Hike the Granddaddy of NY!

“New trip posted for hiking Mt Marcy, the highest point in New York. The route of the hike itself is also a good grand tour of the Adirondack High Peaks for anyone who's new to the area.

Anyway, click the above link for details and/or to sign up.

C Ya there!”

“Can we ride the bears on Saturday night?”

“Only if I can take pictures.”

“On a more serious note this area of the park has real bear (read people) problem. Cable systems have been placed, but haven't been very effective. As a result of this DEC has strongly suggested the use of bear canisters in the Eastern High Peaks area.”

“Yeah, I was going to pick up a canister anyway. Can't afford another food debacle like the last trip to the ADK's....”

“I need to get one at some point especially for when they will be required next year. I'm hoping to find the smallest and lightest one that is made and hope it fits in my pack.”

“Let me know if anyone needs maps. I have the NG topo! software for the Adirondacks.”

“The Feldspar Brook lean-to has the fewest bear problems in the area. Precautions must still be taken, of course, but I've never had a problem there.

Abvalanche Pass lean-to is a nightmare, however.”

“This would be a great trip for me, but the timing stinks - thats the weekend I'm supposed to be back in FL for school to start on the Monday, Aug 9 :(

Back it up to the end of July, he he

no, just kiddin, there might be a way for me to pull this off - don't change the dates.”

“sucks i can't make it.

i'll have to wait until the buttkicker.”

“Lumber --

When I looked into getting one, the brand I looked at had a nylon sack for the canister with webbing straps . . .they idea being (i assume) you could lash it to the outside of your pack.


You would, of course, take it out of the sack at camp so that bear couldn't just pick up the sack and walk away with the canister.”

“There was a thread recently on the Bearakade (sp?) cannisters.

what's wrong with the Ursacks?”

“Check this out guys...may be worth the effort. Not approved in the Sierras but it appears to work and is really light (and cheap).


http://www.stealthcan.com/”

“There was a thread recently on the Bearakade (sp?) cannisters.

what's wrong with the Ursacks?"
Roam Around
02:29:16 PM
07/07/04
ignore this user

There was a case of one of them failing in the ADKs. It was probably a factory defect.”

“the bears still destroy your food - the bag is rip proof - not crush food.

at least thats my understanding.


and - since the ADKs are gonna adopt a canister policy soon, betcha they go with the already existing policies (why reinvent the wheel) and do not approve the ursacks.

then you'll have to buy another one next year anyway (probably.)”

“most places with bear pops/problems are gonna eventually adopt the cannister rule I'd imagine.

The smokies will be next, but the bears there generally only bother the car campers in the "developed" campgrounds.”

“i agree roam - and so far none of the places with canisters in effect allow ursacks (i think)

so i wouldn't buy one and then hope that my area will be the first to allow them.”

“Roam, you should definitely come up for this trip. But if you can't, don't sweat it. It look slike the latter half of the year is loaded with trips to the Adirondacks.

Gremlin, you should come down for this trip too. Even if you've already done Marcy, there's up to five other peaks to do in the immediate area...”

“So Sacco, you in or what?”

“Roamy - I've been using an Ursack for over a year and am quite happy with it. I use it pretty much everywhere (in the East) with the exception of the ADK High Peaks. Keep in mind that the Ursack is a sack, and a bear can crush the contents. I use the odor proof ziplock that comes with it and so far so good.

In the Adirondacks, I bring the Bearikade. It's probably the lightest of the approved canisters but of course the most expensive. I swear by it though.

From what I hear, next year canisters may be required in the ADK High Peaks Reagion. I wouldn't look for the Ursack to be approved. Even so, I wouldn't feel comfortable with an Ursack around Lake Colden where the bears there make Yogi look like a very un-average bear.

Those Steal Cans look interesting. Light and cheap, something has to wrong there, eh? The smaller version, the 5 quart model looks to be too small diameter wise. I think a Dak bear could get it's jaw around it and crush it.”

“How is the Uphill/Feldspar brook area? From what I understand, it's not as bad as, say Beaver Point, Flowed Lands, or Avalanche Pass -- but it's not completely out of the woods, so to speak...”

“"How is the Uphill/Feldspar brook area? From what I understand, it's not as bad as, say Beaver Point, Flowed Lands, or Avalanche Pass -- but it's not completely out of the woods, so to speak..."
PhantomSoul
07:38:34 PM
07/07/04
ignore this user

You nailed it.”

“Don't underestimate the hike in from Upper Works - especially if you're carrying a load. The hike to the Flowed Lands and Lake Colden is a nice haul, but the hike up to Uphill and Feldspar Leanto will be alot steeper and more challenging, especially after just hoofing all the way from Upper Works. Good Luck!”

“Thanks for the tip, Capn, but I've walked down it from Beaver Point after going over Cold Brook Pass. I think we'll be alright. That's also one of the reasons I set Marcy for the next morning instead of the same day, but I guess we can play it by ear when we get there.

This might end up being a semi-butt-kicker... :\”

“I don't see you signed up for this trip, Bobo. What gives? Or have you already done all 6 peaks in that area?”

“Thanks Mr. Soul, but I just stopped by to give you a reason .

I do need Redfield and the bushwhack trail does start from behind the Feldspar leanto, but it's a case of bad timing being sandwiched between the Ithaca and Maine trips. I'm hoping to go for Redfield on the Buttkicker III trip, we shall see....

Thanks for the offer, see you in Ithaca uurrp!”

“Doesn't Redfield have a bushwhack/herd path along Uphill Brook, or am I mistaking this for something completely different? Anyway, the whole reason for this set up is that a buddy of mine was interested in summiting Marcy, and this was the easiest way to put it together in one weekend.”

“this trip is quite tempting. I do need to find myself in the daks this year.”

“EarthNSky, you should go. This trip covers quite a bit of mileage, but it's also a good grand tour of the Adirondacks as well.”

“I want to come. Trying to figure out how to get there. I don't have vacation time yet. It's around 500 miles to get there from DC (almost exact same distance as it is to Mt Mitchell, NC). I can either do this one or Roam's sixer bagging trip two weeks later. hmmm
I was already in the southern sixers this year and was in the Catskills in June but yet to hike in the Adks. I'm leaning on this trip because it would be something new for me and get to gag a state high point that is above tree line (sweet). I'm looking at airfare now. If I take a plane and most likely I would have to, can some one pick me up at an airport and drive me and then drop me off in time to catch my plane sunday night? :) It would be a really long drive. It took me 8 hours to get to the Catskills. Driving thru balt, philly, Jersey and NYC in friday eve extended rush hour is hell.”

“Hey ENS, I'm planning to head out on that Friday 7-8 PM - ish or so and just crash at the trailhead when I got there. Last time I did that, I got there at about 1 AM and it didn't work too bad. I gotta admit, its a very remote trailhead, and it did give me a little trouble to find the first time I went up there. Fortunately I had the whole night and a full tank of gas to figure it out...

Can you perhaps cut out of work around 3 PM so it doesn't count as a day off? If you can get up to about Princeton NJ in time, you can follow and/or carpool if you want.”

“PhantomSoul:

Good job setting up this trip! Your addemndum on the directions from I-87 to Lower Works Road looks right on-target.

I sure hope the weather is good. If it is, I'll definitely be attending this trip. And I'll probably expand my stay to 4-days/3-nights (possibly even 5/4). If anyone wants to join me for the extended version of the trip, you're certainly welcome. Following would be my itinerary:

Day 1: Trek to basecamp from Upper Works.

Day 2: Dayhike to Gray/Marcy or
Redfield -- as per your plans.

Day 3: Dayhike to whatever peak(s) was(were) not climbed the previous day (i.e. either Redfield or Gray/Marcy).

Day 4: Trek back to Upper Works.

Depending on weather forecasts, I may start out on Thursday or Friday and come back out on Sunday or Monday. Or start on Saturday and come out on Tuesday. Either way, I'd be piggybacking with at least one of your days of the trip.

Of course, being the fair-weather hiker/camper that I am, I may decide to hold out for a completely different set of dates if Mother Nature is being uncooperative. That's why I'm a Maybe on the Attendees List until just a few days beforehand.

Regarding the last of the Upper Works trailhead: If the weather is nice that Saturday, expect the parking area there to be jammed to overflow. A shuttle from the Mt Adams/Allen Mtn parking area, or the Santanoni trailhead therefore may be in order.

BTW, it's my understanding that the DEC recently put up markers along the herdpath from Uphill Brook to Redfield, thus making it an official trail.”

“PS: I need Redfield and Gray for my 46ers ...that's why they're on my itinerary. I've done all the other 46ers in that area of the Central High Peaks. But after doing Gray, I'd sure like to take the herdpath from there to Marcy.”

“I'd love to do this trip and
I'm trying to work it out.
it sounds great.”

“Come on up -- it's going to be great.”

“I was actually thinking of doing Marcy and Skylight (since I'll already be at the four corners). What's this I hear about having to carry a stone to the top of Skylight or else it will rain?”

“It's an Adirondack tradition. Don't mess with the curse of Skylight. I would carry one up to Marcy as well, though not part of the tradition. The mountain stewards us the rocks to line the edges of the alpine vegetation. This helps protect the plants from being blown off the mountain from the wind. There is a big cairn on the top of Skylight to accept the stone and a smaller one on Marcy. This is a great way for hikers to give something back to the mountains that we love.”

“Yeah, there's always a mountain steward on Skylight, and if you don't carry a rock with you up from Four Corners, you'll have to purchase one from the steward at the top. Five bucks a pop.”

“$5? I think they bumped it up to $10 due to inflation.”

“Right next to the full-featured amusement park on top of Skylight, right?”

“I think it's between the snack bar and the Ferris wheel.”

“I won’t be able to make this trip. I have some routine maintenance I need to do on my car before I leave for Maine. Maybe I could fit in a day hike up Skylight and Marcy on Sunday.”

“Hey LZ, don't sweat it; ya gotta do what ya gotta do. If you want to come meet us on Sunday, It looks like a not-too-long hike to "Feldspar Base" from Marcy Dam, though it's got quite the bit of uphill.

We will be trying to get an early start though, as I'd like to get Marcy, Skylight, and possibly Gray in (if time allows and I can find the herd path). Following that will also be the 10-mile hike out to Upper Works.

Yup, this will definitely be an action-packed weekend...”

“Geez Zac - do that stuff during the week after work.

There's a chance I'll see y'all up there. If I go, I'll probably get up there Friday night and sleep in the car, and be on the trail at sunrise. Since I've done Marcy, I'm more interested in the other peaks I haven't done yet: Redfield, Cliff, Gray, Skylight, and Colden.

If I'm lucky, I'll get to the Uphill Brook lean-to early Sat, find it empty and leave a note for you guys. I'd like to get as much done on Sat as possible and meet up with everybody later in camp.”

“Phantom Soul,

Okay, I think I'm a go on this one. Weather looks acceptable, and the cooler temps in the forecast make some challenging hikes along the steeper trails and herdpaths more inviting.

I'll head up there Friday morning, park at Tahawus, and reach Uphill leanto mid-late afternoon the same day. If the leanto is empty, I'll grab it, but I expect to find it occupied ...in which case, I'll look for a legal site in the vicinity. I'll post a note at the Uphill Brook leanto to describe where my tent will be located. No promises that any of the nearby sites will be large enough to accomodate more than one or two tents, but I'll sure try to find one.

On Saturday morning, I'll head up to Redfield then back with a small daypack via Uphill Brook herdpath. On Sunday, I intend to dayhike to Gray, then take the herdpath from there directly to Marcy; then return via Schoefield Cobble > Lake Tear > Feldspar Brook trail. If anyone can - and wants to - hook up with me for any of this itinerary, y'all's welcome.

Pennsy, I hope you can make it. Remember... you gotta pass me on the 46er list to beat me to the last climb. I'll be up to 45 at the end of this trip. But you'll still have time to catch and overtake me.”

“Oh yeah... On Monday morning I'll be heading back out to my car at Tahawus. Gotta be back home on Monday night.”

“Ok, so Uphill Leanto it is. Also, remember, that if it should be taken, Feldspar Leanto is just a bit up the trail (in the same valley/gap/notch/whatever-you-want-to-call-it between the Greats, Colden and Cliff), which we could use as a backup in case Uphill is already taken. I'm sure there areas around both leantos where tents can be pitched if so prefered.

As for peaks, we (I've got a couple non-TT friends with me) plan on doing Marcy, Skylight, and Gray (if we can find its herd path) on Sunday. Saturday afternoon I'm leaving open for now, but we may do something depending on when we get to camp since were coming from Upper Works. We'll probably make that determination when we get there.”

“We'll be heading out after doing the Greats on Sunday -- gotta be back home in NJ Sunday night...”

“I'm interested but it's a 6 hr drive for me. What time do you think we'd be back at the car on Sunday?”

“Okay Soul, if Uphill Brook leanto is taken, I'll continue on to the Feldspar Brook leanto. If that one's also claimed, I'll try to find a campsite suitable for several tents. Either way, I'll leave a note at one - or both - of the leantos.”