A Crazypace and ENS Excellent Catskill A dventure

“Crazypace and I dropped out of fyao since we both had time constraints to work around and decided to stay closer to Pennsylvania. We wanted to hit some peaks and the Catskills fit the bill.

The forecast was looking cold and extremely windy with a wind chill that could bite your head off. We knew going in that the snow, if any, would be nil at best.

I met Crazypace around 530pm Friday night and we were on the road by 630. We made decent time getting there inspite of the ski traffic we encountered in the Poconos. We arrived at the Black Dome trailhead on Big Hollow Rd. The parking lot was covered in ice, but there was no snow to speak of, zilch. I was surprised since the trail head is around 2250 feet.

It was quite cold though, very cold and ultra-windy. We were both packing around 80 lbs of weight in our packs. We hiked into the dark woods on the Black Dome Trail and then switched to the Batavia Kill Trail and a mile point three later and some five hundred feet higher, we arrived at the Batavia Kill Lean-to, which was pretty easy to find as it was right off the trail.

The leanto was empty. We had planned to set up tents, but the wind gusts were fierce, so we opted to set up basecamp 1 in the lean-to.
It was around 11, we tried to get a fire going, but the wind would have no part in it. The stars were out in force and soon after the moon followed and lit up the night sky. It didn't take long and we were both out cold in the cold, only to wake up now and then due to the wind gusts sounding like 747s taking off from the trail.

We both woke up before 7am to view the white out conditions from inside the lean-to. The world outside was covered in a thin layer of white and it was pretty. The snow was falling heavily and the wind was still blowing mightly.

We packed up and prepared our daypacks and then stashed our overnight packs in the woods. The snow continued to fall. Our plan for the day was to traverse the Blackhead Range and in the process bag Blackhead, Black Dome and Thomas Cole.

We set out and started the gentle climb on the Batavia Kill Trail up to the Escarpment Trail. There we turned south and the climb continued to be gentle for a short while further. It didn't take long to encounter ice and after a few near-slides, we decided to donn our crampons.

Once we had our crampons on, the pitch of the trail grew steeper and steeper and with the increased steepness, came more ice. Needless to say, the trail would have been impassible without crampons.

We came out onto a ledge on the Catskill front that overlooked the Hudson Valley to the east. Visibility was low, but we still could see valley below. The sun had trying to come out all morning. Knowing there were more views to come, I started doing a sun chant to help coax it out from behind the clouds.

After the view, the trail got very steep, it was almost straight up. This partof the trail is considered to be the steepest in the Catskills. At the time of our climb, it was an icewall. We both got out our ice axes. I stopped to fix my crampons while Crazypace climbed the wall towards the summit and told me he'd wait for me at the top. Halfway up he yelled down to tell me it was solid ice and that the axe would be necessary for the climb.

Shortly after, I got my crampons adjusted and I started my climb. I reached up and thought I had a good hand hold and then kicked into the ice with my crampon and started to pull myself up, but my hand slipped out of the hold. Yup, no way to get up this with out the axe.

I axed into the ice and used the anchored axe as a hold and pulled myself up. With both feet dug into the ice, I pulled the axe out and repeated the process until I was at the top of the wall. Once I got to the top, I looked back down and thought about how much fun that was. For the first time in my life, I felt like a mountaineer, even though I was climbing a mountain that is under 4,000 feet high.

At the top Crazypace was waiting for me. We both talked about how much fun it was climbing the icewall and then celebrated the peak bag and turned onto the BlackHead-Black Dome Range Trail. The trail followed the ridge of BlackHead for a little through snowwy stunted spruce and fir trees and they acted like shields from the fierce wind that was wripping acrossed the summit. We came to an opening and could see across to Black Dome, which was but a silouette in the falling snow and fog.

We scambled down off of Blackhead into the col. We crossed the col and then started up Black Dome. There was a section of scrambling to get up a ledge, but it wasn't too bad, and once upon the top of the ledge, the view, albiet still foggy was very nice. The sun was now picking up the pace in burning off the clouds.

It wasn't too long after the ledge that we reached the summit of Black Dome and we were both surprised by how easy it was. There was another view from the top of Black Dome and from there we celebrated another successful peak bag and continued on our way.

The descent from Black Dome was less steep and had virtually no scrambling. At one point we could see across the col to the summit of Thomas Cole and it looked fairly big. We wondered what the climb up Thomas Cole would be like. It turned out that it wasn't steep at all and before long, we were at the top of it. We crossed the entire length of the summit ridge until the trail began descending to make sure we had the summit. We didn't find any views from the peak, but there was much rejoicing after reaching the days goal of getting all three of the Blackheads.

The temperature started to drop quickly and we could definitely feel it was getting colder fast. The wind was still blowing fiercely as well. We turned back around and started to head back down. We had lunch just below the summit and then finished the descent when we ran into another hiker who was out for the day.

We chatted with him, he was familiar with trailtalk, but had never posted here, and he said he also occasionally posts on views from the top. He continued on his way up Thomas Cole as we started back up Black Dome.

The sun was now out so we stopped at the summit view on Black Dome and we could see across to the Devils Path Range. The wind was whipping snow off of the trees and it was whirling around like a mini tornado. It was very cool to watch.

The view from the top of the ledge on th east face of Black Dome was also now free from clouds and fog and we could see the tall buildings in Albany, some thirty miles away and before us was the Hudson Valley, Taconics Range in Connecticut and Massechussets, Devils Path Range and Kaaterskill High Peak and directly in front of us was Black Head. It was a great view and we took it in for more than 10 minutes.

We then scrambled down off of the ledge and then back down into the col between black dome and blackhead. There we took off the crampons and took a break before heading back to the lean-to by taking a shortcut on the black dome trail.

Bryan, the hiker was saw on the way down from Thomas Cole then caught back up with us and he hiked down off of the Blackheads with us. We parted ways at the bottom when he continued on the Black Dome trail and we turned onto the Batavia Kill trail to go back to the lean-to to get our packs.

The temperature was supposed to get down to six in Albany, that meant it would be near or below zero where we were and the windchill would make it even colder. It was only 245, so we decided to head back down to the vehicle and then back into town where we would find a hotel room and dinner.

I know, hardly roughing it, but due to the windchill, we thought it was a good plan.

We also figured that we could then rest up and get one more peak on Sunday.

We had an awesome dinner at Black Bear Inn and then tuckered from the day's hike, we were asleep before 9.

sunday morning took a long time to get there. This was good though, it meant a good night sleep was attained. Well rested, we were up just before 7. To try and get some sort of camp feel, Crazypace fired up his stove and we boiled water for oatmeal and hotchocolate from inside the hotel room.

Packed up and ready to scoot, we left the hotel room behind and headed over to Platte Cove where we picked up NY's Long Path. On Sunday's plate was Kaaterskill High Peak. This would be our fourth and final 3500 peak of the weekend.

With Crazypace's vehicle parked in the trailhead parking lot, we started up the Long Path bare booting it. It was a gradual grade, but quite icy. The crampons remained in the packs though. We rounded High Peak on the Long Path (which doubles as a snowmobile trail, when there is in fact snow) until we got to the northern face of the mountain. The trail then leveled off. We passed two hikers who had camped that night below the southern face. They told us of two plane wrecks on the mountain and that a view could be attained on the south side of the summit. The mountain is kind of a bushwack, as no official trail climbs to the summit, however, there is an unmaintained trail on both faces. The hikers gave us some insight into finding the trail up the northern face and much thanks goes out to them (also, much thanks to Pennsy, who gave me a lot of info on Kaaterskill High Peak).

We could see K High Peak to our left as we were rounding the north side. We knew we were getting close. The final climb up to the summit is steep. Finally, we got to where the snowmobile trail splits off to the left from the Long Path and climbs up to the snow mobile loop which circles K. High Peak. We climbed up to the snowmobile loop and shortly after that we reached where the unmaintained trail trickles its way up to the summit.

We were following some tracks of another hiker who was going to the summit of KHP and we followed his tracks right on past the side trail since he over shot the side trail. We saw where he turned left to head up the mountain and thought of following his route, but crazypace decided we should find the real trail. We turned back and it didn't take long to find the real trail.

The real trail is marked with a rock cairn and then the trail has small blue blazes on rocks and trees. The trail follows a drainage path and is gradual at first. We turned onto the trail and the crampons were still in our packs. It didn't take long before the trail started to get steep and icy. We got to a small rock ledge and I tried to climb it and slid on the ice. It was crampon time.

We put on our crampons and then scrambled up the ledge. From there the trail was steep and icy. At time we had to use our ice axes. This peak was a lot of fun to climb. It was like moutaineering 101.

We celebrated the peak bag on the summit and then looked for the ledge on the south face that would yield the view.

It didn't take long to find and it was awesome!!! It was one of the best views I have encountered in all of the Catskills and I'd say only the Wittenburg view is better.

We hung out there for a few minutes. The wind wasn't too bad and the sun felt great. The view was of the Devils Path Range, you could see Platte Clove, and the Hudosn Valley. It was clear and sunny and we could probably see all the way into CT and MA.

We hiked back down off the mountain and made good time getting back to the truck. It was a perfect hike! One of the best hikes I've ever been on. KHP is my favorite peak in the Catskills so far.
We had lunch in Phoenicia and then hit the road back to PA and made incredible time.

Looking back now, reflecting on a great weekend of hiking and peak bagging, all I can think of is how much fun hiking is and how much I love it. I can't wait to get back to the Catskills. I love the views and scenery in those mountains. I love the climbs up the mountains and the scrambling over the rock ledges. They are truly a special place to hike.

This was the first time I ever used an ice axe and climbing up the ice walls was a lot of fun.

I hope to return to the Catskills for some more peak bagging in March.”

“I'll post some pics shortly.”

“I'll post some pics shortly.”

“great report, haven't seen a trip report in a while.”

“Great detailed trip report and I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures.”

“good gawd, boy! that's a lot of words!!
i'm lazy, i'll wait for the pics!!

: )”

“Sweet! So how many peaks is that for you guys?”

“that's 15 for me so far.

1. Indianhead
2. Twin
3. Sugarloaf
4. Plateau
5. Hunter
6. SW Hunter (per the 3500 club, it counts even though we did not see the canister)
7. Wittenberg
8. Cornell
9. Slide (although, Slide is a winter peak, so I need to get it in the winter in order to count)
10. Peekamoose
11. Table
12. Blackhead (also a winter peak)
13. Blackdome
14. Thomas Cole
15. Kaaterskill High Peak

I hope to get a bunch more in March and if that trip goes as planned, I'll be well on way towards completion.

I think Crazypace is up to 11 now.
last edited: 2/21/06 6:24:14 PM”

“Nice TR & pics, ENS! When's the next trip? :)”

“hopefully sometime mid-march. When are you starting your assault on the AT?”

“I know you had talked about this trip sorry I missed it. Pics look great. Guess I need to pick up an ice axe with my dividend.

Next trip?”

“plans are in the works, but no dates nailed down yet. I know LT wants to do the evil bushwack peaks. I'd like to also get 3 of the required winter peaks, Balsam, Panther and Slide.

The 3500 club has some quirky rules. You have to climb the winter peaks twice to count, once in the winter and then again in any non-winter season.

I am looking at doing a three day bonanza some weekend in March where I hope to get 7 peaks: Balsam, Eagle, Big Indian, Fir, Slide, Panther and Halcott.

At some point I am going to have to go back up and get Panther, Balsam and Blackhead again. That rule of doing the winter peaks twice is bizarre.”

“I'm clear for leaving thursday 3/9 after work and coming back sunday 3/12. Lets get the winter peaks done !! Plus throw in a bush wack or 2 or 3 or .......”

“hopefully sometime mid-march. When are you starting your assault on the AT?”
EarthNsky
9:19:01 PM
2/21/06

Leaving 4/13 for GA...starting official assault on 4/15. :D I'd love to get out with y'all sometime before that, if posible.”

“Y'all ??

Praticing for Georgia already ?”

“Another crazy trip!!

I gotta axe you a question, ENS.
Do you have two axes in that picture??”

“yeah, we got another crazy gorilla hiking mountain bagging trip planned for March. MarkO, you interested in doing some bushwacking with us? The trip is in two weeks and it'll be a three day peakbagging extravaganza. I hope to get 6-7 peaks.

yeah, there is a pic where I am holding crazypace's axe and mine was strapped to my pack. The axes were the subjects of many of the photos since we were excited about using them.
last edited: 2/22/06 10:33:01 AM”

“I also want to thank Crazypace for making this past trip possible. I made a big error and almost screwed up the entire trip, but crazypace saved it and it turned out to be one of the best ever.”

“tsk...give me 6 month, and I'll be back to my old self ya hear!! I miss getting my ass kicked. :D No really, ass kick or no ass kick...hikes with you guys are always fun. 6 month, and I'm back.
last edited: 2/22/06 10:33:24 AM”

“gemini, we got to get you back on the trail! Let me know when you're ready!”

“What happened Gem, you get shot on one of your secrect missions?

Two weeks, wildman??

We shall see.......

Gem, will you be fit for car camping by The Strawberry Moon??”

“Nice pics ENS!”

“Nice pictures. Last weekend was cold and it must have been very cold with the wind on those peaks.”

“It was cold, but worth it. Gear wise, we were well prepared, which made the cold more
tolerable.”

“Good gear makes all the difference for the below zero wind chills of last weekend. It's not much fun being out there without the proper gear.”

“whatcha mean strawberry moon? Yeah...I can car camp, I can backpack too...

I hate having to train for the trail again.”

“Thanks for the trip report and pictures. I enjoyed reading it! If you ever make it out to the PNW let me know. I think you might enjoy some of the peakbagging opportunities we have around here. Enough to keep you guys busy for a few lifetimes, anyway ;-)”

“dicey, it so happens that Mt. Rainier entered the conversation a number of times. I'd love to get out there and climb a glaciated mountain.”

“hey CP, I have your hat liner too.”

“ENS,
Glaciers, check.
More of 'em out here than you can shake a stick at!
Once you start climbing the glaciers, it's hard to go back, so amazingly beautiful!
Here's a little teaser for ya http://www.pbase.com/nolock/ncglaciers”