New to the Forum

[Little Rickie]

I just joined and I'm not to good at this tec stuff so I just want to say hello out there and get used to how this things works.

I'm working on my 46 and have bagged 9 peaks (for a total of 10) in the last 15 mo and have done 2 winter climbs and 3 peaks so far. My latest was Phelps on 1/21. (It was a tough day, I learned a lot) I hope to pick up a few peaks during the good weather and then reclimb them in the winter after I'm familiar with the trail.

I plan to climb in Feb and March. I got friends hooked up for the March climb but nobody lined up for Feb. Is this the correct way to get the word out that I'd like to find climbing partners? I plan to contact the local ADK Chapter as well to see what contacts can be made.

I'm 53 yrs old and a slow hiker. I want people to know this up front. I'm not in real bad shape but I find more pleasure in the slow pace than the challenge of speed. I like to stay within my easy aerobic capacity, pace myself and make the distance. I'm a Boy Scout leader and have done a fair amount of camping and backpacking. While no expert I am comfortable in the outdoors and prepare well. My pack is too heavy on most hikes except on this past climb on Phelps. I used most of what I carried and the weight of my pack never entered my mind. I live in the Rochester NY area and plan on staying at a local Lake Placid lodging Friday & Saturday in Feb. Then driving home on Sunday.

Thats all I can think of for now. I'm hoping I got this message thing down OK and see what happens when I send this out.

Little Rickie

[Dick]

Welcome to the forum, Little Rickie! So far, you're doing it all just fine! Sounds like you're on a good path to the 46. Sure, any notice on the event planning section will be seen. Be patient for responses, as not everyone reads the board with the same frequency, knows their schedules, etc.

Some people might take issue with you on one point, and say that winter is the good weather! Remember that the peaks climbed in winter count for the "spring/summer/fall" round. That said, I've only done two winter ones so far. Slow to moderate is my speed as well. When in the best of shape (which is not at the moment, and I have 6 years on you!), I can move along, but generally prefer the slower pace. I also have connections with the Boy Scouts. Work keeps me quite busy, including many weekends in Feb/March, but I'll be able to do several hikes during that time.

I don't know Rochester today, though I did spend 4 years there in college. There are several on the forum who do live out your way, too.

Again, welcome. :0

Dick
46er #5327

I just joined and I'm not to good at this tec stuff so I just want to say hello out there and get used to how this things works.

I'm working on my 46 and have bagged 9 peaks (for a total of 10) in the last 15 mo and have done 2 winter climbs and 3 peaks so far. My latest was Phelps on 1/21. (It was a tough day, I learned a lot) I hope to pick up a few peaks during the good weather and then reclimb them in the winter after I'm familiar with the trail.

I plan to climb in Feb and March. I got friends hooked up for the March climb but nobody lined up for Feb. Is this the correct way to get the word out that I'd like to find climbing partners? I plan to contact the local ADK Chapter as well to see what contacts can be made.

I'm 53 yrs old and a slow hiker. I want people to know this up front. I'm not in real bad shape but I find more pleasure in the slow pace than the challenge of speed. I like to stay within my easy aerobic capacity, pace myself and make the distance. I'm a Boy Scout leader and have done a fair amount of camping and backpacking. While no expert I am comfortable in the outdoors and prepare well. My pack is too heavy on most hikes except on this past climb on Phelps. I used most of what I carried and the weight of my pack never entered my mind. I live in the Rochester NY area and plan on staying at a local Lake Placid lodging Friday & Saturday in Feb. Then driving home on Sunday.

Thats all I can think of for now. I'm hoping I got this message thing down OK and see what happens when I send this out.

Little Rickie

[Wldrns]

I'm a Boy Scout leader and have done a fair amount of camping and backpacking.

It's always good to welcome a fellow scouter!
y.i.s.

[runswithscissors]

Getting to the summit is optional, getting down is mandatory.

Little Rickie..............

Welcome.......you are among friends. There are no strangers in the mountains, only friends you haven't met. The title is by David Breashears......words to live by.

I have relatives in the Greece and Webster "burbs" of Rochester and graduated from SUNY Brockport...........a long time ago!

I've been hiking/backpacking for 30 years finishing the 46 with my two sons (over a twelve-year span) in August, 1997. I also led trips for the Glens Falls Chapter ADK for a couple of years. BTW, your idea to affiliate with an ADK Chapter is a great idea!

This website is also a good place to find compatible hiking partners. Finding hiking companions with a similar pace, approach and attitude may be an additional challenge, but when you achieve your personal comfort level with your eventual hiking mates, the mountains will offer countless lessons and endless memories.

Here is a simple and basic pace formula I have found to be helpful and a few hiking protocols that I have learned to live by so I can meet my mandatory goal.(see title above)

My hiking pace generally is 2-MPH for each mile traveled and 1-MPH for each 1000 feet of elevation gain. For example, Algonquin Peak from Heart Lake; 8 miles RT = 4 hours of hike time; 2938 feet of ascent = 3 hours hike time. The round trip hike time (excluding rest/snack, photo ops, summit time) would be approximately 7 hours. My hikes are relaxed but purposeful with occasional rest stops (more on ascent than descent), snack breaks, quality summit-time (when possible), photo ops along the way and generally longer ascent time than descent time. I prefer to remain together throughout the duration of the hike so I would welcome others willing to respect and comply with my protocols. Winter snowshoe hikes often require more time. Obviously full winter gear, snowshoes, boot crampons, layered synthetic clothing, wind protection and accessories are the responsibility of each individual. A post-hike dinner frequently is included in the plans.

Great to have you aboard. Perhaps we will have the privilege of sharing a trail someday.

Pete Hogan

[Mavs00]

My latest was Phelps on 1/21. (It was a tough day, I learned a lot) I hope to pick up a few peaks during the good weather and then reclimb them in the winter after I'm familiar with the trail.

Did we meet on Phelps? I did it that day too. Summited it twice actually. Once with a youngish (16-17 y/o) man and then a wee bit later with a few younger kids (11 and 12 y/o girls). I ran into quite a few people that day. Almost all of whom I knew. But I did run into some I didn't. You must have been one of them. Do you have a beard? I remember someone about that age with a beard that I talked to for a minute or two.

Anyhow, that was a pretty tough day hiking. All the same, it was better than being at work. Welcome to the forum.

[Kevin]

Welcome little rickie.

In addition to the prior posts, I will say that if you're up for some february hiking I'm game. Valerie (fvrwld) will also hike with us. We've been trying for Big Slide and have yet to make the summit (or .5 miles up the trail for that matter ). That's not a terribly tough climb and the views along the brothers are great. You may need crampons for icy stretches, though I'm finding my aggressive MSR snowshoes suffice in most cases.

Good thing about Big Slide or Giant is the short distance (relative to some of the other peaks). Both require over 2,000 feet of elevation but with the hikes only being 8 miles or less round trip you can take your time and still have plenty of daylight to work with, even in the winter. If you want to plan ahead, start a thread with the date and mountain in the subject and see who else may bite.

[oldsmores]

...I got friends hooked up for the March climb but nobody lined up for Feb. ...I'm 53 yrs old and a slow hiker...I live in the Rochester NY area and plan on staying at a local Lake Placid lodging Friday & Saturday in Feb. Then driving home on Sunday...
Little Rickie

Rickster-
When in February? I'm 52 and live in the Rochester area. My regular hiking partner just had arthroscopic knee surgery, so if we can make the dates work I might be interested. I'd have to check with my social coordinator (i.e., the wife), but I think either the 17th or 24th might be open dates. Send me a PM and we'll see if it works.

[Little Rickie]

new to forum follow up

Everyone thanks for the welcome!

I'm thinking of climbing Wright on 2/25/06. Big Slide is certantly a possibility since it will count toward my 46 & a winter 46 as well but I'm only interested in climbing with folks (at least one) that have climbed Big Slide before and know the trail. If anyone is up for this chime in.

Dick D oyou have Boy Scout connections in Rochester?

Mavs00 We did meet on Phelps, I remember you wizzing past us. There was two of us with beards. The younger shorter one was Dan a Boy Scout buddy. I was the bigger guy struggling with those dam big snowshoes I rented. They were huge and took lots of energy to walk and climb in the narrow trail with but I needed their crampons to grip the ice covered rocks. The bindings would not hold their settings (or I didn't konw how to set it right) and my toes keep sliding under the front of the shoe. My toes were getting squeezed and hammered on the way down. I would have taken them off if the trail wasn't so slippery, later I did for the walk back to the Loj. I also tripped on them and twisted my right knee after I summtited. If I didn't look very happy on the way down it was because between the pain in my feet and knee were adding to the challenge of the weather. I was feeling a little frustrated. I now know better on what to ask for next time I rent shoes and I will rent crampons for now on!

It was a great day of stimulation and challenge. Even though it was not "fun" I feel satisfied with the climb: it was successful, we dealt with the conditions and minor hardships. My knee is fine and one toe still hurts but it's no big deal. I wouldn't plan a day like this but we were prepared for the worse and did good. Not bad for an old desk jockey.

Peter My friends & I (3 of us) did Wright & Algonquin in 9 hrs total in good weather with stops and rests. That will give you all an idea of our pace.

Catch you all later.

Little Rickie

[John K]

Welcome

Congratulations on your first winter peak. Im in Syracuse and will be heading up in both February and March. I too start slow and taper. Drop a PM if you want to hook up.

[Kevin]

Big Slide is certantly a possibility since it will count toward my 46 & a winter 46 as well but I'm only interested in climbing with folks (at least one) that have climbed Big Slide before and know the trail. If anyone is up for this chime in.

Both val and I have been up Big Slide during the summer. We're also both relatively experienced winter hikers too. Pace is not problem, I'll probably just hike with/behind you. In the winter I don't tend to hike very fast, just for bursts then rest. Because all the leaves are gone there tends to be plenty of views to stop and enjoy as you're heading up.

[billandjudy]

Judy and I are going to be up Sat and Sun--Feb 4 & 5--were planning Algonquin/Wright or possibly Gothics(route TBD) on Sat--something shorter (maybe Phelps) for Sunday--have to drive back to NJ-- depending on weather and conditions--we are steady hikers--we will watch the posts--maybe we can keep someone company
oldsmores--I grew up in Palmrya NY--

[Dick]

I'm thinking of climbing Wright on 2/25/06. Big Slide is certantly a possibility since it will count toward my 46 & a winter 46 as well but I'm only interested in climbing with folks (at least one) that have climbed Big Slide before and know the trail. If anyone is up for this chime in.

Dick D oyou have Boy Scout connections in Rochester?

Hi Little Rickie,

I've been up big slide twice, though not in winter. I'd be happy to join you on 2/25 if you still have room.

No, I only went to school in Rochester (Eastman). I'm with the Boy Scout troop here in Voorheesville.

[Little Rickie]

climbing partners for 2/25/06 big slide?

Dick If you've been up big slide 2x that ok with me. Our pace seems compatable. Lets see who else speaks up about joining us.

Kevin You said you & Valerie may be up for this.? You want time for views. No problem their. No need to hike behind anyone. If we start as a group, we stay as a group and finish as a group. Anyhow if you've done the trail before what do I want you behind me for? Are you expecting deep snow? All the more reason for you experienced people to lead. That would make 4 people and thats a nice size group.

John K would make 5 -are you in?

oldsmores would make 6 -are you in?

I don't know how large a group you all would be happy with? We can wait and see who else speaks up and take it from there. I'm the new person. I just don't want to climb a new mountain, in the winter, alone with my limited experiences. How have these things happened in the past? I can get along with most anybody for a day.

I don't know any of your yet I hope no one is an ax murderer.

Catch you all later.

Little Richie

[Boreal Chickadee]

I don't know any of your yet I hope no one is an ax murderer.


Little Richie

I read this and had a good laugh. The first trip I went on with others from the forum (an overnighter) I grilled, cross examined and interviewed Wildernessphoto as to the character of others on the trip. I take my son and wasn't taking any chances. Oh incidentally dack packers, you all passed.

Enjoy your trip!

[Kevin]

No need to hike behind anyone. If we start as a group, we stay as a group and finish as a group. Anyhow if you've done the trail before what do I want you behind me for? Are you expecting deep snow? All the more reason for you experienced people to lead. That would make 4 people and thats a nice size group.

I meant "Behind you" as a figure of speech. Fortunately most of the adk trails are well broken out unless you're starting the morning after a major dump. 4 is definitely a fine group for breaking trail up Big Slide. More than 5 miles and a foot or more of snow and I would want 6+ in the group. I've broke under a foot of snow on the trail by myself up Colden last year. Slow going but do-able.

We're definitely game so you say when (Sundays and Mondays are my typical days off right now).