Helder~Hiking Adventures!: February 2011

Sunday, February 13, 2011

4 Poets Hike Private Land~

Today we took a special hike on one Poets Private Land out in Huntersland as a test run for Snowshoeing up Bennet Hill next week.

Three of us road out together at about noon. After some reconnoitering the four of us set out to make a loop around our hosts property line skirting Partridge Run State Forest.

It was a Beautiful day and we made progress quickly. We took our time, tested out the gear, and even sang a few Hiking Songs. :)

...of course I am in none of the pictures again

'cause I'm takin' them!

This is what Bears do when looking for a snack!

It wasn't all powder as you can see;

but we had enough on top to make a go of it.

The end of the Trail with Home in site!

Nice and warm with Beer and Sandwiches waiting!

With Lunch consumed
and Beer to grease our spirits
an impromptu Jam Session ensued!

bIRD even got some of this on audio!

Life is good among friends!

The end to a perfect day!

Geezer Difficulty Rating :
Four Individual Half Geezers
in the Prime of their Geezerhood!

WELL ALMOST!!!

As we approached the intersection of Route 85 and Route 1, I was looking out the front windshield.

We were conversing quietly and generally remarking on the day when (to my eyes I watched with horror in slow-motion) as the Maroon Truck you see here T-boned and flipped the Black Truck you see upside-down!

Jim called 911, while bIRD and I ran to see what we could do! I helped a young woman out of the cab of the Maroon Truck and then moved around the Black One to find that the truck was setting on one door and the other was wedged shut! I was contemplating how to open the window when one of the occupants realized that he could make his way out if the sliding window behind the cab. I then directed the other occupant to follow and with that everyone was free and MIRACULOUSLY UNHARMED!

All I can say is AMEN!

We stayed around for awhile to make sure everyone was alright and the owners of the house on the corner came out and took charge of things. The unfortunate expertise gained from living at a dangerous intersection. Witnesses and Family members began to show up to care for those involved so after leaving my number we headed on our way a little somber and a lot more cautious.

It being the 13th I would have to say that even though their vehicles were a loss; these folks were VERY LUCKY!

obeedúid~

13/Feb/11

WARNING/DISCLAIMER!!!

We are all charter members of Highbrow Hikers Anonymous!

On a normal hike we have an average combined total of 150+/- years of experience.

When we break the rules (which we DO NOT condone) we know when we are doing so.

DO NOT TRY THIS ALONE! Some of us are former Scout Leaders (...that's how my kid became an EMT...). All of us are familiar with at least some advanced life support.

We always hike prepared! (...and sometimes we even bring a map...) We carry First Aid Kits, Cell Phones, GPS, Extra Clothing and even GORP!

We always sign in and most times remember to sign out. (We are Geezers after all!)

Yeah, and just like Mommy taught us we change our underpants and always, always, always tell someone where we are going and when we expect to be back!

Happy Hikin' !!!

Your's Truly,

The Loyal Brotherhood of Geezers!

A Stament of Purpose:

This blog is the result of a perceived need and a noticeable void.

To date there is no definitive guide to the many local hikes in the Helderberg Mountains, Helderberg Escarpment and the Normanskill Watershed.

Some hikes and preserves may be found in some books, some in others and still others must be sought out by the intrepid and persistent.

We have been and are intending to, work our way across, back and forth, up and down, in and out, until we have covered as much and as many locations within these boundaries as we can.

There exists to date no discernible map defining the actual boundaries of the Helderberg Mountain Range and its environs that we have been able to locate as yet.

The best we have been able to locate at the present time is available at: "SIGNIFICANT HABITATS AND HABITAT COMPLEXES OF THE NEW YORK BIGHT WATERSHED."

The Map Link is HERE.

The Range seems to stretch from as far east as Revena/Coeymans to as far west as Delanson and Duanesburg.

The question "Where do they begin and where do they end has yet to be defined to our satisfaction. A map must exist somewhere but as yet we have not been able to locate it.

The Escarpment does obviously not encompass the entire Range.

As we trek these hikes we will add to our knowledge and our database. We will report any and all correspondences and updates as they become available.

We intend to hike, trek, and blog our way from one end of the range and watershed to the other.

The result of our efforts will eventually be published in book form with maps and reviews to fill the void previously noted.

A compilation of our adventures will be made available for sale to the public with the intent to making the Helderberg Mountains and the Normanskill Watershed a distinct entity unto itself. A place no longer made up of the hodgepodge piecemeal collection assumed and unspecified. We intend to envision it as a whole.

According to Scott Edward Anderson's "Walks in Nature's Empire: Exploring the Nature Conservancy's Preserves in New York State" ..."the Helderberg Escarpment is a range formed when the European and North American continental plates collided. This dramatic geological event also caused the Adirondack and the Taconic Mountains to rise."

We respectively submit that as this statement implies, The Helderburg Mountains and the Normanskill Watershed are unique and deserving of their own recognition.

SO LET THE ADVENTURES BEGIN!!!

Adventure-bIRD~ and obee-hikin-dúid~
20/july/08

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