35 Peaks in 30 Days

With retirement quickly approaching, I needed to find something to challenge myself both physically and mentally. Since my first idea of a thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail was out of the question, (sleeping on the ground every night for six months is not a just a challenge, it's slightly suicidal) I decided to attempt to hike all 35 peaks in the New York Catskill Mountains that are over 3500 feet in elevation in 30 days.

The Catskill Mountain 3500 Club awards certificates and patches to those who make all these required climbs.


Almost immediately after retiring, I traveled to New York and did manage to make it to the top of 32 of those mountains in the first 30 days including signing in at 11 cannisters on trail-less summits.


I later continued the quest by coming back after only a month away and finished out the last three "in season" hikes. The unique part of this quest is that in a departure from the requirements of several other such "peak bagger" mountain clubs, you have to return once again and re-climb four select mountains during the winter season.


Three of those winter climbs have been done. Only one remains. It will be completed in December 2011, hopefully with my close family standing on the top of the last mountain with me.


If you happen on this blog and find any of it of interest to you, please understand that each post shows up as most recent first but, the story actually began back in September-2010. Please scroll back and feel free to look at all of it...




Saturday, September 18, 2010







Today I did (we did, Sarge does much more than me) 6.3 miles of what I hope are the toughest mountains, and certainly the highest mountains of the trip. These two summits, Thomas Cole and Black Dome are numbers three and four for elevation for the whole trip. They where both "ass kickers." The only saving grace was that the Col between Thomas Cole and Black Dome didn't drop that much. The decent from Black Dome was one of those really steep ones that required me to lift Sarge down because it was so tough that if his footing wasn't right he could tumble down several thousand feet. We both made it out safe (but sore) and you can't beat the last part of the trip out next to the Batavia Kill stream. Absolutely one of the most beautiful reasons you hike in the Catskill Mountains. I didn't post a picture of myself at the top of Black Dome Mountain because if you can see my face at the top of Thomas Cole, I'm not really happy. The summit picture of Black Dome is Sarge sitting on the rock. When you feel like you want to die, take a picture of your dog...
I've done six tough mountains in four days... Not bad
'
Posted by at

3 comments:

  1. SandySeptember 18, 2010 at 10:00 PM

    I am sure the photos do not do it justice, but the view looks breathtaking! Though it sounds like the hike up Black Dome was breathtaking!! I am truly impressed. I had no doubt you would be this intense-because of your determination, perseverance, etc. But Sarge...he is like a young pup!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownSeptember 19, 2010 at 1:37 PM

    Sandy, I think you forgot "stubborness".
    Mom

    ReplyDelete
  3. SandySeptember 19, 2010 at 9:27 PM

    Hahahaha!, Yes, Mom, I definitely forgot STUBBORNESS!!!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)