Skillz to Hike the Catskills - Episode 2

“8*f today 1-19-05 it's gone up but still 24 degrees below freezing.

The spot is nice. Most is state land. Much of the rest has deed restrictions. It's been there a long time & will be there a long time more.

It's gorgeous year round there. There will always be a warmer gentler weekend (even in winter)if any cannot go.

I don't like Long Pond campground much or any campground but it would be a nice "jumping off" spot for those that need structures & flush toilets. Showers are always a plus.”

“Ens Buck up man! If you don't go does that mean that your brother doesn't go?

Phantom soul are you going to brave the cold?

What about you climbhi?”

“I'm going to try and make this trip. I don't want to bail. So I'm still in at this time.”

“I think I'm feeling better today than I was yesterday, so that is a good sign.”

“looks like there is a large snow storm moving up the coast and is going to hit this weekend.”

“WE got 6" of powder today. They are predicting a noreaster this weekend but who knows.”

“it's not looking good for me. I'm going to work tomorrow, but I still feel pretty crappy. I think I'm starting to feel better though. I'm just worried that spending two nights out in zero degree weather would compromise my recovery. I see how I feel tomorrow though. I've never been in this situation before and I'm not sure what the most intelligent thing to do is. Also, I think we need to keep our eyes on that storm.”

“I'm sounding like a wuss I know.”

“There is no shame in bailing if you don't feel well and the weather is against you. The mountains aren't going anywhere.”

“Anybody else still going? I am and I hope we get like 2 feet of snow on Saturday night.”

“I'm still in”

“I got 24 hours to get well”

“ENS drink lots of OJ and take Zinc pills”

“i was up at indianhead yesterday and it was too cold. way too cold. I was well dressed: -10 mitts, joni handwarmers, down, primaloft. your water will freeze. cover your face with balaclavas. if you wear glasses they will freeze over and be useless. the cold sucks all the energy out of you. be dressed for the worst. it gets windy up there when it is calm in the valley. you may want to wait a few days and go snowshoeing in 25 degree sunny weather. if you go, stay warm. don't get wet, and don't hesitate to turn around if it gets too skeeetchy feeling. it gets dark around 330 in the mountains. and the bushwack up doubletop is very diffucult. heavy underbrush because it is all virgin. owned by the gould estate and never logged. good luck! m1”

“thanks for this info MM1”

“Madman those are the conditions that I like bring it on. I think this is the only weather that I don't sweat like a pig.

Thanks for the info though.”

“I may have to work on Saturday..I'll find out today. I also want to keep an eye on the storm --I like to camp in snow, but hate driving in storms Nothin' like a 360 spin to get the heart beating!!”

“thanks CH! I got your email and sent one back to you. The worst weather would be Sunday, but we'd only have a mile hike back to the cars on Sunday and we'd have all day to drive home so we could take it easy on the roads should they be bad.

My status is, I'm still sick and off of work again today and I may go to the doctor today. Not sure. I have a ridiculous copay and I don't want to pay for it out of pocket. I feel better today than I did yesterday though.

Same with me, it's not the hiking conditions that bother me, I love those conditions too. It's driving conditions that concerns me.
last edited: 1/20/05 9:12:26 AM”

“I can't get Sat free, so I'm a no. I was hoping to get up there today, but the roads here were all icy this morning.

I hope you feel better and get to do the trip, ENS.”

“I'm out for this weekend. I'm starting to feel better, but still sick. I don't think I will feel better in time for this trip. Even still, I will just be recovering this weekend and I won't be 100%. I think I will be too sensitive to the cold and it will be pretty cold. I would compromise not only my own safety being out there, but everyone else on the trip.”

“Wise move ENS.”

“I agree. You are being smart, ENS. The mountain will still be there when you start feeling better. I definately want to get up there sometime and do this route.

I hope LT and ClimbHI still go. They can cut a trail to Doubletop for us. ;o)”

“It sucks cuz I was really looking forward to it and I haven't been out. It's too risky going out there in those conditions and not being 100%. We need to find a weekend to get back up there. I hope everyone can still make it too. Sorry I got sick.”

“EarthNsky - wise move. Get your health back.
I have to work Saturday so I have to bail out on this trip. Its to bad because with the snow coming it should be great. I agree with ENS - maybe another weekend.”

“Hmmm this sucks! Anybody else want to go this weekend?”

“this sucks, I'm still sick. Went to work today, but it's been a battle.”

“ENS, hopefully you'll recover from your flu soon. I think you made the right move to hold off on the trip when you are that sick. I got the flu on a winter backpacking trip about 10 years ago on the mid state trail and had to be picked up because I couldn't make it back to the trailhead. It was -5 the first night and I developed a fever and chills. Thinking I'd be OK, I kept hiking the next day and then got really weak and a worse fever. My friend went back and got his car to pick me up while I waited at a picnic area. It's bad enough being sick at home and about 10 times worse on a winter backpacking trip.”

“thanks for everyone's well wishes. Sorry LT I couldn't make it. It wouldn't been a fun time hiking in that weather. Looking forward to FYAO!”