Buttkickin' Adirondacks trip report

“Thats not from a "blowdown". Its from a mudslide (not of the Kahlua variety). There are some new slides that can be viewed from Marcy Dam too. Somebody got killed in an Avalanche the day we were up there....just watched them climb to the top.”

“Great pics, Pennsy Hiker!”

“Okay, I think I got it now about how you hung the food bags -- lifted 'em and slung 'em over the cable with the birch pole. Okay that makes sense. I guess I just couldn't break out of thinking in "hoist-'em-up-with-a-cord" mode. Nevertheless, quite a task! I imagine the process may have become comical at times (I'm easily amused by such things).

Thanks for elaborating.”

“It was quite comical at times when lifting that "pole." The pole was more like a birch tree with the branches cut off. It had to be at least 5 or 6" in diameter at the base.”

“Sorry Pennsy, I saw the opportunity to inflict pain and jumped at it. (moohaha!)

And Fritz - since when do ya gotta have a point on TT?

That bear bag hanging musta been hilarious, I can picture it now. We did something similar once at Chimney Pond, except the bear line has hooks on it and a gaff type pole is provided. You're supposed to hook your bag with the gaff and put the bag on one of the hooks. Kinda like threading a needle - and a freakin' riot when it's dark, you've had a few beers, there's a nosy moose...I laughed my butt off! It was the first and last time we used the "official" bear line.”

“I'll let you slide on pain inflicting, this time.;o)

Skiracer forgot to mention the funniest part about hanging the food. Before heading out for the day-hike, the boys labored to hang the bags. While getting ready to hit the trail, Skiracer sheepishly claims: Ahhhh fellas, my food for the day-hike is up in the bag. DOH!”

“Tango - yepper, the 3 Amigos was in reference to the movie, with Chevy Chase, Martin Short and Steve Martin. Of course at times it could have been the 3 Stooges, with Shemp thrown in as the 4th.”

“Nice pics, thanks for sharing.”

“As a footnote (no pun intended Twiggy):

If anyone gets lucky enough to hike into Lake Colden when there aren't many people around, check out the southwest side of the lake before picking a campsite.

There are 2 lean-tos overlooking the lake that are to die for.”

“What can I say? I guess he coffee hadn't kicked in yet.”

“Great pics, Artex and Pennsy! I really want to use the morning Colden Lake picture of Artex's as wallpaper but I don't know how to do that. I loved the trip report and hope to someday hike the Adirondacks High Peaks region. You guys had a very inspiring trip and yes, you all looked "hot!" even in that end of trip pic. Who packed in the shavers?”

“shavers? We don't need no stinkin shavers!
We used rusty micras. ;o)

For the wallpaper, click the option to view the largest size and then right click, choose set as wallpaper.”

“Wow! LyndyS wants to use my picture as wallpaper! Sweet! I'm honored. :-)”

“cool trip, ya'll lucky bassssssturds!”

“Thanks for the help, Pennsy, the picture looks totally incredible as the wallpaper. I think morning pictures have a magical quality to the sunlight on water.”

“You'll notice that I took that picture, and Pennsy the pro didn't. :-P Heh, heh, heh...”

“Yes, Artex took this picture! But Pennsy told me how to make it the background on my computer, so he is the EXPERT! Artex is fast gaining on Pennsy and MSilver as east coast photographer experts. though.”

“That's a very high compliment, thanks! :-)”

“Great trip report and great pix. Makes me homesick. If you went up from Colden, that is a difficult ascent indeed, but coming down that was is even harder. Almost took a header off the mountain back there in the early 90s.

Which shelter did you use at Colden. The one on the point near the outlet? One of the pix looks like that spot. I stayed there once: what an idyllic spot!

Avalanche Pass and Lake are truly awesome, aren't they? Almost other worldly. "In The Hall of the Mountain King" from "Peer Gynt Suite" keeps running through my mind whenever I think of that place.

Glad you guys enjoyed it. Of course, Pennsy rowed across the lake on his Bearikade?”

“Are you sure that's not a hint you want me to kick you again, Pennsy?”

“Looks like I'll need to start wearing body armour.

Yeah yeah Artex, rub it in. I remember that morning scene, and if you recall, it twas I who suggested we shoot the lake one more time. That was the time my camera decided to go funky for a while.

Geo - anyone can row a canister across a lake. I log-rolled it across!”

“Log rolled it across ... I'm impressed! Can you do it on the ocean too? Around here we call people who do that shark bait.”

“Geobeet, we didn't use a shelter, but a tent site. It was across the dam and over the stream to the right, on a site where a lean-to had been removed. There was another lean-to there that was already occupied. The shelter on the south side of the lake on the point near the dam had an incredible view. I think you have to get there pretty early in the week or get really lucky to snag it.”

“Geobeet, we didn't use a shelter, but a tent site. It was across the dam and over the stream to the right, on a site where a lean-to had been removed. There was another lean-to there that was already occupied. The shelter on the south side of the lake on the point near the dam had an incredible view. I think you have to get there pretty early in the week or get really lucky to snag it.”

“nothing like a double post...”

“People who double-post should be banned.”

“People who double-post should be banned.”

“Ha! My daughters just saw the Lake Colden wallpaper and were like "WOW, where is that? It so beautiful! Can we go there?" Thanks Artex, they'll become backpackers yet!”

“LOL! Very cool, glad to be of service. ;-)”

“Yeah, I got to that site when a couple had set up in the lean-to, so I set up my tent in a small opening in the understory. Great site with a great front yard! I didn't want to leave. That was long before bears took over the lake.”

“Waaaaaa!

I wanna go BACK!

RIGHT NOW!

{sigh}

Well, gotta go coach soccer practice....”

“Great report. Thanks for the heads-up, Pennsy. You managed to peak my curiosity enough to get sucked back into TT again. ;)

Sounds like a terrific trip. I just hate to miss a good trip so "close" to home. The Cats and Daks are great places to hike.

Thanks for sharing and, as usual, for the great pics.

Start thinking about a FYAO (Freeze your a$$ off) snowshoe trek reunion this year, guys. My mind is already plotting. Ahhhhh the Adirondacks...
:o)”

“I'm glad I was able to entice you back AmyG. Nowwww, plot away for FYAO 2. I'll be there.”

“Long time, no see, AmyG! An FYAO2? Can I come? Huh, huh, can I? Can I?”

“I'm ready for a FYA'02.

By the way, I got a call from that outfitter in Weavertown(?), NY some time after FYA'01.
They wanted to know if I had returned the snowshoes.

Me: "Well, yeah!"
Them: "OK"”

“Hoo boy, I too kinda got sucked back into TT again.......help!”

“Too late.... you're back and you're stuck with us!

BTW Tom - are you sure you didn't turn in Ben's antique firestarters (disguised as snowshoes) and keep the rentals? ;o)”

“Tom, I can't believe you would do such a thing. That's wrong...so wrong.

BTW its FYAO3 this year, as Buddur can attest to. The first one was in the Neversink region (Catskills). I must get credit for that one, since: 1) it was the inaugural gear sled run and 2) truly, it was a subzero hike (and me with no tent-warmer friend that year)
:(
heeeheh”

“Hmmm. I think sometime AmyG looks at me as gear and not a husband.”

“What the heck you doing up so early???”

“Ooooo, I'm gettin' the year wrong!?!?

Yes, yes, it will be FYAO3.

Doooooode!
I DID return the shoes!

I told the guy on the phone that I was the mook who changed his drawers in the back of the store.
"Those shoes have got to be there somewhere 'cause I don't have them".

I hope they rent me a pair THIS January!”