Phelps 2/4/06

[billandjudy]

We had planned a weekend up in the ADK's with thoughts of Colden on Sat and something a little shorter on Sun before driving back to NJ--Unfortunately Judy came down w/ strep throat Thurs night and was hurting bigtime as we drove up Fri. She insisted on hiking on Sat so I figured that we had better do something a little easier so off to Phelps we went. The Van Ho was a nasty combination of glare ice, hardpack (concrete??) and rock all the way to the Phelps Trail--crampons the whole way--not the most pleasant of walks. As we got higher up the Phelps Trail the snow increased some but was hard and crasty w/ alot of ice. It was a long day for Judy--she was hurting pretty bad. I asked her several times if she wanted to go back, but she gave me that "I've come this far" look so I just shut up. Finally made it up to the top where we had some great views. She was whipped so after a short stay off we went. Crampons were needed all the way up and back--we saw several other hikers--some w/ stabilicers--but we felt much more secure w/ crampons on. It ended up being a nice day out but it took a toll on Judy so we decided to bag Sun and head home. God bless her! I would have wussed for sure. She says we're coming back next weekend.
Pic at http://community.webshots.com/user/billc926
If anyone takes a look--I'm not sure what I was looking at in #'s 20229 and 20230--
Thanks

[Mavs00]

Great Photos,

The view in 20229 is of Big Slide (summit) and the view on 20230 is a distant shot of Giant (w/ RPR behind and to the right).

Where's the shot of the waterfall taken? That's wasn't during the hike obviously. It looks like Roaring Brook Falls over towards Giant. Is it?

Great report. Too bad Judy was under the weather, At least you have good views. We were there a few weeks back and saw nothing but horizontal rain/ice pellets. I've have seen the view from Phelps before though. Splendid.

[Hikerdad]

Billandjudy:

When you do go back you might want to consider the hike up Big Slide (photo 20229) via the Brothers from the Garden parking area in Keene. It's a great hike and has super views of the Great Range....you can do a nice loop..up Big Slide via the Brothers and then down into Johns Brook valley (with a quick visit to Johns Brook Lodge) and an easy hike back out. Your pictures were great.....

[billandjudy]

Thanks Mavs and Hikerdad--I was looking at the map at just couldn't figure out what was what--and I really didn't rallize you could see Giant from there--we are trying to decide on what to do next weekend--Slide and the Bro's are a definate possiblity--and we really want to get Colden and Algonquin in too. Let's see Sat and Sun......'mmmmm tough decisions :)

[billandjudy]

A P.S Mavs--Yeah it's Roaring Brook Falls off of 73 on the way home. The RB holds a special place in our hearts. We were up for 4 days in October during the rainy season--never stopped the whole time we were there--we tried Giant from the RB trail and when we came to crossing it was an absolute torrent!--BW'd up and down and couldn't find what we considered a safe crossing so we turned back. There are some good shots of the Falls that day on the same web page. We ended up hiking around Lost Lookout and Bear Run that day and finally did Giant back in December--when there was some snow :roll:

[pete_hickey]

Where's the shot of the waterfall taken? That's wasn't during the hike obviously. It looks like Roaring Brook Falls over towards Giant. Is it? I'll go further. It wasn't taken this year, was it?

Where's the snow!!! It looks like roaring brook falls in the spring.

If that's the way it looks now, I guess you didn't see any ice climbers making their way up, did you?

[billandjudy]

Nope Pete--no ice climbers there, although we saw some down by Pitchoff on our way back from Phelps--snow is at a premium and only up higher at that! :cry:

[bubba]

Enjoyed the photos. Looked at many of the Catskill hikes and they helped fill me in on the area. You've had some nice outings.

[billandjudy]

Thanks Bubba--We love the Catskills--we plan on finishing our 4 winter hikes this year and then the rest of the bushwacks this spring. ADK's tonight--hoping for some snow!!

[rockysummit]

Great trip and great shots. The excellent views are all very familiar as I've climbed Phelps in winter many times, though it's been quite a few years. I remember after returning to the loj on one trip, telling a ranger that I saw Lake Champlain, the Green Mtns. and another mountain range beyond the Greens. He then told me on an incredibly cold clear day( and not very often ) you can see all the way to the Whites! Very lucky and very cool.