2009-02 Cascade Pond - Lean-to camping, canoeing on ice and hikers accused of blood doping…. Matt, Mark, Sparky and Chris camp at Cascade Pond near Blue Mtn Lake. Here is a write up with trip pictures.
2009.01 Dead Vly….6 degrees and 4″ of snow. Jim, Matt, Mark, Len, Rob and Skip camp reprise the WinterCampers Council. Here is a write up with trip pictures.
2008.01 Pine Orchard….camping in the old growth. Jim, Matt, Mark, Sparky, and Len camp in the large white pines. Here are is a write up of the trip and a link to trip pictures
2006.11 Murphy Lake….a thru hike is only as good as the car battery on the other end! Uncle Jim, Matt, Mark, Skip, Sparky, Chris, Danielle and Natalie the pooch set off for a thru hike to Murphy Lake. The group slogs though the mud for a culinary cook off at the Murphy Lake lean-to. As the group sets out to the car on the other end of the trail, little do they know that a dead battery awaits them. Only the quick feet and strong lungs of Chris and Sparky save the group from another nights stay. Here are the pictures
2005.12 Huckleberry Mountain…goodbye to 2005 Matt, Mark, Len, Rob, Chris, Sparky and Beth say goodbye to 2005 with a New Years Eve bushwhack up Huckleberry Mountain. With all their new Christmas “toys” packed the group struggles to keep a general south east direction in order to find the perfect spot for that all important group picture. Here are the pictures
2005.11 Tenant Creek Falls….sauna like in November Uncle Jim, Matt, Mark, Skip, Sparky, Beth, Jay and Scott set out for Tenant Creek Falls. Enjoying an Indian summer the group puts on their shorts to show off their November tan lines and enjoy a little serenity as they do a “6″ mile thru hike to 3 sets of waterfalls. Here are Pictures
2005.03 Good Luck Mountain Cliffs…climbing, sliding and snow man building Matt, Mark, Sparky, Chris, Dan and Todd set their sights on Good Luck Mtn for some phenomenal views under a bright blue sky. Upon returning to camp the crew builds the a snowman in honor of Rob before settling into the tipi under a clear cold sky. Here is a movie of the trip and Here are the pictures
2005.02 Mount Blue…bushwhacking with man’s best friend Uncle Jim, Mark and Jason were joined by WinterCampers.com newbie Scott along with Maddux…the first 4 legged WinterCampers.com canine. The quintet hiked and whacked their way to the top of Mount Blue for some stunning views before sliding back down for a peaceful slumber in the Lizard Pond lean to. Here are the pictures .
2005.01 Dug Mountain Brook Falls….the journey finally leads to the destination After failing in the 1st attempt, the WinterCampers.com crew went back in the hopes to finally find the waterfalls. Uncle Jim and Skip were sent out a day early as advanced scouts but failed to tell Matt, Mark, Rob, Chris, Pete, Sparky and Beth that the Jessup was not completely frozen. However the group just never gave up hope and finally found a spot safe enough to cross which lead them to the frozen yet picturesque Dug Mtn Brook Falls. Pictures here and here.
2005.01 Dug Mountain Brook Falls….thin ice and fading daylight In typical WinterCampers.com fashion the group of Matt, Uncle Jim, Skip, Len, Sparky, Chris and Beth attempted to find the famed Dug Mountain Brook Falls. However do to a late start, thin ice, fading daylight and a poorly marked trail the group was unable to find the falling water. A return trip is planned though. Here are some pictures.
2004.12 Snowy Mountain….the trip of the last minute bails Yet again there were some last minute skirts to leave the crew of Matt, Mark, Sparky, Jason and Chris, but the group still managed to have another successful adventure. The 5 hiked and crawled their way to the top of Snowy Mountain, elevation 3,899 feet, despite waist deep snow and near zero visibility. Here are the pictures.
2004.10 Stony Pond….the Jamboree that turned into a Jam Due to varying degrees of skirt wearing the Jamboree turned into just a Jam as only Matt, Mark, Sparky, Chris and warm weather camper Beth took part. However the quintet enjoyed great weather, a scenic hike and some serious card hustling. Despite the poor attendance it was yet another WinterCamper.com journey. Pictures here and here.
2004.02 Wintergreen Dog Sledding Trip in Ely, Minnesota…“Ready…Hike!!” Uncle Jim, Matt, Mark and Jason are joined by winter camper new comers Aunt Kathy and Paul for a unique trip. For 3 days the group covered 24 miles through the Boundary Waters Area of Northern Minnesota; powered by teams of Canadian Inuit Dogs and led by their fearless map carrying guides Rob and Steve. A detailed version of this trip can be found here.
2004.01 Baldface Mountain…is this a hike or a buffet?! Mark, Uncle Jim, Sparky, Dan and WinterCampers.com rookie Todd walk on water to get to the top of Baldface Mountain for some spectacular sunny views of Indian Lake, Snowy Mountain, and Panther Mountain just to name a few. That evening the group dines on a smorgasbord of food including beer wurst, chicken and stuffing, spice bread, pumpkin bread, gorp, hersey miniatures, spiced cider, hot cocoa and of course…jiffy sorta-pop all while enjoying the Prairie Home Companion Live Radio Show in the sauna like conditions of the Tipi. Yes…camping at it’s best. Click here for the pictures.
2003.12 Giant Mountain…3/4 of a peak down, 45 and a 1/4 to go!! The Hay Brothers, Sparky, Jay and the East Greenbush Chapter all set off with good intentions of bagging Giant Mountain…the 15th highest peak in the Adirondacks. The trail gains just over 3,000 feet in 3 miles to a total elevation of 4,627 feet…or so. Battling steep terrain and rapidly diminishing daylight the group decided to use better judgment about 30 min from the top and turned back for the safety of the sauna…I mean tipi. Click here for the pics.
2003.11 Second Pond….where is first pond? Jamboree II…The Founders along with the East Greenbush Chapter, Skip, Lawn Chair Bob, Ed the Rookie and Solo Pete enjoy a leisurely stroll back to Second Pond for a crystal clear night. Dinner consisted of the standard knockwurst on a stick and all the low humor that comes with it. It was the 1st operational trip for the Tipi and our wood stove management was lacking; yielding a smokey fire that caused an exodus during the night. True to his name Solo Pete passed on dwelling in the tipi, put some warm stones in his metal pot and stayed in his solo tent. Bob & Skip froze in Bob’s well ventilated summer tent. During the night we watched the shooting stars and a total lunar eclipse. After a small stove disaster Bob made breakfast burritos for the entire group. Click here, here and here for pictures.
2002.12 John Pond….wicking all the way. The WinterCampers.com Founders are minus their eldest statesman while he recovers from surgery but are joined by the East Greenbush Chapter, Ian and Sparky the rookie. The group enjoys a 3 mile snowshoe back to frozen John Pond. Rob leads the group on a bush whacking adventure to the top of some neighboring cliffs for a spectacular view. After sliding their way back down the group enjoys a tasty feast followed by a nice slumber filled with the rumbling sounds of snores and the howling sounds of coyote. Click here for pictures from this trip.
2002.04 The Mighty Jessup……thwarted by the one and only day the Jessup was Mighty The Founders along with Len, Rob, and Jason Castle set out for a paddle down the Mighty Jessup. Thwarted by raging waters and ice filled lakes WinterCampers.com returns totally defeated.
2002.03 Kane Mtn……fire tower or bust. Wind, Wobbly Knees and kissing the ground The Founders plus Skip meet for a day hike up to the Kane Mountain Fire Tower. At the suggestion of Skip the group decides to climb to new heights without first begging the question…”Is anyone scared of heights?” Click here for pictures from this trip.
2002.03 Peaked Mountain…..“Its the journey….not the destination” The WinterCampers.com motto is born. The founders along with members, Len, Rob and Jason pitch their tents in the hopes or climbing Peaked Mountain. Once again the group is thwarted by lostness but a good time is once again had by all. Click here for pictures from this trip
2002.01 Puffer Pond…..it’s a Jamboree!. Snob Knob, the perfect fire and the flapping tarp Ten Winter Campers learn the the value of a Jamboree Spirit. WinterCampers.com hike into Puffer Pond to bask under a full moon night sky. Some campers race to find the perfect lean-to and learn the value of sharing, compassion and sacrificing ones own comfort for the general well being of others. The group was large enough to utilize the two lean-tos at Puffer Pond, one of which was exposed to blowing wind and snow. Harmony was achieved when the group on ’snob knob’ invited everyone to share a single fire and Don shared his breakfast sandwiches. We also learned that a short hike back out to the diner beats an omelet in a zip lock any day. Click here for annotated pictures.
2001.11 Indian Pass……the final assault. “Oh…so that’s what it looks like!” Matt, Mark, Jim and Ian rejoins the fight as the group wanders the parking lot but keeps a keen eye on the trail markers to finally reach Indian Pass on a flurry filled November weekend. Pictures are here.
2001.11 Long Pond Leonids….Knots and Clots Jim, Rob and Len set out for Long Pond for a nice dark view of the Leonid Meteor Shower on a chilly November weekend. Rob took one for the team while gathering fire wood and had to sop the blood up with some TP while Len became a knot tying wizard. The trio awoke at 5am for a cold shower which did not disappoint. Pictures are available here.
2001.04 Cat Mountain…Spring means no snow right?? Uncle Jim, Matt and Skip set out on a spring time trip in the hopes of climbing Cat Mountain. However, as the elevation got higher so did the snow and the snowshoe-less trio had to halt their climb. They are quick to point out though that they sat on some lovely rocks…near…the summit. Once again, it is the journey…not the destination. Click here for pictures from this trip.
2001.01 Tirrell Pond … The Perfect Fire and a Packed Lean-to Jim, Mark, Skip, Ian, Jason and Mike hike into Terrill Pond where they construct a model fire pit and later cram 6 snoring campers into a lean to built for 4. A detailed trip description with pictures is available here.
2000.11 Veteran’s Day November 2000 Matt, Jim, Len & Chris had planned to go 16 miles from Benson to Whitehouse, but it was raining cats and dogs when we met so we de-scoped and went only 3 miles from Whitehouse to the lean to at Mud Lake. Len brought his chess set and we had a lean-to chess tournament waiting out the rain. It was a pretty setting – we saw loons, ducks and heard a coyote at 1am! The acoustics were fantastic.
2000.02 Wilson’s Pond on President’s Day Matt, Len and Jim snow shoe into Wilson’s Pond. The weather was warm and the snow was deep and heavy. It was tough hike in, taking 2 hours and 45 minutes. The snow was turning to slush and every step you picked up a load of snow on the snowshoe. Len had some old snow shoes (“tennis rackets”) from Matt that were hard to use. We were beat when we got to the lean to. The lean to had no view and we were so wiped out we just sat around for a while. It rained on the way out and it took a lot less time on the packed trail.
2000.01 Peaked Mountain Jim, Matt and Brian bushwhack to Peaked Mountain on fiercely cold day but are rewarded by fantastic views.
1999.12 Indian Pass…The “I Am Not Going To Lie To You” Trip Matt, Jim, Len & Mark make a 2nd attempt at Indian Pass from the North and camp at Scott’s Clearing . Eating overcooked linguine and spending a restless -15 night filled with the sounds of popping trees and Matt’s moaning at minus 15 the group was once again defeated by the Pass. This is the infamous…”I’m not going to lie to you” trip detailed in Jim’s poem. During the trip the group learns that it ’tis far better to shoulder ones pack then to load all the gear in a sled and have to cradle the bread. A full trip report and pictures can be seen here.
1998.12 Indian Pass from Tahawas….the 1st attempt. While Ian and Mark shouldered their packs, Uncle Jim loaded his gear into a sled and the trio set off for to tackle Indian Pass from the south. We had sunshine and temperatures in the high 20’s during the day and in the teens overnight. Our feet got soaked and we lost the trail to Indian Pass near the base due to darkness and ‘lostness’.
1997.01 Maiden Voyage At Christmas time Matt and Jim got into a conversation about camping and decided to go winter camping for an overnight on Saturday of Martin Luther King weekend. We went. The weather couldn’t be better. We met at 10am at the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area with gorgeous weather and hiked in 3 miles. A boy scout troop had hiked in before us and were staying at the lean-to, so we tented. Unfortunately, in an effort to lighten the load Jim left the tent stakes and, more importantly, the plastic tie rods in truck with the tent stakes. We camped across John’s Pond from the scouts where the beaver had been working among the saplings. We used a couple of poles they had cut to make an external frame. We pounded a forked dead limb into the snow and braced it. The other end was tied to a tree. Fortunately, Jim had a lot parachute cord to use in lashing everything together. Mainly the frame was use to hold the rain fly up away from the tent. We had a great cooking and conversation fire. Matt made a fireplace braced by a stone and we sat up until about 8:30pm (it was dark by 5pm). We both slept pretty well and stayed warm as the overnight temperatures only got down to 20 degrees. We got about 1-2” of snow overnight and we heard it slide off the tent during the night. We were hooked.