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Chris had been doing a lot of reading on the subject of cold weather wilderness technique, and although I nixed his original proposal of camping an ice cave, I agreed to go if we at least took his four season Moss.
Our target was a section of the valley of East Branch of the Neversink River in the Catskill Mountains. The valley is accessed by the Clareyville side trail about a mile into the approach to Slide Moutain from trailhead near Frost Valley, NY.
The approach trail from Frost Valley begins with a moderately steep climb from the parking lot into the foothills below Slide. This is followed by a series of moderate ups and down as the trail crosses several creeks and then a slow steady climb to the Clareyville trail.
The Clareyville side trail begins with a moderate, winding downhill followed by a sudden, steep drop along a series of ledges into the valley.
Day 1: Skiing In
We hit the parking lot at the Frost Valley trailhead around 2 p.m. Chris wore a pair of short full metal edged, backcountry skis. I wore a pair of edgeless track skis. Weather was moderate (high 20s) with a good 2 foot snow pack on the ground.
We have hiked and/or skied portion of this trail many times. However, I had not been on skis in two years and hadn't skied with a pack in at least 5. The climb from the parking lot was straight-forward enough, but I took a tumble on the first slight downhill we encountered.
When we moved from the Slide approach trail to the steep side trail into the valley about a mile into the trip, I really ran into trouble. My long, edgeless track skis made side stepping the steepest drops awkward, and I took multiple falls on my way to the bottom.
By the time we finally forded the river my (fortunately synthetic) clothes were soaked through and I was decently beaten up.
We found a group of Canadians building an igloo at planned camping site (and the only fixed site for some distance) and were forced to search out a clearing nearby. With the deep snow completely blanketing most of the ground cover and smaller shrubs, this was less difficult than might have otherwise been the case, however the site we found took a lot of preparation before it was solid enough to pitch the tent.
When we stopped skiing, as is predictable, my body temperature dropped like a stone. I did not immediately switch out my wet gloves and lost the use of my fingers before I could fetch a dry pair from my pack. Chris grew rightly annoyed as I began windging, and following a b*tch slap I joined him in using our skis to compress a hardened surface on a circle of snow on which to pitch the tent.
This froze back over enough after an hour or so (while we began melting snow for hot water) to pitch the tent which we finally managed to get upright with combination of snow stakes and screws all of witch froze solidly in place a couple of hours later.
Night 1: A Cozy Tent
It was not bitterly cold (mid to low twenties). However, you would have to own a lot more down clothing than is available in my kit to literally sit around a winter campsite. So, we kept our skis on and spent much of the evening circling the perimeter of our campsite, chatting and ocassionally stopping to make another cup of something hot.
This was surprisingly pleasant, almost meditative, and we managed to happily keep it up until almost 9 pm when we both agreed we were ready to bundle down for next 10 odd hours.
Mummied down in a 0° bag (with a 15° liner) in full dress, I actually spent a long, warm sleep filled night.
Day 2: Messing About On Skis
It took awhile to coax ourselves from the warm cocoon of our sleeping bags. It was truly warm inside -- although condesation from our breath had formed a layer of ice on the roof of the tent.
Warmer today. Already in the low 30s by 9 am. Following a morning cup of joe we actually skied back out to the parking lot to fetch me a shorter pair of skis.
It was much easier climbing out of the valley than it was climbing in (particularly with my track skis strapped to my back), and without a pack the ski back to the trailhead was down right fun.
After trading out skis, we head back up the Slide approach trail, passing the side trail and continuing on up until at last the snowpack became impassable (or at least too thick and crusty to comfortably ski), turned and enjoyed a long slow ski back down to the first col below the sidetrail.
Night 2: Does A Skier Poop in the Woods?
Night 2 was pretty much a carbon copy of night 1 with same meditative, reltentless circling of the tent until bedtime.
About 9 pm I skied out into the moonlit night with an avalanche shovel. Moderate evening (mid-30s) and no wind. Still an unusual sensation to drop your drawers while leaving your skis on.
Melted snow before bed to make hot water bottles for our bags. Another cozy night in the tent.
Day 3: Skiing Out
Following morning joe, we break camp around 9 am. I have got my ski legs back -- although I take another tumble fording the stream on the way out, and even with the pack I have a nice ski back down to the parking lot.
Overall, I had a nice time and might even consider trying the ice cave the next time out. However, definitely need to get some backcountry skis and/or some snowshoes before do this again.
Curious Little Gallery
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© 2000 Chris Carroll
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