Bennies Brook Slide

Efoxx · 06-19-2012, 01:49 PM

Fiance and I are headed up to the Daks for the first time this season. We had a great time hiking Panther Peak and Giant Ledge in the Catskills two weeks ago. She has hiked in the Adirondacks on several occasions. She has hiked Skylight, Redfield and Cliff (failed attempt due to cold temps and heavy rain), Phelps and Big Slide. However I really want to start slide climbing. She is a bit timid but with encouragement she will hike most peaks. She would not fair well on exposed terrain (i.e. a fall would be dangerous). With that being said I'd like to hike Bennies Brook Slide with her. From what I have read it is betwen 15-28 degrees and fairly mellow. How is the exposure towards to top? Campsite recommendations? Does anyone know the total mileage from the Garden? Thanks!

DSettahr · 06-19-2012, 01:55 PM

You might try looking in either the Slide Climbing Trip Reports forum or the Slide Climbing Resources forum. I can't remember- you may need to subscribe to these forums in order for them to show up by default when you visit ADK High Peaks...

Gregory Karl · 06-19-2012, 11:15 PM

Here is a photo essay that will show you exactly what is involved. Show it to your fiance and see what she says. It follows the new branch that goes quite close to the summit:

https://picasaweb.google.com/curugro...nieSFacelift02

It is perhaps not clear from the pics that it gets a bit steep at the very end. One doesn't actually have to climb the really steep looking stuff in the last couple pics, however. One can exit to the left just before. Of course one can bail anywhere along the way, but if you are familiar with bushwhacking above 3,500 feet in this range, you know that can be painful and slow.

Anyway, like DSettahr said, there are several reports on ascents of the new Bennie's Slide on the Slide Forum, including mine, that should give you all the information you might need.

Kuala · 06-20-2012, 06:50 AM

Distance from the Garden, taking the Johns Brook Trail, doubling back on the Southside Trail, climbing Bennies Brook Slide and returning on the marked trails was right around 11 miles (GPS miles).
This was our first slide climb and we found the overall experience more than made up for the few spots where there was mild exposure. We found the bigger problm to be that in some of the steeper sections, there wasn't bare rock, and we were slip sliding on the dirt and rubble in trying to advance. The last 500 feet up was steep but again, more tiring than frightening.
Enjoy.

Efoxx · 06-20-2012, 10:32 AM

Thanks everyone. I'll be sure to post a TR after. Should I veer left or right at the "Y" if I would like a less exposed route? From what I have read I think I am supposed to stay left. Thanks again.

Gregory Karl · 06-20-2012, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efoxx

Thanks everyone. I'll be sure to post a TR after. Should I veer left or right at the "Y" if I would like a less exposed route? From what I have read I think I am supposed to stay left. Thanks again.

Left leads to the old Bennies, which is less exposed but quite overgrown. If it is feasible, try the new branch.

06-19-2012, 01:49 PM	#1
Efoxx Efoxx Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Park Slope Brooklyn, NY Posts: 70	Bennies Brook Slide Fiance and I are headed up to the Daks for the first time this season. We had a great time hiking Panther Peak and Giant Ledge in the Catskills two weeks ago. She has hiked in the Adirondacks on several occasions. She has hiked Skylight, Redfield and Cliff (failed attempt due to cold temps and heavy rain), Phelps and Big Slide. However I really want to start slide climbing. She is a bit timid but with encouragement she will hike most peaks. She would not fair well on exposed terrain (i.e. a fall would be dangerous). With that being said I'd like to hike Bennies Brook Slide with her. From what I have read it is betwen 15-28 degrees and fairly mellow. How is the exposure towards to top? Campsite recommendations? Does anyone know the total mileage from the Garden? Thanks!

06-19-2012, 11:15 PM	#3
Gregory Karl * — * — * — * — * Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jay Posts: 1,937	Here is a photo essay that will show you exactly what is involved. Show it to your fiance and see what she says. It follows the new branch that goes quite close to the summit: https://picasaweb.google.com/curugro...nieSFacelift02 It is perhaps not clear from the pics that it gets a bit steep at the very end. One doesn't actually have to climb the really steep looking stuff in the last couple pics, however. One can exit to the left just before. Of course one can bail anywhere along the way, but if you are familiar with bushwhacking above 3,500 feet in this range, you know that can be painful and slow. Anyway, like DSettahr said, there are several reports on ascents of the new Bennie's Slide on the Slide Forum, including mine, that should give you all the information you might need. __________________ "a politician is an arse upon which everyone has sat except a man" (e. e. cummings)

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06-19-2012, 01:55 PM	#2
DSettahr ɹǝpuɐɯɯoɔ Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,787	You might try looking in either the Slide Climbing Trip Reports forum or the Slide Climbing Resources forum. I can't remember- you may need to subscribe to these forums in order for them to show up by default when you visit ADK High Peaks...

06-20-2012, 06:50 AM	#4
Kuala Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Williamsville, NY Posts: 26	Distance from the Garden, taking the Johns Brook Trail, doubling back on the Southside Trail, climbing Bennies Brook Slide and returning on the marked trails was right around 11 miles (GPS miles). This was our first slide climb and we found the overall experience more than made up for the few spots where there was mild exposure. We found the bigger problm to be that in some of the steeper sections, there wasn't bare rock, and we were slip sliding on the dirt and rubble in trying to advance. The last 500 feet up was steep but again, more tiring than frightening. Enjoy.

06-20-2012, 10:32 AM	#5
Efoxx Efoxx Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Park Slope Brooklyn, NY Posts: 70	Thanks everyone. I'll be sure to post a TR after. Should I veer left or right at the "Y" if I would like a less exposed route? From what I have read I think I am supposed to stay left. Thanks again.

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