ADK100 question - Lewey in Winter

[Mavs00]

Not that I expect alot of people to have the answer to this, BUT...... I'll give it a go. In reasearching peaks for my ADK100 quest, I realized that out of the 47 peaks I have left, only 9 of them (or 19% ) aren't pure bushwhacks. Snowy and Blue are in the works for this winter already, but I want to grab a bushwhack peak before the summer season as well. I have several questions first.

My plan is to leave from the Lewey Lake Campground trailhead and head up the Sucker Brook trail to about 2950' (or the col between Lewey and Cellar) and from there head up the ridge to the summit of Lewey Peak.

1. I'm thinking the Sucker Brook trail (in this location) will not be broken out in winter. Does that sound logical. Can't imagine any traffic that time of year.
2. My plan is to wait til late Feb, early March in the hopes that the snow has consolidated nicely. Does that sound reasonable
3. Anyone ever done Lewey in Winter (or summer) and have suggestions other that what I've already stated.
4. Need Lewey, or just feel like a winter whack? Wanna join me?
5. Are there any views from the summit (not that it matters) I'm just curious.

Like I said, I'm ready to go, just waiting to hear from some others. This is not a solo hike option for me. Come On, what can be more exciting than Lewey in winter . I'm in good physical shape right now and am ready to accept the challenge.

PM me or answer on here.

[redhawk]

Betcha Ashtonscavette can answer your questions. Might want to do it with you too (The hike).

He just did Snowy last weekend when everyone else stayed home...

[Rick]

Mavs as long as you brought up Lewey and Sucker Brook Trail, Have you ever heard of David Boomhower?
Back in 6/90-7/90 he was on the NLP and decided to take the Sucker Brook Trail and head to the Lewey Lake Campground, as he was getting weak or sick. Vanished.
Search parties searched in vain for about 2 months before they gave up completely.

His body was found October 20th that year by some hunters - It was in a Col Between Lewey and Cellular, IIRC.

I'll see if I can find additonal info. ADK ran a riveting story of his last days (pieced together from his diary) back around spring of '91. I was mesmorized by his tragedy. (I don't know if mesmorized is the right word, but I was awestuck)
When I went through there later I stopped at the intersection of NLP and Sucker Brook to contemplate what it must have been like for him and offer up a silent prayer.

[Mavs00]

Gee, great

David Boomhower?? nope never heard of him............... Sad story though, very sad.

So, where were we now. oh yeah, July to October....... ahhhh, Okay, so I guess the trail won't be broken . Anyone still interested. About 7 miles round trip, evevation gain about 2000'

I don't mean to make light of a very sad story, I really don't, but I'm still going. Rick, I'll offer a word or two for his spirit in the col as well.

[Rick]

Mavs,
Not meant to dissaude you nor cast doubt on your trip - It is but a bit of history of the area.

[fvrwld]

Mavs,
Sounds like fun! Depending on when you go I may be interested. A couple other people would be nice if we have to break trail. If it was the last Sunday in Febuary I could probably head in there the weekend before and break trail for a couple of miles.

[sacco]

never been in the winter, but that sucker brook trail is real buttkicker!

[kiprich]

this has a breif mention of Boomhower in it, the whole read is good thou.

http://homepage.interaccess.com/~gonzales/Survwd.pdf

oops! i didn't know it was already posted in another section. sorry

[DLHiker]

I remember the boomhower event--I was on staff at a local camp and we were part of volunteer search parties. It is hard for me to imagine simply dying of starvation out there during the summer. There are endless resources for water, food, and shelter. Also, I never understood why Boomhower simply stayed put. Did he not have a compass? A simple bearing would bring you to the road at some point.

I've never been truly lost, so I'm sure there was a lot more going on than I know.

Mavs, I am interested in your Lewey trek, but I only get so many winter days out and I need to use them toward my winter 46. If it is after 3/21, I'd like to go with you on Lewey.

[Rick]

Boomhower was a mailman or postman from Southern Adirondacks area - He had gotten divorced and his ex-wife was getting ready to remarry.
When he was planning his trip, he created a mixture of chocolate and peanut butter in plastic tubs and called it his survival food -- He also carry a Coleman lantern and a gallon of Coleman fuel in his backpack.

I must have read the story 75-100 times - It was standard bedtime reading for me.

There are some schools that feel he went out there to intentionally commit suicide.

I don't know.

IIRC he was weakened from Giardia and continually dizzy and dehydrated.
But I always thought 3.5 miles to Lewey Lake campground - Just go for it.

I am looking for the article now. I spoke to the ADK, I will need to get their permission to be able to have Kevin put up up here, otherwise they said it was fine to scan it and e-mail it to others.
I will keep folks posted.

[Mavs00]

If I can get some interest, I'd like to attempt this one on 2/14/05

I posted it in -TRIP EVENTS-

Come on, I dare ya

[DLHiker]

Rick, I'm interested in the article. If you can't post it here, perhaps you can faz it or email it to me, or just tell me where i can find it.

mavs, i hope y'all have memorable valentine's day on sucker brook.

thanks!

[Mavs00]

mavs, i hope y'all have memorable valentine's day on sucker brook.

Yeah, my wife has plans with her boyfriend that day, so I got the green light to be with my love (the Adirondacks)

[chili willie]

I remember Boomhower. The whole incident seemed strange. The press made him out to be a good hiker but things just did not add up. Unless the giardia got to him, I wonder why he never made it out of the woods alive.

I got lost with a friend in the cedar Lakes/Spruce Lake area. After spending a night in the Miami River lean-to we headed west along a logging road towards Cedar Lakes and the NLP trail. Well we missed the cutoff for the marked trail. After a day of wandering westward we stumbled upon Pillsbury Lake and eventually the NLP trail way south of Cedar Lakes. The key was not to loose our head, have plenty of food (there is usually plenty of water to filter) and to have the necessary clothing. We made getting lost into a little adventure.

Good luck on the hike.