SW Hunter: 1-16-2010

BJS · 01-16-2010, 10:03 PM

First off, I am new member, and glad to be here. Been hiking in the cats for about a year now, and have read these trip reports, and finally decided I should contribute as well!

Headed up to SW Hunter today. Got to the Devils Tombstone lot around 9:15and it was already very crowded. As I geared up, saw a few guys readying ice climbing gear - not sure where they were heading though.

Weather was perfect, warm, sunny, went up with an unzipped softshell over a t-shirt and took my hat off after a few minutes as I was sweating already. Barebooted all the way to the lean-to, as most of the trail up was pretty well packed. On review, I should have put on the micro spikes I had in my pack, but didn't think to - would have made the rare icy spots easier. As the trail levels out near the top the snow got heavier, but not too bad.

Switched to snowshoes at the lean-to and headed to SW Hunter. Trail was well broken and established and easy to follow. Signed in at the canister and headed back down. Switched from snow shoes to microspikes at the lean-to to get a bit more traction going down.

Overall great day. Met a group of 3 on the way up, passed them then met again at the lean-to and coming back from SW Hunter. Nice people and a pleasure to chat with. Also passed a couple more hikers coming up the trail on my way back down.

Reached the lot a bit after 2pm and it was full - around 25 cars. Warm nice weather really brought everyone out today!

Pics are at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/bradensa...eat=directlink

Looking forward to participating in these forums!

Woolybear · 01-16-2010, 10:52 PM

Welcome to the club and thanks for the report.

Dick · 01-17-2010, 07:34 AM

Welcome to the forum, BJS! We were the group of three who met you on SW Hunter (Dick, Joanne = "Edelweiss", and Moonray = "daLunartik"). Enjoyed our chat! I'll Post a few words to day about our experience, but you've got it nailed. I spoke with two of the ice climbers in the lot, who appeared to outnumber the hikers. Most appeared to be climbing on Plateau. A few were climbing on the west side of the road, between Notch Lake and Becker Hollow.

Nice to meet you yesterday!

Dick

Halia and Flammeus · 01-17-2010, 09:22 AM

"Met a group of 3 on the way up, passed them then met again at the lean-to and coming back from SW Hunter. Nice people and a pleasure to chat with."

I was the ghost fourth hiker with that group. So regretful that I couldn't join you guys. I was pulled in many directions... Sounds like a great day.

Welcome, BJS and enjoy!

SoloJoe · 01-17-2010, 03:58 PM

Sounds like a good time. Nice pics.

Welcome to the forum. Hope to see you on the trails.

sparty · 01-20-2010, 11:13 PM

Welcome. Nice report and pics. Lean-to looks a little snowy eh? Nice picture of the tracks. Bunny I guess? Winter is great for seeing animal signs. - Doug

01-16-2010, 10:03 PM	#1
BJS Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Highland Mills, NY Posts: 2	SW Hunter: 1-16-2010 First off, I am new member, and glad to be here. Been hiking in the cats for about a year now, and have read these trip reports, and finally decided I should contribute as well! Headed up to SW Hunter today. Got to the Devils Tombstone lot around 9:15and it was already very crowded. As I geared up, saw a few guys readying ice climbing gear - not sure where they were heading though. Weather was perfect, warm, sunny, went up with an unzipped softshell over a t-shirt and took my hat off after a few minutes as I was sweating already. Barebooted all the way to the lean-to, as most of the trail up was pretty well packed. On review, I should have put on the micro spikes I had in my pack, but didn't think to - would have made the rare icy spots easier. As the trail levels out near the top the snow got heavier, but not too bad. Switched to snowshoes at the lean-to and headed to SW Hunter. Trail was well broken and established and easy to follow. Signed in at the canister and headed back down. Switched from snow shoes to microspikes at the lean-to to get a bit more traction going down. Overall great day. Met a group of 3 on the way up, passed them then met again at the lean-to and coming back from SW Hunter. Nice people and a pleasure to chat with. Also passed a couple more hikers coming up the trail on my way back down. Reached the lot a bit after 2pm and it was full - around 25 cars. Warm nice weather really brought everyone out today! Pics are at: http://picasaweb.google.com/bradensa...eat=directlink Looking forward to participating in these forums!

01-16-2010, 10:52 PM	#2
Woolybear Harbinger of winter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: southeast of albany Posts: 766	Welcome to the club and thanks for the report. __________________ "Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever" Napoleon Bonaparte Catskill 3500 #1824/#729W ADK 26/46 Views & Brews NY, VT, RI, DE, NH, NJ, CT, WV Taconic Crest End to Ender

01-17-2010, 07:34 AM	#3
Dick Elder Statesman Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Voorheesville NY Posts: 1,619	Welcome to the forum, BJS! We were the group of three who met you on SW Hunter (Dick, Joanne = "Edelweiss", and Moonray = "daLunartik"). Enjoyed our chat! I'll Post a few words to day about our experience, but you've got it nailed. I spoke with two of the ice climbers in the lot, who appeared to outnumber the hikers. Most appeared to be climbing on Plateau. A few were climbing on the west side of the road, between Notch Lake and Becker Hollow. Nice to meet you yesterday! Dick __________________ "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while care will drop off like autumn leaves." John Muir

01-17-2010, 09:22 AM	#4
Halia and Flammeus wingnut Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Krumville (Catskills) Posts: 938	"Met a group of 3 on the way up, passed them then met again at the lean-to and coming back from SW Hunter. Nice people and a pleasure to chat with." I was the ghost fourth hiker with that group. So regretful that I couldn't join you guys. I was pulled in many directions... Sounds like a great day. Welcome, BJS and enjoy! __________________ www.heatherrolland.com www.honeymelonfudge.com

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01-17-2010, 03:58 PM	#5
SoloJoe Positive Thinking Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 369	Sounds like a good time. Nice pics. Welcome to the forum. Hope to see you on the trails.

01-20-2010, 11:13 PM	#6
sparty Commander Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Posts: 631	Welcome. Nice report and pics. Lean-to looks a little snowy eh? Nice picture of the tracks. Bunny I guess? Winter is great for seeing animal signs. - Doug

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