A challenging slide route from Elk Pass involving significant bushwhacking through blowdown and difficult creek navigation, followed by a steep and wet ascent of Blake Slide with overgrown central section, culminating in ascending Blake and Colvin mountains via a remote ridge route. The hike covered 16 miles with 4,500 feet of elevation gain over 13 hours total.
Multi-year collection of user-submitted Catskill trail conditions reports covering seasonal variations in snow, ice, mud, and water conditions across numerous peaks and routes. Reports span from 2021–2025 and include details on required gear (spikes, snowshoes, crampons) and trail hazards for planning purposes.
Solo winter ascent of Owls Head via Black Pond bushwhack and Brutus herd path on 2/24/25, with steep snow conditions and excellent traction from microspikes. Reporter encountered soft base snow in a well-packed trench, found the Brutus bushwhack extremely steep, and encountered no other hikers despite good weather bringing traffic.
A two-day backpacking trip to Mount Colden following a severe thunderstorm and flash flooding. The trail from Avalanche Lake was extremely wet with knee-deep water, mud, and cascading water over rock slabs; a ranger warned of recent rescues from slippery conditions and a serious incident on the trap dike.
A comprehensive guide to the Dix Range loop from Elk Lake, described as a 16–20 mile, 5500 ft elevation gain challenge featuring six summits. The route includes a long walk-in, the steep Macomb Slide (with occasional needle ice in cold conditions), unmarked herd paths requiring strong navigation skills, and primitive camping near Slide Brook and Lilian Brook lean-tos.