Lean-to etiquette

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  • angel_gazer
    Phobophobic
    • Sep 2006
    • 6

    #1

    Lean-to etiquette

    Good day!
    I'm fairly new to the adirondacks and this forum and really appreciate all the great advice people have!!! As a 'newb', I do have a couple questions regarding lean-to/wilderness camping.

    background: We've camped at Heart's Lake a couple times this summer and bagged a couple 'beginner' peaks, did some 'medium' hikes, and completely fell in love with the region. We are used to 'Ontario/Canadian multi-season wilderness camping', and a trio of us will be heading down to the ADK area this weekend with our bear canisters, trekking poles, and rain gear.

    1) We plan on heading into the woods from the Garden parking lot early early Friday morning and get to the Wolf Jaws lean-to early on in the day for our base camp. Is it okay to leave our big packs there and go for a day hike and thus 'claim our 3 spots' for the night at that lean-to? Is that acceptable? (this might sound like a dumb question, but I want to make sure)

    2) Just to check-check-triple check....there are no fires permitted there right? Pretty positive it's a 'no', but worth asking since I'm here.

    3) We're very curious about alledged cables on Gothics that we have heard of by other hikers. Would anyone be able to provide insight as to whether a beginner would be comfortable with that route and the cables (if they're still there...the ADK book says they were removed for safety reasons a few years ago). If they are no longer there, should we just do an alternate approach? (we are the 'cliche' hiking group looking for a good challenge and to bag some peaks, so any other recommendations for alternative hikes would be awesome too!)

    I just want to double check on those to make sure we don't break any etiquette / laws / necks!

    Cheers!
    Last edited by angel_gazer; 09-18-2006, 07:40 PM.
    The journey is the reward
  • Dick
    somewhere out there...
    • Jan 2004
    • 2821

    #2
    Originally posted by angel_gazer
    Good day!
    I'm brand new to the adirondacks and this forum and really appreciate all the great advice people have!!! As a 'newb', I do have a couple questions regarding lean-to/wilderness camping.

    background: We've camped at Heart's Lake a couple times this summer and bagged a couple 'beginner' peaks, did some 'medium' hikes, and completely fell in love with the region. We are used to 'Ontario/Canadian multi-season wilderness camping', and a trio of us will be heading down to the ADK area this weekend.

    1) We plan on heading into the woods from the Garden parking lot early early Friday morning and get to the Wolf Jaws lean-to early on in the day. Is it okay to leave our big packs there and go for a day hike and thus 'claim our 3 spots' for the night at that lean-to? Is that acceptable? (this might sound like a dumb question, but I want to make sure)

    2) Just to check-check-triple check....there are no fires permitted there right?

    I just want to double check on those to make sure we don't break any etiquette / laws!

    Cheers!
    Hi Angel-Gazer, and welcome to the forum! The Adirondack High Peaks area, especially the Eastern High Peaks, may be somewhat different from what you might be used to, due to increasing traffic and new restrictions. It is certainly permissible to leave your packs at the lean-to and hike. However, that does NOT permit you to "claim" an entire lean-to to yourselves. Lean-tos are public and free to anyone to use up to the limit of the lean-to. If three additional people wish to secure a lean-to in your absence, in spite of your gear, they have every right to do so. Most lean-tos are 6 persons, some more.

    You are correct about fires: "Fires are not allowed for any purpose in the Eastern High Peaks." This is not a matter of etiquette. Violators could receive a fine.

    I would recommend bringing a tent, just in case the lean-to is full when you arrive.


    Dick

    Comment

    • angel_gazer
      Phobophobic
      • Sep 2006
      • 6

      #3
      Thank you Dick for the quick response! We weren't planning on 'claiming' the whole thing...just three spots for us! We're actually looking forwards to meeting some folks for some great camp-fireless conversation And we will definately bring tents just in case!
      The journey is the reward

      Comment

      • Neil
        Admin

        • May 2004
        • 6129

        #4
        The cables are back on the cable route after the old ones were removed. In dry conditions I don't bother to use the cables but recently, in wet conditions and being very tired from an extra long hike I was glad to go hand over hand up the cables. I think a keen beginner would be fine on that route but don't take that to the bank.

        That route btw is one of the best in the Adirondacks for exhilarating scenery.
        The best, the most successful adventurer, is the one having the most fun.

        Comment

        • Little Rickie
          Member
          • Oct 2005
          • 1564

          #5
          I used the cables last month. I'm not sure if I had to or not, we had pretty ideal conditions but it sure was fun using them! I stopped 2/3rds of the way up, turned around, sat down and enjoyed the view. It was the best part of the day for me.
          Let there be peace on earth and good will toward all.

          "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."

          William Shakespeare

          Comment

          • Dick
            somewhere out there...
            • Jan 2004
            • 2821

            #6
            I just saw your added question about the cables. I pretty much agree with Neil and Little Rickie. I actually found that I did not need the cables ascending, but they were helpful to me in a few places on the descent. Some of the people I was with at the time were relative beginners, and while they were holding on to the cables almost all the time, they had a good time. Point: the cables are there to keep people from holding onto/pulling/ruining the vegetation, and not specifically for the comfort of the hiker. A fabulous route!

            Dick

            Comment

            • Mozongo
              Hershey,Pa
              • Sep 2005
              • 13

              #7
              Cables

              In my experience handling cables,,I don't touch them without wearing gloves.

              Comment

              • Neil
                Admin

                • May 2004
                • 6129

                #8
                Originally posted by Mozongo
                In my experience handling cables,,I don't touch them without wearing gloves.
                The Gothics cables have garden-hose sleeves.
                The best, the most successful adventurer, is the one having the most fun.

                Comment

                • Pete_Hickey
                  Member
                  • Jul 2004
                  • 245

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Neil
                  The Gothics cables have garden-hose sleeves.
                  Not all of them. It was so slow threading it, that we said, "Later." for the rest.



                  Have to go back there with some KY-Jelly so that it'll slide in better.
                  Senility is a terrible thing. I blame society. That and years of substance abuse.

                  Comment

                  • Neil
                    Admin

                    • May 2004
                    • 6129

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Pete_Hickey
                    Not all of them. It was so slow threading it, that we said, "Later." for the rest.
                    Now I know how tired I really was. I didn't even notice!
                    The best, the most successful adventurer, is the one having the most fun.

                    Comment

                    • Little Rickie
                      Member
                      • Oct 2005
                      • 1564

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Pete_Hickey
                      Not all of them. It was so slow threading it, that we said, "Later." for the rest.



                      Have to go back there with some KY-Jelly so that it'll slide in better.

                      80 lb packs up Gothics!!! You folks are awesome!

                      I'm doing high rep weight lifting this morning & I'm not going to post how much weight I'm using.

                      Of course if I lost 50 lbs & carried 80 I'd only net a 30 lb pack....I'm working on it.
                      Let there be peace on earth and good will toward all.

                      "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."

                      William Shakespeare

                      Comment

                      • Pete_Hickey
                        Member
                        • Jul 2004
                        • 245

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Little Rickie
                        80 lb packs up Gothics!!! You folks are awesome!
                        I found it tough. The kid found it easy. He sometimes carries 120 pound packs.





                        Those pictures were on the return, when he didn't have a week's worh of food as well.
                        Senility is a terrible thing. I blame society. That and years of substance abuse.

                        Comment

                        • Emily T
                          WMass
                          • Jul 2005
                          • 215

                          #13
                          Wow...

                          Looking at the rolled cable, I'm really impressed.

                          I thank you!!!!

                          Emily
                          Emily T

                          "When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained."
                          -- Mark Twain

                          Comment

                          • Mozongo
                            Hershey,Pa
                            • Sep 2005
                            • 13

                            #14
                            Cool...Sleeved cable...That makes sense..The kid reminds me of myself when I was 19 and in the Marines...Hoooah.. Thanks for the photos.

                            Comment

                            • angel_gazer
                              Phobophobic
                              • Sep 2006
                              • 6

                              #15
                              Wow!!! And I thought our little packs were heavy!
                              We did do Gothics...in the fog, so missed the views...and the cables were so great to have on that slick rock! thank you!
                              The journey is the reward

                              Comment

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