Summit Cheeseburger

If at first you don't succeed, wait twelve months and try again.  

That's the motto I used when pursuing Sugar Camp Hill, located deep in the woods of northern Wisconsin.  For an understanding of what happened when I tried this summit a year ago, please see the following dialogue:

Me: Ok, map says we just turn right onto Fire Tower Road here and we'll be to the summit a half mile later.

kroeg016: Ok, but what are you gonna do about that snowbank that's blocking the road?

Me: Meh, we'll just drive around it.  Here goes...

--Approximately 3 seconds later--

kroeg016: Umm, I think we're stuck.

Me: Yup, Get out and push.

--10 minutes later--

kroeg016: This isn't working, you got a shovel in your car?

Me: Nope, but I have two hockey sticks, let's dig.              

Another ten minutes passed, and the car was at last free (Moral of the story: Always carry a hockey stick).  Feeling rather ashamed, we aborted the mission altogether and went back to where we came from.  That was 2011, this year would be a new story.  

--One Year Later--

Acompanied by jmunch, I made the turn onto the infamous Fire Tower Road once again.  This time, I peacefully parked my car in front of the snowbank which blocked the road, and the hike was on.  

               

In true Wisconsin fashion, the summit was reached 10 minutes later.  In an effort to compensate for my prior failures, I decided that we would gain a few style points by ascending the fire tower itself.

         

5 minutes and about 100 ladder steps later, we each had a cold burger in hand and one of the finest views in Douglas County.  

For what it's worth. It looks like this marks the 500th summit completed.  Go Team Go.

                                                                         

Earlier this week, I got a phone call from my friend Phil from Long Island. He'd be coming up to stay for a few days at his cabin in Thurman, north of Warrensburg, and wanted to get together and do something outside. Not realizing how close he lived to it, I picked Dippikill Mountain, based on an article I'd read on the Albany Times-Union Outdoors blog (thanks Herb and Gillian!). It turned out to be a real gem when we hiked it yesterday. Dippikill Mountain is on the campus of Camp Dippikill, a property owned by the University at Albany Alumni Association. Students and alumni can take advantage of the cabins and campsites here, and the hiking trails are open to the public. The mountain is only about a 4-mile walk if done as a loop, which is what we planned to do, returning via the pond below.

After meeting at Phil's cabin, we suited up and drove to Camp Dippikill, only about 10 minutes away. We stopped first at the camp office to register and pick up a map. Our route began just up the road from the office, and climbed gently up the ridge toward the summit. Although there were only about 6" of snow, we opted for snowshoes and the extra traction they'd provide on the crunchy snow. On the way up the ridge, there were great views of Crane Mountain behind us and the Adirondack High Peaks to the north.

Continuing on toward the summit, we first lunched behind a rock face out of the wind. Then on the summit, I downed a cold nasty White Castle cheeseburger for the team.

Beyond the true summit, we followed a side trail marked "To Overlook", where there was a wide-open view of the Hudson River below.

We were puzzled by the taller mountain at the distant left center of this view, but some map sleuthing after I got home revealed it to be Buck Mountain, on the east side of Lake George.

Dropping down to the pond, we followed the West Shore Trail past leantos and campsites along the shore, crossing a bridge at the far end where we looked back up at the mountain.

From there it was a short walk back to the car. We returned to the cabin and continued chatting over nachos and beer until it was time for me to head home. It was a great day out, crisp and clear with great views, and nice to catch up with a friend I don't often see.

This morning at 4 am the alarm went off in a hotel room in Kampala Uganda.  My wife and I jumped out of bed (more like slowly sat up) and bolted for the car.  about 130 km, and a couple hours later and a bit further north of the equator, we were at Wajala. 

We grabbed our climbing gear and a fresh burger, well 12 hrs since prepared is fresh yea?

A mix of boulders and slabby scramble with a bit of bush wacking and route finding put us up at the summit, nice and early.  We hung out on the rock till noon working on a new climbing route anchor above a cool rain groove route that runs about 180 feet up  a rain grooved face difficulty felt about 5.6 for the first 40 feet then runs about 5.4 or 5.5.  The highlight of the day was burgering that summit for sure!

This is the link to our rock climbing beta page with a photo of the rock structure.

http://mountainproject.com/v/wajala/107435953

Don't have a host page for pics, but my wife and I enjoyed a tasty burger with cheese, mayo, tomato and carrot shreds on a white bread roll.  We have pics will have to look for a hosting place to put em up

It was a two-for day... a Sunday afternoon hike to both the north and south peak where we got a lovely view of the city, the Oquirrh mountains, and the incoming storm that hopefully will bring us the winter we skiers anxiously await!

Who would have thought that in Salt Lake City in mid January one could find themselves out hiking on mostly snow free trails in the foothills overlooking the city. Since it appeared this may be, hopefully, the last day of warm winter drought we decided to take a little hike and conquer the mighty Avenues Twin Peaks. OK maybe not mighty, just a pair of petite peaks overlooking the city, but bagging any peak in January in Utah is a bit of a coup! 

The trail was popular this day, in addition to lots of other hikers, dogs and mountain bikers, we saw a lovely herd of deer.

And of course there were cheeseburgers!!!

With the acute lack of snow in the Wasatch skiing isnt much fun this year. Whats a girl to do? This girl called Sierra to see if she was in the mood for a hike! So we deicided that Granduer Peak would be our best option due to the mostly south facing trail all the way to the top. It was very convenient that Sierra had left over cheeseburgers from her dinner the night before! We got going about 10:30 and Sierra, ever the optimist, said we'd peak by noon. I had other plans as I was coming down with a cold and am out of shape. Seems that many had the same idea and the trail ws crowded with overdressed people and lots of dogs! We finally made it to the top at 12:30 and ate a delicious burger! Our first of 2012! Many more to come, hopefully!

It's been too long. Far too long.

About 8 months ago I posted a request to have Flambeau Ridge added to the Summit Database.  The admins did their part, now it was time for me to hold up my end of the deal. 

An eager crew of five humans and one canine were packed into the truck and the drive to Flambeau Ridge was made.  Roughly twenty minutes later, jmunch took the first steps on the summit of Flambeau Ridge.  In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit that, once again, the summit was obtained in a vehicular manner. 

The summit was obtained, nonetheless, and cooking supplies were unpacked.  Immediately upon cooking, we met one of the not-so-friendly locals of Flambeau Ridge.  Needless to say, our beloved canine, Ruger, was placed on a leash for a while.

Grilling commenced, as did consumption.  A great time was had by all species.

Huangshan is an iconic Chinese distination fabled to have inspired poets and artist alike. Having been before, I knew why and was thus excited to show it to 2 of my closest friends. Seeped in mist, the peaks on Mt. Huang rises above the clouds like floating castles. In moments of brief clarity and absolute silence, it is easy to forget that this place even exist in a nation that houses millions. What is surprising is that this mountain use to be relatively secluded but in the last 20 years, hotels have sprune up, cable-cars carry the elderly, wooden steps align cement walkways, and a town has sprune up at the foot filled with peddlers and businessmen. 

My friends and I only had one day so we slepted at the foot of the mountain and took the earliest cable-car up the next day. 7 hours later, we finished hiking thousands of steps to 5 peaks and the fairlyland bridge. Not bad for a day's work and hungry souls :)

Huangshan is an iconic Chinese distination fabled to have inspired poets and artist alike. Having been before, I knew why and was thus excited to show it to 2 of my closest friends. Seeped in mist, the peaks on Mt. Huang rises above the clouds like floating castles. In moments of brief clarity and absolute silence, it is easy to forget that this place even exist in a nation that houses millions. What is surprising is that this mountain use to be relatively secluded but in the last 20 years, hotels have sprune up, cable-cars carry the elderly, wooden steps align cement walkways, and a town has sprune up at the foot filled with peddlers and businessmen. 

My friends and I only had one day so we slepted at the foot of the mountain and took the earliest cable-car up the next day. 7 hours later, we finished hiking thousands of steps to 5 peaks and the fairlyland bridge. Not bad for a day's work and hungry souls :)

Huangshan is an iconic Chinese distination fabled to have inspired poets and artist alike. Having been before, I knew why and was thus excited to show it to 2 of my closest friends. Seeped in mist, the peaks on Mt. Huang rises above the clouds like floating castles. In moments of brief clarity and absolute silence, it is easy to forget that this place even exist in a nation that houses millions. What is surprising is that this mountain use to be relatively secluded but in the last 20 years, hotels have sprune up, cable-cars carry the elderly, wooden steps align cement walkways, and a town has sprune up at the foot filled with peddlers and businessmen. 

My friends and I only had one day so we slepted at the foot of the mountain and took the earliest cable-car up the next day. 7 hours later, we finished hiking thousands of steps to 5 peaks and the fairlyland bridge. Not bad for a day's work and hungry souls :)