Over 5,000 Feet Above the Sea (Adirondac ks TR)

“Ok, it's 1:30 AM and I just got home after dropping Cosmo off at our meeting spot from Friday and I'm exhausted. Redfield and Marcy (Peak #'s 1 and 2 for me, respectively) are in the officially in the bag -- Let the ADK peak-bagging games begin!

Anywhoo, more details and pics tomorrow, I'm going to bed...”

“slacker.”

“If only you'd do something more productive with your weekends. ;)”

“Get a job!”

“I still think you should have climbed Cliff first. When you finished your 46, the 46ers list your first peak in their records. Every one would read yours and think, "Cliff? Who the hell starts with Cliff?"”

“lumberzac, is that a permanent record?”

“It sure is.

46er records
”

“Dang!!

Do we know any of those people?”

“Um, I have a day-job, which is the primary reason why you haven't seen a real TR yet...

That being said, stay tuned -- I'm writing one up now...”

“I would end with Whiteface - someone could drive in the alcohol and could drive your sorry drunken a$$es down. I mean, it is just about climbing the peaks, yes?”

“4394

Geraldine Ames First peak:Algonquin 5/25/94

Last peak: Gray 9/19/94

I don't know if you praise the focus here or worry about a mental condition. LOL!”

“I bet it was cool getting up above tree line!!”

“So on Friday night, I packed all my stuff together, got in the car and headed up to Harriman State Park in NY where I would meet my buddy Cosmo, and from there we'd carpool up to the Adirondacks. Well, as usual, I was running crazy late, and so was he -- something about traffic and getting out of Long Island (who would've thought?). We got out of our meeting spot a bit after 9 and made it to Upper Works by 12:30 -- amazing timing for such a distance -- and proceeded to crash in the car at the trailhead (this is become a regular thing for Adirondack trips).

Woke up the next morning, got everything ready to go, met up with shutterbug (another Canadian TT-er) and her SO, Dimitri, and we soon set off. The path to the campsite was long, but went quickly, as there was very little elevation change and no steep parts at all.

We reached Uphill Brook Leanto around noon, minutes ahead of a group of Boy Scouts, who were also scouting a leanto. After finding a note from M_Silver saying that he and Pennsy were at the Feldspar Leanto about half a mile away, we decided to give Uphill Brook to the Boy Scouts and head over to Feldspar, where we found an uninhabited shelter with a note from Pennsy saying that they went to do some local peaks. Cool beans.

Upon arriving at Feldspar shelter, I realized that there were no steel cables there to hang food from, and immediately realized this was going to be a problem -- I don't have a bear canister. According to the ranger (who came by later that afternoon), the area was high-traffic enough to have a bear problem, but apparently not high-traffic enough for steel cables. (I wonder how that figures.) She also warned us not to expect to find any food in the morning that was not stowed in a bear canister. Joy.

So, while deliberating over what to do with our food while doing some peaks that afternoon, Pennsy managed to come back from his peak-bagging escapades, and Dimitri decided to bail on us, and as a result we decided to leave our food at the leanto, as they had decided they would just hang around the leanto.

So, by the time Cosmo, shutterbug, and I set out for Redfield, it was past 3:30 in the afternoon already, and we've sadly come to accept the fact that Cliff would have to be canned. :(

The herd path to Redfield was in excellent shape (impressive for a herd path, actually), complete with ribbons to mark the way. We ran into both M_Silver and lumberzac on the way, both of whom were on their way back down Redfield. After stopping to chat with each for a bit, we made it to the top and got an excellent view...of a huge storm cloud making a beeline right for us. Cosmo got up there way before shutterbug and I, carrying his 60-lb pack (yes folks, he is certifiable) and got to hang out there for about 20 mins before getting chased out by the storm. Me -- I get to snap a few cool pics (for documentation purposes and whatnot), and we were out of there like a bat out of hell from the fast-approaching storm. 10 minutes after we left the summit, the sky opened up and never let up until we were back at the bottom at Uphill brook leanto. And that's the story of my first ADK46 peak -- run out of town by a storm.

When we got back to the shelter, every one was there already, and pretty much past supper. We proceeded to cook and eat dinner, where Cosmo almost managed to blow up his stove fuel bottle. Fortunately he managed to snuff it out with dirt before it exploded, thanks to the shovel ever so conveniently left at the shelter.

After dinner, we proceeded to deal with our next big dilemma -- what to do with our food. Pennsy and M_Silver didn't have room in their canisters for all our food, but they did let us cram in whatever there was room for (thanks, guys!). As for rest, we set up a rope between two trees (which took over an hour and a half -- absolutely ridiculous if you ask me), and hung the bearbags between, hoping for the best. The verdict would be in in the morning...

Being that campfires were prohibited in this area of the High Peaks, we decided to can the night pretty early (not long after it got dark) for a couple of reasons, including being exhausted from all the hiking, and a little chilly from getting rained on that afternoon (though nothing nearly as dramatic as last week on the Loyal-SOAK). I must admit I slept very well that night, only waking up a few times, and almost immediately just rolling over and going back to sleep.

I woke up the next morning to Dimitri retriving our food bags and it was the image of the utter catastrophe we had all feared. The ruins of our food and stuff sacks were just shreads of all the plastic packaging that Mr. Teddy decided was not tasty enough to eat. It was all gone -- not one piece of my food left. Folks, I gotta tell you, I like to think of myself as a pretty competitive guy, but at that moment all I could feel was just utter defeat and helplessness; it was not a happy time. I've done a lot of backpacking, and never has a conventional bear bag in a tree failed me. A real kick in the teeth, and reality check to say the least. Needless to say, a bear canister has been moved to the top of my to-get list...

Fortunately for us though, between the food we managed to squeeze into Pennsy's and M_Silver's canisters (which were, oddly-enough untouched), and the food that M_Silver decided to share with us (thanks a million, man!) since he had decided to cash out a day early, we were able to eat enough to continue our mission to the top. Shutterbug and Dimitri also decided to cash out a day early now (their original plan was to stay until Monday) so they shared that food that had been spared (thanks a bunch).

So after scrounging together what we could for breakfast, Cosmo, shutterbug, Dimitri, and I were off to the big one, Mt. Marcy -- albeit somewhat later than I had orginally wanted, but at this point, I figured we were lucky to be able to go at all. The others had already left on their own peak-bagging iteneraries.

The climb up to Lake Tear of the Clouds was longer than I thought it would be, but not steep and I think we made good time. We stopped at the lake to fill up our water, and then off to the top.

The .9-mile climb up Marcy's shoulder from the Four Corners was brutally steep, and in some places actually required you to grab onto trees to help pull yourself up insanely huge "steps". We got amazing views of Skylight, Gray Peak, Lake Tear, the Panter Gorge, and Haystack from a ledge at the treeline of Marcy. That spot also provided impressive views of Marcy's summit...and the clouds that were rapidly appraoching it. Great -- 0 for 2 on good-weather summits (I think I got EarthNSky's curse).

Anyway, we pushed on, as we were not about to back down after being so close. From there on, it was just bare rock out in the open...steep, bare rock, sometimes wet. Before long, we reached the top, and it was absolutely exhilarating. At 5344', we were standing on the highest peak in New York, the sixth highest peak in the Northeast, and over a mile above sea level. We had made it; the mission was a success. We were standing at the top of New York, over 5000 ft above the sea. Awesome!

Unfortunately, we didn't get much of a view, unless of course, you count the cloud that was surrounding us and the summit. A southeastern view toward Haystack did open up briefly, but closed back up by the time I could get my camera out -- dang! I'll just have to go back there when the weather is nicer...

And so began the trip back down. Because it was a bit breezy up there and chilly, due to the lack of sun, we decided to head down after only a few minutes. The way down was even tougher (if you ask me) than the way up, for walking downhill on steep, wet, slippery bare rock with nothing to grab onto is treacherous. I ended up going much slower than I had expected to (but, hey, at least I didn't fall down). Along the way down, I noticed that Skylight and Gray Peak were both completely socked in and didn't look like the clouds were going anywhere any time soon. So, between that, the time, and the fact that this trip was really about Marcy and nothing else (at least for Cosmo and I), we kinda collectively decided to can Skylight and Gray Peak. I figured I'd like to go there when I can actually get a view. And so is the story of ADK46 peak #2 -- Marcy.

We came back to the leanto around 12:30 and M_Silver was already there. We ate the rest of whatever food was left for lunch (Pennsy and lumberzac had left already, and M_Silver told me they had taken all the garbage that had been left behind by Mr. Teddy (thanks a million, guys -- I owe you one).

Cosmo, shutterbug, Dimitri, I were finally packed up and ready to go about quarter to 3 and were the last ones out. Soon after, Cosmo and I said our goodbye's to the other two, as we decided to high-tail it back to the Upper Works trailhead in attempt to not get home too, too late (yeah, right.)

The hike out was pretty much uneventful. We ran into M_Silver talking to some campers at a leanto near Flowed Land and said our goodbye's once again. From there, Cosmo and I booked it the final 4 miles back to the trailhead, where we changed into some clean clothes and were off down the highway via North Creek and Warrensburg, where we stopped for gas and some grub at a place called George Henry's in Warrensburg. Good Food, good alternative to Noonmark....maybe?

I dropped Cosmo off at our meeting spot in Harriman at about 11:30 PM, from where we parted ways -- him going to Long Island, me going to South Jersey. Overall, I have to say the trip was a success, as, despite all adversity, we did accomplish what we set out to do: summit Marcy. Yeah, I didn't get to do all 4 peaks that I had talked about, but in retrospect they were really just bonuses with respect to Marcy. I originally wanted to start with Marcy, and yeah, Cliff might have been a cool starter too, but you know, I'll take Redfield anyday, especially when all things are considered, the entire weekend will be remembered for a very long time...

Thanks everyone for coming out -- shutterbug and Dimitri, it was nice meeting you; lumberzac, M_Silver, and Pennsy, it was nice seeing yous again. Until next time, Piece!

PS Pictures to come later tonight -- I still have to unpack and upload them to my computer (I'm such a slacker...)”

“Sounds like you had an excellent time! I hope the bears got a tummy ache! lol. Proly those piggy backin' bears Zac talks about. Good TR Phantom, looking foward to the pix.”

“Excellent trip report Soul Man!

Congrats on bagging your first 2 46'ers. Also to Shutterbug for her first 2, and Dimitri's first. Was it Cosmo's first 2 also?

Big congrats to M_Silver for bagging number 44 (Redfield) and number 45 (Gray). One more to go man, Rocky Peak Ridge. Way to go Mister M!!

Mostly everyone's trip report will be different since we came in at different times with different agendas, so here's mine:

Friday night I slept at the Upper Works th in the back of my Jette wagon. Just enough room for me to stretch in my sleeping bag, very comfy. Got up early and hit the trail at 5:45am. It was very peaceful hiking alone that early and I enjoyed it a lot. From Upper Works to the Feldspar lean-to, it's about 8.5 miles with 1500' of elevation gain. Lots of rocks and some mud, but a fairly easy trek and I made good time. The trail goes by the Flowed Lands, and crosses over Colden Dam, with lots of views of the surrounding peaks.

I ran into M_Silver at the Feldspar lean-to and was pleasantly surprised that it would be empty for us Sat night. I unpacked some of my gear and prepared for the dayhike, but spent some time chatting with Mister M and the ranger who happened by. The ranger, Thea, could pass for AmyG's sister, but something else looked very familiar. It then clicked and I asked her if she was a summit steward on Algonquin 2 years ago. She indeed was but of course didn't remember me. She did remember some dude that was farting all over the summit though. "His name was Fartex soemthing, right?"

Anywho, Mister M wasn't ready to start his hike, and I wanted to do Cliff as well as Redfield, so I took off for Cliff. Yeesh, what a trail! Now I know why the only people who do this are 46'er peak baggers. Lots of mud at the bottom, and lots of blowdown everywhere else. However, there was definate signs of some good samaritan trail maintainence, and ot could have been a lot worse. The belly crawl under a massive blowdown wasn't much fun though. The herd path was fairly easy to follow, and I only got off course a few times. I had map, compass and gps just in case. After some steep rock scrambles near the top and one false summit, I got to the summit for number 19. I took a few pics at the top (yes, there are a few views up there), and started back down the same way.

The descent almost took the same amount of time as the climb, and once at the bottom, I quickly found the neighboring herdpath to Redfield. Ahhhhhhh, this trail was much much better and very well maintained for an "unofficial trail." Even though the trail to Redfield is longer and almost 600' higher than Cliff, it took almost exactly the same amount of time. It started to rain halfway up which made the rocky trail a bit slick. At the top I ran into Mister M and congratulated him for bagging number 44. It was mumber 20 for me. Unfortunately, there was no view whatsover because of fog and clouds, and I got a chill quickly, so I headed back down while Mister M savored his moment.

It was raining when I got to the lean-to and I got cold again, but I was happy to see Phantom Soul and Shutterbag in camp. Cosmo (who by the way completed an AT thru hike last year, way to go man!) and Dimitri were out looking for possible places to hang food bags. Eventually PS, Shutterbug and Cosmo headed up to Redfield in the rain, while Cosmo and myself stayed in camp.

Soon after, Lumberzac lumbered into camp after hiking in from Upper Works and "almost" bagged Redfield with a full pack. The others came from Redfield around 7, wet, muddy and tired but very happy after bagging their first 46'er. Congrats again kids! (see PS's trip report for the rest of the evening festivities)

Sunday morning, I woke up early to sunshine and kicked Lumberzac to get him up. The others wanted to do Marcy, but Zac had done it before and wanted to do Gray and Skylight. We hit the trail early, and did not know the food bags got assaulted til later on. That's a tough one guys.

Anywho, we marched uphill to Lake Tear of the Clouds and easily found the herdpath to Gray. The trail was in pretty good shape and easy to follow. It was pretty steep with some interesting rock scrambles but we got to the summit in about 30 minutes. Number 21 for me and 30 something for Zac. We thought about continuing on the herdpath to Marcy from Gray summit, but it looked much too thick to hike through. I gave my share of skin to Cliff the day before so we hiked back down.

Back to the trail and Lake Tear, it was a short hike to Skylight's trailhead. FINALLY, a official trail to a summit this weekend. Woohoo. The trail to the summit is about 1/2 mile with 600+ ft of elevation gain, but it was in excellent shape and we made great time. The views from Skylight are awesome, and YES, we carried the traditional rocks up to place on the giant cairn.

While munching some snacks and enjoying the views, a hiker approached us. Before then, we had the summit to ourselves. This lady was wearing running shoes and shorts and I asked her where she started from. "Oh, Upper Works this morning around 7 o'clock." It wasn't quite 10:30 when I glanced at my watch. That's almost 10 rocky, muddy miles with around 3500' of elevation gain in less than 3 1/2 hours. WOW. I calmly remarked "you made good time" and she replied that she ran for a while but "got tired." LOL!

Soooo, it started to get chilly and we saw storm clouds in the distance so we headed back to camp. We ran into Mister M who just bagged mumber 45 (Grey) and Cosmo, who was coming back from Marcy. The others were still on their way back down from Marcy, and with the weather looking potentially dismal, Zac and I packed up and headed out for the 8.5 mile back to Upper Works.

Phantom Soul, Shutterbug and Dimitri - sorry we didn't get to say our goodbyes but we'll catch ya's next time. It was great meeting some new people and reaquainting with "the usual suspects."

I myself was very pleased the way everything turned out (except for the food bags), and I was thrilled to bag 4 46'ers. 22 down and 24 to go. I wasn't pleased with the traffic on the Thruway, as I didn't get home til 11 last night. Oh well, you can't have everything.

Some pics MAY be up this week, but I have yet to unpack and start getting ready for the Maine trip this weekend.”

“Nice TR, Pennsy. We don't need to say our goodbyes -- it's not like we're never going to run into each other again; we're always hanging out on the same trails.

I wish I could've picked up at least Cliff and Skylight in addition, but all things considered, I can't really complain. Oh, and thanks again for "taking out the trash..."”

“Nice!!!”

“Great pics PS!

Cliff and Skylight will still be there next time. We nixed the idea of doing Colden on the way out when Ranger Thea told us there might be hail and thumderstorms. Don't wanna get caught up high in that stuff. Better to save it for a better day.

No prob about the trash. I was packing light anyway. You guys did good in gathering up all the trash though. I've seen evidence where people get disgusted at getting their food taken and then just leave the trash.

Speaking of bears.... Sunday morning we saw fresh tracks of a bear that apparantley came within 20' from the front of the lean-to and then turned around. I reckon that 7 people loudly snoring has it's advantages.”

“What, no Bear Pics? You gave Mr. Teddy all your food and you didn't get a picture of him!

Congrats to all!

Mighty_M - one more to go!!!”

“I got home Monday morning about 3 AM.

Good, report there, PhSoul. Very thorough. Excellent pics too ...I like the panoramas a lot. Thanks for organizing the trip, and congrats on 46er peaks #1 & #2 ... Ditto to Cosmo and Shutterbug ...and Dimitri’s first. Too bad we got less than ideal weather. Nice to meet some new folks (lumberzac, Cosmo, Shutterbug & Dimitri), and to spend some time again with hiking pals from previous trips (Pennsy & PhantomSoul). Soul, just keep repeating to yourself, "get bear canister, get bear canister, ..."

Pennsy, also a great report. Fun reading. Too bad you couldn't stay longer on Redfield until the skies lifted for awhile (see my pics from after you left).

Hey zac, next time we meet & chat on the trail, I’ll know who you are, eh?!

It was also nice to meet Ranger "who’s-tent-is-this?-the-bears-will-get-your-food" Thea.

Great trip, folks! Here's how the some of it looked from my perspective...

My Pickchahs”

“Nice pics! Who dressed zac and Pennsy, they look like the Bobsey Twins, LOL!!!”

“Pennsy just wishes he was me.
lol”

“Even the shorts had the same thigh pocket!!!

You guys aren't gonna do that to us in Maine, are you?”

“I bought the EMS zip-off pants first.”

“I'll bring a Sharpie so you can label your underwear!”

“LMAO!”

“Nice TR and pics! Bummer about the bears, Phantomsoul. But hey, you'll be better prepared for next time. Glad you guys had fun.”

“Great trip reports and pictures!”

“great pics and reports y'all! Now I really want to get up to the Adks. I may try and make the buttkicker.”

“It was a great trip. I wish I lived closer to some mountains so I could go more often. This was my first time hiking up a summit, so I'm quite happy to have done Marcy and Redfield.

My trip pretty much resembles PhantomSoul's except that on Sunday, instead of hiking back
to the car, Dmitry and I camped at Lake Colden. The following day, the hike back seemed harder than it should have been because we didn't have much food left. However, the weather was great and the mountains looked spectacular.

It was great to meet everyone from TT and I hope to hike with some of you in the future.”

“PS and Pennsy...excellent trip reports.

PS, LZ, and M_Silver...great pics.

Congrats to all the 1st time baggers and congrats to M_Silver on a great accomplishment.

Luckily the bear only ran off with the food! Glad to see everyone was able to get something to eat. The trip sounded like a good time. Hopefully next year I'll be able to hook (but I WILL have a canister)!!!LOL Great job guys. Thanks for sharing.”

“My trip report follows. I never posted anything this long here before. But I typed it up for my brother Joe as per his request, and thought I'd copy-and-paste it here. Maybe somebody would also like to read it?


FRIDAY:

c. 11:00 AM - Hit the trail from Upper Works. Parking area is packed and overflowing down past the decaying buildings along the roadway. Partly cloudy and nice weather outside the High Peaks; heavy overcast with occasional light drizzle from that point all the way in.

c. 4:30 PM - Arrive at Uphill Brook about 4:30 PM. Lean-to occupied. Chatted briefly with the occupants. Don’t bother to check out any nearby tent sites; instead head for Feldspar lean-to.

c. 5:00 PM - Arrive at Feldspar Lean-to. Lean-to occupied. I scour the area on both sides of the bridge for tent sites that are large enough to accommodate several shelters when the rest of the TT-ers arrive the following day. There’s only one …about 50 feet down from the lean-to, so I start setting up my tent there while chatting with a couple of nearby campers who stopped by. Fully realizing the camping sites could be a lot worse… low and behold, DEC Ranger Thea shows up and asks, "Who's tent is this?" …says the site is illegal, says it’s less than a gazillion feet from a trail. I note to her that it’s not a trail; rather a path to the lean-to, and that the *trail* is on the other side of the creek. She insists. I’m desperate… this site is by far the lesser of all possible evils …so I bring to her attention to the fact that there are no signs prohibiting camping at this site. She quickly retorts by noting that neither are there any “Designated” site signs. I’m skunked, but hoping that maybe she’ll sympathize, I plead, “You’re allowed to camp only at *designated* sites anymore?!. I didn’t know that!” But she’s hard-drivin’ woman, and recommends a smaller adjacent site (too small …I had already checked it). Grasping now, I reply, “But it has no Designated Camping sign!” Now I know that unless she’s willing to contradict her previous statement, I may still not get the site, but at least she’ll be cornered in the debate. She retorts with, “No, it’s okay to camp there.” I know she can see the lack of respect on my face regarding her reply, but I also know that she sees my eyes glancing at the DEC patches on her olive-green uniform. “And besides,” she says, “there are tent sites only a half mile from here at Uphill Brook. You can always go there if your don’t like the sites here.” In a flash I clearly sense that I have no choice but to acquiesce. No doubt about it… I’m totally defeated. I fight authority, authority always wins. (NOTE: Actually, Ranger Thea was very nice, and to her credit, gently yet matter-of-factly knew how to get people to comply without being offensive at all.)

c. 6:00 PM – So I decide to pack up and head back down to Uphill Brook to look around there for suitable tent sites for me and the group. No dice. All too small or too wet.

c. 7:00 PM – Arrive back at Feldspar lean-to area and set up in Thea’s “legal” site. It can squeeze in maybe 5 shelters …but we’ll have at least six tents when all the others arrive tomorrow. But by this time I’m relieved to have any tent site at all, because it’s late Friday and more people are coming in, it’s getting late, and I’m tired. I decide to worry about it all the next day. So I set up my tent and have my dinner down near the bridge …away from the tent because I don’t want to inadvertently attract any bears. Bears?! At the bridge, I talk with Ranger Thea again, and a few other campers in the area, about the marauding bears coming up from Colden …seems that food is taken regularly at both Uphill and Feldspar lean-to areas, and that in fact the previous night a group lost all their food to ‘em. Afterwards, I load up and seal my new bear canister extra tight, and place it in the woods well away from my tent, as recommended. Soon I’m in my cozy tent and falling asleep to the soft sound of light rain falling on my rain fly. I sleep very well that night.

SATURDAY:

c. 7:00 AM - Wake up. Bear canister was apparently not tampered with during the night. Eat breakfast and start to get ready for my day hike to Redfield.

c. 8:00 AM - Occupants of Feldpspar lean-to stop by to inform me that it'll be empty after they leave today. This is good news, but now I’ll need to move my tent and gear …again (*sigh*) before heading out for Redfield.

c. 8:30 AM - Pennsy shows up. We chat while semi-moving into the lean-to. I innocently pitch my tent on site in front of - but also well away from - the lean-to, wondering aloud to Pennsy if it’s okay to do that. Ranger Thea show up and asks, "Who's tent is that?" …I take down my tent.

c. 9:00 AM - Pennsy heads out for Cliff and Redfield. We plan to meet again somewhere along the Redfield route.

c. 10:00 – I head out for Redfield. Apparently the Redfield herdpath was recently cleared, so the hike up (though somewhat steeper in sections near the top) was fairly easy-going …took me about 90 minutes. Weather was overcast with sporadic drizzle along the way..

c. 12:00 Noon – I arrive at Redfield’s summit. Nice views! Instantly, a shower rolls in and the rain starts to fall heavy on me. Immediately the views vanish. I quickly struggle to get raingear and pack cover on without getting too wet …everything is socked-in now. But I thank the Lord that the trail was in real good condition, and that the rain had held off until that point, and that I’m not injured, and that my legs and my feet work pretty good, etc., etc.

c. 12:15 – Pennsy shows up on the summit. We discuss his Cliff experiences and other things. After about 15 minutes, Pennsy starts to get too chilly to wait any longer and heads back down. I decide to stay and have my lunch in the rain with my rain gear on, hoping and asking for the skies to clear. But nothing …only more rain and drizzle and thick fog all around me. But I’m in no hurry, so I wait some more…maybe another hour or so. I’m not bored or anything up there, I’m actually enjoying my rainy solitude. Finally, I give up and don my pack to head back down, being grateful for the “pictures” I was able to take with my eyes right before the rain hit upon my arrival at the summit. But wait… suddenly there's a little brightening of the sky …then the brightness intensifies …then a little sunshine breaks through! …then the clouds begin to lift! I see Skylight to the east! Then Allen right in front of me! The warm sun feels good! As the partial clearing rolls across the mountains, I see Cheney Cobble and the North River Mountains appear to the south. Then I get Colvin & Blake opening up way out there in the east. Then Nippletop Then all the Dixes in the distance! Wow! The views remain open for awhile …this is a big part of what I come up here for, and I’m so grateful! I take pictures. Then just as quickly as they lifted, the clouds drop again, and the mountains I’ve become familiar with are obscured once more. But I’m filled, refreshed, elated. And a little drier too.

c. 3:00 PM – Happily head back down Redfield. I meet zac on his way up (but I don’t know who he is at this time); we chat very briefly, then continue in our opposite directions. Near the bottom, I encounter more hikers …this time it’s a trio coming up, and I recognize one of ‘em …it’s PhantomSoul! We chat briefly; I’m introduced to Cosmo (from Joisey) and Shutterbug (from Ontario). Then we’re off on our respective routes.

c. 5:00 PM – Arrive at the Feldspar lean-to: Pennsy’s there. And somebody else is in the lean-to, all wrapped up in a sleeping bag. Soon a pair of black-frame eyeglasses appear on a stranger’s face …that turns out to belong to Dimitri (Shutterbug’s friend - also from Ontario) … Shortly, lumberzac shows up (Oh! So that was you zac, who I talked with on the Redfield path! Well, I’ll be darned!). Later PhSoul, Shutterbug and Cosmo return from their socked-in hike to Redfield ...and they’re soaking wet. All seven of us get acquainted/re-acquainted while the trio tries to dry out a bit, then finish up with dinner and lots more trail talk. Somewhere during the flowing conversation we put out a fuel can fire. Soon it’s getting dark, and once Pennsy, zac and myself stuff some of the others’ food into the leftover nooks and crannies of our canisters, they hang their food bag as best they can in the dark wet woods, away from the lean-to. All snuggled up in our nags, we laugh and talk some more, then silence as we sink into slumber in the slightly crowded lean-to. Our bellies are full, and we’re all safe, warm and dry now. I sleep well, despite the snoring that fills this burly log structure nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains.


SUNDAY:

c. 6:30 AM – I wake to chatter between Pennsy and zac, who are already up and anxious to begin their dayhike to Skylight and Gray. Soon they’re off. The rest of us mosey out of our bags, trying to get into first gear. Then, Uh-oh! …bears got the food hung in the bag. Bummer! Soul, Cosmo and Dimirti try to salvage what the bears didn’t damage too much, while Shutterbug theorizes that bruins may not particularly like Oriental food, noting that her Chinese meals were mostly left intact, while the freeze-dried and the granola stuff was slobbered and gobbled up. After sorting out the mess, putting their heads together, and considering the food from the three untouched canisters, this fearless foursome determine that they’ll have enough to get by, largely because of some extra food brought along by some.

c. 7:30 AM – Slackpack on my back, I head up the yellow trail (easy one!) toward Lake Tear of the Clouds. Cosmo passes me about half way up, with Soul, Bug and Dimitri in not-so-hot pursuit (they never catch him …he’s fast after having recently completed the entire Appalachain Trail, eh?!). After arriving at the pond, I notice that Marcy is living up to her original name, Tahawus, or “Cloud Splitter” as she effortlessly slices through successive assaults of low-hanging clouds rolling across her above tree line. Soul, Bug and Dimitri show up at Lake Tear, we talk briefly, take some pictures, then continue our respective hikes: they’re off to Marcy (despite more clouds rolling up there), and I’m heading up to Gray Peak. The herdpath to Gray is in relatively good shape, and in about only 30 minutes I’m at the summit (#45 on the 46er list for me …Whoo-hooo!). I take some pics before the low-hanging clouds drop to sock in the surrounding peaks. I’d hiked Marcy a bunch of years ago, and wanted to try the herdpath from Gray to Marcy to enjoy the views again, but with the skies no longer cooperating, I gladly settled for the views from Gray and headed back down.

c. 12:30 PM – Arrive back at Feldspar lean-to. Pennsy and zac are back from their hike to Gray and Skylight, and ready to head home. Cosmo returns from Marcy, saying the others are somewhere back there descending the yellow trail. We say good-bye for now to zac and Pennsy.

c. 12:45 PM - Since I didn’t get to climb Marcy after Gray, I’m back at the lean-to earlier than expected, so I decide to just have my lunch and head home instead of staying the extra night as originally planned. Soul, Bug and Dimitri return from Marcy. We share our experiences over cool-down and some lunch.

c. 2:00 PM – I’m packed up, We say good-bye-for-now, and I’m headed back to my car at Upper Works. A little drizzle enroute, short rest stop at Flowed Land, where Cosmo and Soul jet past me.

c. 6:45 PM – Arrive at Upper Works, change into dry clothes, and head homeward. Stop at the Black Bear restaurant/bar at Pottersville, NY for a burger and fries.

c. 12 Midnight – Rest Area stop for a needed nap.

c. 3:00 AM - Arrive home.”

“Great pics guys!

Mister M - that was one of the best trip reports I've read on TT. You should do it more often.

"I sleep well, despite the snoring that fills this burly log structure nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains."

I love that line!

I was impressed in the way Ranger Thea handled all the camper problems. She was firm but very polite. I shake my head at some of the rules, but she doesn't make them, just enforces them.

I'm bewildered that there are no steel cables in that area like at Colden and Marcy Dam.

btw Mister M - Zac and I also dined at the Black Bear Inn. Not bad at all, and we joked that it would have been appropriate if the others ate there as well, considering their food theft.

"Nice pics! Who dressed zac and Pennsy, they look like the Bobsey Twins, LOL!!!"
Capn Bobo

That was really scary. All I can say is that Zac is a Pennsernator wannabe.”

“Pssst, Mister M.....Cosmo is an old friend from Long Island, not Joisey. In fact, I was once from Long Island too before I came to Joisey many, many, many moons ago...

Nice TR and pictures, Mister M! You know, I really liked the way this trip went, with different groups on their own iteneraries, yet still converging at times to hang out. It's almost reminiscent of Treebeard's Ithaca trip, but with a much, much smaller crowd (heh -- I bet Thea would've loved 30-something TT-ers crashing Feldspar leanto on Saturday night...LOL).

We should do trip like this more often.”

“Just had to swing by and thank hikers for all that wonderful food that was just left out there in that spruce. Mmm, mmm -- good eatin'. Didn't even have to share with the rest of the teddys. Would have eaten Chinese noodles too, but was too full from all yummy food.

Just don't tell Mrs. Teddy, ok?”

“Pennsy: Thanks. Yeah, steel cables strung between two big trees ...it's unfair I tell ya! Hey, where are your pics, man?

Soul: Okay... Loong Oiland it is. Mea culpa. And yeah, with so many different goals and/or agendas, individual itineraries from a centralized basecamp is definitely the way to go in the Daks.

Mr. Teddy: You got de bag allrighty, but hey, waddyathink o' them thar canistars, eh?! And watchit, 'cause somebody gonna bring dem a shotgun, and one o' dese tymes you gone be doin' a do-si-do up dat big pine tree with buckshot in yo a$$. Whew doggie!”

“LOL Mister M!!

Ok, I have some pics up. I didn't take many because of all the muck and wet stuff, but I did something a little bit different. These photos are in black and white.

Pennsy's pics in black and white”

“Very vintage-looking -- I like. I'll have to try that sometime just to see what kind of effect I get...”

“Actually, my camera also has a sepia (sp?) filter, which gives the picture that antique, mono-chrome, almost-reddish look. That could produce an interesting effect...”

“Pennsy,

Cool pics. I'm liking the B&W ...gives 'em an antique Romantic effect. Good on ya!”

“Thanks for posting all of your reviews and photos from the weekend. My wife and I will be hiking through that area for the first time in early Sept. Your reports are a nice way to get a feel for the area. And we will get some more use of our Bear Can that we bought for last years Yosemite trip.

Thanks Again.
R.J.”

“Love the B&Ws Pennsy (AKA Minnie Me). With out color, one pays more attention to the raw form of the mountains. Just another way to look at them.”

“Pennsy..your pics look pretty kewl in B&W.

M_Silver...just read your trip report! Very neat. You gotta' do more trips. I like your writing.”

“Shutterbug's Pics (The above link doesn't work...)”

“Nice pics, shutterbug. Looks like you finally got some good weather on Monday. Y'all should've gone back to Marcy to pick up that view... (heh heh)”

“Thanks for fixing my link. Yes, the weather was very nice on Monday but we just didn't have enough food to get back up to Marcy.”

“Shutterbug,

Hmmmm.... now why would you not have enough food?! ;-)

Nice pictures! Thanks for sharing 'em. I especially like the ninja shot on Marcy, and all the pics from Sunday with the great weather.

Did you really eat those mushrooms?”