Colvin and Blake 4/20

johnandjami · 04-22-2012, 08:50 PM

We climbed Colvin and Blake on Friday 4/20. We planned to hike Saturday, but arranged to leave a day earlier when we saw the weather forecast for Saturday. Friday was a great day…temp in the 60’s with clear skies most of the day.

We left the gate at the Ausable Club at 9:00. We bare booted to the summit of Colvin by 12:30. There was some soft ice/snow above 3000 ft. We walked on the trail spine and had decent traction most of the time. In hindsight, putting on the microspikes would have saved us a bit of time…but we were “almost there ” for atleast an hour and didn’t take the time to put them on. We had great views from Colvin. This is our first experience hiking in warmer weather. It was odd to be walking on snow/ice, yet sweating in a short-sleeve tshirt. Saw only a few bugs…killed one mosquito and one black fly on Colvin.

We put our microspikes on to head over to Blake…and they were definitely needed. Blake had more snow/ice than Colvin so the traction was needed especially for the descent. This is where we made a few rookie mistakes…
According to my trail notes, Blake was only a short .6 mile away so we decided to let our pack on Colvin. Actually, Blake was .6 from the Colvin/Blake col and 1.3 miles overall. We were almost to the col when it started to rain, and of course our rain gear was in our pack on Colvin! It was only a light rain for about 10 minutes so it was fine anyway. Do any of you drop your packs when hiking???? We reached Blake summit at 2:00 and were back to Colvin by 3:30. We signed out at the gate around 7:00. Didn’t see anyone all day!

It was a great day in the Adirondacks! 16/46 done!

ADKJack · 04-22-2012, 10:10 PM

Congrats and thanks for posting. The decision on dropping ones pack is a common controversy around here and often for the reason you posted. Conditions can be unpredictable and there is an inherent danger in not having the stuff you lugged up the mountain with you when you need it most. That being said I will tell you that there are several peaks that I have visited sans pack, however the distance from my pack is usually less than half a mile and I too have regretted doing so on more than one occasion. Part of the learning curve I guess.

mastergrasshopper · 04-22-2012, 10:43 PM

pack drop

no big deal but 1 in a 1,000 times. big deal to some people.

compromise = sea to summit pack, about 4oz, waterproof, holds jacket, drink, energy bar, first aid. I leave mine already packed in top of winter daypack and grab and go.
MG

Inge · 04-23-2012, 08:54 AM

LOL!! The pack drop question! It is up to the individual. Just as what you carry before dropping your pack is due to what you feel you need to feel secure. What you carry changes w/ experience and conditions - so I'd say no rule applies all the time for everyone :-) Hike on!!

rbalbs · 04-23-2012, 08:59 AM

Pack dropping is a personal decision - for Colvin and Blake I normally carry my pack down to the C-B col, then leave there. Saves 50 % of the elevation and keeps the distance/time down between my last gulp of water and the next one. In the winter I do something similar to MG's suggestion, where I put a little 8 oz bottle of water in my pocket, a snack, and facemask and/or goggles depending on the peak.

Thanks for the update on trail conditions. You'll see a lot less people out on the trails until Memorial Day Weekend and fewer TRs.

Alpine1 · 04-23-2012, 09:26 AM

I have dropped a pack several times in the HP's. Once we had 2 legged critters ransack our packs at the CLiff/Redfield junction in the middle of winter. I'll do it again but not without taking a bit more care choosing the local.

Neil · 04-23-2012, 09:40 AM

You can also leave certain items behind for later retrieval. For example, a nalgene or one's head, depending what's in it of course.

If my partner doesn't drop his pack I drop mine knowing that in an emergency I can parasitize his gear.

Trail Boss · 04-23-2012, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnandjami

Do any of you drop your packs when hiking????

There's a poll for that ...

Thanks for the TR. It sounds like you generally had a good time plus ten minutes of discomfort. Lesson learned; you can leave your pack but not everything it contains.

Enjoy and stay safe!

04-22-2012, 08:50 PM	#1
johnandjami Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Central PA Posts: 18	Colvin and Blake 4/20 We climbed Colvin and Blake on Friday 4/20. We planned to hike Saturday, but arranged to leave a day earlier when we saw the weather forecast for Saturday. Friday was a great day…temp in the 60’s with clear skies most of the day. We left the gate at the Ausable Club at 9:00. We bare booted to the summit of Colvin by 12:30. There was some soft ice/snow above 3000 ft. We walked on the trail spine and had decent traction most of the time. In hindsight, putting on the microspikes would have saved us a bit of time…but we were “almost there ” for atleast an hour and didn’t take the time to put them on. We had great views from Colvin. This is our first experience hiking in warmer weather. It was odd to be walking on snow/ice, yet sweating in a short-sleeve tshirt. Saw only a few bugs…killed one mosquito and one black fly on Colvin. We put our microspikes on to head over to Blake…and they were definitely needed. Blake had more snow/ice than Colvin so the traction was needed especially for the descent. This is where we made a few rookie mistakes… According to my trail notes, Blake was only a short .6 mile away so we decided to let our pack on Colvin. Actually, Blake was .6 from the Colvin/Blake col and 1.3 miles overall. We were almost to the col when it started to rain, and of course our rain gear was in our pack on Colvin! It was only a light rain for about 10 minutes so it was fine anyway. Do any of you drop your packs when hiking???? We reached Blake summit at 2:00 and were back to Colvin by 3:30. We signed out at the gate around 7:00. Didn’t see anyone all day! It was a great day in the Adirondacks! 16/46 done!

04-22-2012, 10:10 PM	#2
ADKJack Sure, Why not! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mt Adams Posts: 2,043	Congrats and thanks for posting. The decision on dropping ones pack is a common controversy around here and often for the reason you posted. Conditions can be unpredictable and there is an inherent danger in not having the stuff you lugged up the mountain with you when you need it most. That being said I will tell you that there are several peaks that I have visited sans pack, however the distance from my pack is usually less than half a mile and I too have regretted doing so on more than one occasion. Part of the learning curve I guess. __________________ "Climbing is about freedom. There's no prize money; there are no gold medals. The mountains are all about going there to do what you want to do. That's why I'll never tell anyone else how to climb. All I can say is, This is how I prefer to do it." Ed Viesturs

04-22-2012, 10:43 PM	#3
mastergrasshopper Commander Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: syracuse ny. Posts: 1,612	pack drop pack drop no big deal but 1 in a 1,000 times. big deal to some people. compromise = sea to summit pack, about 4oz, waterproof, holds jacket, drink, energy bar, first aid. I leave mine already packed in top of winter daypack and grab and go. MG

04-23-2012, 08:54 AM	#4
Inge Commander Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 619	LOL!! The pack drop question! It is up to the individual. Just as what you carry before dropping your pack is due to what you feel you need to feel secure. What you carry changes w/ experience and conditions - so I'd say no rule applies all the time for everyone :-) Hike on!! __________________ inclined to climb...

04-23-2012, 09:26 AM	#6
Alpine1 Head of Household Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Old Forge, NY Posts: 723	You never know I have dropped a pack several times in the HP's. Once we had 2 legged critters ransack our packs at the CLiff/Redfield junction in the middle of winter. I'll do it again but not without taking a bit more care choosing the local.

04-23-2012, 08:59 AM	#5
rbalbs Adirondack Addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: ADK Grid 549/552 Posts: 555	Pack dropping is a personal decision - for Colvin and Blake I normally carry my pack down to the C-B col, then leave there. Saves 50 % of the elevation and keeps the distance/time down between my last gulp of water and the next one. In the winter I do something similar to MG's suggestion, where I put a little 8 oz bottle of water in my pocket, a snack, and facemask and/or goggles depending on the peak. Thanks for the update on trail conditions. You'll see a lot less people out on the trails until Memorial Day Weekend and fewer TRs.

04-23-2012, 09:40 AM	#7
Neil Enjoying Wellness Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 8,399	You can also leave certain items behind for later retrieval. For example, a nalgene or one's head, depending what's in it of course. If my partner doesn't drop his pack I drop mine knowing that in an emergency I can parasitize his gear.

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