Algonquin bushwhack attempt.

[Neil]

Randomscooter and I walked in to Scott's Clearing and began a bushwhack hike to Algonquin on thursday.

THIS LINK (http://redirectingat.com/?id=593X1004&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmapper.acme.com%2F%3Fll%3D44.1437 8%2C-73.98717%26z%3D14%26t%3DT%26marker0%3D44.15358%252 C-74.01506%252C2.3%2520km%2520NW%2520of%2520Iroquois %2520Peak%2520NY%26marker1%3D44.14914%252C-74.00863%252C1.6%2520km%2520NxNW%2520of%2520Iroquo is%2520Peak%2520NY%26marker2%3D44.14816%252C-74.00056%252C1.1%2520km%2520NxNW%2520of%2520Bounda ry%2520Peak%2520NY%26marker3%3D44.14403%252C-73.99532%252CBoundary%2520Peak%2520NY%26marker4%3D 44.14471%252C-73.99180%252CAlgonquin%2520Peak%2520NY%26marker5%3 D44.14378%252C-73.98717%252CAlgonquin%2520Peak%2520NY) will enable you to see what we had in mind.

It took us 3 hours of hard work to get to point C. From B to C the walls of the drainage are steep and cliffy. The drainage was not navigable due to thin ice and not enough snow. The country was beautiful and rugged beyond belief. If you examine the map carefully you will notice that right after point C the two 2 bold contour lines (50 meters or about 165 feet) are very close together. Topo gives me a 100% grade (ie. 45 degrees).

This slope was plastered in blue ice that stood in vertical walls. I think we could have worked out way up and around the vertical sections and we could have entered the forest if need be.

Randomscooter had the misfortune of injuring his shoulder at that point (another one! perhaps I am a jinx for shoulder injuries) so we turned around and headed home.

Other than the injury it was a profound and amazing experience.

[randomscooter]

I now believe the shoulder injury is minor. At the time the pain was enough to convince me not to continue forward into even more technical terrain. I was favoring the shoulder considerably, which compromised my ability to handle the conditions we were almost certain to encounter. Now, two days later, the pain is manageable and I believe the injury will heal in short order. Certainly far less severe an injury than others have suffered this season.

Neil was very gracious about my whining. If I had been in his boots I probably would have told me to shut up and break some more trail to keep my mind off it.

[Neil]

Neil was very gracious about my whining. I always hike with broccoli sprigs jammed deep into my ears. Did you say anything?

My favorite incident was when the ice collapsed under my foot on the creek and I joked about being a failure as an ADK trip leader.

Standing in the blazing sun while changing into dry clothing for the walk out was unforgettable too.

I wish I was back in there right now, darn it!

[procook131]

Very nice gentlemen....

[yvon]

Randomscooter had the misfortune of injuring his shoulder at that point (another one! perhaps I am a jinx for shoulder injuries)

Another one!
It was my first reaction when he arrived at a Montreal Beer Night, a few hours after the accident and he told me that story.

[Neil]

Here's a pic (http://adkhighpeaks.com/neil/outdoor%20pursuits/lpp/IMG_4502.html) from somewhere on Lost Pond Peak that pretty much shows our entire planned route to the summit.

Another one!
It was my first reaction when he arrived at a Montreal Beer Night, a few hours after the accident and he told me that story.
The bad news if you hike with me is tht you will injure your shoulder.
The good news is that I will be able to fix it for you.

[procook131]

The bad news if you hike with me is that you will injure your shoulder. The good news is that I will be able to fix it for you.

Chances any well minded person would have to consider if given the opportunity. I want my chance one of these days :)

And on a serious note, there were a lot very nice pics in there, thanks for sharing. Alot like my pics, lots of smiles andfriends happy to be friends. And bushwhacking in denali ascents, first time I have ever seen that :)

[Gregory Karl]

No pics from the whack itself?

Looks like you favored routes in drainages for this one. Were you happy with this approach? Or was there lots of clutter? (That stretch between C and D looks worrisome to me on paper.) Anyway sounds like great fun.

[Highonlife]

Glad Tom's okay and well Neil I think that's the last injuries with you on the trail as the come's in threes...so I should be set the next time I go with you!!:)

[Neil]

No pics from the whack itself?

Looks like you favored routes in drainages for this one. Were you happy with this approach? Or was there lots of clutter? (That stretch between C and D looks worrisome to me on paper.) Anyway sounds like great fun.


I took a few pics but nothing very inspiring. I was pretty busy!

If you could walk right in the drainage that would be a fantastic approach but would require many inches of snow. The first 2 bold contour lines after C (50 meters) have a slope of 45 degrees. Standing below the slope was intimidating although the pictures make it look like a bunny slope. I would think that all of the slides are probably are very dangerous for hikers right now.

I really did like the drainage approach even though the sides sloped steeply down to the drainages and made us cross 3 times. I would probably go right back the same way, especially if it doesn't snow for a couple more weeks. ;)

You could do a dozen whacks on that range and still not be done with it. Nice easy walk-off too.

Glad Tom's okay and well Neil I think that's the last injuries with you on the trail as the come's in threes...so I should be set the next time I go with you!!:)
One ankle and 2 shoulders. What's next?

[Neil]

-PICTURES- (http://adkhighpeaks.com/neil/outdoor%20pursuits/Algonquin_whack/index.html)

[Cory D]

Looks like blast Neil, gotta love seeing Alg for the first time again.