Balsam Mtn or Why God invented Shovels..

Jay H · 02-28-2010, 07:59 PM

Warnings, postings and the apocolypse seemed to be not in our favor today, as Maria, kevin, and I attempted Balsam Mt. I got back from a local snowshoe saturday, with a phone call from Maria telling the sky is falling and that there were dire warnings about staying out of the catskills and such. We had some tentative plans with folks to possibly meet and car pool over to McKenley hollow, but most of them fell through. Mudhook was a possibility to meet us, but I picked up Maria on schedule for the hour's drive to McKenley hollow. Lots of downed trees along 47 (and the thruway) but everything was passable. getting to the trailhead, the snow plow turnaround is plowed out but the trailhead parking wasn't. I went to scope out the trail, at which I hear the owner of the Shangri La asking me if he could help. So I walk over and talk to him about our situation, he, very kindly offered to let us park there so we made arrangements. Maria and I had my Outback and Kevin had his car, I had my shovel and kevin, had actually 2, so all of us decided to just shovel out a lane, that was 2 cars deep, such that I parked at the Shangri la and Jim (if he came) and Kevin parked at the trailhead. Hey, I know we all pack shovels for a reason, so why not get nice and warmed up with shovelling. We left a note for Jim so he knew he could park in front of kevin's car and off we went, around 9:20am. At the register, we found the 2 guys before us headed off to Eagle and Big Indian and we had a fresh trail from then on...

2.5 miles, and about 4 hours later, we hit the summit of Balsam... Epic snow, epic depth and an epic hike. Very fortunate that Kevin had 36" tubbs cause I think he needed every inch. I was sinking in 5-6" walking behind kevin in my 25" Lightning Ascents, about perhaps one in a handful of times I felt I wish I had longer snowshoes... This was a very epic hike, the blue blazes from the col to the summit were barely above the snowline and it was impossible to completely follow the trail. So we were on and off the blazed path as we made our way. And there was a 100ft section on the trail to the col that was absolutely a bear to go up, we had to switchback all over the place to get above the seriously human-eating drifts and the steepness of the trail. no butt sliding today!!!!

Absolutely hardcore hike today, probably my hardest hike this winter.. The 4 hours straight summit was rewarded with lunch at the summit and a trip back down. Ran into a solo hiker coming up who had MSRs (no tails!) who would no way would of made it more than 1/2 mile if not for our trail. he was sinking in quite nicely with his MSRs even with all of our tracks..

So, Balsam is open for business, even a nice two car length spot shovelled out at the trail and now Maria is 1 hike closer to her finish.. She earned this one.

Pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/cycleslu.../Balsam2010228

Bonus pictures of my backyard on saturday:
http://picasaweb.google.com/cycleslu...amidMtn2010227
Jay

daLunartik · 02-28-2010, 08:18 PM

Way to go

. It really was the parking situation that kept me off this hike, as I figured the roads were passable. I spent a good portion of the day thinking you all breaking through waist + deep snow, and wishing I could be there with you. Good to know Maria earned at least one of 'em this winter

Maria · 02-28-2010, 08:39 PM

Yeah, earned it is putting it mildly!! It was the hardest hiking I have ever done. It was kind of amazing to see Kevin in his boats gliding along the top of the snow while we were fighting for every step. But still a great day in the woods, just beautiful up there, and thanks Jay for saying we should give it a shot. I was hoping to see Mudhook pull up with all three of us shoveling away, just to see the expression on his face

Only Rusk and Blackhead left now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by daLunartik

Way to go

. It really was the parking situation that kept me off this hike, as I figured the roads were passable. I spent a good portion of the day thinking you all breaking through waist + deep snow, and wishing I could be there with you. Good to know Maria earned at least one of 'em this winter

Prino · 02-28-2010, 08:43 PM

How come the Catskills get all the snow? We had an inch of wet snow North of Montreal. Nice pictures Jay! I guess you missed the hockey final .... the outcome of which I predicted....

MattC · 02-28-2010, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maria

Yeah, earned it is putting it mildly!! It was the hardest hiking I have ever done. It was kind of amazing to see Kevin in his boats gliding along the top of the snow while we were fighting for every step. But still a great day in the woods, just beautiful up there, and thanks Jay for saying we should give it a shot. I was hoping to see Mudhook pull up with all three of us shoveling away, just to see the expression on his face

Only Rusk and Blackhead left now.

Epic snow indeed. Glad you all made it. Mira and I attempted Blackhead today and turned around probably less than a half mile from the summit. I'll post a full report.

Matt

the_swede · 02-28-2010, 09:10 PM

Sick! Sounds like it was brutal. Jay, I was in your neck of the woods today (Butlerish Kinnelonish area) and even there it was pretty rough going. Was sinking down 2 feet every step even with snowshoes.

03-01-2010, 05:43 AM

Great job!!! Glad all went well,real nice pictures.

billandjudy · 03-01-2010, 06:36 AM

Nice job all!! That's a lot o snow...Way to go Maria!

1ADAM12 · 03-01-2010, 06:50 AM

AWESOME pics! Looked warm too

Jay H · 03-01-2010, 07:52 AM

Definitely warm, I was hiking in just a single bike jersey. The snow down low was soft, mushy and Kevin was having problems with sticking to his snowshoes although mine and Maria's were OK. It was sunny, overcast, snowing on and off all day and it did cool down a bit as we climbed...

The Swede: Ah, If you see the bonus pictures, I snowshoed to Tripod Rock on saturday, a short snowshoe out and then I kind of bushwacked back, just to avoid hiking the same trail.

Prino: We let the Canadians win the hockey game just to be diplomatic and avoid a revolution in the streets. (Plus, it would spoil our invasion of Kanada in a few weeks... shhh..)

Jay

mudhook · 03-01-2010, 08:51 AM

Well done, you earned this one.

Maria, watching someone shovel snow for fun would have made me look.

03-01-2010, 08:59 AM

Let me know if you want some help breaking trail to Rusk.

Jay H · 03-01-2010, 10:48 AM

I'm sure she could use your 30" tubbs!

I told maria to fashion some 4'x48" plywood to her MSRs...

jay

klip59 · 03-01-2010, 11:04 AM

We might be heading there next weekend, if there's not another storm, do you think we'd need the larger snowshoes or would MSR's suffice?

Jay H · 03-01-2010, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klip59

We might be heading there next weekend, if there's not another storm, do you think we'd need the larger snowshoes or would MSR's suffice?

Without another storm, I felt that I would be fine with the 25" snowshoes on the broken path. If you have the tails for the MSRs (assuming you have the ones that can use tails), I'd bring it and use it though.

There were 2 signed in before us signed up for Eagle and B.I., however, they simply bushwacked right from the register towards Eagle and we just did Balsam.

Jay

Maria · 03-01-2010, 11:37 AM

Of course Ralph!! That's on the docket for Saturday with the Blackheads traverse Sunday. I'll pm the Rusk details as we get closer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermit

Let me know if you want some help breaking trail to Rusk.

klip59 · 03-01-2010, 11:38 AM

Thanks Jay!

03-01-2010, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maria

Of course Ralph!! That's on the docket for Saturday with the Blackheads traverse Sunday. I'll pm the Rusk details as we get closer.

Ok I will be off Friday hiking with Maddy if she is feeling better,so count me in for Sat.

Rockledge · 03-01-2010, 09:04 PM

Great report. You certainly earned that one.

02-28-2010, 07:59 PM	#1
Jay H Ice Cream Time Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pittsfield, MA Posts: 6,789	Balsam Mtn or Why God invented Shovels.. Warnings, postings and the apocolypse seemed to be not in our favor today, as Maria, kevin, and I attempted Balsam Mt. I got back from a local snowshoe saturday, with a phone call from Maria telling the sky is falling and that there were dire warnings about staying out of the catskills and such. We had some tentative plans with folks to possibly meet and car pool over to McKenley hollow, but most of them fell through. Mudhook was a possibility to meet us, but I picked up Maria on schedule for the hour's drive to McKenley hollow. Lots of downed trees along 47 (and the thruway) but everything was passable. getting to the trailhead, the snow plow turnaround is plowed out but the trailhead parking wasn't. I went to scope out the trail, at which I hear the owner of the Shangri La asking me if he could help. So I walk over and talk to him about our situation, he, very kindly offered to let us park there so we made arrangements. Maria and I had my Outback and Kevin had his car, I had my shovel and kevin, had actually 2, so all of us decided to just shovel out a lane, that was 2 cars deep, such that I parked at the Shangri la and Jim (if he came) and Kevin parked at the trailhead. Hey, I know we all pack shovels for a reason, so why not get nice and warmed up with shovelling. We left a note for Jim so he knew he could park in front of kevin's car and off we went, around 9:20am. At the register, we found the 2 guys before us headed off to Eagle and Big Indian and we had a fresh trail from then on... 2.5 miles, and about 4 hours later, we hit the summit of Balsam... Epic snow, epic depth and an epic hike. Very fortunate that Kevin had 36" tubbs cause I think he needed every inch. I was sinking in 5-6" walking behind kevin in my 25" Lightning Ascents, about perhaps one in a handful of times I felt I wish I had longer snowshoes... This was a very epic hike, the blue blazes from the col to the summit were barely above the snowline and it was impossible to completely follow the trail. So we were on and off the blazed path as we made our way. And there was a 100ft section on the trail to the col that was absolutely a bear to go up, we had to switchback all over the place to get above the seriously human-eating drifts and the steepness of the trail. no butt sliding today!!!! Absolutely hardcore hike today, probably my hardest hike this winter.. The 4 hours straight summit was rewarded with lunch at the summit and a trip back down. Ran into a solo hiker coming up who had MSRs (no tails!) who would no way would of made it more than 1/2 mile if not for our trail. he was sinking in quite nicely with his MSRs even with all of our tracks.. So, Balsam is open for business, even a nice two car length spot shovelled out at the trail and now Maria is 1 hike closer to her finish.. She earned this one. Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/cycleslu.../Balsam2010228 Bonus pictures of my backyard on saturday: http://picasaweb.google.com/cycleslu...amidMtn2010227 Jay __________________ Life is a short, warm moment And death is a long cold rest. You get your chance to try in the twinkling of an eye: Eighty years, with luck, or even less. -Pink Floyd Last edited by Jay H; 02-28-2010 at 08:02 PM.

02-28-2010, 08:18 PM	#2
daLunartik ____ Gronk! ____ Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,403	Way to go . It really was the parking situation that kept me off this hike, as I figured the roads were passable. I spent a good portion of the day thinking you all breaking through waist + deep snow, and wishing I could be there with you. Good to know Maria earned at least one of 'em this winter __________________ EULA: By reading this post and associated disclaimer, you are consenting to agree with the opinions disclosed within. If you disagree with this license agreement, you may not return it for a refund.

02-28-2010, 08:43 PM	#4
Prino #6242 Aspiring Winter46er Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Location, Location! Posts: 1,000	How come the Catskills get all the snow? We had an inch of wet snow North of Montreal. Nice pictures Jay! I guess you missed the hockey final .... the outcome of which I predicted.... __________________ Map and compass man!

02-28-2010, 09:10 PM	#6
the_swede Swedeboy McGee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dirty Jersey Posts: 773	Sick! Sounds like it was brutal. Jay, I was in your neck of the woods today (Butlerish Kinnelonish area) and even there it was pretty rough going. Was sinking down 2 feet every step even with snowshoes. __________________ "In a long ramble of the kind on a fine autumnal day, Rip had unconsciously scrambled to one of the highest parts of the Kaatskill Mountains. ... From an opening between the trees he could overlook all the lower country for many a mile of rich woodland. He saw at a distance the lordly Hudson, far, far below him, moving on its silent but majestic course, with the reflection of a purple cloud, or the sail of a lagging bark, here and there sleeping on its glassy bosom, and at last losing itself in the blue highlands." —Washington Irving New Jersey 1K Club My Climb List Catskill 35: 39/39 (finished 3/7/2010) Catskill HH: 60/102 ADK 46: 20/47 NE 67: 17/67 NJ 1K: 52/52 (finished 1/10/2010)

03-01-2010, 05:43 AM	#7
hermit Guest Posts: n/a	Great job!!! Glad all went well,real nice pictures. Last edited by hermit; 03-01-2010 at 05:54 AM.

03-01-2010, 06:36 AM	#8
billandjudy Jimmy Dolan Notch Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4,020	Nice job all!! That's a lot o snow...Way to go Maria!

03-01-2010, 06:50 AM	#9
1ADAM12 Marc Howes kicking me! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: On Allen! Posts: 2,893	AWESOME pics! Looked warm too __________________ OUTDOOR SHOTS More hiking Pictures EASY CHEESE and The Cheez Whiz 43/46 ADK Easy Cheese and Cheez Whiz 43/46 winter EASY CHEESE and The Cheez Whiz 19/35 CATS HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

03-01-2010, 07:52 AM	#10
Jay H Ice Cream Time Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pittsfield, MA Posts: 6,789	Definitely warm, I was hiking in just a single bike jersey. The snow down low was soft, mushy and Kevin was having problems with sticking to his snowshoes although mine and Maria's were OK. It was sunny, overcast, snowing on and off all day and it did cool down a bit as we climbed... The Swede: Ah, If you see the bonus pictures, I snowshoed to Tripod Rock on saturday, a short snowshoe out and then I kind of bushwacked back, just to avoid hiking the same trail. Prino: We let the Canadians win the hockey game just to be diplomatic and avoid a revolution in the streets. (Plus, it would spoil our invasion of Kanada in a few weeks... shhh..) Jay __________________ Life is a short, warm moment And death is a long cold rest. You get your chance to try in the twinkling of an eye: Eighty years, with luck, or even less. -Pink Floyd

03-01-2010, 08:51 AM	#11
mudhook Forum Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: On the slopes of Old Clump Posts: 2,260	Well done, you earned this one. Maria, watching someone shovel snow for fun would have made me look. Last edited by mudhook; 03-01-2010 at 09:59 AM.

03-01-2010, 08:59 AM	#12
hermit Guest Posts: n/a	Let me know if you want some help breaking trail to Rusk.

03-01-2010, 10:48 AM	#13
Jay H Ice Cream Time Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pittsfield, MA Posts: 6,789	I'm sure she could use your 30" tubbs! I told maria to fashion some 4'x48" plywood to her MSRs... jay __________________ Life is a short, warm moment And death is a long cold rest. You get your chance to try in the twinkling of an eye: Eighty years, with luck, or even less. -Pink Floyd

03-01-2010, 11:04 AM	#14
klip59 Cats 35/32 25W Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Mechanicville, avatar: Blackhead Mt Posts: 1,236	We might be heading there next weekend, if there's not another storm, do you think we'd need the larger snowshoes or would MSR's suffice?

03-01-2010, 11:38 AM	#17
klip59 Cats 35/32 25W Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Mechanicville, avatar: Blackhead Mt Posts: 1,236	Thanks Jay!

03-01-2010, 09:04 PM	#19
Rockledge Where's the Beast? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cedar Grove Posts: 1,409	Great report. You certainly earned that one. __________________ Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very fast.~Thomas Jefferson Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.~Steven Wright

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