chapter 546

1/5/2020

Motivation

why climb a mountain

We were inspired siting in our recliners watching various streamed shows on TV. The Youtube "Grandfather" farmer from some scandanavian country working off the grid on his own milking cows etc (at 90 years old ?). The two young guys riding their motorcyles 10,000 Miles to Rio on Prime Video. The solo thru hikers, the mountain climbers, and Craig Adams solo hiker on Youtube at my bucket list Indian Ladder Trail. But especially the young Face Book Puerto Rican girl, Shadey Mercado from Amsterdam who schlogged 5 miles on this same Crane Mountain outside of Warrensburg by herself & taking beautiful pictures.  Also threw in Jason from Niskyauna who we met on the dirt access road when a tree blocked our path. We worked together with his Jeep to get the tree off our path. His first tow strap solo. We then started the hike together but let him speed off ahead of us as we carefully made our way up the difficult boulder field. Met him on his way down also when he had failed to summit and turned around at the frozen ladder too dangerous to attempt.

My best shot part way up the mountain I composited from my pocket cam. The iPhone yielded a very good result also but the Canon was better.

Colleen was reluctant to leave the house thinking wouldn't it be better in the summer. But I say it's 30 degrees, sunny, let's hope the wind chill is not too bad and take one step at a time see how far we get. It turned out great and she really enjoyed it but the boulder fields were way steeper and longer than I'd expected. There is a less challenging route but it is longer. To be done later. All Trails calls it an easy or difficult 3.1 mile loop (which can be actually longer). We only managed 1.2 miles total up and back but taking 2 1/2 hours till dark with our late start. Bear in mind this is not one of the high peaks at only 3240 feet elevation but this trail is more severe than some of the 46ers.

How to navigate a steep long trail of boulders covered with ice, snow, water, slush. One step at a time with microspikes and poles to act as if you have 4 legs. Slowly in no hurry mindful of balance friction testing footholds. Use the switchback method of zigzagging with baby steps. This is why we are slow but safe without risk of falling. Easy to break a leg with rushed movements.

All Trails data shows slopes up to 60%  but I think this is about 100% and more at times. Some climbing partners would balk at this and not even attempt but it is rewarding to try and stay within your comfort zone. Hike your own hike they say on the Long Trail hikes. Do your own thing. If you want to stop, rest, reconsider whatever it's OK. But don't fail to try things. We turned around before hitting the longest ladder in the Adirondacks. If we had the time, I would have wanted to attempt it. IF you can go safely up one step, then it's just another 30 or so. This 4 year old climbed can do it.

Beekman Boys learned life lesson #6 from their goats, taste everything. Goats don't actually eat everything but they taste everything to see if they like it. They can always spit it out. But if you haven't tried things, you don't know what you are missing.

Still testing the iPhone pano capabilities, yielding very pleasing results. But you gotta be mindful of setting the exposure and I still gotta post process for bringing out the details that are in the photo. I notice most people just don't care.

Did I mention it's a spiritual place.

There are several places to get off the trail a bit to see vistas. Always taking time to look around and photograph, that's why we are not peak baggers check listing peaks in record time. Could call me a photo bagger, however.Photographed some bob cat tracks I believe. Large paw prints in the middle of nowhere had to be bob cat. Would love to ever see one.

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