The Ballgown Burroughs Traverse

[Halia and Flammeus]

Gowns for Greenbacks has commenced! On 6/18/11, Slide, Cornell and Wittenberg were done up in style, as 7 hikers and 4 dogs took to the trail. After the requisite car shuffle at Woodland Valley and the first round of introductions, the hikers met up at Slide Mountain Parking Area. We were joined by Steve of the Hudson Valley Chronic (YAY HVC! Somebody, please buy a ball cap or t-shirt from this man!). Steve is a great writer and we are honored and thrilled that he came so far off the beaten Kingston-Poughkeepsie path to get a few photos and hear our story.

We really did do it. We really did hike in ballgowns.

We had an escort up Slide: Mike and Alexis came out to show their support. We chose the Curtis-Ormsbee Trail for our ascent and stopped for more photos in the deliciously damp and mossy grotto. The C-O trail is a delight: meticulously well-maintained, alternately steep and ledge-y, and then gentle and easy walking through winding paths on a bed of balsam needles. We enjoyed hazy views at both viewpoints.

At the junction with the S-C-W trail, we met a group of boy scouts, and I think one of the leaders nearly peed in her pants when Tom arrived. The nice thing is, once the laughter dies down enough to explain, people seemed truly tickled by the idea.

On to the view to the north and then the summit of Slide. It might have been early, but Tom was ready for a meal. We stopped, ate, fought the black flies bravely and with great style, and then bade the lovely Alexis and Mike goodbye. I think Mike took the group photo with 7 different cameras! Thanks again, buddy!
http://gowns4greenbacks.files.wordpr...pg?w=300&h=225
Slide bagged by ballgown-clad hikers. 1 down, 34 to go!

The ladders. Off the “back” side of Slide, the descent is so steep wooden ladders have been built into the cliffs. I was eager to see how the dresses would hold up on this section, but it was less dramatic than some of the other spots. Twice further down on Slide, ledges proved challenging for gowns and canines alike. And try helping a scared dog while balancing on a ledge in a ballgown – eeek.

The mile or so through the col is lovely – easy walking, cool breezes, some sweet campsites to check out – we took our time and enjoyed the gorgeous day. We kept forgetting that we were not simply hiking, but each time we met a new group of passersby, we got to enjoy the strange looks or even better among the young people, the averted eyes and total lack of comment.

Ascending Cornell from the col we had two tricky climbs to manage.

The slit up the back of my dress started the day flirty and fresh – by Cornell’s summit it was twice its original length. Melissa, Danny and Judy pioneered the use of “sports mode” for skirt management. Tom left his skirt loose and flowing. I ripped a little more with each passing ledge. Ed, dapper in a tux jacket, bowtie, and Mexican wedding shirt looked fantastic all day.

We took another long break on Wittenberg, indulging in some heavy duty shutterbug activities, rest, and more food. Tom was talking about “a burger and a beer” rather poignantly.

The long walk out to the cars was that classic mix of comfortable silence and conversation borne of woods-intimacy as we morphed from strangers into strangers wearing ballgowns together in the woods. I think that might qualify as a trauma bond. Seriously, although many of the gang had hiked with at least one other participant before, the synergy of this particular group was perhaps the most magical part of the day. Talk over dinner was of planning the next few hikes and technical improvements.

And yes, we all are eyeing the bushwacks with eagerness and trepidation in equal measure!

For photos, check out the facebook page or the g4g blog.

[mudhook]

Halcott, North Dome , Sherrill, in mid August. The rest will be a breeze.

[daLunartik]

Originally Posted by mudhook

Halcott, North Dome , Sherrill, in mid August. The rest will be a breeze.

And thus my biggest concern about hiking in a ballgown.

[Halia and Flammeus]

I'm working on my kevlar prototype.

Ballgowns can have sleeves and high collars, and I understand velvet is highly nettle repellent. We could go all Elizabethan on Hawkitt. Rusk can get pretty nettle-y too. I might need to discuss coolweather ballgowning with the gang...

[Woolybear]

I may have to acquire a tux and join you, looks like a lot of fun.

[LeftRightLeft]

How does one cat-call in text?

I might join you for a hike, I've never 'whacked in drag. Bucket list and all.

[Halia and Flammeus]

Whackin' in Drag: Strange Times in the Catskill Mountains

Can't you just see it now? A best-selling memoir penned by LRL.

[LeftRightLeft]

Originally Posted by Halia and Flammeus

Whackin' in Drag: Strange Times in the Catskill Mountains

Can't you just see it now? A best-selling memoir penned by LRL.

"the heart-warming story of a man who lost his mind and found himself (in a dress!)"

[NorthShore]

More pics:

http://www.herdpath.com/tripreports/...4Gkickoff.html

It was a great day on the Burroughs range. Good company, not too hot, no rain.

For those keeping track, the blackflies were still out and definitely biting. The welts on my neck and arms are just about healed now and I only had my jacket off briefly on the summits.

[melissa]

"We wear our sober Dresses when we die,
But Summer, frilled as for a Holiday
Adjourns her sigh --"

- emily dickinson

pictures.

[Halia and Flammeus]

Thanks for sharing the photos. I spoke to Steve of the Hudson Valley Chronic today, and a story is forthcoming. I'll post a link when it's out there.

Emily Dickinson would have joined us in a dress, no doubt.