College Spring Break in the Catskills

[Woodchuk]

Well, it was either time to get out of the city or go crazy.  Lucky fer me, spring break had rolled around so I headed home and my girl friend and I hiked Peekamoose and Table mountains in the catskills for and overnight stay in a lean to.  This was just what the doctor ordered to keep me sane.  The trip was fun, but here are some things I learned...

Just because you don't need snowshoes on one side of the mountain, doesn't mean you don't need them on the otherside.

With I don't know how many feet of snow on the ground, travel through the groves of pine trees at the top of the mountains, means you're walking through the branches and crawling under them because the trail was only cleared to permit adequate height clearance when you're stepping on the ground.

When walking through pine trees covered in snow, you're going to come out wet.

"Sure the camp stove I'm letting you borrow has enough fuel for 3-4 days" is not something you should rely on.  (It didn't last one full day)

Finally, Sleeping bags rated for 25 degrees can get a bit nippy during March at 3500 feet in New York.

Oh yeah, and one question...Anyone have any suggestions for inflating partially frozen thermarest mattresses without blowing air in them and getting moisture inside?

Overall, a valuable learning experience...One I hope to repeat next year.

[Lead pot]

Hi Woodchuk.
 Boy that sounds great,I like the winter walkes. there is nothing like the quiet solidtude  in the quiet winter woods.I know it might sound crazy to some,but it is like being in a different world you just cant explain to someone,ore I cant anyway.

I use a -10 North Face bag it is light,and a  3"self inflating pad.It is a little on the heavy side but well worth the extra labor to carry it.
My camp stove is a Dragon Fly all feul stove verry small and a bottle of feul goes a long way.
I never been in the Catskills but some day I would like to see them.

Good walking Woodchuk.  Lp.

[kb]

I have done some winter camping on MT Marcy, and Mt Wash in NH, and each time I go I learn something new.  Winter time is the best time for me, as there are less people and bugs.  Your equipment has to be very specific and must pull double duty.  I have a XGK ll stove, a 0deg, and -25 deg bag depending on the conditions.  Never blow a self-inflatable by mouth, as your breath containd moisture which will freeze.

 When @ home, Inflate and deflate mattres over and over to try to dry the inside out.  I use both an inflateable and a closed cell foam together for ultimate comfort.

Good luck, and keep a log book so you dont forget what you learned from year to year.

Kb