Post-Xmas in the 'Dacks

“My buddy Bob and I will be in the Hi-Peaks Area 12/26-12/29/02 completing ascents of Algonquin and Marcy. We did the same trip in warm weather coupla months back, but the last time I did this trip IN WINTER was 26 years back ( I was 20). Back then fires were permitted and we even carried in a Duraflame log.

Anyway, to avoid the circus of X-C dayskiers (on packed trails), fee-parking and busloads of Montrealers, we will be eschewing the Adirondack Loj trailhead for the more remote Upper Works entry point. We will be camped near one of the Lake Colden leantos on 12/26 and 12/27 (where we have proclaimed "Ladies' Nights"), and at Feldspar Brook on 12/28. While Bob and I make good buddy-system hikers and won't COUNT ON anybody else attending, we offer a free shot of tequila to anyone identifying themselves as TT'ers.”

“hay if I can't make it can you mail my free shot to my home?

this could be a great trip.”

“I think the "Dack's" seem really pretty and cool and there's that whole Rip Van Winkle thing (didn't he fall asleep up there), plus I like Adirondack style chairs. I wish I could do a trip like this, but not in the winter . . . thanks for the invite. Can you do it again in the summer, help pay for my trip out there, and still include the free tequila (even though I really don't like tequila, but hey, everybody needs a free drunk now and then)?

BTW, I know I sound like I'm being a smart a$$, but I really do think that the Adirondacks seem like a very pretty place.”

“If I could get out east, they would be the first "outside of MT" place I would like to go to.”

“Actually, Newgirl, RVW is associated with the Catskills (or to the Dutch, Kaaterskills). The Netherlanders didn't make it up as far as the 'Dacks; even the Native Americans generally avoided the place. And amazingly, the first recorded ascent of the highest (marcy) wasn't till 1837 or something like that (hordes of traffic is making-up for it nowadays). Anyway, Montana's pretty cool, too, and I've been there lotsa times. But the 'Dacks in winter. Pretty much unbeatable.”

“I think I might try to take you up on that offer, Windbag. Thanks!”

“My buddy, Bob, and I have been teaching high school together in duh Bronx for decades. Just to letya know that it's Vacation Week for lotta people. Looks like we oughta bring in coupla MAGNUMS of that tequila.”

“I work for the Board too, Winbag- I run the boilers in a school in Bed- Stuy. I have to work that week while all the teachers are off, keeping the building warm, but I definitely want to try to make it out there a couple days...”

“Do ya' pad the oil bill a little? Pay for that yacht out in Woodmere?”

“Ha! Wish we could, but actually since all these contracts are being settled, they're computerizing the custodian's accounts now- Those days are on their way out, thank God. Instead, we gotta stick to cheating the old time clock...”

“Isn't Rip Van Winkle AKA Vanilla Ice?”

“Rip Van Winkle was actually across the Hudson from the Cats, wasn't it?

Yeah Newgirl, the Daks are a beautiful place. They are unique geologically. The Labrador Shield (or Canadian Shield) is made up of the oldest rock known. It would not even be exposed in the Daks, except they are doming, that is rising up. They are still trying to find out why. The likely answer, a hot spot, cannot be confirmed - no indication of heat at depth, and no geologic record.

It could also be the beginning of a rifting process that would take a million years to complete.

Or it could be rebound from the melting of glacial ice.”

“Or it could be just another wet rock out to get you, Geo.”

“I'm leaving for caribou hunting on the 26th; otherwise I'd be sorely tempted. Don't count on a lot fewer people at Colden lean-tos, though (no bears, however).

Geobeet: While I live on the last northern escarpment of the 'Dacks in southwestern Quebec, Canada, the region is full of the domes you mentionned. This part of Quebec is called Montérégie for the mountains/domes that rise out of nowhere (Mont St-Grégoire, Mont Bruno, Rougemont and Mont St-Hilaire).”

“Something to think about, for sure.

If it's been a "harsh" winter in GA up until then, I'll prolly do Big Cypress and the Keys, tho.

...a little blast of summer.

I did the Cats, Dacks, and Whites last Winter break, and learned that I was very ill equipped... clothing wise. And, frankly, I wouldn't care to invest in alot of winter stuff. Kinda like why the GA DOT doesn't invest in snow plows, etc.

If'n I could borrow a nice bag, tho...”

“Sounds interesting. Like you guys, I have off those 2 weeks because I work in the school system (union rep.). What are the elevations of the peaks, and will there be ladies at ladies night?”