FYAO XIII

“Anyone up for this? Suggestions?”

“I am interested in this trip”

“Let's start signing up.”

“A friend of mine wants to participate in this trip. MarkO you know him as Quick..Otter creek trip...”

“He is a terrific guy.”

“It's all good, guys.”

“Three regs. Gotta get to work and find a lean-to. Suggestions?”

“I'll be in Baxter that weekend. Totally bummed to miss freezing my ass off.”

“ah yeah”

“Hmmm?”

“I was thinkinhg about the Alpine Club of Canada house in Keene, NY. Easy access to Cascade, Giant, Pitchoff et c. and Cascade Nordic ski centre and Jackrabbit Trail.

www.accmontreal.ca and click on huts and campgrounds.

I'd register as custodian and stay for free, but we'll split the cost equally and that way everyone will benefit. Conditions are primitive, outside well and privy. Two nice wood stoves and propane lighting and cooking.”

“That sounds outstanding!”

“My kids used to love going there. Very inexpensive and close to just about everything. You can even get a shower at the bunkhouse near Lake Placid.”

“SO wanna Do Giant. Winter would be epic!!”

“Cool. I'll set it up.”

“Fellas! I'd love to loin you.”

“Welcome, Greenmonkee. Sign up on the Trips page.”

“Plan sound great, Gremlin. Count me in.
I wouldn't mind a little hiking, jackstraw.”

“Did AmyG move or something?”

“Lonewolf,Quick and myself plan on joining this trip.”

“DETAILS.......????”

“Fridge!!!”

“I'll post details, GPS co-ordinates, detailed directions, etc. right after the Holidays. I'm going there over Christmas and I'll take readings, mileage and signage.”

“Greenmonkee, AmyG got married and had a beautiful baby girl. She keeps in touch on FB.”

“I wish, I wish, I wish.... I could make this trip. Some of my favourite TTers are going to be there.”

“Aw gee.

The hut is really nice and I'll be the hut manager for that week-end.”

“Come on Euro. It would be EPIC if you came.”

“I am tempted.”

“Thanks T1MBERWOLF, that's great!
That hut looks sweet, Gremlin. I'll make a reservation after you post the details.
Looking forward to seeing you all.”

“Where is this place? In Canada or the US?”

“In New York State, the northern Adirondacks near Keene and Lake Placid.”

“Where do you fly into? Burlington?”

“Not sure yet, but I am considering Montreal. Other option would be Boston. It's all very tentative at the moment.”

“i might fly in on thursday and do some sking, anyone interested? If not, can someone pick me up in Burlington? I saw a cheap flight into that airport.”

“Oh la la...freezing of zee assess is going on.”

“Just talked with Gremlin. He will be in touch with you tomorrow. The computer centre is still closed today.
Please stay tuned for more news shortly.”

“don't forget to bring a good book”

“Should I bring a bathing suit?”

“F*CK, the internet shat the bed and I lost all the message I'd just typed.

I'll get back to you in a moment.”

“....?!?
Not used to hear that type of language from Canada.”

“I just changed computers.

Please don't make individual reservations (you need to have a membership number for a IUIAA affiliated organisation). I'll be custodian that week-end and I'll register us as a group with a flat group rate of 15$ per person, per night.

The house: it is a large, L-shaped log structure with a common room and a kitchen occupying each arm of the L. There is an air-tight stove in each room, but it's not practical to heat the kitchen. There is propane lighting and 6 or 8 propane cooking rounds (burners). Post now.”

“Upstairs are two large rooms with stacks of 'foamies' that serve as mattresses. It takes about a day and night to heat up the place and Karin and I intend to get there the day before to fire up the stove. The upstairs gets warm first, of course, and I'll sleep downstairs to tend the stove. Post.”

“A winter sleeping bag.
A headlamp; the propane lamps aren't that bright.
Food that can be easily re-heated; the cooking rounds aren't really good for cooking from scratch and water is brought in (and kept in the common room) in plastic containers from the well. Extensive washing up is not really practical.
Personal gear.
I am lazy and get a sitcky bun and a large coffee in Keene in the morning (2-1/2 miles away). Bring breakfast food that is easy to cook if you want.”

“Several mountains are withing easy reach, such as Giant, Porter and Cascade; there is also a ridge walk called Pitchoff. You will need crampons with front points if you plan to peak bag.

I am not backpacking to a lean-to this year because I have a health problem that makes me reluctant to carry a pack away from my car. I'll go ski-ing at the Cascade Nordic Ski Centre. Mark, bring your skis please.”

“can one read by propane light?”

“There are many good restaurants in Lake Placid and so that's a possibility. Showers are available for 5 USD at T-Max and Topo's Hostel not far away toward Lake Placid.

I forgot my GPS, but I'm going back mid-month and I'll post the co-ordinates then.”

“To get there from the South the only practical way is by I87 through Albany.

Take Exit 30 and Route 73 to Keene. Routre 9N meets 73 just before Keene; make sure you stay on 73. In the centre of Keene Village the 9N splits off to run north. Take the 9N (turning right) toward Jay and Whiteface Mt. (on the sign). Styles Brook Road is 2-1/2+ from the turn off.”

“Now it gets 'interesting'. There is no sign for Styles Brook Road and the stop sign looks pretty battered. The road is steep.

There are only two real roads leading to the right: Irish Hill Road and Styles Brook. When you see Irish Hill, Styles Brook is right after it. Styles Brook runs into the East Branch of the Ausable River there and the road is immediately after the bridge over the brook.

The hut is just after the crest of the first large hill, a little over a mile from the highway. There is a sign saying ACC Montreal Section. There is a large log house barely visible on the right just before you get to the car park.”

“Turn left and up to the car park. I will arrange for it to be ploughed.

The house is about 200 metres up from the gate. There will be a little cart that you can use to bring up your gear. You might not want to bother as it is necessary to bring it back down to the gate.

If we're not there, the stove will be working and the door will be unlocked.

How's that?”

“If you have any questions you can post them here, or e-mail at the address on my profile, or send me a message on Facebook.”