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What a day to be outside! It was bluebird skies and mild temps all day. Anyway, the day started a bit late due to my ongoing car trouble, so Alg had started hiking without me. No worries though, as I managed somehow to catch up just past the new dam near the side trail to whichever waterfall that is that I can never remember the name to. So we started the gradual uphill to the col between sawteeth and gothics. The snow was in perfect shape, and it made for great hiking. A group of 46ers from albany passed us as we chatted and caught up on each others hikes, and we eventually made it to the col where the order of the day was to drop your pack and haul up sawteeth. This is where it got good. The views were endless. The great range looked immense, close up and covered in snow. We stopped for pictures, and then did the famous Adirondack butt slide down to the packs. That is seriously the best part of winter hiking. I have never been over pyramid, so I knew I was in for a treat, so we started up. We were following that group of four, but they cut to the left, and circled around pyramid, catching up to the trail on the ascent of gothics. Pretty tricky, but they missed the views. When I broke onto that summit, I was awed. Gothics was massive, with views of the sun glistening off the tops of marcy, haystack, skylight, algonquin, basin, saddleback, and every other peak. The sun was beaming. At this point, I could make out Mansfield and camelback off in vermont. Truly amazing. And the ridge up to Gothics looked awesome. The path was right in the sun. I have to say this is now my favorite section of trail in the mountains. The cornices up on gthics looked pretty neat too, as I have never seen them quite so large. It took a little while to bust that summit, but it was well worth it. Once on top there, we got to add dix, big slide, yard and the brothers into the view. We didn't stay long there, as it was 5 pm, so we started down to the col between gothics and armstrong. At this point, it got a bit tricky. The beginning of the trail that descends down to the lake road is NOT broken out. We were a bit defeated, so we had two choices. Back over Gothics, or over armstrong and upper wolf jaw to the next bail out. We opted for the latter. But when we started the ascent up armstrong, we caught where the trail is broken out for our initial bailout. It came as a bit of a relief. This was butt slide heaven. There were pitces probably nearing 1/4 of a mile that you could slide. I was feeling like a luge star sliding this stuff. So the down was fun, the day was beautiful, and the company was fantastic. We walkewd the road to the cars in the dark, and ate at stewarts in keene, because we missed everything else. What a fantastic finish to the winter season.
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The Falls you can't remember the name is "Rainbow Falls." I love Rainbow and especially Beaver Meadow Falls. Sounds like you had a great time. I don't think I would had chosen the Armstrong Ascent and Descent as my "bailout route!" That is one of the scariest descents besides Saddleback's Cliff in the Winter or any other season, in all of the Adirondacks. But this is all another story.(or the descent over Beaver Meadows from the Gothics/Armstrong Col)
So how many Winter Peaks did you finish the Season With?"It is easier to become a Forty-Sixer than to be one. The art of the being is to keep one's sense of wonder after the excitement of the game is over."
Paul Jamieson Class of '58 -
Yeah, we were pretty nervous about doing that route in the dark, so it was a great relief to find the broken trail down to the lake road. My winter tally ended at 17. My winter got botched up due to ongoing car problems. I really enjoy winter hiking, and I'm looking forward to the next month of still winter conditions. I plan on skiing as much as possible, with definite plans for the pelkey drainage off of phelps. TCD over on vftt has a great description of the route in a thread titled south meadows road. It sounds like a great ski trip.Comment
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You still did excellent for your first year, even with car problems. That's more than alot of people do in one season.
You must be talking about the bushwhack up the Old Tote Road to Phelps, from South Meadows. Isn't that what they call Railroad Notch? The bushwhack to Phelps from here is one pleasant trip and hike. Hope you have a great time."It is easier to become a Forty-Sixer than to be one. The art of the being is to keep one's sense of wonder after the excitement of the game is over."
Paul Jamieson Class of '58Comment
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Great trip guys! I think Railroad notch is between Porter and Big Slide but I don't have a map in front of me.Die Free and LiveComment
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Doug, great report. Though I haven't been there in winter (and probably won't be going there at that time of year), I've been to Pyramid/Gothics several times and I concur - Pyramid is one of the best views around. Good job. Caught your trail report on VFTT as well. What an unfortunate name to have chosen for the postholer!
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Doug, you made me green with envy reading that report. I've only been atop Pyramid once and was hoping to include it in a winter hike this year. Alas, I was able to live some of it through your post. It's still my favorite spot in the high peaks, welcome to the club.
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After I wrote it I figured that one out. I still can't remember what that "neck of the woods is called," the bushwhack to Phelps from South Meadows is called.Originally posted by Rik"It is easier to become a Forty-Sixer than to be one. The art of the being is to keep one's sense of wonder after the excitement of the game is over."
Paul Jamieson Class of '58Comment
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Are you thinking of Klondike Notch, which sits between Phelps and Yard?Originally posted by Skyclimber2971wA man needs to believe in something. I believe I'll go hiking.
http://community.webshots.com/user/lumberzacComment
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Thank You that is the name I was thinking of. What a beautiful bushwhack.Originally posted by lumberzac"It is easier to become a Forty-Sixer than to be one. The art of the being is to keep one's sense of wonder after the excitement of the game is over."
Paul Jamieson Class of '58Comment
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Did you do 17 peaks this winter or is that cummulative?Originally posted by hillman1The best, the most successful adventurer, is the one having the most fun.Comment
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That is my total. It would be higher, but I have some repeats because of skiing. I wasn't always so taken with the idea of the 46. But now I seem to have a bit of a number problem. The 100 highest are my next list. I can't wait for LPP.Comment
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Do you think I'll get into trouble if I work on my 100 highest prior to completing the 46?
Hey, has anybody ever finished both their 100 highest and their 46 on the same hike?The best, the most successful adventurer, is the one having the most fun.Comment
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I have my doubts. As there, probably, roughly, less than 15 people to had ever done the 100 Highest Period. The goal only seemed more popular over the last few years. I wouldn't be surprised if herdpath's develop over time.Originally posted by Neil
The All-Season 46 is also growing into more of a goal then it did many years ago as well."It is easier to become a Forty-Sixer than to be one. The art of the being is to keep one's sense of wonder after the excitement of the game is over."
Paul Jamieson Class of '58Comment
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yes neil ... the list police will most certainly revoke your license to hike.sigpic
Once a year, go some where you've never been before.
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