I have had the great fortune of being part of outstanding
groups more than once this year. March 19th was another one of those
climbs. Our group decided to tackle the Seward Range (Donaldson, Emmons
and Seward) as a day hike from the winter parking lot. Our group
consisted of hikethe115, Nancy, Shin, HarryK and yours truly. The day
promised to be ripe for great views, pleasant warm weather and plenty of
company. We were not alone in tackling these peaks as a day hike. The
end of winter brought out several groups to tackle some or all three.
We left the winter parking lot at 6:35 am and in just one hour we were
in the summer parking lot. Alain and Pin-Pin Junior passed us along the
way. Nancy had her 15 minutes of fame as she passed Alain and Pin-Pin
Junior flat out on the road. Of course being on skis helped. Hikethe115
appeared slow today, with some comments about doing just one or maybe
two summits this day (Later she hurt us with her endurance).
We continued on and were at the junction with Calkins Brook in 2.5
hours. Along the way we smelled a fire, which brought back memories of
how fun it is having at a campfire and enjoying the great outdoors.
There were several tent camps set up along the way. All of whom helped
make the Calkins Brook trail extremely good to travel upon.
As we ascended the Calkins Brook trail, our group split into the
thoroughbreds and the pack mules. Hikethe115, Nancy and HarryK out front
followed by shin and myself. We caught up with HarryK on the summit of
Donaldson just under five hours after leaving the parking lot.
Hikethe115 and Nancy moved on toward Emmons. Hikethe115 became inspired
and no longer was talking about doing just the two. She was now looking
at the Seward Range as a warm up hike for something larger. She was
flying and everyone was now panting attempting to keep up.
Off to Emmons we went. All day the weather offered us
exceptional views and each summit caught us taking many pictures. On
each summit we made new friends also climbing this day. After Emmons, it
was off to Seward. As we returned to Donaldson, we could see the
thoroughbreds near the cliffs on the second hump toward Seward. Shin and
I looked at each other and said "Damn they were flying".
Shin and I arrived at the Seward, just as another group was celebrating
one of their own finishing the 46W! What a great day for everyone.
Pictures were taken, brownies and handshakes were shared and off we went
back down. We joined up with the rest of our group at Reekee’s camp.
Thanks Reekee for the venison jerky it was excellent and we promised to
leave a couple of beers for his group. Remember, HarryK was with us,
therefore beer was with us.
We arrived at the Calkins Brook junction at 5:30 and formed our death
march back to the cars. We took 2.5 hours to get in and we took 2.5
hours to get back. Not bad after a long day. Along the way I had to say:
“Where would you rather be…..than right here and right now”.
We all agreed there was no better place to be. Yes we complained about
the hike out, but climbing is a mixture of some parts fun and some parts
work and together it makes the experience great.
At the cars, we changed and got ready to an evening meal. Off to
Desperado’s in Lake Placid for an excellent meal. Then to Rivermede Farm
in Keene Valley for a restful evening and to enjoy great company and the
beer that Harry brought with him and the special gift of Maudite the
Alain left us. Thank you Alain. I tip my glass to you till next time. |
