Good Friday hiking

[alistair]

Anyone interested in a Catskill Good Friday (4/14/06)hike?

[hillman1]

I have that day off, and my girlfriend will be out of town. I might be very interested. I've never hiked there, so what would you have in mind?

[Jay H]

Even though that is labelled as "good friday" it is a friday that I am working, unfortunately. :(

Jay

[alistair]

Will hike anything!!
Doug
If you want to hike Fri & Sat, and don't want to camp out, you can stay at my place.

[hillman1]

Is the snow gone down that way? I made a deal with myself on the way to the road from round pond to not wear snowshoes again this season.

[alistair]

Have not been up any mountains lately, but I'm sure you can leave the snowshoes at home. I think I threw mine in Round Pond. Today, I was just writing my trip report for that Dix climb. When I think back on it, that whole trip just blows my mind.

[hillman1]

OK--I'm pretty much in for that friday. My first obvious choices would be Slide or Hunter, but I know there are tons of great hikes down there. If you are working towards any list, just pick a hike and tell me how to get there. I have the catskills guidebook, so I should be able to find just about any trailhead.

[daLunartik]

I was on Kaaterskill HP on Sunday and it was essentially bare of snow, with the exception of the North side above 3200'. Snowshoes were not neccessary, we brought crampons but did not need them as we were able to skirt the ice floes we encountered. I'm probably going to do Table and Peekamoose this Sunday, so can give a more updated conditions report then. The catskills did get some snow this week, but the eastern mtns did not seem to have that much snow on them (I drive west across Columbia County to get to work, and have a number of excellent views of the Escarpment, from Blackhead to Overlook). I expect most of it to melt with the temps we are going to get next week, and the rain we are going to get today.

I'm game for Hunter next week. I all ready did Slide this winter, and do an annual Witt-Cornell-Slide loop. If you are thinking of Slide, I'd suggest doing Wittenberg instead - it's a more challenging hike and the views are more rewarding. And of course, I'm up for other suggestions.

-M

[MattC]

Guys, tomorrow night (4/8) is the 3500 Club dinner in Kingston, which means there should be quite a bit of Catskill hiking this weekend. So you should see some trail conditions reports over at VFTT and possibly here as well. Stuff could change between Sunday and Friday of course, but at least you'll have an idea of what's going on. I just realized I haven't been up in the Catskills in a few weeks-I knew something has been feeling a little off.

I got your PM Alistair, but I was going to respond here anyway, so... I can't hike that Friday, but I may be up for something later that weekend. I may also hike this Sunday. As for recommendations, I know you've done the Burroughs Range, Friday and Balsam Cap. I can't recall if you've climbed any of the others. Since you still have a lot of 'em to do, and this will be Hillman's 1st time in the Catskills, you guys have a lot of possibilities.

You could do worse than Hunter. Great view from the fire tower. An all-around classic Catskill peak. 4 different trail approaches giving you some loop possibilities (one would require a car spot). You could also throw in the 'whack over to Leavitt Peak (SW Hunter) as a side trip if you were so inclined. If you're really ambitious and come from Spruceton Rd., you could probably tackle both Hunter summits and Rusk as well.

You'd probably also really enjoy any of the other Devil's Path peaks, or any combination thereof. If I don't get out w/ you guys, have a good trip, whatever you end up choosing.

Matt

[alistair]

I can only climb Friday or Saturday, I'm taking the family to Florida for Spring Break.

[hillman1]

I'm only in for Friday. My significant other returns from a trip on Saturday and I need to be around.