AHP - first time's a charm

Halia and Flammeus · 06-20-2010, 09:30 PM

leading a hike for the 3500 club, that is. My inaugural effort at leading went rather smashingly well today despite the wicked humidity and heat early on.

I led a group of 8 (plus an amazing shih tzu that has a fabulous attitude!) up from Kanape Brook PA. Lovely folks, some of whom post here and I hope will chime in and add their photos. I shot very few - I was more focused on "leading."

Our group made excellent time up to the summit - approx 2.5 hours. We chilled (hardly - it was about 107 degrees on that rock with 90% humidity), ate lunch and then visited the blueberry meadow. The group seemed well pleased with the excellent view of the Burroughs Range and bushwack peaks.

Back to the summit and Ixy helped out with leading down to "Little Ashokan" - the view spot about 300 feet down to the east. I'd never been and holy cow - it was the highlight for me. Laurels were in full bloom, and there are TONS of them. There is a moment where you push through very thick brush above you to emerge into the open clearing and it is just amazing. I was pretty blown away.

Getting back up to the summit was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be.

No snakes, no real blueberries to speak of, no injuries, no heatstroke... I did discover that my main leadership qualities included "mother hen behavior" and telling Flammeus what to do. Hey - guess I'm a natural at this!

just a few photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/3070565...7624195705243/

Laurie Rankin · 06-20-2010, 09:56 PM

Sounds like a fine time was had by all!

Thanks so much for leading!

Little Ashokan is sure a beautiful bonus, isn't it?

And did I say, thanks so much for leading!

TFR · 06-20-2010, 10:08 PM

I recognize all those people, and many of those dogs!

Thanks for being leader, a triple

And Tom, way to be the follower!

rockysummit · 06-20-2010, 10:18 PM

Great report and pics Heather. I too know most of those people. Great group! Glad you had an excellent time leading especially on such a hot day.
-Tony

HAYDK · 06-20-2010, 11:03 PM

Heather, Tom & Ixy,
Thanks for leading today's hike. It certainly was warm today. We enjoyed the hike in spite of the heat. Not bad for a pair of newbie leaders

. Rather well done!!

Little Ashokan was a great treat. Thanks again, here are my photos. Tom & Nancy http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/5...vhost=outdoors

Halia and Flammeus · 06-21-2010, 06:39 AM

Looking forward to leading again. ON AHP and beyond!

And, for the record, Flammeus was the formal co-leader, although he did take up the sweep position. Spicedoubt suffered a goat-lifting knee injury and was unable to co-lead as planned, so Tom was pressed into duty. He was also a natural - we make a good team.

Snickers · 06-21-2010, 07:22 AM

Nice job Heather!!

Looks like you had a nice group and great day for views.

Hey, I know some of those people too.

Happy Trails - Cindy

Jay H · 06-21-2010, 07:52 AM

Iske has the longer tongue!

Jay

Mikie · 06-21-2010, 10:12 AM

Sounds like you did a great job leading the hike, and everyone had a good time in spite of the oppressive heat. It wasn't too bad in the shade when the wind was blowing.

Back in the 1970's the top of AHP was clear of tree and bushes like Little Ashokan. You had a 360 degree view, and a great view of the Ashokan. But, then again, so did Blackhead. And, you could access it from the south, instead of Peekamoose Rd.

Great pictures too.

PA Ridgerunner · 06-21-2010, 10:20 AM

Very nice! Thanks for the pics of the Mountain Laurel. Made me homesick to see them. My hometown, Wellsboro, PA, hosted the annual Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival this weekend. It's PA's state flower.

Ixy · 06-21-2010, 02:52 PM

It was a great trip up the mountain! And a great job for a first time leading.

I just put up lots of pictures on my DA of Mombaccus, and again, and the High Point, and Halia's doggies. And more in my Catskills gallery.

The climb back up always looks so much worse than it is when you actually do it. I guess it's the low perspective from the LHP.

Halia and Flammeus · 06-21-2010, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay H

Iske has the longer tongue!

Jay

But Lily's is wider. FWIW.

Thanks again everybody for your kind words. I do take leading very seriously, and I have thought about it long and hard before actually signing up. I was blessed with a great group, including several very knowledgeable and strong hikers. And a superb partner. With a pack full of first aid equipment, duct tape and extra shoelaces

And dried green beans...

billandjudy · 06-21-2010, 08:53 PM

Nice

...and no one was lost

...

Ixy · 06-22-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halia and Flammeus

And dried green beans...

Those were really good.

06-20-2010, 09:30 PM	#1
Halia and Flammeus wingnut Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Krumville (Catskills) Posts: 935	AHP - first time's a charm leading a hike for the 3500 club, that is. My inaugural effort at leading went rather smashingly well today despite the wicked humidity and heat early on. I led a group of 8 (plus an amazing shih tzu that has a fabulous attitude!) up from Kanape Brook PA. Lovely folks, some of whom post here and I hope will chime in and add their photos. I shot very few - I was more focused on "leading." Our group made excellent time up to the summit - approx 2.5 hours. We chilled (hardly - it was about 107 degrees on that rock with 90% humidity), ate lunch and then visited the blueberry meadow. The group seemed well pleased with the excellent view of the Burroughs Range and bushwack peaks. Back to the summit and Ixy helped out with leading down to "Little Ashokan" - the view spot about 300 feet down to the east. I'd never been and holy cow - it was the highlight for me. Laurels were in full bloom, and there are TONS of them. There is a moment where you push through very thick brush above you to emerge into the open clearing and it is just amazing. I was pretty blown away. Getting back up to the summit was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. No snakes, no real blueberries to speak of, no injuries, no heatstroke... I did discover that my main leadership qualities included "mother hen behavior" and telling Flammeus what to do. Hey - guess I'm a natural at this! just a few photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/3070565...7624195705243/ __________________ www.heatherrolland.com www.honeymelonfudge.com

06-20-2010, 10:08 PM	#3
TFR Peek-Bagger Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tillson, NY - Avatar: Whiteface Slide Posts: 5,379	I recognize all those people, and many of those dogs! Thanks for being leader, a triple And Tom, way to be the follower! __________________ Tom Rankin - 5444W - Proud Member #0003 of ADKHP Foundation Volunteer Balsam Lake Mountain President Catskill 3500 Club CEO Views And Brews! Trail maintainer for the Dry Brook Ridge trail from Mill Brook Road to just past the Lean-to

06-20-2010, 10:18 PM	#4
rockysummit Commander Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NJ and Delaware Cty.NY Posts: 1,551	Great report and pics Heather. I too know most of those people. Great group! Glad you had an excellent time leading especially on such a hot day. -Tony __________________ And because of all their tears Their eyes can't hope to see The beauty that surrounds them Isn't it a pity -George Harrison

06-20-2010, 11:03 PM	#5
HAYDK Consultant Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Plattsburgh Posts: 332	Heather, Tom & Ixy, Thanks for leading today's hike. It certainly was warm today. We enjoyed the hike in spite of the heat. Not bad for a pair of newbie leaders . Rather well done!! Little Ashokan was a great treat. Thanks again, here are my photos. Tom & Nancy http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/5...vhost=outdoors __________________ South of the Border and North of the Blue Line.

06-21-2010, 06:39 AM	#6
Halia and Flammeus wingnut Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Krumville (Catskills) Posts: 935	Looking forward to leading again. ON AHP and beyond! And, for the record, Flammeus was the formal co-leader, although he did take up the sweep position. Spicedoubt suffered a goat-lifting knee injury and was unable to co-lead as planned, so Tom was pressed into duty. He was also a natural - we make a good team. __________________ www.heatherrolland.com www.honeymelonfudge.com

06-20-2010, 09:56 PM	#2
Laurie Rankin Jr. Commander Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tillson, NY Avatar: My Granddaughter signs in for the first time! Posts: 494	Sounds like a fine time was had by all! Thanks so much for leading! Little Ashokan is sure a beautiful bonus, isn't it? And did I say, thanks so much for leading!

06-21-2010, 07:22 AM	#7
Snickers Commander Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Keeseville, NY Posts: 3,643	Nice job Heather!! Looks like you had a nice group and great day for views. Hey, I know some of those people too. Happy Trails - Cindy __________________ Snickers I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. -Maya Angelou

06-21-2010, 07:52 AM	#8
Jay H Ice Cream Time Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pittsfield, MA Posts: 6,789	Iske has the longer tongue! 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

06-21-2010, 10:12 AM	#9
Mikie Commander Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 507	Sounds like you did a great job leading the hike, and everyone had a good time in spite of the oppressive heat. It wasn't too bad in the shade when the wind was blowing. Back in the 1970's the top of AHP was clear of tree and bushes like Little Ashokan. You had a 360 degree view, and a great view of the Ashokan. But, then again, so did Blackhead. And, you could access it from the south, instead of Peekamoose Rd. Great pictures too.

06-21-2010, 10:20 AM	#10
PA Ridgerunner Lovin' Life! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central NY Posts: 2,405	Very nice! Thanks for the pics of the Mountain Laurel. Made me homesick to see them. My hometown, Wellsboro, PA, hosted the annual Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival this weekend. It's PA's state flower. __________________ Nature we have always with us, an inexhaustible storehouse of that which moves the heart, appeals to the mind, and fires the imagination - health to the body, a stimulus to the intellect, and a joy to the soul. - John Burroughs

06-21-2010, 02:52 PM	#11
Ixy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Loch Sheldrake, NY Posts: 82	It was a great trip up the mountain! And a great job for a first time leading. I just put up lots of pictures on my DA of Mombaccus, and again, and the High Point, and Halia's doggies. And more in my Catskills gallery. The climb back up always looks so much worse than it is when you actually do it. I guess it's the low perspective from the LHP. __________________ -- Ixy

06-21-2010, 08:53 PM	#13
billandjudy Jimmy Dolan Notch Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4,020	Nice...and no one was lost...

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