Giant Ledge - Panther Mtn trip this comi ng weekend

“Hey gang - its been a few weeks since I've been out BP'ing and thought of putting this trip together - it on the trip page but here are the details again:

Catskills map #42

8 miles

Starting at parking area off of County Rd. 47 (Big Indian Hollow) - camp Friday night at trailhead - hike up to viewpoints on Giant Ledge - continue on to Panther Mtn. - camp just below 3500 on the other side of Panther - then continue through to parking area on Fox Hollow Road (1.6m South of junction with Rt. 28 in Allaben).

I imagine that crampons and/or snowshoes will be needed. More info later...

Email me if interested: triana_@hotmail.com”

“Yeah, she was unable to go this weekend. So, did you guys make the trip anyway. I stayed back and worked and took care of her.”

“awwwww - what a great guy!

Nah, didn't make it on the trip - spent a nice weekend in the city - it's nice to just relax once in awhile - but! am looking forward to getting out again!

PS - happy belated birthday ya Ent!”

“giant ledge is really impressive, offers several great vistas of slide, cornell and other mountains. the hike there from the road is fairly moderate, not much scrambling, if any.”

“so are you joining on the trip? would be nice to BP with you again!”

“"camp Friday night at trailhead"

I do not think that Pat(Patricia) Rudge the ranger for that area will like that very much.

Park Regs are to camp 150ft off trail or in designated spot.

There is a designated camp area just past the intersection for Giant ledge. From Rte 47 hike in 0.7miles to the intersection with Giant ledge trail, camp area is about 100 yards furthur on Phonecia trail toward Woodland valley. Area is to your right facing Woodland Valley, if you start to descend you have gone too far.”

“Or give Pat a call, she will be happy to make suggestions as to where to camp.

Patricia Rudge Big Indian Ulster (845) 254-4126”

“Our next few weekends are iffy right now, TT. This is due to the circumstances explained to you by the leafwoman. So, I have to say it is up in the air. Worst case scenario, we should be back in action by next month.”

“I will most likely partake in this adventure Miss Twinky. How could I possibly pass up a 'Skills trip.

I think Zip-tex Bail-tex Artex might be interested also, if he can keep his zipper up.”

“looking forward to this..”

“looking forward to this..”

“Looks like someone forgot their password, eh mate? No worries, you prolly left it on of those mountains you was never on.
Cheers
Zay”

“??”

“Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeee's back!”

“So Goretexx, how many of the world's 8000 meter peaks did you conquer, mate?”

“8000? BLoody hell, mate. All of them. I'm getting bored with those... I have to keep a tootbrush and a change of clothes on K2, I'm up there so much. I can't remeber last time I saw sea level. (I can't remember what country K2 is in either, but that's another story.)”

“For your information, 'Zay, you are not invited on this trip or any other trips that I plan - ever.

I thought that was made perfectly clear a few weeks ago but I see you need the message re-enforced.

Buzz off....”

“Twinkles, I think these apparitions of goretex are fake. They're people trolling. I think it's all in jest.”

“I hope so.”

“Don't know about this gorretex bloke, but I'm a troll, no worries, no worries. G'day. I do have a lot in common with the little bugger though- I'm as australan as chinese food, one of my eyes wanders like a new york tourist and I've climbed as many high peaks as he has. None. Oh, and I bloody well like to throw around sterotypical aussie sayings, G'day fair dinkum mate. No harm meant here.”

“LOL @ boretex!”

“I'll know tomorrow for sure as to being able to make it, or not. As for the ride is there a launch time? Getting home can be as easy as the bus, though a ride from anyone to Kingston will make it cheaper.I still think that fox hollow to Giant ledge will give an easier in.

Also, email is a quicker way to contact me...”

“Warren, I'd email you but I don't have your email addy, and it's not in your profile.

I'm giving Twinkles a ride back on Sunday, I can give you one as well. You can probably get a ride up there with the good Corporal on Friday. He has to bolt on Saturday though, hence me giving the rides back.

Corporal, I'll give you a call tonight or tomorrow.”

“I'm gonna sit back and see what you guys decide (time, shuttle, trail head direction etc). I'm game for anything.

By looking at the map, there is a shelter only .4 miles from Fox Hollow if you're thinking about camping Friday night.”

“I'll gladly take any ride offered... I'm still for Fox Hollow being the starting point.”

“Okay, here's what I was thinking and why....

I saw the lean-to near Fox Hollow on the map when first planning out the trip - but I thought it might be a nicer hike starting with the two "peaks". Also, the steep downhills have a knack for making my left knee scream. So I thought it would be best to do the butt-kicking uphill stuff first on Saturday (being rewarded with nice views) and then take what looks like a nice long, gradual downhill on Sunday.

Those are my two cents on the matter. I don't know this trail so if the majority wants to flip the route around - that would also be cool with me. I do like the idea of the lean-to for Friday night....

Let me your thoughts on the matter.”

“I don't think the downhills will be knee killers. With all the snow up there, you'll probably be butt sliding down. Wahoo!

If we started Friday night, I imagine we would do the car shuttling then? I'd be leaning towards Fox Hollow for Fri night, mainly because of the short night hike and the shelter. Plus, if we can find it, there is a spring there. I could probably be talked into carrying a bit of firewood for that short a distance.

I could go the other way as well. The designated campsite Manuka mentioned would work.

btw - snowshoes will very likely be necessary, and probably mandatory as well. I think the 'Skills have the same law as the Daks where if there is 8" of snow on the ground, snowshoes are mandatory. And there is a heck more than 8" of snow on the ground.”

“Whatever works for me. I know the campsite that Manuka speaks of, I almost camped there a few years ago.

Shuttling cars on Friday night sounds very appealing though. That way we can just go. There's a chance I may have to work a bit late on Friday. Not too bad though, in theory... I reckon I'd get out of there by 6pm, which means I'd get up there about 8:30, depending on traffic.”

“I'm hep on joining youans ...though only as a dayhike on Saturday. I think it's only about 8 or so miles between the two trailheads, and I should be able to do it in one day carrying only a daypack, snowshoes and crampons.

But here's the kicker... I'll need a shuttle back to my vehicle later on Saturday. Is anyone planning to bail out late on Saturday? Lemme know ASAP because the answer will have a big influence on whether I come or not.

BTW, if you decide to do the Fox Hollow to Route 47 version, you might consider camping at Giant Ledge on Saturday night ...plenty of level spots in that immediate area for camping, with water available at a very reliable pipe spring only a short distance to the south.”

“That'd be cool if you could meet up with us, MSilver, it'd be great to hike with you again. I don't want to speak for Corporal Nasty, but I think he's heading out on Saturday, unless his plans have changed. Perhaps he could give you a lift?”

“Thanks Artex. That would be perfect.

CORPORAL NASTY... FRONT AND CENTER! (please)”

“okay guys - we're on - lets go with the Fox Hollow route - we can all meet at the lean-to - Corp, Warren and I should get there around 8:30 or 9pm!

PS - M Silver - I think something can be arranged for you....”

“Sweet!!! :-)”

“Here's the weather forcast for Fleischmanns, NY which is just Northwest of Panther......OMG! it's going to be COLD!!!! Arrrrrgghhhtttteeeeexxxx - why did you oonga boonga???

Tomorrow: Periods of light snow. High 23F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 70%. Snow may accumulate 2 to 4 inches.

Tomorrow night: Light snow in the evening giving way to partly cloudy conditions overnight. Low 4F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.

Saturday: Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the mid 20s and lows in the upper single digits.

Sunday: Cloudy with flurries. Highs in the mid 20s and lows 2 to -2F.”

“Ummmm, if we all meet at the lean-to tomorrow night, how're we going to get back on Sunday? Should we meet at the end and shuttle back to Fox Hollow tomorrow night?”

“am I going to have to send out a search party for you guys?????”

“Good question Pennsy. So, fearless trip leader Twinkle Toes, what do we do? Your loyal servants await your commands! :-)”

“M Silver, I'd love to give you a shuttle back to your car, but I think I might have to leave a little too early on Saturday for that- I have to work on Sunday, and have a boatload of relatives coming to visit soon, which only leaves Saturday to get some of the house straight before they get here- Sorry :(”

“Hmmm, where is her majesty with orders for her plebes?

Corp - I'm confused (which is normal). If you are going point to point on Saturday, how could you leave early? Chopper 1 giving you an airlift or something?”

“Hear, hear my royal subjects!!

Your majesty hath drank too much water and become stupified from the lead piping.

A solution to the car shuttle puzzle? What?! Do I look like I know what I'm doing? How the hell should I know?

How about this? "Gay Blue" could meet up with Crack Puppy after work tomm. - we follow each other up - then we....crap - four people with gear will not fit into "gay blue"... anyway, we get to Fox Hollow - drop some gear off and then shuttle Artex's car to the other side.

There - how does that sound?

Your majesty must rest now - her brain hath become like jello....”

“Greetings your highness...

Ok, that makes a little sense, especially since you will driving close by Fox Hollow on your way in. I can wait for you at the lower parking area.

But I'm still a tad confused. If you're leaving Corp's car at Fox Hollow and we start at Fox Hollow, what are his hiking plans?”

“The only problem with meeting up at my work is that my out time will be somewhat unpredictable tomorrow. We're issuing a press release tomorrow and all chaos will ensue. I'd recommend we just meet at the trailhead.”

“Ok, I'll toss in another option. You still with us Mister M? Since I'm confused with the bastage's Corp's plans, here's something so Mister M (and Sparky?) can join us for Saturday:

Since it looks like you won't need my truck for shuttling, I could come up Sat morning instead of Fri night, pick Mister M up at the lower parking area, proceed to Fox Hollow and meet you guys (and gal) at the shelter??

With that option, you'll only have 3 tomorrow night. You ought to be able to get your gear in the Corp's car for shuttle to Fox Hollow without a gear drop off.

Stay tuned - film at 11.”

“Alright, now I'm confused. :-P”

“huh?

Corp, Warren, and I will be in "gay blue" - we will not follow Artex - we will drive to the trailhead - the starting point has been changed - we will start at Fox Hollow - camp at Lean-to - Corp is leaving Saturday morning because he has to work Sunday (whole story will be given on Friday)- if all else fails - once someone else arrives on Friday - we can work out the shuttle issue that night - its not like the lean-to is very far from the trailhead....

there, I think its all clear - sorry for the confusion...”

“uh....did that come across as pissy? hehe "it's good to be the queen" LOL!!!!!!”

“I was clear about the starting point. What I was not clear on was Corp's hiking plans. I gather he is just going to hike for a bit on Saturday and turn around?

I didn't know that Warren is going. That makes 4 of you tomorrow night if I leave here on Sat.

Using my option if Mr M wants to join us for Saturday, I will meet him Saturday morning (say around 7:30) at the end of the hike parking area (Slide Mt rd / Big Indian Hollow). He can leave his car there and go with me to Fox Hollow. We'll meet you at the shelter between 8-8:30 and start the hike. The Corp will do his thing and head back to his car. When we stop for camp, Mister M will continue to his car. Sunday morning, we'll hike out and drive back to Fox Hollow in Artex's vehicle.

Is that clear at all?

Of course, if Mr M doesn not join us (but I hope he does), I might come up tomorrow night and meet you at Fox Hollow around 8:30.

Whewwww.. that wore me out. Forget it... I'm bailing. I'm gonna rent movies and drink all weekend!”

“Did that come across as prissy? It's good to be.”

“Pennsy said "prissy" hehe ;)”

“Beam me up Scotty!”