Oncoman
07-29-2007, 05:11 PM
17 July : Failed Fishing Brook Attempt
Got to 1033m peak on ridge line west of FB but ran out of water. Very hot & humid. Decided to turn back. Besides would never have made the 2 main peaks and come back to my car via NPT before darkness.
18 July: Failed Little Moose Attempt
In A.M. - Tried Sly Pond approach but trail now very neglected. Essentially an abandoned one with blowdown every 75-100 feet. Not easy to follow. Very slow going. At one point trail disappears underwater due to beaver dam. Easier to bwk but not the shortest route. Turned back about ½ mile before reaching Sly Pond. Will try next time the more conventional Moose River Plains Road approach. A 3rd approach is via Cedar River Flow but have no info as to its degree of difficulty.
In P.M. – Did Cellar & Wakely as consolation prizes under the rain. Zero visibility from tower. Sniff!
BTW here is some useful driving info
Cedar River Flow trailhead: 1.9 km from Wakely Dam, gated
Cellar Road turn-off: 5.5 km from Wakely Dam, ungated
Moose River Plains Road: 7.5 km from Wakely Dam, gated
Turn-off for Sly Pond approach: 15.4 km from Wakely Dam, ungated with camping spot
19 July: Buell – Panther – Brown Pond via Wakely Dam approach
Rained all day but no bugs! And guess what, I bagged all 3 pks. My self confidence was starting to be affected by my previous 2 days misadventures. Was of course quite tired by now such that the uphills were slower than usual for me. Also had difficulty finding rd along Cedar River on way out. Must convert to GPS one of these days. Nevertheless made it back to my car just as darkness settled in. Total hiking time: 13 hrs
20 July: Pillsbury & Gore
After 2 consecutive days of rain the intermittent sun was welcomed, but again no view from tower on Pillsbury due to low clouds and got caught by rain fall on top of Gore.
26 July: Fishing Brook - South Peak
27 July: Fishing Brook – North Peak
This time succeeded but a difficult solo 2 days hike via NPT western approach. On my top 5 in terms of hardship so far. Very very hot & humid. Bugs very bad. Not an easy one with map & compass only. Carried only 2 liters of water on ridge line where I spent the night in col between 1030m & 1003m pks. BTW very nice view of Fishing Brook ridge from sub-pk west of FB.
Total hiking time: 23 hrs (14 hrs on day 1)
Overall impressions: Completing the ADK100 list has now earned my respect. Contrary to my previous lists this one is not going to be an easy breeze. 20 more to go.
Got to 1033m peak on ridge line west of FB but ran out of water. Very hot & humid. Decided to turn back. Besides would never have made the 2 main peaks and come back to my car via NPT before darkness.
18 July: Failed Little Moose Attempt
In A.M. - Tried Sly Pond approach but trail now very neglected. Essentially an abandoned one with blowdown every 75-100 feet. Not easy to follow. Very slow going. At one point trail disappears underwater due to beaver dam. Easier to bwk but not the shortest route. Turned back about ½ mile before reaching Sly Pond. Will try next time the more conventional Moose River Plains Road approach. A 3rd approach is via Cedar River Flow but have no info as to its degree of difficulty.
In P.M. – Did Cellar & Wakely as consolation prizes under the rain. Zero visibility from tower. Sniff!
BTW here is some useful driving info
Cedar River Flow trailhead: 1.9 km from Wakely Dam, gated
Cellar Road turn-off: 5.5 km from Wakely Dam, ungated
Moose River Plains Road: 7.5 km from Wakely Dam, gated
Turn-off for Sly Pond approach: 15.4 km from Wakely Dam, ungated with camping spot
19 July: Buell – Panther – Brown Pond via Wakely Dam approach
Rained all day but no bugs! And guess what, I bagged all 3 pks. My self confidence was starting to be affected by my previous 2 days misadventures. Was of course quite tired by now such that the uphills were slower than usual for me. Also had difficulty finding rd along Cedar River on way out. Must convert to GPS one of these days. Nevertheless made it back to my car just as darkness settled in. Total hiking time: 13 hrs
20 July: Pillsbury & Gore
After 2 consecutive days of rain the intermittent sun was welcomed, but again no view from tower on Pillsbury due to low clouds and got caught by rain fall on top of Gore.
26 July: Fishing Brook - South Peak
27 July: Fishing Brook – North Peak
This time succeeded but a difficult solo 2 days hike via NPT western approach. On my top 5 in terms of hardship so far. Very very hot & humid. Bugs very bad. Not an easy one with map & compass only. Carried only 2 liters of water on ridge line where I spent the night in col between 1030m & 1003m pks. BTW very nice view of Fishing Brook ridge from sub-pk west of FB.
Total hiking time: 23 hrs (14 hrs on day 1)
Overall impressions: Completing the ADK100 list has now earned my respect. Contrary to my previous lists this one is not going to be an easy breeze. 20 more to go.