them.

Later that night, we hiked up closer to Slide where there was less trees, and saw a few meteors but we were all kind of nodding off and headed back to camp by 10 pm, I think. We did see probably at least ten satellites though, and the milky way was VERY prominent, which was really cool. It got quite chilly that night, probably down to around 50 degrees or so at our altitude.

Next day we hiked up Slide, the tallest mountain in the Catskills at 4180', rested at the top, and goofed off some more. Then we made the very long and continuous downhill back to the car.

It was a great time.. the four of us were laughing non-stop, constantly joking around and having a great time. It was a complete blast. The only thing missing was some fiiiiiiine honeys, but I guess you can't have it all. Thanks guys for a great hike.

My pictures will be developed tomorrow, and I'll post a webshots link by tomorrow night. The Corporal will likely post his pics also.”

“Good news and bad news....

Good news - great trip report and I'm sure you guys had a blast. It's good you were able to shuttle cars to avoid that yucky road hike.

Bad news - I could have made this hike had I known. It would have been nice to do this hike again, but without crampons.

By the way - did the Corp suffer any war wounds this trip? ;o)”

“Dang, sorry Pennsy.. we just kind of slapped the trip together. But I'm going to hit the Adirondacks for Labor Day weekend if you can make it!

No war wounds for the Corporal, he got his order from Arby's on the way back and managed to stay on his feet. He even survived my unrelentling gas attacks in the car for the drive back.”

“Sounds like an awesome hike. And I know what you mean about the trails...to me, 1 mile in the Daks was like 5 miles anywhere else.”

“Yup, I'm going to have to send the UN up Artex's butt to check for chemical factories.”

“Sounds like you guys had some great hiking and pal-ing around. Looking forward to seeing the pictures. I'm sure Pennsy would have fit right in; he must have missed the mention of the possible trip in one of the threads.”

“I've seen Artex in "action," Corp. If he asked me to pull his finger, there would have been combat.

Labor Day weekend sounds good at this point Artex. I think we still have that day off. That's the only way I'll be able to go because I'm saving my vacation days for October.”

“The trip was quickly thrown together, it would have been cool to have some other TTer's along, but it was a real last minute thing. I picked up Wolfman's brother from Long Island, headed out to Artex's place in Jersey, and we met up with Jmitch at the trailhead by Slide. Leaving Jmitch's car there, we drove to the parking area by Wittenburg and headed off.

Twenty minutes later, I was in tears crying for my mommy, curled in the fetal position while feebly throwing things from my pack and sucking my thumb.

This hike was a real killer for me, it was only after many pimp slaps from the others that I got up and tried to be a man. The scenery at the first real ledge we got to was absolutely amazing, the best I have seen so far, and even though it was a little hazy, you could see for miles. That's when the ranger lady came and told us we were all going to die from dehydration in that very chipper voice of hers.

Heading up Cornell gave us the hardest time, I think, since some of the climbs were pretty steep, and I believe that's where we had to take off our packs. (I wanted to drop mine down the mountain. I got slapped again.)

On the other side of Cornell, in the col, we ran into two very stressed out looking guys who were talking about digging for water. They were looking at us like we were big bottles of Naya, so we pressed on to pick out our spot for the night. Turns out they had taken the best one, so we backtracked a little and set up camp. Artex and Jmitch headed out for the neversink, where, according to everyone else on the trail, they apparently had to brave tremendous drops in altitude, forge some identification papers to try and pass a working replica of the Berlin wall, and fight a dragon. They made it back before 7:30. I could tell you about the meteor shower, but I was half asleep when we went out to watch it, so I'd be lying.

The next morning, we headed out at a little after 8, to avoid the ranger's clucking, and headed up Slide. There were some scary parts there too, although I don't think we had to take our packs off- It was pretty damn steep though. We hit the top, lounged about for a while, then headed down- It was the steepest downhill of them all, I think.”

“Anyway, we reached the parking lot where Jmitch's car was, and it was then that I got the phone call- The peace talks between me and the pavement had been semi successful, we had agreed to a temporary cease fire. To test concrete's sincerity, we ventured a stop at Arby's, and although it gave me some dirty looks and some slogans were shouted, there was no actual combat. This was an awesome trip all around, these guys are great, and I'm sure there'll be plenty more trips with plenty more people in the future.”

“Sounds like a great trip. I read some trip reports from views from the top website and most people did mention the dry conditions.”

“Sounds great! Both reports! I really liked the CRACK about the UN!! ;-)”

“LOL, I forgot about those hillbillies literally digging for water!

Pennsy, cool about the Daks. I'd post what I have in mind right now but my brain feels like strawberry jello from taking too long of a nap this afternoon and I should hit the hay soon. We'll definitly talk..”

“great trip, great company, great trail.

yes, at times, the corporal did become a blubbering mess. we tried as best we could to raise his spirits, and pack. maybe if he didn't pack a cupboard of ravioli's, hammock, oven, and the taj mahal, he would've leapt tall mountains in a single bound. no, he did very well.

i avoided artex's gas attacks by hiking in front. unfortunately, wolfman's brother did not. i think scud missles were shooting out his a$$ and slapping wolfman right in the face.

people, avoid a certain type of donkey that was of the greatest concern to us on the trail. you'll know what i'm talking about when the unfortunate circumstance arises.

conditions were very dry, but the weather and views were excellent. trail was difficult in sections, requiring scrambling over ledges. we tried to stay up to catch a few meteors, several satellites, and an errant ufo. one satellite was very cool when it reflected the sun just right and shown very brightly for a few seconds.”

“on the drive back i swung by the slide mountain house for a german homecooked meal and reached the giant ledge trail. i thought, "what the hell, i'm already here." not too tough, some rocky ascents, but no scrambling. the views were awesome, almost as good as wittenburg. all the mountains rise above prominently, especially cornell and wittenburg. definitely worthwhile, a little over 3 miles round trip. didn't get home until midnight, i'm tired.”

“i had a blast. 3 cheers for artex's itinerary. I'd hike anywhere with these guys - all three are highly competent, entertaining, funny, and easy to get along with. The Corp. deserves more credit than he gives himself. The guy is hardcore. He doesn't eat fruits or veggies and smokes like a chimney but hikes like a champ and doesn't complain at all. the guy drove the entire way and navigated his way through some hairy nyc traffic on the way back b/c I screwed up a turn off the GW. Got to meet someone new (jmitch) also. I only wish the trip was one more day b/c I went to macaroni grille last night, ate up a storm, and have gas today so bad that would make a nyc sewer rat cringe. to payback artex would be sweet revenge. thank god I wasn't carrying anything flammable b/c that guy parted my hair numerous times on the trail.

We decided to head out like a baby on sat. morn. The trail was harder than a pimp's diamond at times but we stepped it up like a midget at a urinal. At trails end we were all happier than a F in a DT. ;0)”

“Here's what y'all needed:

”

“The sidewalk at Arby's must have been broken up if the corporal didn't make another ground assault.

Sounds like a neat trip.”

“Sounds great, really glad you guys were able to get together for this trip!

Wish I coulda been there. I was completing an 1800-mile vacation with my family, enduring two flat tires on the same day, while you guys were yucking it up in the great outdoors.

Mebbe next time. October, New Hampshire? Artex? Where's your "trekking in the Whites" thread?”

“Fritz, yeah it was a great time, we'll all definitely have to get together this fall again, no question about it.

As for the Whites, I still want to do it, but am not sure when. I think myself, Pennsy Hiker, Adventurist and some others have all taken a keen interest in Twigeater's proposed Maine trip in mid-October. I still have some vacation time to burn though, just haven't gotten around to planning any other trips yet (other than my bi-annual pilgrimage to Florida to see family), but I will be doing so in the next few weeks. Yahooooo!!!!”

“Awwwww guys...ya made me freaking laugh so bloody much...!!!!
Glad ya had a good time and I look foward to hanging with ya soon again...
Corporal......ive saved you some good #&%!$ from down south here te.....talk to ya soon, by the way....i tok a dump on Georgia's STONE mountain 4 ya mate.....then lit it up with the half burnin' butt of my Newport stog.....
Cheers

Zay!!”

“Sounds like it was a nice trip, guys. I know what you mean about these kinds of things coming together at the last minute. That's how I do a lot of my own trips - and often when the weather is cooperative.

I've done the route from Woodland Valley up to Wittenberg/Cornell. And I've been up to Slide from Slide Mtn Road twice and once before from Denning.

My brother and I did my 4th Slide Mtn trip about a month ago. We trekked in to the former Denning leanto area and set up camp for two nights. The interim day we dayhiked up to Slide and down into the col before Cornell, then returned to our Denning camp via the unmaintained trail down to the Neversink River (something new for me). The trail is shown on the map, and we were told that it's a red blazed trail starting at the col. But despite our careful searching, we never found it, and had to bushwack. Just as you did, we located and followed the dried-up streambed from the col for about 20 minutes before we came to the puddles. About a half hour later we finally found some faint traces of the trail, and in about another half hour it became apparent that we were on-song. Never saw any red blazes though -- not one!. Did you see any in the col area? Here are some pics from the Slide Mtn trip...
http://community.webshots.com/album/44708062mUdvwp
(Sorry, I don't know how to make the hyperlink yet.)

Hey, while youans was slappin' the Nasty, wiffin' each other, eyein' up them yahoos, and a-chattin' with the ranger (did her name happen to be Patty Rudge?), I was adding six more peaks to my 46er list in the Daks (After more than 20 years, I'm up to 31 ... I'm a 31er!). Weather looked great for a few days, so I headed for the hills. As usual, I was not disappointed. Maybe I'll post a short trip report and refer to some pics within a few days.”

“did you ever think that there were no honyes cause of all the gas?




its a great trip report!
after meeting you guys i know you all had a blast and cant wait to see the pics!

msilver, did you take sparky up with you?”

“great pics msilver. the ranger actually was a ranger ass't and i think her name was Lauren. Artex seemed to take a liking to her.”

“Did not!!!”

“she probly smelled you coming a mile away

LOL”

“Artex, you shameless flirt...

For some reason this is bringing to mind the very funny scene in "A Walk in the Woods" where Bill and said sidekick are having their last meal at Springer, and sidekick is flirting with the waitress...”

“LOL! I remember that part. Great book.

Cool pics, MSilver.. I should be posting my pics tonight, pending they're developed.”

“i think lauren took a liking to anyone on the trail, though she did offer artex his own private "bushwhack." those sweet, chirpy, non-offensive types often rock in bed. brings new meaning to "tramping."”

“If she's the kinky type, Artex, you could hog tie her.”

“Ha ha ha ha! :-)”

“Here's some pix from the trip- I have no idea how to make the link, maybe someone could help me out, but here they are- http://community.webshots.com/user/cplnasty”

“Nice pics Corp!
Somehow, I can believe the last picture in the set. Some 'interesting' folks in dem parts.

Of course I just had to look at your "my damn pixs" set. Do I have to ask why you have a picture of your friend duct taped and stashed in a trunk? Loved the pic of the racoons, and what nads to take a pic of a guy on 'death row.'”

“Here is what you need to type in the message to create a link to your photo album:

<a href="http://community.webshots.com/user/cplnasty">Come look at my pics or I'll kill you<a/>”

“It would look like this:

Come look at my pics or I'll kill you”

“Nasty,

Great pix. Thanks for sharing 'em.

Unlike when my brother and I were there last month (hot, hazy, humid), your weather looks like it was excellent. Love those views from Wittenberg!

In #11, methinks those guys actually may have been you four trying to impress (or scare?) female hikers along the trail ...?

In #7, looks like the Brother is doing some kind of Irish jig there ...?

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Wolfman's Brother: Thanks re. the ranger's name.

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jmitch: I'm wondering if the pipe spring on the trail to Giant Ledge was running?

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Maple Leaf: Both Sparky and his cousin Buddy (my brother's Black Lab mix) accompanied us on the Cats trip. But because the Daks trails tend to be longer and more rigorous, I left the Sparkster home (he's over 12 now - and I'm told that's equivalent to a man in his 80s in terms of human years).”

“Okay! Got my pics set up. Have a gander:

Artex's Catskill Pics

I'm going to check out the Corporal's pics now.”

“Glad you liked the pics, the ones I took on the last trip didn't come out good at all, which was why I never posted any. Pennsy, thanks for the link lesson, all my HTML skills went down the drain when I got frontpage. The pic of my friend in the trunk of my car is a long story, all part of a very elaborate practical joke- More of a campfire story than an internet read. Msilver, I never would have guessed Sparky was up there- He was in better shape than I was on the DWG trip.”

“Corporal Nasty.. dude, your pics kick much a$$!! That's it, I'm getting a new digital camera soon. You and Pennsy Hiker got me convinced now.”

“Just don't get one that tells you what to do. Mine is only a 2.3 megapixel, I'm sure they're probably into the gigapixels, or perhaps through some reverse image enhancement technology, nanopixels. The only problem I've ever had with mine was the moron attatched to it. I think soon enough, Microsoft will come out with one that actually DOES steal the soul of whoever you take a picture of.”

“Hilary Step? Uh, no. LOL. What was that packhandoff thing? Is that like hiking on all fours?

Great trip, guys.”

“The pack handoff looked steep. Looks like fun! Sounds like a fun trip! And great view from the top!”

“Tekapo, the "Hillary step" was probably steeper than it looked in the picture, and it's a fitting name since it's the final stretch up Slide. Watch your snideness there, pal! :-)”

“great pics, the ones at wittenburg really came out nice.

msilver- all springs were dry, including the one at giant ledge. the only way we found water was a 20 minute bushwhack down to the neversink "river."”

“wooooowww, great pictures! looks like yous guys had a blast :-)”

“Dudes!!!!!!
I loved the pix.....tx 4 the smlie and everything else mates....!”

“So you're telling us the good corporal suffered a gas attack on this hike. The man just can't keep out of trouble.”

“Artex,

Great pix! Excellent supplement to the Nasty's. Look like you guys had a fun trip.”

“Nice pics Artex!
Yes, digital has many advantages. However, don't listen to the Corp about nanopixels (LOL...what a word!). Digitals in the 2-3 megapixels will work just fine. The Nikon D1X is one of the very best professional digital cameras in the world, and it is only 5 megapixels.

My 'pro' camera is 2.74 mps and 8x10 prints from rival anything I've seen. Plus, you don't need to spend big bucks for quality. I'd look for something that has 2-3 mps with a 3 to 5x optical zoom. Ignore anything advertising digital zoom.

A good internet source is the Digital Preview site at www.dpreview.com Lots of great reviews and excellent forums as well.”

“Thanks for the picture compliments MSilver and PennsyHiker.. and also for the camera advice. I'm spending a lot of dough on el cheapo disposables and the developing, it seems to only make economical sense I go ahead and get a digital, it'll pay for itself in the long run.

Actually, I just did the math. If I spend $250 on a digital, that's the equivalent of buying a disposable and paying for the developing just 16 times.

How's that for justification? Okay, I'm going to do some research. Pennsy, sincey you're a digital camera ninja, hope you don't mind if I drop you an e-mail sometime once I narrow down some choices to get your opinion. It'd be great to get a new camera in time for the Maine trip.”

“I fell off that section of slide into 3 feet of snow. the landing was quite soft, the only thing I hurt was my pride. It was very difficult getting back up that section the next day though.”