Snickers
03-18-2007, 08:34 PM
I met Jennifer back in January on a hike and we fast became friends. Jen and I have many things in common, one being we are both working on our winter 35. So Jennifer and I started hooking up to work on our remaining peaks. Jen belongs to the ADK Mohican Chapter and they have also been helping her get her peaks. Well this weekend Jen had Westkill left and I Westkill and Balsam Lake. The plan was to hike Westkill with her chapter on Saturday and then I was going to hike BL with some friends today. Well the snow came and plans changed. We decided to reschedule Westkill until today, not worth anyone getting in an accident on bad roads yesterday morning for a peak. The peaks will be there when the weather is good. I decided it would be best to hike Westkill with Jen and her friends today knowing I would never make it alone breaking trail all day and I would go for Balsam Lake solo tomorrow. Figure I have a better chance at making BL on my own.
There were 7 of us on the hike this morning and spirits were high as we were all excited about Jennifer's finish. We started up the trail around 10:20AM from the Spruceton Road Parking area by Diamond Notch. Looked like someone had hiked Westkill yesterday as there were tracks with a few inches of snow over them. We were thrilled we would not have to break new trail all day. Well around 3050' the tracks ended. They must have looked at that first big ledge and turned around. Jen took the lead and me behind her, the breaking up that ledge was tough, the snow was up to our knees and higher at times, you would kick a step in and slide back two. There was much laughing and teasing as we were working our way up the hard parts. (come on what's taking you so long....and such) We had a great group and everybody had their turn at breaking and getting teased. All of our hard work was returned with spectacular, sunny, clear views. We made the summit around 2:10PM. The group let Jennifer go first and I second as this was Jen's big day and my second to last peak. There was much celebrating on top, champange bottles popping, Bailey's and hot chocolate, cookies, and candy bars. :) What a great day spent with some really great people. This peak was bagged by all as there was not one of us that would have made it alone, it was a total team effort and we all felt the pride of the accomplishment. Congratulations to Jennifer on her W35 and congratulations to the group for all of their hard work!!! Well the party needs to end, so we packed up our things and headed back down. The hike down was fun as there was now a nice track laid and some good butt sliding. We were back to the cars by 4:50PM.
Well, tomorrow I will bag my last peak. What a great day today really turned out to be. I thought I would be hiking alone tomorrow, but Margaret, one of the ladies on the hike today is hiking with me tomorrow. :)
I will post the pics from today when I get home tomorrow.
http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=556191174349062092/l=252092529/g=28172944/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB
Happy Trails - Cindy
There were 7 of us on the hike this morning and spirits were high as we were all excited about Jennifer's finish. We started up the trail around 10:20AM from the Spruceton Road Parking area by Diamond Notch. Looked like someone had hiked Westkill yesterday as there were tracks with a few inches of snow over them. We were thrilled we would not have to break new trail all day. Well around 3050' the tracks ended. They must have looked at that first big ledge and turned around. Jen took the lead and me behind her, the breaking up that ledge was tough, the snow was up to our knees and higher at times, you would kick a step in and slide back two. There was much laughing and teasing as we were working our way up the hard parts. (come on what's taking you so long....and such) We had a great group and everybody had their turn at breaking and getting teased. All of our hard work was returned with spectacular, sunny, clear views. We made the summit around 2:10PM. The group let Jennifer go first and I second as this was Jen's big day and my second to last peak. There was much celebrating on top, champange bottles popping, Bailey's and hot chocolate, cookies, and candy bars. :) What a great day spent with some really great people. This peak was bagged by all as there was not one of us that would have made it alone, it was a total team effort and we all felt the pride of the accomplishment. Congratulations to Jennifer on her W35 and congratulations to the group for all of their hard work!!! Well the party needs to end, so we packed up our things and headed back down. The hike down was fun as there was now a nice track laid and some good butt sliding. We were back to the cars by 4:50PM.
Well, tomorrow I will bag my last peak. What a great day today really turned out to be. I thought I would be hiking alone tomorrow, but Margaret, one of the ladies on the hike today is hiking with me tomorrow. :)
I will post the pics from today when I get home tomorrow.
http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=556191174349062092/l=252092529/g=28172944/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB
Happy Trails - Cindy