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Two-day, 25 mile hike into the heart of the ADK's to summit four more High Peaks. I backpacked into the same place (Feldspar) three years ago to hike Marcy and promised myself to backpack in here again to hike the surrounding peaks. I hit the trail at Upper Works at 6:30 am on Saturday, July 7th and didn't come out until 8:45 pm Sunday night. Redfield, Skylight, Gray and Cliff now put me at 41/46 with a finish on Haystack. Day 1: Left the Upper Works lot and hiked to the Uphill lean-to at the base of Redfield and Cliff. It took me 5 hours alone to get here carrying a full pack, but I had the pleasure of meeting and helping two ladies who had mistakenly taken a scenic tour around Flowed Lands instead of heading to Uphill like I was. Upon arrival and preparing for the summits, my day pack was almost feather-light by comparison. I set up the herd path to Redfield first, the longer of the two trails. An hour and a half later I made the treed in summit, but found a few open spots to take in the surrounding peaks. By the time I made it back down, I was pretty much out of gas and opted to move up the trail to make camp at Feldspar, start fresh the next day and climb Cliff on my way out. Despite the bear warnings from the DEC ranger, it was an uneventful and enjoyable night. Day 2: I got up at 2:30 am to a brisk, see-your-breath early morning and readied for the 2 mile sunrise hike to Skylight. The trail offered a rude wake-up call with a good mile of relentless elevation gain to start. When it finally leveled out, I could make out the moonlit glow over Lake Tear of the Clouds, the starting point of the Hudson River. Too dark for a picture, I kept moving up to the junction for Skylight. The summit climb has quite a bit of exposed bedrock, which I like, that allowed me to make it quickly up the trail. The final walk from tree line to summit was like something you'd expect from a theme park. Small rocks neatly lined the whole trail to protect the arctic alpine plants. Once on the summit, I could make out all of the surrounding peaks in the pre-dawn skyline. Spectacular! I thought this would be the highlight of my trip, but all of my expectations were blown away. Skylight is appropriately named for it's 360* views and this peak is simply magnificent. I was fortunate to have the summit all to myself and could have stayed here for hours. The reality of having two more peaks and a long walk out prompted me to start down. Descending Skylight, I made my way back to Lake Tear of the Clouds to find the herd path up to Gray. Here is where my day took a turn. I would swear that Gray was out to get me. At nearly every turn on the trail, it was another branch to the mouth, cobwebs in the face, dive-bombing black flies, roots grabbing my boot and mud giving way underfoot...all at the same time! If that wasn't bad enough, there is a 30' cliff with a narrow ledge that leaves about 7' to ascend and very little in the way of footholds or any roots to grab. One slip and you're done. This was as harrowing a scramble as any I've tried and somehow I made it. Seriously, I was about to kiss the bedrock and then out of the corner of my eye I spotted a cut-out trail. "You've got to be kidding me!" Sure enough, there was a trail cleared around the right of the cliff face, but recent deadfall had camouflaged the entrance. Once making Gray's lackluster treed summit, I gave an appropriate salute and left to take in some of the better lookouts below. Needless to say, it was a short stay up top. Returning to camp, I enjoyed a nice celebratory breakfast of egg and bacon wraps with hot sauce and coffee. It would have been nice to stay here another night, but it's tough to call that audible with no cell service and a pre-planned arrangement to call the rangers at 10 pm if no one hears from me. Once cleaned up and packed up, I left refreshed for Uphill to tackle Cliff. On paper, Cliff's herd path is listed as .8 miles, but other sources place it closer to a mile. What wasn't in debate was Cliff's infamous reputation for mud. No more than 10 strides after passing the rock cairn where the path starts, I had 2 "soakers" for each boot. The base of the mountain is a wide open mud bog! It wouldn't shock me if hikers were actually sucked into this thing and never heard from again. Even the "floating bridges" sunk. The rest of the ascent up Cliff is a first-class ADK obstacle course designed by the devil himself. Mud for days, multiple downfall aka "limbo sticks", rough trail and the namesake cliffs. And let me tell you, these are CLIFFS! Several steep rock faces that will make your jaw drop and cheeks clench. Photos will never do them justice. I don't know what was more remarkable: trying to figure out a way up or watching other hikers trying to figure out how to get back down. The lone bright spot on this entire mountain was meeting other hikers, including one solo hiker whose upbeat attitude and cheerful smile as I offered her a hand down from a steep ledge provided a welcome boost of inspiration to keep going. Any expectations of quickly bagging Cliff on the way home were long gone by the time I cleared the last cliff. And the reward for all of that effort? A false summit. This part was expected, but darned if the final trail doesn't meander forever around the mountain top. As bad as Gray's summit seemed to me, Cliff's was even worse and earned a double salute. A quick snack and I started back down, very eager to be done with this rock. However, Cliff wasn't about to let me go away without one final parting gift, two more calf-high soakers that felt like cement loafers. Now it was time to regroup for the final 7.5 mile hike back to the Jeep. I stopped at Uphill Brook to wash off my boots and filter water for the way home. Don't you know, Cliff had one last sick trick to play on me. A large tear in the outter mesh pouch on my pack had been ripped open and my filter lost. If not for a very generous hiker offering me an iodine tablet (thank you!), I might have been in trouble. Shortly thereafter, I was able to return the favor by stopping him from heading the wrong way back to his own car. Good mojo always comes back around on the trails. I had a quick snack and changed into fresh socks at the Uphill lean-to and started back down. It was 3:48 pm now and return before dark was debatable. Also, getting out and back into cell phone range before the pre-arranged 10 pm ranger call was going to be cutting it close. I humped it out as best as I could, but the weight of the full pack having already climbed three peaks was starting to take a toll. To make matters worse, I had to conserve 1L of water and half of a Clif bar over the next 7 miles. The return to Colden Dam went faster than the way in so that was encouraging. It was a peaceful rest stop with no other hikers around. The final 5.6 miles were a test of will. My body wanted me to stop many times, but I forced my mind to tell it to keep going. Then out of nowhere a gift from Above: a 2L Platypus soft bottle filled with water had been forgotten on the side of the trail. Thank you Jesus! I chugged half of that down on the spot and resumed the death march out. With sunlight fading and the confusing trail signs becoming more confusing, the Calamity Trail did it's best to keep me as an overnight guest. If not for having a compass handy, that may have been the case. I knew that west meant home and kept that bearing. Sure enough, the parking lot finally appeared through the trees ahead and the end of my toughest hike was over. I signed out at 8:45 pm having completed an ADK adventure I will always cherish.

Partner in crime.

Meat run on Sunday night. Full box in an hour. Kept 2 slots open for a major but none showed up. Was a crazy run. 20+ fish caught on a short troll. Didn't really get to relax ! Ontario tomorrow for some drag screamers. Can't wait. Fleas or not I need some chrome in my life. Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

The 2018 deer season is only a few short months away, and we are bringing back a deer hunting contest, The HuntingNY Whitetail Classic! You can sign up for the contest by replying to this thread, sign up starts now and will end at Midnight on September 28, 2018 at which time this thread will automatically lock. In the contest section, each hunter will get their own thread, in which entries should be posted. Contest entries must be submitted by Midnight on January 2, 2019 (Sorry, seasons that run into 2019 are not included in this contest). Contest Rules -The Deer must be taken in NY during the 2018 deer season (Oct 1 - Dec 31) -Deer must be tagged with regular NYS carcass tags (Buck, DMP or Either Sex). Deer tagged with nuisance permits or DMAPs will not count. -There must be photos of the deer included in the post(s), they must clearly show the hunter, the antler points of bucks, a clear picture showing the inside spread measurement (must clearly see where each end of the tape measure is touching), this year's tag attached to the deer as well as a contest card (details below) -Each hunter can enter up to 2 bucks and 2 does Scoring system -Each deer will earn 10 points -Bucks will earn 1 additional point per scorable antler point -Scorable antler points are 1 inch in length measured from the base of the point. Fliers, kickers, droptines, etc ARE scorable -Total score of each hunter will be added up at the end of the contest, highest total score wins -In the event of a tie, greatest measured inside spread of the entered buck(s) will be the tie breaker (if hunters are tied and each entered 2 bucks, the spread on each entered buck will be measured) Contest Card With a black marker, make your contest card on a sheet of white 8 1/2" x 11" paper. Write large enough so it can be seen in one of the entry photos. It should include the following At the top, write - 2018 HuntingNY Whitetail Classic below that include your screen name, and the date and location of the harvest (WMU) The card must be clearly visible in at least 1 photo of deer or that entry will NOT count. Youth Division There is a separate youth division for hunters under age 18. Exact same rules and scoring as above. Prizes We will be announcing this years prizes in a separate thread once we have the contest section ready.

Geez, when I read this header, I thought if was an awfully personal question. But if you must know, it's usually off to the left when not deployed...

Heading over with Natalie to break her in now.

Looks like it was a nice place before the db's moved in. Maybe I should move out that way, and rent it! Larry, you could shoot your bow from your roof, to my backyard, no problem! And I could lounge on a floaty, in your pool wearing a speedo, drinking Genny Cream Ale, and "making bubbles"! Care to join me neighbor! Splish Splash......BLUUUB...Blub..blluubb.

this is biggest ive got on cam.and then taken i had 12 photos of it before i shot it. snapped droptine in half and broke off 11th point but i wasnt going to pass it.

My legs go numb on the milk crates - just ask Pygmy. lol For my blinds, I like the redneck seat but its heavy to carry around so not very portable. I also have the huntmore chair which is comfy.

String bean salad with mozzarella Grilled venison sirloins on naan bread with some oyster shrooms and rabbit food Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sous vide some boneless chicken breasts after pounding them out. Jamaican jerk , banana mayo, grilled pineapple ring and toasted bun. On point Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

3 man limit out of north east today Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

When deer hunting, where is your bow or firearm? In hand, hung up, or just laying nearby? I 'ALWAYS' have mine in my hand, or in my lap, when hunting. I learned the hard way to always be ready to shoot! After I started deer hunting, I used a combination of all three for years. Until one cold, morning with light snow falling, a day or so after Thanksgiving. I was sitting under a large hemlock tree. Had my hands in my pockets, my Ithaca leaning against the tree next to me. Had been there for four or five hours, and not seen a deer. Then I heard a stick break, way off behind me, so I slowly turn to look back, behind me through the hemlocks. So I'm looking, and don't see anything. I turn back around to see this giant buck, in front of me! Looking at me from 30 yards or so! Here we are in a staring contest, my gun leaning against the tree to my left. My heart is pounding! This was, at the time by far, the biggest buck I'd ever seen!!! And like big bucks do, he just appeared out of nowhere! I am trying to "slowly" move my left hand to my gun, but every time I moved even an inch this buck would do the head bob, and stomp, while facing me! I'm sure by this point my eyes were like dinner plates, with my mouth hanging open!! He finally turns broadside, looking right at me, as my left hand grips the Ithaca! (I'm right handed) It is at that time, he runs right at me, To within a few feet, full speed to my right! I grab my gun, spinning around, to see him disappear behind a large hemlock tree, and then another! I would almost get on him, and he'd be out of my sight picture again, till he was gone! Without me firing a shot. Had my gun been in my hands, I'm pretty sure the outcome could have been different. After trailing the buck a couple hundred yards, I saw the tracks of a lone doe, and his come together. The source of the noise I heard in the beginning, no doubt. Never saw that buck again. Not from lack of effort I assure you! From that day, my bow or gun is always in my hands, when I am hunting! And it surely has made a difference, many times, in hunts that came after the one above. Since it's the off season, figured I'd post something deer hunting related. Along with a lesson I learned a long time ago. Figured the title would bring some attention to the subject!!!.......................................grin

Yeah Jerry, I dress to left also... That's why my jeans always wear thin on the left leg about halfway between my crotch and my knee...If I was taller, that would be impressive....<< SIGH>>….

last years only photo i had of it.

I’d have zero chance of making it dark to dark sitting on a milk crate without having any back support.

Usually always. Between myself and several neighbors we share our trail cam pics so we know whats running around, and can build up a hit list. Each buck we have taken since sharing pics with eachother has always been one we were aware of.. Ive only taken 1 buck in the last 5 years. Due to many of error on my part. But here is my last buck harvest(2015) and a few trail cam pics. He was 3.5 yr old

They’re in Lancaster now ! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The cops musta' shot two of 'em........

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That will be the last time this hotel manager in Killington Vermont leaves a door open. A curious bear, maybe looking for an off-season deal, took a stroll thru this hotel.

The Snyder wild turkey is back! She was scratching in our flower bed, my wife just finished doing the mulch!

Ny strip steak with tossed salad and cheesy cauliflour.

Well, not holding on to your weapon can get ugly if you are up in a treestand. I learned the hard way just this last Fall when I had my rifle fall 15 feet to the ground while fumbling for something in my backpack. I thought I had it securely propped up on the platform and against the shooting rail, yet it slipped under the rail and down it went. You talk about slow motion? Well you haven't seen it until you see your favorite rifle make a free fall from a treestand!! I thought I destroyed the scope, barrel crown and stock and God knows what else, but luckily only the stock took the brunt of the fall. It was in one piece but had two cracks on both sides of the pistol grip. I've since replaced it with one of those Boyd laminates, which actually makes it look like a whole new rifle. And the story didn't end with the rifle falling. After going down to collect my rifle I went back up on the treestand. I figured I'd just wait things out since I was already out there. Of course not an hour later a nice sized doe shows itself across a field at about 300 yards. I was almost not going to take a shot since I figured the scope probably got knocked way off, but I said what the f--k, I had only one more day to hunt and I was pissed off enough for my blunder of dropping the damned rifle out of a treestand that I didn't have much sympathy for anything. So I steadied myself, took the shot and the deer sprinted about 50 yards, leaped over a barbed wire fence and tumbled over dead in mid-air. I couldn't believe it. The gun took a 15 foot fall, yet it killed a deer at 300 yards. I taped up the pistol grip with duct tape and took a couple of shots at a target the next morning just to see if my shot wasn't a total fluke, but the zero hadn't moved an inch from where I had set it broken stock and all. I have always been a firm believer in installing solid steel scope mounts on big game rifles and then having a gun fall 15 feet and remain in zero couldn't be better proof of this.

I’d wear that football helmet if you’re going to shoot your bow off your roof just in case you fall off.

if its worked up now plant it now. dont fertalize ahead. your weeds will be way out of control.. your roots/ bulbs will just be bigger is all. brassicas are good that they grow fast and will out compete weed. but 2 weeks of weeds that are fert and then plant is recipe for failure. second option is to work it up now spray in week to kill new growth from weed seed bank in soil. then fert and plant week later preping the soil by dragging a pallet ot crabappe tree behind that new atv...

Samantha is in then too

He showed up again...his head looks small on that tank of a body. I would love to find out exactly what he dresses out at in October...

Come hunt with me but you have to split the prizes when you win!

Contact landtracdeerhunter about prize donations, he is handling that.

Hey now, if you met Dan you couldn’t resist either. Lol

U got a tingle in your leg with Pygmy? OMG!

Usually hung up close where I can grab it with out moving a lot. Other times I'll have it in my hand for hours on end, but it get's tiring on all day hunts.

Things are back to normal , once again I become the guy neighbors wish would move ! Hell I might even shoot my bow off the roof today, while blasting Hank III . You want that football helmet ?

The last 3 bucks Ive taken, Ive had on cam.

Small world, but the woman I offered a hand to on Cliff thought enough of the gesture to mention me ("Thank you for being a kind human being and doing the right thing") in her post to a hiking group on fb. Turns out she was late to meet her friends (no cell service to contact them) and decided to do Cliff/Redfield as her first solo hike anyway. That's gutsy for a fairly new hiker! Seeing her smiling on this ledge as we chatted a bit (I thought she was with the 2 guys descending in front of her, but no) and seeming uneasy with how to drop down, I reached up without a thought to help her. I never would have guessed that she was in the middle of a very tough day, both physically and emotionally. This is a photo she posted from her hike, apparently on the way in.

No pictures of the chicks ?

She must be roosting near by. She was in my front yard at 5:45 this morning. Bill, no poults. She is used to people, I was able to walk right up to her.

FYI - A couple HD ratchet straps around rear axle to trailer tie-downs are easier than how you've rigged yours. Same for front! I had a Bombardier (CanAM) 500cc CVT Traxter for 11yrs and never had a problem with it... that I didn't cause myself! Typically put more hours than miles on mine each year. Changing oil & filter (on mine!) was a breeze, once you get the 2X special sockets (metric & Torx) and over the $$ of the synthetic engine/CVT oil. Another special tool I needed, a very thin walled spark plug socket. Most shop labor rates for ATVs, small engines, etc are comparable to dealership car shops.. ~$90/hr. I had to learn this the hard & $$ way, read & understand the owner's manual. Buried within my manual's text, it mentioned to NOT use a pressurized wash for cleaning the ATV. Mine had a pretty deep well the spark plug was at the bottom of and if it got water in the well - you literally were F'ed until water was removed & plug changed. Your beast may be different, but see what manual says! Never got mine stuck, other than in deep (12-15") of snow on top of unfrozen/wet ground. Depending on ATV's ground clearance, the skid plate underneath could bottom out and wheels won't get any traction, regardless of how aggressive the tire treads are!!! Winch time! Here's a couple accessories I always carried and highly recommend to you! An ATV winch accessory kit (or one similar) and during deer season add a 50' roll of HD rope to extend the winching distance. As you know, deer don't always pick the most accessible spots to lie down & die!!

Tough day at the office went for a mini quality beer run. Southern Tier in back is "3 citrus peel out" sounded good and I haven't had it. The shiny expensive tower of EvilTwin Saus Baus is the real prize though. Any EvilTwin fans? Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

She's been over at my place too. Taco Tim and I spoke about this last week....I'm sure member "kpot" has seen her over on his street also. She gets around, if you get my drift. If she limps just once like that bear on the other side of town, I'm taking her out......why should the Johnny Law get all the action???

Yankees baseball and strawberry blueberry mojitos Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Neighbor across the street has invited us numerous times to fish his pond. Finally took him up on the offer. He didnt know there was pike in there. Neither did i till it ate a 6" bass i had on and bit through my 8lb mono. My son had 10lb braid on his, got the pike a few minutes later. His first pike.

Got a good idea who may win that category!!! I am also in for a prize donation. A Bass Pro Shops Gift Card.

I just couldn't take hours of sitting on a milk crate. A little tough on the tush. I also like my Rivers Edge tree mounting seats in my no theft zone area. They were like $25 when I bought the first. My son has the black one in the picture. He likes it quite well.

The free time to get up there coupled with good weather is key. I have more flexibility with work and home schedules this year and I'm taking full advantage of that.

Leftovers but man this was good. Venison strap wrapped in bacon and the cranberry sauce was perfect with it. And still have fruit so another fruity GF drink. Lol