I'm convinced that I was born under a curse. I'm sentenced to compulsively make numerical contrasts and comparisons. And with no false modesty, I am damned good at it. Where others stumble, I see the quantitative nuances. For me, rounding off numbers, unless absolutely necessary, is a vulgar practice. I am not alone in my talent. Lee Frelich and Will Blozan are equally gifted. Lee would never, say, round the number 1,047 by substituting the vague descriptor "thousands" as newspaper reports frequently do. I guess reporters think that in introducing imprecision they are capturing the essence of an idea. Hogwash! Well, I'm expanding my comparative talents with the camera. I don't yet know what I'm doing, but it feels right. When I attempt to describe the boldness of the western landscape in words, it can sound as if I'm diminishing its eastern equivalent. Not so. At least, not necessarily. However, east and west are qualitatively and quantitatively different, and where in the past I've concentrated strictly on numerical measures, I have now added the camera's all seeing eye. The first and third of the three attached images show eastern mountain panoramas. The second and fourth images show eastern mountain scenes. The vertical relief in these images is approximately the same. Does it look the same to the eye? BTW, a spin off talent of this cultivated perception is quickly judging the heights of trees. As a general observation, western mountain panoramic scenes are usually painted from a broader color pallet. Land shapes are more angular. Outlines are sharper. The blue haze of the Appalachians softens features and can diminish the appearance of significant size. The eastern Catskills are mountains - not just big hills. The vegetative covering of western mountains is heavily skewed toward conifers,; that of the eastern peaks toward hardwoods. Neither is better than the other, just different. Viva la difference.
Oops! My statement, " The second and fourth images show eastern mountain scenes." obviously was meant to be western mountain scenes. Alas, as dementia sets in, I make more and more of these goofs.
I'm convinced that I was born under a curse. I'm sentenced to compulsively make numerical contrasts and comparisons. And with no false modesty, I am damned good at it. Where others stumble, I see the quantitative nuances. For me, rounding off numbers, unless absolutely necessary, is a vulgar practice. I am not alone in my talent. Lee Frelich and Will Blozan are equally gifted. Lee would never, say, round the number 1,047 by substituting the vague descriptor "thousands" as newspaper reports frequently do. I guess reporters think that in introducing imprecision they are capturing the essence of an idea. Hogwash! Well, I'm expanding my comparative talents with the camera. I don't yet know what I'm doing, but it feels right. When I attempt to describe the boldness of the western landscape in words, it can sound as if I'm diminishing its eastern equivalent. Not so. At least, not necessarily. However, east and west are qualitatively and quantitatively different, and where in the past I've concentrated strictly on numerical measures, I have now added the camera's all seeing eye. The first and third of the three attached images show eastern mountain panoramas. The second and fourth images show eastern mountain scenes. The vertical relief in these images is approximately the same. Does it look the same to the eye? BTW, a spin off talent of this cultivated perception is quickly judging the heights of trees. As a general observation, western mountain panoramic scenes are usually painted from a broader color pallet. Land shapes are more angular. Outlines are sharper. The blue haze of the Appalachians softens features and can diminish the appearance of significant size. The eastern Catskills are mountains - not just big hills. The vegetative covering of western mountains is heavily skewed toward conifers,; that of the eastern peaks toward hardwoods. Neither is better than the other, just different. Viva la difference.
Bob, I really enjoy your mountain submissions! I just got back ( 2
weeks ago) from Baxter State Park. Katahdin is one truly great east
coast mountain, not sure if you have been up there but it worth the
trip. Though smaller than Washington it is a world apart. I found it
to be a tougher climb and much more "frontier" like. A very steep
mountain with a superb alpine zone. The knife edge is unlike
anything I have seen here in New England.
> Oops! My statement, " The second and fourth images show eastern mountain scenes." obviously was meant to be western mountain scenes. Alas, as dementia sets in, I make more and more of these goofs.
> Bob
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: dbhg...@comcast.net
> To: entstrees@googlegroups.com, wnts@googlegroups.com, "Sarah Belchetz-Swenson" <sa...@belchetz-swenson.com>
> I'm convinced that I was born under a curse. I'm sentenced to compulsively make numerical contrasts and comparisons. And with no false modesty, I am damned good at it. Where others stumble, I see the quantitative nuances. For me, rounding off numbers, unless absolutely necessary, is a vulgar practice.
> I am not alone in my talent. Lee Frelich and Will Blozan are equally gifted. Lee would never, say, round the number 1,047 by substituting the vague descriptor "thousands" as newspaper reports frequently do. I guess reporters think that in introducing imprecision they are capturing the essence of an idea. Hogwash!
> Well, I'm expanding my comparative talents with the camera. I don't yet know what I'm doing, but it feels right. When I attempt to describe the boldness of the western landscape in words, it can sound as if I'm diminishing its eastern equivalent. Not so. At least, not necessarily. However, east and west are qualitatively and quantitatively different, and where in the past I've concentrated strictly on numerical measures, I have now added the camera's all seeing eye.
> The first and third of the three attached images show eastern mountain panoramas. The second and fourth images show eastern mountain scenes. The vertical relief in these images is approximately the same. Does it look the same to the eye? BTW, a spin off talent of this cultivated perception is quickly judging the heights of trees.
> As a general observation, western mountain panoramic scenes are usually painted from a broader color pallet. Land shapes are more angular. Outlines are sharper. The blue haze of the Appalachians softens features and can diminish the appearance of significant size. The eastern Catskills are mountains - not just big hills.
> The vegetative covering of western mountains is heavily skewed toward conifers,; that of the eastern peaks toward hardwoods. Neither is better than the other, just different. Viva la difference.
Yes, I'm familiar with Katahdin. In the East, it is mountain that stands apart from all others. At 5,267 feet it gets excluded from the one-mile-or-more club, but no other eastern mountain would dare challenge the physical dominance of Katahdin. Also, as you well know, it rises far above its base and presents a more western than eastern profile. Great mountain. I'll bet Jenny is darn proud of it and rightly so.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Marcboston" <m...@hillsidenurseries.com> To: "ENTSTrees" <entstrees@googlegroups.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 4:08:21 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
Bob, I really enjoy your mountain submissions! I just got back ( 2 weeks ago) from Baxter State Park. Katahdin is one truly great east coast mountain, not sure if you have been up there but it worth the trip. Though smaller than Washington it is a world apart. I found it to be a tougher climb and much more "frontier" like. A very steep mountain with a superb alpine zone. The knife edge is unlike anything I have seen here in New England.
On Jul 28, 12:09 pm, dbhg...@comcast.net wrote: > ENTS,
> Oops! My statement, " The second and fourth images show eastern mountain scenes." obviously was meant to be western mountain scenes. Alas, as dementia sets in, I make more and more of these goofs.
> Bob
> ----- Original Message ----- > From: dbhg...@comcast.net > To: entstrees@googlegroups.com, wnts@googlegroups.com, "Sarah Belchetz-Swenson" <sa...@belchetz-swenson.com>
> I'm convinced that I was born under a curse. I'm sentenced to compulsively make numerical contrasts and comparisons. And with no false modesty, I am damned good at it. Where others stumble, I see the quantitative nuances. For me, rounding off numbers, unless absolutely necessary, is a vulgar practice. > I am not alone in my talent. Lee Frelich and Will Blozan are equally gifted. Lee would never, say, round the number 1,047 by substituting the vague descriptor "thousands" as newspaper reports frequently do. I guess reporters think that in introducing imprecision they are capturing the essence of an idea. Hogwash! > Well, I'm expanding my comparative talents with the camera. I don't yet know what I'm doing, but it feels right. When I attempt to describe the boldness of the western landscape in words, it can sound as if I'm diminishing its eastern equivalent. Not so. At least, not necessarily. However, east and west are qualitatively and quantitatively different, and where in the past I've concentrated strictly on numerical measures, I have now added the camera's all seeing eye. > The first and third of the three attached images show eastern mountain panoramas. The second and fourth images show eastern mountain scenes. The vertical relief in these images is approximately the same. Does it look the same to the eye? BTW, a spin off talent of this cultivated perception is quickly judging the heights of trees. > As a general observation, western mountain panoramic scenes are usually painted from a broader color pallet. Land shapes are more angular. Outlines are sharper. The blue haze of the Appalachians softens features and can diminish the appearance of significant size. The eastern Catskills are mountains - not just big hills. > The vegetative covering of western mountains is heavily skewed toward conifers,; that of the eastern peaks toward hardwoods. Neither is better than the other, just different. Viva la difference.
Katahdin is my all-time favorite eastern peak. And I've hiked a bunch
of them. The only major eastern mountain ranges I've never set foot in
are the Catskills and Adirondacks. And the Daks are very high on my
list to someday hike. If I can just get around to doing it before I
get too old.
I hiked Katahdin a few years ago. I've hiked pretty much all of the
major southern peaks (with a few exceptions) and several of the big
peaks in New Hampshire (including Mount Washington). But Katahdin is
king, in my estimation. Yes, there are higher peaks, but it holds its
own in pure relief against many other major eastern mountains, plus it
is so isolated. We did a killer hike:
Entrance to Chimney Pond. Cathedral Trail to Baxter Peak. Knife's Edge
to Helon Taylor. Helon Taylor back to the Chimney Pond Trial and out
to our car.
My thigh muscles screamed for two days.
On Jul 28, 4:08 pm, Marcboston <m...@hillsidenurseries.com> wrote:
> Bob, I really enjoy your mountain submissions! I just got back ( 2
> weeks ago) from Baxter State Park. Katahdin is one truly great east
> coast mountain, not sure if you have been up there but it worth the
> trip. Though smaller than Washington it is a world apart. I found it
> to be a tougher climb and much more "frontier" like. A very steep
> mountain with a superb alpine zone. The knife edge is unlike
> anything I have seen here in New England.
> > Oops! My statement, " The second and fourth images show eastern mountain scenes." obviously was meant to be western mountain scenes. Alas, as dementia sets in, I make more and more of these goofs.
> > Bob
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: dbhg...@comcast.net
> > To: entstrees@googlegroups.com, wnts@googlegroups.com, "Sarah Belchetz-Swenson" <sa...@belchetz-swenson.com>
> > I'm convinced that I was born under a curse. I'm sentenced to compulsively make numerical contrasts and comparisons. And with no false modesty, I am damned good at it. Where others stumble, I see the quantitative nuances. For me, rounding off numbers, unless absolutely necessary, is a vulgar practice.
> > I am not alone in my talent. Lee Frelich and Will Blozan are equally gifted. Lee would never, say, round the number 1,047 by substituting the vague descriptor "thousands" as newspaper reports frequently do. I guess reporters think that in introducing imprecision they are capturing the essence of an idea. Hogwash!
> > Well, I'm expanding my comparative talents with the camera. I don't yet know what I'm doing, but it feels right. When I attempt to describe the boldness of the western landscape in words, it can sound as if I'm diminishing its eastern equivalent. Not so. At least, not necessarily. However, east and west are qualitatively and quantitatively different, and where in the past I've concentrated strictly on numerical measures, I have now added the camera's all seeing eye.
> > The first and third of the three attached images show eastern mountain panoramas. The second and fourth images show eastern mountain scenes. The vertical relief in these images is approximately the same. Does it look the same to the eye? BTW, a spin off talent of this cultivated perception is quickly judging the heights of trees.
> > As a general observation, western mountain panoramic scenes are usually painted from a broader color pallet. Land shapes are more angular. Outlines are sharper. The blue haze of the Appalachians softens features and can diminish the appearance of significant size. The eastern Catskills are mountains - not just big hills.
> > The vegetative covering of western mountains is heavily skewed toward conifers,; that of the eastern peaks toward hardwoods. Neither is better than the other, just different. Viva la difference.
I agree James. Katahdin and the Knife Edge is the best hike East of the
Mississippi! I did it again last year with my wife Sun. First Pic is the view of the peak kayaking from Togue Pond.
Second is the Knife Edge. Sun is the little figure in the lower right.
-----Original Message-----
From: entstrees@googlegroups.com [mailto:entstrees@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of JamesRobertSmith
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 7:11 PM
To: ENTSTrees
Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
Katahdin is my all-time favorite eastern peak. And I've hiked a bunch
of them. The only major eastern mountain ranges I've never set foot in
are the Catskills and Adirondacks. And the Daks are very high on my
list to someday hike. If I can just get around to doing it before I
get too old.
I hiked Katahdin a few years ago. I've hiked pretty much all of the
major southern peaks (with a few exceptions) and several of the big
peaks in New Hampshire (including Mount Washington). But Katahdin is
king, in my estimation. Yes, there are higher peaks, but it holds its
own in pure relief against many other major eastern mountains, plus it
is so isolated. We did a killer hike:
Entrance to Chimney Pond. Cathedral Trail to Baxter Peak. Knife's Edge
to Helon Taylor. Helon Taylor back to the Chimney Pond Trial and out
to our car.
My thigh muscles screamed for two days.
On Jul 28, 4:08 pm, Marcboston <m...@hillsidenurseries.com> wrote:
> Bob, I really enjoy your mountain submissions! I just got back ( 2
> weeks ago) from Baxter State Park. Katahdin is one truly great east
> coast mountain, not sure if you have been up there but it worth the
> trip. Though smaller than Washington it is a world apart. I found it
> to be a tougher climb and much more "frontier" like. A very steep
> mountain with a superb alpine zone. The knife edge is unlike
> anything I have seen here in New England.
> > Oops! My statement, " The second and fourth images show eastern
mountain scenes." obviously was meant to be western mountain scenes.
Alas, as dementia sets in, I make more and more of these goofs.
> > Bob
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: dbhg...@comcast.net
> > To: entstrees@googlegroups.com, wnts@googlegroups.com, "Sarah
Belchetz-Swenson" <sa...@belchetz-swenson.com>
> > I'm convinced that I was born under a curse. I'm sentenced to
compulsively make numerical contrasts and comparisons. And with no false
modesty, I am damned good at it. Where others stumble, I see the
quantitative nuances. For me, rounding off numbers, unless absolutely
necessary, is a vulgar practice.
> > I am not alone in my talent. Lee Frelich and Will Blozan are equally
gifted. Lee would never, say, round the number 1,047 by substituting the
vague descriptor "thousands" as newspaper reports frequently do. I guess
reporters think that in introducing imprecision they are capturing the
essence of an idea. Hogwash!
> > Well, I'm expanding my comparative talents with the camera. I don't
yet know what I'm doing, but it feels right. When I attempt to describe
the boldness of the western landscape in words, it can sound as if I'm
diminishing its eastern equivalent. Not so. At least, not necessarily.
However, east and west are qualitatively and quantitatively different,
and where in the past I've concentrated strictly on numerical measures,
I have now added the camera's all seeing eye.
> > The first and third of the three attached images show eastern
mountain panoramas. The second and fourth images show eastern mountain
scenes. The vertical relief in these images is approximately the same.
Does it look the same to the eye? BTW, a spin off talent of this
cultivated perception is quickly judging the heights of trees.
> > As a general observation, western mountain panoramic scenes are
usually painted from a broader color pallet. Land shapes are more
angular. Outlines are sharper. The blue haze of the Appalachians softens
features and can diminish the appearance of significant size. The
eastern Catskills are mountains - not just big hills.
> > The vegetative covering of western mountains is heavily skewed
toward conifers,; that of the eastern peaks toward hardwoods. Neither is
better than the other, just different. Viva la difference.
-----Original Message-----
From: entstrees@googlegroups.com [mailto:entstrees@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of JamesRobertSmith
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 7:11 PM
To: ENTSTrees
Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
Katahdin is my all-time favorite eastern peak. And I've hiked a bunch
of them. The only major eastern mountain ranges I've never set foot in
are the Catskills and Adirondacks. And the Daks are very high on my
list to someday hike. If I can just get around to doing it before I
get too old.
I hiked Katahdin a few years ago. I've hiked pretty much all of the
major southern peaks (with a few exceptions) and several of the big
peaks in New Hampshire (including Mount Washington). But Katahdin is
king, in my estimation. Yes, there are higher peaks, but it holds its
own in pure relief against many other major eastern mountains, plus it
is so isolated. We did a killer hike:
Entrance to Chimney Pond. Cathedral Trail to Baxter Peak. Knife's Edge
to Helon Taylor. Helon Taylor back to the Chimney Pond Trial and out
to our car.
My thigh muscles screamed for two days.
On Jul 28, 4:08 pm, Marcboston <m...@hillsidenurseries.com> wrote:
> Bob, I really enjoy your mountain submissions! I just got back ( 2
> weeks ago) from Baxter State Park. Katahdin is one truly great east
> coast mountain, not sure if you have been up there but it worth the
> trip. Though smaller than Washington it is a world apart. I found it
> to be a tougher climb and much more "frontier" like. A very steep
> mountain with a superb alpine zone. The knife edge is unlike
> anything I have seen here in New England.
> > Oops! My statement, " The second and fourth images show eastern
mountain scenes." obviously was meant to be western mountain scenes.
Alas, as dementia sets in, I make more and more of these goofs.
> > Bob
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: dbhg...@comcast.net
> > To: entstrees@googlegroups.com, wnts@googlegroups.com, "Sarah
Belchetz-Swenson" <sa...@belchetz-swenson.com>
> > I'm convinced that I was born under a curse. I'm sentenced to
compulsively make numerical contrasts and comparisons. And with no false
modesty, I am damned good at it. Where others stumble, I see the
quantitative nuances. For me, rounding off numbers, unless absolutely
necessary, is a vulgar practice.
> > I am not alone in my talent. Lee Frelich and Will Blozan are equally
gifted. Lee would never, say, round the number 1,047 by substituting the
vague descriptor "thousands" as newspaper reports frequently do. I guess
reporters think that in introducing imprecision they are capturing the
essence of an idea. Hogwash!
> > Well, I'm expanding my comparative talents with the camera. I don't
yet know what I'm doing, but it feels right. When I attempt to describe
the boldness of the western landscape in words, it can sound as if I'm
diminishing its eastern equivalent. Not so. At least, not necessarily.
However, east and west are qualitatively and quantitatively different,
and where in the past I've concentrated strictly on numerical measures,
I have now added the camera's all seeing eye.
> > The first and third of the three attached images show eastern
mountain panoramas. The second and fourth images show eastern mountain
scenes. The vertical relief in these images is approximately the same.
Does it look the same to the eye? BTW, a spin off talent of this
cultivated perception is quickly judging the heights of trees.
> > As a general observation, western mountain panoramic scenes are
usually painted from a broader color pallet. Land shapes are more
angular. Outlines are sharper. The blue haze of the Appalachians softens
features and can diminish the appearance of significant size. The
eastern Catskills are mountains - not just big hills.
> > The vegetative covering of western mountains is heavily skewed
toward conifers,; that of the eastern peaks toward hardwoods. Neither is
better than the other, just different. Viva la difference.
Knife Edge overview.
The End. The sign for the Big K looks a bit battered just like we were
at the end of the hike! We met a couple who had just finished the 2,000
mile AT and they were poppin' the cork!
-----Original Message-----
From: entstrees@googlegroups.com [mailto:entstrees@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of JamesRobertSmith
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 7:11 PM
To: ENTSTrees
Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
Katahdin is my all-time favorite eastern peak. And I've hiked a bunch
of them. The only major eastern mountain ranges I've never set foot in
are the Catskills and Adirondacks. And the Daks are very high on my
list to someday hike. If I can just get around to doing it before I
get too old.
I hiked Katahdin a few years ago. I've hiked pretty much all of the
major southern peaks (with a few exceptions) and several of the big
peaks in New Hampshire (including Mount Washington). But Katahdin is
king, in my estimation. Yes, there are higher peaks, but it holds its
own in pure relief against many other major eastern mountains, plus it
is so isolated. We did a killer hike:
Entrance to Chimney Pond. Cathedral Trail to Baxter Peak. Knife's Edge
to Helon Taylor. Helon Taylor back to the Chimney Pond Trial and out
to our car.
My thigh muscles screamed for two days.
On Jul 28, 4:08 pm, Marcboston <m...@hillsidenurseries.com> wrote:
> Bob, I really enjoy your mountain submissions! I just got back ( 2
> weeks ago) from Baxter State Park. Katahdin is one truly great east
> coast mountain, not sure if you have been up there but it worth the
> trip. Though smaller than Washington it is a world apart. I found it
> to be a tougher climb and much more "frontier" like. A very steep
> mountain with a superb alpine zone. The knife edge is unlike
> anything I have seen here in New England.
> > Oops! My statement, " The second and fourth images show eastern
mountain scenes." obviously was meant to be western mountain scenes.
Alas, as dementia sets in, I make more and more of these goofs.
> > Bob
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: dbhg...@comcast.net
> > To: entstrees@googlegroups.com, wnts@googlegroups.com, "Sarah
Belchetz-Swenson" <sa...@belchetz-swenson.com>
> > I'm convinced that I was born under a curse. I'm sentenced to
compulsively make numerical contrasts and comparisons. And with no false
modesty, I am damned good at it. Where others stumble, I see the
quantitative nuances. For me, rounding off numbers, unless absolutely
necessary, is a vulgar practice.
> > I am not alone in my talent. Lee Frelich and Will Blozan are equally
gifted. Lee would never, say, round the number 1,047 by substituting the
vague descriptor "thousands" as newspaper reports frequently do. I guess
reporters think that in introducing imprecision they are capturing the
essence of an idea. Hogwash!
> > Well, I'm expanding my comparative talents with the camera. I don't
yet know what I'm doing, but it feels right. When I attempt to describe
the boldness of the western landscape in words, it can sound as if I'm
diminishing its eastern equivalent. Not so. At least, not necessarily.
However, east and west are qualitatively and quantitatively different,
and where in the past I've concentrated strictly on numerical measures,
I have now added the camera's all seeing eye.
> > The first and third of the three attached images show eastern
mountain panoramas. The second and fourth images show eastern mountain
scenes. The vertical relief in these images is approximately the same.
Does it look the same to the eye? BTW, a spin off talent of this
cultivated perception is quickly judging the heights of trees.
> > As a general observation, western mountain panoramic scenes are
usually painted from a broader color pallet. Land shapes are more
angular. Outlines are sharper. The blue haze of the Appalachians softens
features and can diminish the appearance of significant size. The
eastern Catskills are mountains - not just big hills.
> > The vegetative covering of western mountains is heavily skewed
toward conifers,; that of the eastern peaks toward hardwoods. Neither is
better than the other, just different. Viva la difference.
Aside from the "Knife Edge" I have to say that the "Hunt Trail" was my
favorite. I really enjoyed the large rolling plateau and alpine
vegatation, made for a very nice walk after ascending for the first
part of the day. The steep parts of the Hunt trail were gorgeous and
though not as exposed as Paloma or the Knife Edge still exciting.
When I get a chance I will upload some shots. I toted my large DSLR
camera up with me along with a 10-20mm lense. I just need to reduce
the images, they are way to large to upload on here. Bob, dont you
think the mountain rings of something you might see in the Cascades?
Obviously not as arid as California or Colorado. Mike, I think I sat
down on the same area where you wife is sitting . My wife freaked out
one me when she checked out my pictures!
On Jul 29, 6:22 am, "Mike Leonard" <mlfores...@rcn.com> wrote:
> Knife Edge overview.
> The End. The sign for the Big K looks a bit battered just like we were
> at the end of the hike! We met a couple who had just finished the 2,000
> mile AT and they were poppin' the cork!
> Mike
> -----Original Message-----
> From: entstrees@googlegroups.com [mailto:entstrees@googlegroups.com] On
> Behalf Of JamesRobertSmith
> Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 7:11 PM
> To: ENTSTrees
> Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
> Katahdin is my all-time favorite eastern peak. And I've hiked a bunch
> of them. The only major eastern mountain ranges I've never set foot in
> are the Catskills and Adirondacks. And the Daks are very high on my
> list to someday hike. If I can just get around to doing it before I
> get too old.
> I hiked Katahdin a few years ago. I've hiked pretty much all of the
> major southern peaks (with a few exceptions) and several of the big
> peaks in New Hampshire (including Mount Washington). But Katahdin is
> king, in my estimation. Yes, there are higher peaks, but it holds its
> own in pure relief against many other major eastern mountains, plus it
> is so isolated. We did a killer hike:
> Entrance to Chimney Pond. Cathedral Trail to Baxter Peak. Knife's Edge
> to Helon Taylor. Helon Taylor back to the Chimney Pond Trial and out
> to our car.
> My thigh muscles screamed for two days.
> On Jul 28, 4:08 pm, Marcboston <m...@hillsidenurseries.com> wrote:
> > Bob, I really enjoy your mountain submissions! I just got back ( 2
> > weeks ago) from Baxter State Park. Katahdin is one truly great east
> > coast mountain, not sure if you have been up there but it worth the
> > trip. Though smaller than Washington it is a world apart. I found it
> > to be a tougher climb and much more "frontier" like. A very steep
> > mountain with a superb alpine zone. The knife edge is unlike
> > anything I have seen here in New England.
> > On Jul 28, 12:09 pm, dbhg...@comcast.net wrote:
> > > ENTS,
> > > Oops! My statement, " The second and fourth images show eastern
> mountain scenes." obviously was meant to be western mountain scenes.
> Alas, as dementia sets in, I make more and more of these goofs.
> > > I'm convinced that I was born under a curse. I'm sentenced to
> compulsively make numerical contrasts and comparisons. And with no false
> modesty, I am damned good at it. Where others stumble, I see the
> quantitative nuances. For me, rounding off numbers, unless absolutely
> necessary, is a vulgar practice.
> > > I am not alone in my talent. Lee Frelich and Will Blozan are equally
> gifted. Lee would never, say, round the number 1,047 by substituting the
> vague descriptor "thousands" as newspaper reports frequently do. I guess
> reporters think that in introducing imprecision they are capturing the
> essence of an idea. Hogwash!
> > > Well, I'm expanding my comparative talents with the camera. I don't
> yet know what I'm doing, but it feels right. When I attempt to describe
> the boldness of the western landscape in words, it can sound as if I'm
> diminishing its eastern equivalent. Not so. At least, not necessarily.
> However, east and west are qualitatively and quantitatively different,
> and where in the past I've concentrated strictly on numerical measures,
> I have now added the camera's all seeing eye.
> > > The first and third of the three attached images show eastern
> mountain panoramas. The second and fourth images show eastern mountain
> scenes. The vertical relief in these images is approximately the same.
> Does it look the same to the eye? BTW, a spin off talent of this
> cultivated perception is quickly judging the heights of trees.
> > > As a general observation, western mountain panoramic scenes are
> usually painted from a broader color pallet. Land shapes are more
> angular. Outlines are sharper. The blue haze of the Appalachians softens
> features and can diminish the appearance of significant size. The
> eastern Catskills are mountains - not just big hills.
> > > The vegetative covering of western mountains is heavily skewed
> toward conifers,; that of the eastern peaks toward hardwoods. Neither is
> better than the other, just different. Viva la difference.
> > > Bob- Hide quoted text -
> > > - Show quoted text -
> IMG_1143.JPG
> 927KViewDownload
> IMG_1151.JPG
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Soooper shots of Katahdin. What other mountain hikes do you especially like?
Later this month Monica and I will return to the Catskills to climb Slide, Hunter, Blackhead, and Panther Mtns. The camera will be working overtime. Beyond the superb scenery, I want to begin real photographic documentation of the Catskill old growth. According to Dr. Michael Kudish, the foremost expert on OG in the Catskills, there is around 64,000 acres of first forest. Most of it is higher elevation spruce, fir, maple, birch, and cherry. Most hikers don't realize their walking in a first forest environment.
In the 1800s. the Catskills were hammered unmercifully by the lumber barons. Virtually all of the big, virgin hemlocks were cut for the tanneries. Unfortunately, these great mountains must continue enduring the insults by being named for the rapacious barons. Hunter, NY is an example. Fortunately, some of the best peaks have more benign names like Slide, Cornell, Kaaterskill High Peak, Indian Head, Plateau, Black Dome, Blackhead, Thomas Cole, etc. that speak to a more refined imagination and appreciation of the features of the surrounding terrain.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Leonard" <mlfores...@rcn.com> To: entstrees@googlegroups.com Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 6:10:07 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
I agree James. Katahdin and the Knife Edge is the best hike East of the Mississippi !
I did it again last year with my wife Sun.
First Pic is the view of the peak kayaking from Togue Pond.
Second is the Knife Edge. Sun is the little figure in the lower right.
Mike
-----Original Message----- From: entstrees@googlegroups.com [mailto:entstrees@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of JamesRobertSmith Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 7:11 PM To: ENTSTrees Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
Katahdin is my all-time favorite eastern peak. And I've hiked a bunch
of them. The only major eastern mountain ranges I've never set foot in
are the Catskills and Adirondacks. And the Daks are very high on my
list to someday hike. If I can just get around to doing it before I
get too old.
I hiked Katahdin a few years ago. I've hiked pretty much all of the
major southern peaks (with a few exceptions) and several of the big
peaks in New Hampshire (including Mount Washington). But Katahdin is
king, in my estimation. Yes, there are higher peaks, but it holds its
own in pure relief against many other major eastern mountains, plus it
is so isolated. We did a killer hike:
Entrance to Chimney Pond. Cathedral Trail to Baxter Peak. Knife's Edge
to Helon Taylor. Helon Taylor back to the Chimney Pond Trial and out
to our car.
My thigh muscles screamed for two days.
On Jul 28, 4:08 pm, Marcboston <m...@hillsidenurseries.com> wrote:
> Bob, I really enjoy your mountain submissions! I just got back ( 2
> weeks ago) from Baxter State Park. Katahdin is one truly great east
> coast mountain, not sure if you have been up there but it worth the
> trip. Though smaller than Washington it is a world apart. I found it
> to be a tougher climb and much more "frontier" like. A very steep
> mountain with a superb alpine zone. The knife edge is unlike
> > Oops! My statement, " The second and fourth images show eastern mountain scenes." obviously was meant to be western mountain scenes. Alas, as dementia sets in, I make more and more of these goofs.
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 9:58:11 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
> > Subject: [ENTS] Eastern and western summits
> > ENTS,
> > I'm convinced that I was born under a curse. I'm sentenced to compulsively make numerical contrasts and comparisons. And with no false modesty, I am damned good at it. Where others stumble, I see the quantitative nuances. For me, rounding off numbers, unless absolutely necessary, is a vulgar practice.
> > I am not alone in my talent. Lee Frelich and Will Blozan are equally gifted. Lee would never, say, round the number 1,047 by substituting the vague descriptor "thousands" as newspaper reports frequently do. I guess reporters think that in introducing imprecision they are capturing the essence of an idea. Hogwash!
> > Well, I'm expanding my comparative talents with the camera. I don't yet know what I'm doing, but it feels right. When I attempt to describe the boldness of the western landscape in words, it can sound as if I'm diminishing its eastern equivalent. Not so. At least, not necessarily. However, east and west are qualitatively and quantitatively different, and where in the past I've concentrated strictly on numerical measures, I have now added the camera's all seeing eye.
> > The first and third of the three attached images show eastern mountain panoramas. The second and fourth images show eastern mountain scenes. The vertical relief in these images is approximately the same. Does it look the same to the eye? BTW, a spin off talent of this cultivated perception is quickly judging the heights of trees.
> > As a general observation, western mountain panoramic scenes are usually painted from a broader color pallet. Land shapes are more angular. Outlines are sharper. The blue haze of the Appalachians softens features and can diminish the appearance of significant size. The eastern Catskills are mountains - not just big hills.
> > The vegetative covering of western mountains is heavily skewed toward conifers,; that of the eastern peaks toward hardwoods. Neither is better than the other, just different. Viva la difference.
You are a kindred spirit. Yes, Maine's Katahdin is remindful of western summits. It has an impressive cliff face, exhibits compelling contours that compel the eye to follow its long profile, and it rises high above its base. One has to see this mountain to fully appreciate it. And of primary interest to Ents, Katahdin has first-growth forest on its upper slopes. The individual trees may not be that old, but the forest is not re-growth from logging. Katahdin is a national treasure.
Speaking of great views, there is a vista that takes my breath away in the Great Smoky Mountains of eastern Tennessee. One encounters the view at the northern end of the Foothills Parkway. From an overlook, the scene opens toward the massive forms of 6,621-foot Mount Guyot, 6,417-foot Mount Chapman, 6,370-foot Old Black, and 9 other 6,000-footers that comprise the crest of the Smokies. People who stop at the overlook and snap shots seldom realize that they are looking at a 4,000 to 5,000-foot wall of mountains rising before them -- a Western-magnitude landscape.
In pure vertical relief, the western slopes of the Smokies rank #1 among eastern mountains, with Mount Leconte often cited as rising 5,301 feet above its "base" in Gatlinburg, a base that I fear is laterally placed a little too far away. Still, we can squeeze a 5,000-foot base-to-summit rise out of Leconte by choosing the right approach to it.
Back to the big view mentioned above. For the mountain-attuned, what diminishes awareness of the size of this view of the Smokies? The lush vegetation and characteristic blue haze softens the impact (and other prominent eastern summits). The dense covering of trees on the slopes and summits along with the almost perpetual blue haze makes them look softer, friendlier. Clouds often enshroud the summits where annual precipitation regularly exceeds 80 inches and can go over 100 in wet years. Rising morning mists lend an almost tropical look to the Smokies.
But once in their embrace, the wildness, vastness, and sheer size of the Smokies become apparent. Will Blozan once made a trek to measure a tree far off the trail network. By the time he had returned from the tree to his vehicle, he had put on a whopping 7,500 feet of elevation changes. What motivated him to expend so much energy? Real forest giants grow hidden in the deep ravines and coves. There are almost 150,000 acres of original growth forest in the Smokies, and despite the countless hours expended by Will and Jess Riddle, they keep finding more huge trees and new champions of height. Their discoveries and the finds of others have made us aware that the temperate rainforest environment of the slopes and summits of the Smokies supports the greatest deciduous-coniferous forest in the East. We have documented more species of trees in the Smokies that reach significant size and/or height than for any other eastern forest. Many of our tall tree lists reflect the pre-eminence of the Smokies.
When I returned from the Far East and southeastern Asia in 1971, where I had been, courtesy of the USAF, the Smokies were most remindful to me of the tropical mountains I had found so attractive in the Philippines and on Taiwan. I had always loved the Smokies, but as a consequence of my time in Asia, I acquired a new appreciation for them. In fact, my Asian experiences and southern Appalachian reconnections were key motivators in the co-founding of ENTS.
I have always thought the Appalachians to be far richer in viewscapes than they are given credit by western mountain aficionados. I'm with James Robert Smith in his disdain for any who would disparage the Appalachians as mere hills. They are mountains. My experience as a numerical comparer and contraster has reinforced that awareness. It has also allowed me to acquire some measurement benchmarks. For my particular eye, it takes about a half mile of vertical relief, gained fairly quickly, to create a real mountain look. Thereafter, visual impressiveness does expand as vertical relief increases, but a point is reached where my eye-brain combination just can't calibrate what it is being fed. Beyond that point, more is not better, at least not a lot better. Well, uh, let me rethink what I've just said as I contemplate the visual impact of Denali up Don Bertolette's way. Hmmm, maybe there are other exceptions as well. Colorado's San Juans or Wyoming's Grand Tetons anyone?
I'll conclude this across-the-summits ramble with 3 images taken last summer on the third of Monica's and my fabulous western adventures. The first image shows our restful spot on the southern shore of Lake Superior, a spot near the entrance to Porcupine Mountain State Park - Lee's old stomping grounds. Lake Superior is a first-class spiritual experience. In terms of the image, I'm unsure of the whether the chair on the left side adds or detracts. Maybe it is a metaphor or symbol for something. My aching bones?
The last two images are of Wyoming's incomparable Grand Tetons. The first image looks across sage brush flats to the ever-dominant profile of the Grand. That 13,770-foot mass of rock and ice is the second highest summit in Wyoming. At 13,804 feet, only Gannett Peak is loftier, but the Grand is more dramatic. It boldly thrusts its weather resistant rock nearly 7,000 feet above Jackson Hole. Eye-popping. However, in fairness to Gannett, the comparisons are not over (they never are). The slopes of Gannett Peak are home to the largest of the glaciers within that portion of the Rocky Mountain chain located in the lower 48 states. Yes, there are much larger glaciers in the Cascades and on those huge Pacific volcanoes such as Rainier. Comparisons. Comparisons. Comparisons.
The second image looks across Jenny Lake toward the Grand and other high peaks of the Tetons.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Marcboston" <m...@hillsidenurseries.com> To: "ENTSTrees" <entstrees@googlegroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 7:29:27 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
Aside from the "Knife Edge" I have to say that the "Hunt Trail" was my favorite. I really enjoyed the large rolling plateau and alpine vegatation, made for a very nice walk after ascending for the first part of the day. The steep parts of the Hunt trail were gorgeous and though not as exposed as Paloma or the Knife Edge still exciting. When I get a chance I will upload some shots. I toted my large DSLR camera up with me along with a 10-20mm lense. I just need to reduce the images, they are way to large to upload on here. Bob, dont you think the mountain rings of something you might see in the Cascades? Obviously not as arid as California or Colorado. Mike, I think I sat down on the same area where you wife is sitting . My wife freaked out one me when she checked out my pictures!
On Jul 29, 6:22 am, "Mike Leonard" <mlfores...@rcn.com> wrote: > Two more shots of Katahdin:
> Knife Edge overview. > The End. The sign for the Big K looks a bit battered just like we were > at the end of the hike! We met a couple who had just finished the 2,000 > mile AT and they were poppin' the cork!
> Mike
> -----Original Message----- > From: entstrees@googlegroups.com [mailto:entstrees@googlegroups.com] On
> Behalf Of JamesRobertSmith > Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 7:11 PM > To: ENTSTrees > Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
> Katahdin is my all-time favorite eastern peak. And I've hiked a bunch > of them. The only major eastern mountain ranges I've never set foot in > are the Catskills and Adirondacks. And the Daks are very high on my > list to someday hike. If I can just get around to doing it before I > get too old.
> I hiked Katahdin a few years ago. I've hiked pretty much all of the > major southern peaks (with a few exceptions) and several of the big > peaks in New Hampshire (including Mount Washington). But Katahdin is > king, in my estimation. Yes, there are higher peaks, but it holds its > own in pure relief against many other major eastern mountains, plus it > is so isolated. We did a killer hike:
> Entrance to Chimney Pond. Cathedral Trail to Baxter Peak. Knife's Edge > to Helon Taylor. Helon Taylor back to the Chimney Pond Trial and out > to our car.
> My thigh muscles screamed for two days.
> On Jul 28, 4:08 pm, Marcboston <m...@hillsidenurseries.com> wrote: > > Bob, I really enjoy your mountain submissions! I just got back ( 2 > > weeks ago) from Baxter State Park. Katahdin is one truly great east > > coast mountain, not sure if you have been up there but it worth the > > trip. Though smaller than Washington it is a world apart. I found it > > to be a tougher climb and much more "frontier" like. A very steep > > mountain with a superb alpine zone. The knife edge is unlike > > anything I have seen here in New England.
> > On Jul 28, 12:09 pm, dbhg...@comcast.net wrote:
> > > ENTS,
> > > Oops! My statement, " The second and fourth images show eastern > mountain scenes." obviously was meant to be western mountain scenes. > Alas, as dementia sets in, I make more and more of these goofs.
I recognized that the beach photo was from the Porcupine Mountains before I even read your caption. What I can't figure out is how I knew thats where it was. 11,000 year old wood from buried forests sometimes washes up on that beach. I assume that you radio carbon dated each piece of wood before throwing it on the fire to avoid burning priceless fossils.
> You are a kindred spirit. Yes, Maine's Katahdin is remindful of > western summits. It has an impressive cliff face, exhibits compelling > contours that compel the eye to follow its long profile, and it rises > high above its base. One has to see this mountain to fully appreciate > it. And of primary interest to Ents, Katahdin has first-growth forest > on its upper slopes. The individual trees may not be that old, but the > forest is not re-growth from logging. Katahdin is a national treasure.
> Speaking of great views, there is a vista that takes my breath away in > the Great Smoky Mountains of eastern Tennessee. One encounters the > view at the northern end of the Foothills Parkway. From an overlook, > the scene opens toward the massive forms of 6,621-foot Mount Guyot, > 6,417-foot Mount Chapman, 6,370-foot Old Black, and 9 other > 6,000-footers that comprise the crest of the Smokies. People who stop > at the overlook and snap shots seldom realize that they are looking at > a 4,000 to 5,000-foot wall of mountains rising before them -- a > Western-magnitude landscape.
> In pure vertical relief, the western slopes of the Smokies rank #1 > among eastern mountains, with Mount Leconte often cited as rising > 5,301 feet above its "base" in Gatlinburg, a base that I fear is > laterally placed a little too far away. Still, we can squeeze a > 5,000-foot base-to-summit rise out of Leconte by choosing the right > approach to it.
> Back to the big view mentioned above. For the mountain-attuned, what > diminishes awareness of the size of this view of the Smokies? The lush > vegetation and characteristic blue haze softens the impact (and other > prominent eastern summits). The dense covering of trees on the slopes > and summits along with the almost perpetual blue haze makes them look > softer, friendlier. Clouds often enshroud the summits where annual > precipitation regularly exceeds 80 inches and can go over 100 in wet > years. Rising morning mists lend an almost tropical look to the Smokies.
> But once in their embrace, the wildness, vastness, and sheer size of > the Smokies become apparent. Will Blozan once made a trek to measure a > tree far off the trail network. By the time he had returned from the > tree to his vehicle, he had put on a whopping 7,500 feet of elevation > changes. What motivated him to expend so much energy? Real forest > giants grow hidden in the deep ravines and coves. There are almost > 150,000 acres of original growth forest in the Smokies, and despite > the countless hours expended by Will and Jess Riddle, they keep > finding more huge trees and new champions of height. Their discoveries > and the finds of others have made us aware that the temperate > rainforest environment of the slopes and summits of the Smokies > supports the greatest deciduous-coniferous forest in the East. We have > documented more species of trees in the Smokies that reach significant > size and/or height than for any other eastern forest. Many of our tall > tree lists reflect the pre-eminence of the Smokies.
> When I returned from the Far East and southeastern Asia in 1971, where > I had been, courtesy of the USAF, the Smokies were most remindful to > me of the tropical mountains I had found so attractive in the > Philippines and on Taiwan. I had always loved the Smokies, but as a > consequence of my time in Asia, I acquired a new appreciation for > them. In fact, my Asian experiences and southern Appalachian > reconnections were key motivators in the co-founding of ENTS.
> I have always thought the Appalachians to be far richer in viewscapes > than they are given credit by western mountain aficionados. I'm with > James Robert Smith in his disdain for any who would disparage the > Appalachians as mere hills. They are mountains. My experience as a > numerical comparer and contraster has reinforced that awareness. It > has also allowed me to acquire some measurement benchmarks. For my > particular eye, it takes about a half mile of vertical relief, gained > fairly quickly, to create a real mountain look. Thereafter, visual > impressiveness does expand as vertical relief increases, but a point > is reached where my eye-brain combination just can't calibrate what it > is being fed. Beyond that point, more is not better, at least not a > lot better. Well, uh, let me rethink what I've just said as I > contemplate the visual impact of Denali up Don Bertolette's way. Hmmm, > maybe there are other exceptions as well. Colorado's San Juans or > Wyoming's Grand Tetons anyone?
> I'll conclude this across-the-summits ramble with 3 images taken last > summer on the third of Monica's and my fabulous western adventures. > The first image shows our restful spot on the southern shore of Lake > Superior, a spot near the entrance to Porcupine Mountain State Park - > Lee's old stomping grounds. Lake Superior is a first-class spiritual > experience. In terms of the image, I'm unsure of the whether the chair > on the left side adds or detracts. Maybe it is a metaphor or symbol > for something. My aching bones?
> The last two images are of Wyoming's incomparable Grand Tetons. The > first image looks across sage brush flats to the ever-dominant profile > of the Grand. That 13,770-foot mass of rock and ice is the second > highest summit in Wyoming. At 13,804 feet, only Gannett Peak is > loftier, but the Grand is more dramatic. It boldly thrusts its weather > resistant rock nearly 7,000 feet above Jackson Hole. Eye-popping. > However, in fairness to Gannett, the comparisons are not over (they > never are). The slopes of Gannett Peak are home to the largest of the > glaciers within that portion of the Rocky Mountain chain located in > the lower 48 states. Yes, there are much larger glaciers in the > Cascades and on those huge Pacific volcanoes such as Rainier. > Comparisons. Comparisons. Comparisons.
> The second image looks across Jenny Lake toward the Grand and other > high peaks of the Tetons.
> Bob
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Marcboston" <m...@hillsidenurseries.com>
> To: "ENTSTrees" <entstrees@googlegroups.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 7:29:27 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
> Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
> Aside from the "Knife Edge" I have to say that the "Hunt Trail" was my
> favorite. I really enjoyed the large rolling plateau and alpine
> vegatation, made for a very nice walk after ascending for the first
> part of the day. The steep parts of the Hunt trail were gorgeous and
> though not as exposed as Paloma or the Knife Edge still exciting.
> When I get a chance I will upload some shots. I toted my large DSLR
> camera up with me along with a 10-20mm lense. I just need to reduce
> the images, they are way to large to upload on here. Bob, dont you
> think the mountain rings of something you might see in the Cascades?
> Obviously not as arid as California or Colorado. Mike, I think I sat
> down on the same area where you wife is sitting . My wife freaked out
> one me when she checked out my pictures!
> On Jul 29, 6:22 am, "Mike Leonard" <mlfores...@rcn.com> wrote:
> > Two more shots of Katahdin:
> > Knife Edge overview.
> > The End. The sign for the Big K looks a bit battered just like we were
> > at the end of the hike! We met a couple who had just finished the 2,000
> > mile AT and they were poppin' the cork!
> > Mike
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: entstrees@googlegroups.com [mailto:entstrees@googlegroups.com] On
> > Behalf Of JamesRobertSmith
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 7:11 PM
> > To: ENTSTrees
> > Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
> > Katahdin is my all-time favorite eastern peak. And I've hiked a bunch
> > of them. The only major eastern mountain ranges I've never set foot in
> > are the Catskills and Adirondacks. And the Daks are very high on my
> > list to someday hike. If I can just get around to doing it before I
> > get too old.
> > I hiked Katahdin a few years ago. I've hiked pretty much all of the
> > major southern peaks (with a few exceptions) and several of the big
> > peaks in New Hampshire (including Mount Washington). But Katahdin is
> > king, in my estimation. Yes, there are higher peaks, but it holds its
> > own in pure relief against many other major eastern mountains, plus it
> > is so isolated. We did a killer hike:
> > Entrance to Chimney Pond. Cathedral Trail to Baxter Peak. Knife's Edge
> > to Helon Taylor. Helon Taylor back to the Chimney Pond Trial and out
> > to our car.
> > My thigh muscles screamed for two days.
> > On Jul 28, 4:08 pm, Marcboston <m...@hillsidenurseries.com> wrote:
> > > Bob, I really enjoy your mountain submissions! I just got back ( 2
> > > weeks ago) from Baxter State Park. Katahdin is one truly great east
> > > coast mountain, not sure if you have been up there but it worth the
> > > trip. Though smaller than Washington it is a world apart. I found it
> > > to be a tougher climb and much more "frontier" like. A very steep
> > > mountain with a superb alpine zone. The knife edge is unlike
> > > anything I have seen here in New England.
> > > On Jul 28, 12:09 pm, dbhg...@comcast.net wrote:
Absolutely. I was squinting at those tiny, tiny rings. But seriously, had I known that wood of that age could have been in what I collected, it would have been a fireless evening.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Lee Frelich" <freli...@umn.edu> To: entstrees@googlegroups.com Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 12:32:30 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
Bob:
I recognized that the beach photo was from the Porcupine Mountains before I even read your caption. What I can't figure out is how I knew thats where it was. 11,000 year old wood from buried forests sometimes washes up on that beach. I assume that you radio carbon dated each piece of wood before throwing it on the fire to avoid burning priceless fossils.
> You are a kindred spirit. Yes, Maine's Katahdin is remindful of > western summits. It has an impressive cliff face, exhibits compelling > contours that compel the eye to follow its long profile, and it rises > high above its base. One has to see this mountain to fully appreciate > it. And of primary interest to Ents, Katahdin has first-growth forest > on its upper slopes. The individual trees may not be that old, but the > forest is not re-growth from logging. Katahdin is a national treasure.
> Speaking of great views, there is a vista that takes my breath away in > the Great Smoky Mountains of eastern Tennessee. One encounters the > view at the northern end of the Foothills Parkway. From an overlook, > the scene opens toward the massive forms of 6,621-foot Mount Guyot, > 6,417-foot Mount Chapman, 6,370-foot Old Black, and 9 other > 6,000-footers that comprise the crest of the Smokies. People who stop > at the overlook and snap shots seldom realize that they are looking at > a 4,000 to 5,000-foot wall of mountains rising before them -- a > Western-magnitude landscape.
> In pure vertical relief, the western slopes of the Smokies rank #1 > among eastern mountains, with Mount Leconte often cited as rising > 5,301 feet above its "base" in Gatlinburg, a base that I fear is > laterally placed a little too far away. Still, we can squeeze a > 5,000-foot base-to-summit rise out of Leconte by choosing the right > approach to it.
> Back to the big view mentioned above. For the mountain-attuned, what > diminishes awareness of the size of this view of the Smokies? The lush > vegetation and characteristic blue haze softens the impact (and other > prominent eastern summits). The dense covering of trees on the slopes > and summits along with the almost perpetual blue haze makes them look > softer, friendlier. Clouds often enshroud the summits where annual > precipitation regularly exceeds 80 inches and can go over 100 in wet > years. Rising morning mists lend an almost tropical look to the Smokies.
> But once in their embrace, the wildness, vastness, and sheer size of > the Smokies become apparent. Will Blozan once made a trek to measure a > tree far off the trail network. By the time he had returned from the > tree to his vehicle, he had put on a whopping 7,500 feet of elevation > changes. What motivated him to expend so much energy? Real forest > giants grow hidden in the deep ravines and coves. There are almost > 150,000 acres of original growth forest in the Smokies, and despite > the countless hours expended by Will and Jess Riddle, they keep > finding more huge trees and new champions of height. Their discoveries > and the finds of others have made us aware that the temperate > rainforest environment of the slopes and summits of the Smokies > supports the greatest deciduous-coniferous forest in the East. We have > documented more species of trees in the Smokies that reach significant > size and/or height than for any other eastern forest. Many of our tall > tree lists reflect the pre-eminence of the Smokies.
> When I returned from the Far East and southeastern Asia in 1971, where > I had been, courtesy of the USAF, the Smokies were most remindful to > me of the tropical mountains I had found so attractive in the > Philippines and on Taiwan. I had always loved the Smokies, but as a > consequence of my time in Asia, I acquired a new appreciation for > them. In fact, my Asian experiences and southern Appalachian > reconnections were key motivators in the co-founding of ENTS.
> I have always thought the Appalachians to be far richer in viewscapes > than they are given credit by western mountain aficionados. I'm with > James Robert Smith in his disdain for any who would disparage the > Appalachians as mere hills. They are mountains. My experience as a > numerical comparer and contraster has reinforced that awareness. It > has also allowed me to acquire some measurement benchmarks. For my > particular eye, it takes about a half mile of vertical relief, gained > fairly quickly, to create a real mountain look. Thereafter, visual > impressiveness does expand as vertical relief increases, but a point > is reached where my eye-brain combination just can't calibrate what it > is being fed. Beyond that point, more is not better, at least not a > lot better. Well, uh, let me rethink what I've just said as I > contemplate the visual impact of Denali up Don Bertolette's way. Hmmm, > maybe there are other exceptions as well. Colorado's San Juans or > Wyoming's Grand Tetons anyone?
> I'll conclude this across-the-summits ramble with 3 images taken last > summer on the third of Monica's and my fabulous western adventures. > The first image shows our restful spot on the southern shore of Lake > Superior, a spot near the entrance to Porcupine Mountain State Park - > Lee's old stomping grounds. Lake Superior is a first-class spiritual > experience. In terms of the image, I'm unsure of the whether the chair > on the left side adds or detracts. Maybe it is a metaphor or symbol > for something. My aching bones?
> The last two images are of Wyoming's incomparable Grand Tetons. The > first image looks across sage brush flats to the ever-dominant profile > of the Grand. That 13,770-foot mass of rock and ice is the second > highest summit in Wyoming. At 13,804 feet, only Gannett Peak is > loftier, but the Grand is more dramatic. It boldly thrusts its weather > resistant rock nearly 7,000 feet above Jackson Hole. Eye-popping. > However, in fairness to Gannett, the comparisons are not over (they > never are). The slopes of Gannett Peak are home to the largest of the > glaciers within that portion of the Rocky Mountain chain located in > the lower 48 states. Yes, there are much larger glaciers in the > Cascades and on those huge Pacific volcanoes such as Rainier. > Comparisons. Comparisons. Comparisons.
> The second image looks across Jenny Lake toward the Grand and other > high peaks of the Tetons.
> Bob
> ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Marcboston" <m...@hillsidenurseries.com> > To: "ENTSTrees" <entstrees@googlegroups.com> > Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 7:29:27 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern > Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
> Aside from the "Knife Edge" I have to say that the "Hunt Trail" was my > favorite. I really enjoyed the large rolling plateau and alpine > vegatation, made for a very nice walk after ascending for the first > part of the day. The steep parts of the Hunt trail were gorgeous and > though not as exposed as Paloma or the Knife Edge still exciting. > When I get a chance I will upload some shots. I toted my large DSLR > camera up with me along with a 10-20mm lense. I just need to reduce > the images, they are way to large to upload on here. Bob, dont you > think the mountain rings of something you might see in the Cascades? > Obviously not as arid as California or Colorado. Mike, I think I sat > down on the same area where you wife is sitting . My wife freaked out > one me when she checked out my pictures!
> On Jul 29, 6:22 am, "Mike Leonard" <mlfores...@rcn.com> wrote: > > Two more shots of Katahdin:
> > Knife Edge overview. > > The End. The sign for the Big K looks a bit battered just like we were > > at the end of the hike! We met a couple who had just finished the 2,000 > > mile AT and they were poppin' the cork!
> > Mike
> > -----Original Message----- > > From: entstrees@googlegroups.com [mailto:entstrees@googlegroups.com] On
> > Behalf Of JamesRobertSmith > > Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 7:11 PM > > To: ENTSTrees > > Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
> > Katahdin is my all-time favorite eastern peak. And I've hiked a bunch > > of them. The only major eastern mountain ranges I've never set foot in > > are the Catskills and Adirondacks. And the Daks are very high on my > > list to someday hike. If I can just get around to doing it before I > > get too old.
> > I hiked Katahdin a few years ago. I've hiked pretty much all of the > > major southern peaks (with a few exceptions) and several of the big > > peaks in New Hampshire (including Mount Washington). But Katahdin is > > king, in my estimation. Yes, there are higher peaks, but it holds its > > own in pure relief against many other major eastern mountains, plus it > > is so isolated. We did a killer hike:
> > Entrance to Chimney Pond. Cathedral Trail to Baxter Peak. Knife's Edge > > to Helon Taylor. Helon Taylor back to the Chimney Pond Trial and out > > to our car.
> > My thigh muscles screamed for two days.
> > On Jul 28, 4:08 pm, Marcboston <m...@hillsidenurseries.com> wrote: > > > Bob, I really enjoy your mountain submissions! I just got back ( 2 > > > weeks ago) from Baxter State
As a veteran of the New England Hundred Highest List, these are my
favorite hikes in New England:
1. Katahdin via the Knife Edge
2. Presidential Range - the 22 mile "death march" includes all 8 peaks
but only the hardy can survive that. I split it up into two hikes: Up to
Madison, then Adams, Jefferson, and Washington and down the famous
Tuckerman Ravine. Then the Southern Presidentials can be done from
Ammonoosuc Ravine to Monroe, Franklin, Eisenhower, and Jackson. Sun and
I climbed the steep Great Gulf headwall to Washington.
3. Franconia Ridge, WMNF - the best day hike is up the Falling Water
Trail to Lincoln and Lafayette.
4. Traverse of the Bonds in the Pemigewasset Wilderness - Bondcliff is
not for those with vertigo!
5. The wild Mahoosuc Range including Mahoosuc Notch and Carlo-Goose Eye.
6. Up the Precipice Ladder Trail and down the Beehive Ladder Trail in
Acadia National Park. Beech Cliff ladder trail is also awesome. The
trails from Dorr Mt. to Cadillac Mt. also deserve mention. Acadia is a
hiker's paradise.
7. North Brother, South Brother, Mt. Coe, and the bushwhack to Fort Mt.
in Baxter State Park.
8. Traverse of the Bigelow Range in Maine.
9. Mt. Mansfield in Vermont is a very interesting mountain to explore
with all the different rock formations. Honorable mention to Camel's
Hump.
10. Mt. Carrigain - this remote mountain in WMNF is spectacular.
Other great hikes are: Welch & Dickey; Chocura; Middle Sugarloaf, Mt.
Willard; Baldface Traverse; and Caribou in WMNF. OK in MA you have the
Mt. Tom Range, Holyoke Range, Mt. Sugarloaf and my favorite from Sages
Ravine to Mt. Race - Mt. Everett.
I've only been to the High Peaks in the Adirondacks once. I climbed
Giant Mt. and did the famous Algonquin loop and bagged Iriquois, Wright,
and Algonquin. Backpacker mag said those were the two best in the High
Peaks area so I did them. I don't think I'll ever have the time to bag
all the Dak's 46ers but next month Sun and I are going to the St. Regis
Canoe Area to do the famous "Route of the 7 carries" and I think I'll
try and bag Mt. Marcy. I'd like to the Gothics some day too.
Last year we spent a week down the southern Apps. In the Smokies we did
the Charlie Bunion Trail which was pretty good and then I hiked the cool
Alum Trail to Mt. Le Conte and also hiked the Chimneys which is also not
good for those with vertigo! I heard Gregory was cool when the azaleas
are blooming too but it was too early. In Shenandoah we bagged the
fabulous White Oak Canyon with its cool waterfalls and then I hiked the
real interesting Old Rag. We hiked up as far as we could on Seneca but I
didn't have time to do the North Fork or Mt. Rogers which I read were
two other premier mountains. I couldn't believe the size of some of the trees I saw in the Smokies -
huge red spruce, tuliptrees, oak, and unfortunately big hemlock
skeletons. But with all due respect to the southern Apps, I'll take the mountains
of northern New England any day of the week! I like being above timber
line!
I could also compile a list of the lousiest hikes - like some of the
bushwhacks on the hundred highest list - Vose Spur and Scar Ridge were
especially brutal as was the final one on the Quebec border - the
"Unknown Peak". All I used was a shitty map and compass - on the way
back I cut across a bit of Canada! I laugh when I hear of yuppie hikers
getting lost. I call them "IOWA's - Idiots Out Walking Around!
[mailto:entstrees@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of dbhg...@comcast.net
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 8:41 AM
To: entstrees@googlegroups.com
Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
Mike,
Soooper shots of Katahdin. What other mountain
hikes do you especially like?
Later this month Monica and I will return to the
Catskills to climb Slide, Hunter, Blackhead, and Panther Mtns. The
camera will be working overtime. Beyond the superb scenery, I want to
begin real photographic documentation of the Catskill old growth.
According to Dr. Michael Kudish, the foremost expert on OG in the
Catskills, there is around 64,000 acres of first forest. Most of it is
higher elevation spruce, fir, maple, birch, and cherry. Most hikers
don't realize their walking in a first forest environment.
In the 1800s. the Catskills were hammered
unmercifully by the lumber barons. Virtually all of the big, virgin
hemlocks were cut for the tanneries. Unfortunately, these great
mountains must continue enduring the insults by being named for the
rapacious barons. Hunter, NY is an example. Fortunately, some of the
best peaks have more benign names like Slide, Cornell, Kaaterskill High
Peak, Indian Head, Plateau, Black Dome, Blackhead, Thomas Cole, etc.
that speak to a more refined imagination and appreciation of the
features of the surrounding terrain.
Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Leonard" <mlfores...@rcn.com>
To: entstrees@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 6:10:07 AM GMT -05:00
US/Canada Eastern
Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
I agree James. Katahdin and the Knife Edge is the best
hike East of the Mississippi! I did it again last year with my wife Sun. First Pic is the view of the peak kayaking from Togue
Pond.
Second is the Knife Edge. Sun is the little figure in
the lower right.
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: entstrees@googlegroups.com
[mailto:entstrees@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of JamesRobertSmith
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 7:11 PM
To: ENTSTrees
Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
Katahdin is my all-time favorite eastern peak. And I've
hiked a bunch
of them. The only major eastern mountain ranges I've
never set foot in
are the Catskills and Adirondacks. And the Daks are very
high on my
list to someday hike. If I can just get around to doing
it before I
get too old.
I hiked Katahdin a few years ago. I've hiked pretty much
all of the
major southern peaks (with a few exceptions) and several
of the big
peaks in New Hampshire (including Mount Washington). But
Katahdin is
king, in my estimation. Yes, there are higher peaks, but
it holds its
own in pure relief against many other major eastern
mountains, plus it
is so isolated. We did a killer hike:
Entrance to Chimney Pond. Cathedral Trail to Baxter
Peak. Knife's Edge
to Helon Taylor. Helon Taylor back to the Chimney Pond
Trial and out
to our car.
My thigh muscles screamed for two days.
On Jul 28, 4:08 pm, Marcboston
<m...@hillsidenurseries.com> wrote:
> Bob, I really enjoy your mountain submissions! I
just got back ( 2
> weeks ago) from Baxter State Park. Katahdin is one
truly great east
> coast mountain, not sure if you have been up there
but it worth the
> trip. Though smaller than Washington it is a world
apart. I found it
> to be a tougher climb and much more "frontier" like.
A very steep
> mountain with a superb alpine zone. The knife edge
is unlike
> anything I have seen here in New England.
> > Oops! My statement, " The second and fourth images
show eastern mountain scenes." obviously was meant to be western
mountain scenes. Alas, as dementia sets in, I make more and more of
these goofs.
> > Bob
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: dbhg...@comcast.net
> > To: entstrees@googlegroups.com,
wnts@googlegroups.com, "Sarah Belchetz-Swenson"
<sa...@belchetz-swenson.com>
> > I'm convinced that I was born under a curse. I'm
sentenced to compulsively make numerical contrasts and comparisons. And
with no false modesty, I am damned good at it. Where others stumble, I
see the quantitative nuances. For me, rounding off numbers, unless
absolutely necessary, is a vulgar practice.
> > I am not alone in my talent. Lee Frelich and Will
Blozan are equally gifted. Lee would never, say, round the number 1,047
by substituting the vague descriptor "thousands" as newspaper reports
frequently do. I guess reporters think that in introducing imprecision
they are capturing the essence of an idea. Hogwash!
> > Well, I'm expanding my comparative talents with the
camera. I don't yet know what I'm doing, but it feels right. When I
attempt to describe the boldness of the western landscape in words, it
can sound as if I'm diminishing its eastern equivalent. Not so. At
least, not necessarily. However, east and west are qualitatively and
quantitatively different, and where in the past I've concentrated
strictly on numerical measures, I have now added the camera's all seeing
eye.
> > The first and third of the three attached images
show eastern mountain panoramas. The second and fourth images show
eastern mountain scenes. The vertical relief in these images is
approximately the same. Does it look the
Best view of the spine of the northernmost 6K peaks in the Smokies is
Mount Sterling. I have some great shots I took from a backpacking trip
when I had the peak to myself during a February ice storm. (Shots from
the abandoned fire tower there.)
I'd post some of those shots, but I've given up trying to figure out
how that works here. (I can post photos on any other website, but not
here.)
Yes, views from Mount Sterling are fabulous. I'd love to see the images. Doesn't your system allow you to include an attachment to an email? For images that can be wide, that's the best option, I think.
----- Original Message ----- From: "JamesRobertSmith" <b...@jamesrobertsmith.net> To: "ENTSTrees" <entstrees@googlegroups.com> Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 10:01:28 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
Best view of the spine of the northernmost 6K peaks in the Smokies is Mount Sterling. I have some great shots I took from a backpacking trip when I had the peak to myself during a February ice storm. (Shots from the abandoned fire tower there.)
I'd post some of those shots, but I've given up trying to figure out how that works here. (I can post photos on any other website, but not here.)
Thanks. Excellent descriptions. I had to nod both forward and back in approval and then shake it to disapproval on the comparison of northern vs southern Appalachians. I too like the open, above timberline vistas of the higher peaks of the northland. I also am drawn to the big forest look that we enjoy in the southern Appalachians. When I'm in one environment, I sometimes think of the other. As a native Tennessee ridge runner, the southern Appalachians will always occupy a special place in my heart. But as a New England transplant, I never tire of Thoreau's compelling descriptions. I'm thankful that we have both mountain environments as I suspect are you and others.
I once read a book about Mount Washington by a professor who touted the "superiority" of that worthy mountain over the slightly higher "tops" of the Smokies. I saw red, mumbled a few oaths, and then thought better of it. The good professor must not have had an eye for champion trees or luxuriant forest vegetation. He was interested in the glacial cirques, the alpine tundra, and other features of Washington, which it has in spades. We don't see those kinds of features in the southern Apps. What we get in spades in the southern Apps are its unexcelled, temperate deciduous forests and unbelievable eastern hemlocks and red spruces. In terms of mass, the largest of the southern Appalachian hemlocks are double the biggest of what we have. There are also small regions with outstanding white pines in the southern Apps, although the volume difference between the biggest down there and up here is small. Frasier fir, the southern counterpart of the balsam fir, is not a big tree.
In terms of peak bagging, the South has a club devoted to climbing the 6,000-footers. There are 40 of them in the southern Apps that are named and qualify as distinct peaks on peak bagger criteria. I've climbed most at one time or another.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Leonard" <mlfores...@rcn.com> To: entstrees@googlegroups.com Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 7:31:47 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
Bob,
As a veteran of the New England Hundred Highest List, these are my favorite hikes in New England :
1. Katahdin via the Knife Edge
2. Presidential Range – the 22 mile “ death march ” includes all 8 peaks but only the hardy can survive that. I split it up into two hikes: Up to Madison, then Adams, Jefferson, and Washington and down the famous Tuckerman Ravine. Then the Southern Presidentials can be done from Amm onoosuc Ravine to Monroe , Franklin, Eisenhower, and Jackson. Sun and I climbed the steep Great Gulf headwall to Washington.
3. Franconia Ridge, WMNF – the best day hike is up the Falling Water Trail to Lincoln and Lafayette.
4. Traverse of the Bonds in the Pemi gewasset Wilderness – Bondcliff is not for those with vertigo!
5. The wild Mahoosuc Range including Mahoosuc Notch and Carlo-Goose Eye.
6. Up the Precipice Ladder Trail and down the Beehive Ladder Trail in Acadia National Park. Beech Cliff ladder trail is also awesome. The t rails from Dorr Mt. to Cadillac Mt. also deserve mention. Acadia is a hiker ’ s paradise.
7. North Brother, South Brother, Mt. Coe, and the bushwhack to Fort Mt. in Baxter State Park.
8. Traverse of the Bigelow Range in Maine.
9. Mt. Mansfield in Vermont is a very interesting mountain to explore with all the different rock formations. Honorable mention to Camel ’ s Hump.
10. Mt. Carrigain – this remote mountain in WMNF is spectacular.
Other great hikes are: Welch & Dickey; Chocura; Middle Sugarloa f , Mt. Willard; Baldface Traverse; and Cari bou in WMNF. OK in MA you have the Mt. Tom Range, Holyoke Range, Mt. Sugarloaf and my favorite from Sages Ravine to Mt. Race – Mt. Everett.
I ’ ve only been to the High Peaks in the Adirondacks once. I climbed Giant Mt. and did the famous Al gonquin loop and bagged Iriquois, Wright, and Algonquin. Backpacker mag said those were the two best in the High Peaks area so I did them. I don ’ t think I ’ ll ever have the time to bag all the Dak ’ s 46ers but next month Sun and I are going to the St. Regis Canoe Area to do the famous “ Route of the 7 carries ” and I think I ’ ll try and bag Mt. Marcy. I ’ d like to the Gothics some day too.
Last year we spent a week down the southern Apps. In the Smokies we did the Charlie Bunion Trail which was pretty good and then I hiked the cool Alum Trail to Mt. Le Conte and also hiked the Chimneys which is also not good for those with vertigo! I heard Gregory was cool when the azaleas are blooming too but it was too early. In Shenandoah we bagged the fabulous White Oak Canyon with its cool waterfalls and then I hiked the real interesting Old Rag. We hiked up as far as we could on Seneca but I didn ’ t have time to do the North Fork or Mt. Rogers which I read were two other premier mountains.
I couldn ’ t believe the size of some of the trees I saw in the Smokies – huge red spruce, tuliptrees, oak, and unfortunately big hemlock skeletons.
But with all due respect to the southern Apps , I ’ ll take the mountains of northern New England any day of the week! I like being above timber line!
I could also compile a list of the lousiest hikes – like some of the bushwhacks on the hundred highest list – Vose Spur and Scar Ridge were especially brutal as was the final one on the Quebec border – the “ Unknown Peak ” . All I used was a shitty map and compass – on the way back I cut across a bit of Canada! I laugh when I hear of yuppie hikers getting lost. I call them “ IOWA ’ s – Idiots Out Walking Around!
Mike
-----Original Message----- From: entstrees@googlegroups.com [ mailto:entstrees@googlegroups.com ] On Behalf Of dbhg...@comcast.net Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 8:41 AM To: entstrees@googlegroups.com Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
Mike,
Soooper shots of Katahdin. What other mountain hikes do you especially like?
Later this month Monica and I will return to the Catskills to climb Slide, Hunter, Blackhead, and Panther Mtns. The camera will be working overtime. Beyond the superb scenery, I want to begin real photographic documentation of the Catskill old growth. Ac c ording to Dr. Michael Kudish, the foremost expert on OG in the Catskills, there is around 64,000 acres of first forest. Most of it is higher elevation spruce, fir, maple, birch, and cherry. Most hikers don't realize their walking in a first forest environ m ent.
In the 1800s. the Catskills were hammered unmercifully by the lumber barons. Virtually all of the big, virgin hemlocks were cut for the tanneries. Unfortunately, these great mountains must continue enduring the insults by being named for the rapacious barons. Hunter, N Y is an example. Fortunately, some of the best peaks have more benign names like Slide, Cornell, Kaaterskill High Peak, Indian Head, Plateau, Black Dome, Blackhead, Thomas Cole, etc. that speak to a more refined imagination and appreciation of the features of the surrounding terrain.
Bob
----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Leonard" <mlfores...@rcn.com> To: entstrees@googlegroups.com Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 6:10:07 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western sum mits
I agree James. Katahdin and the Knife Edge is the best hike East of the Mississippi!
I did it again last year with my wife Sun.
First Pic is the view of the peak kayaking from Togue Pond.
Second is the Knife Edge. Sun is the little figure in the l ower right.
Mike
-----Original Message----- From: entstrees@googlegroups.com [ mailto:entstrees@googlegroups.com ] On Behalf Of JamesRobertSmith Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 7:11 PM To: ENTSTrees Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
Ka tahdin is my all-time favorite eastern peak. And I've hiked a bunch
of them. The only major eastern mountain ranges I've never set foot in
are the Catskills and Adirondacks. And the Daks are very high on my
list to someday hike. If I can just get around to doing it before I
get too old.
I hiked Katahdin a few years ago. I've hiked pretty much all of the
major southern peaks (with a few exceptions) and several of the big
peaks in New Hampshire (including Mount Washington). But Katahdin is
king, in my estimation. Yes, there are higher peaks, but it holds its
own in pure relief against many other major eastern mountains, plus it
is so isolated. We did a killer hike:
Entrance to Chimney Pond. Cathedral Trail to Baxter Peak. Knife's Edge
to H elon Taylor. Helon Taylor back to the Chimney Pond Trial and out
to our car.
My thigh muscles screamed for two days.
On Jul 28, 4:08 pm, Marcboston <m...@hillsidenurseries.com> wrote:
> Bob, I really enjoy your mountain submissions! I just got ba ck ( 2
> weeks ago) from Baxter State Park. Katahdin is one truly great east
> coast mountain, not sure if you have been up there but it worth the
> trip. Though smaller than Washington it is a world apart. I found it
> to be a tougher climb and much more "frontier" like. A very steep
> mountain with a superb alpine zone. The knife edge is unlike
> > Oops! My s tatement, " The second and fourth images show eastern mountain scenes." obviously was meant to be western mountain scenes. Alas, as dementia sets in, I make more and more of these goofs.
Love this discussion and I have to thank you Mike! You just refined
my hiking list! I heard that Mt. Carrigain is a great hike, I cannot
find much information about it.
> Thanks. Excellent descriptions. I had to nod both forward and back in approval and then shake it to disapproval on the comparison of northern vs southern Appalachians. I too like the open, above timberline vistas of the higher peaks of the northland. I also am drawn to the big forest look that we enjoy in the southern Appalachians. When I'm in one environment, I sometimes think of the other. As a native Tennessee ridge runner, the southern Appalachians will always occupy a special place in my heart. But as a New England transplant, I never tire of Thoreau's compelling descriptions. I'm thankful that we have both mountain environments as I suspect are you and others.
> I once read a book about Mount Washington by a professor who touted the "superiority" of that worthy mountain over the slightly higher "tops" of the Smokies. I saw red, mumbled a few oaths, and then thought better of it. The good professor must not have had an eye for champion trees or luxuriant forest vegetation. He was interested in the glacial cirques, the alpine tundra, and other features of Washington, which it has in spades. We don't see those kinds of features in the southern Apps. What we get in spades in the southern Apps are its unexcelled, temperate deciduous forests and unbelievable eastern hemlocks and red spruces. In terms of mass, the largest of the southern Appalachian hemlocks are double the biggest of what we have. There are also small regions with outstanding white pines in the southern Apps, although the volume difference between the biggest down there and up here is small. Frasier fir, the southern counterpart of the balsam fir, is not a big tree.
> In terms of peak bagging, the South has a club devoted to climbing the 6,000-footers. There are 40 of them in the southern Apps that are named and qualify as distinct peaks on peak bagger criteria. I've climbed most at one time or another.
> Bob
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mike Leonard" <mlfores...@rcn.com>
> To: entstrees@googlegroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 7:31:47 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
> Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
> Bob,
> As a veteran of the New England Hundred Highest List, these are my favorite hikes in New England :
> 1. Katahdin via the Knife Edge
> 2. Presidential Range – the 22 mile “ death march ” includes all 8 peaks but only the hardy can survive that. I split it up into two hikes: Up to Madison, then Adams, Jefferson, and Washington and down the famous Tuckerman Ravine. Then the Southern Presidentials can be done from Amm onoosuc Ravine to Monroe , Franklin, Eisenhower, and Jackson. Sun and I climbed the steep Great Gulf headwall to Washington.
> 3. Franconia Ridge, WMNF – the best day hike is up the Falling Water Trail to Lincoln and Lafayette.
> 4. Traverse of the Bonds in the Pemi gewasset Wilderness – Bondcliff is not for those with vertigo!
> 5. The wild Mahoosuc Range including Mahoosuc Notch and Carlo-Goose Eye.
> 6. Up the Precipice Ladder Trail and down the Beehive Ladder Trail in Acadia National Park. Beech Cliff ladder trail is also awesome. The t rails from Dorr Mt. to Cadillac Mt. also deserve mention. Acadia is a hiker ’ s paradise.
> 7. North Brother, South Brother, Mt. Coe, and the bushwhack to Fort Mt. in Baxter State Park.
> 8. Traverse of the Bigelow Range in Maine.
> 9. Mt. Mansfield in Vermont is a very interesting mountain to explore with all the different rock formations. Honorable mention to Camel ’ s Hump.
> 10. Mt. Carrigain – this remote mountain in WMNF is spectacular.
> Other great hikes are: Welch & Dickey; Chocura; Middle Sugarloa f , Mt. Willard; Baldface Traverse; and Cari bou in WMNF. OK in MA you have the Mt. Tom Range, Holyoke Range, Mt. Sugarloaf and my favorite from Sages Ravine to Mt. Race – Mt. Everett.
> I ’ ve only been to the High Peaks in the Adirondacks once. I climbed Giant Mt. and did the famous Al gonquin loop and bagged Iriquois, Wright, and Algonquin. Backpacker mag said those were the two best in the High Peaks area so I did them. I don ’ t think I ’ ll ever have the time to bag all the Dak ’ s 46ers but next month Sun and I are going to the St. Regis Canoe Area to do the famous “ Route of the 7 carries ” and I think I ’ ll try and bag Mt. Marcy. I ’ d like to the Gothics some day too.
> Last year we spent a week down the southern Apps. In the Smokies we did the Charlie Bunion Trail which was pretty good and then I hiked the cool Alum Trail to Mt. Le Conte and also hiked the Chimneys which is also not good for those with vertigo! I heard Gregory was cool when the azaleas are blooming too but it was too early. In Shenandoah we bagged the fabulous White Oak Canyon with its cool waterfalls and then I hiked the real interesting Old Rag. We hiked up as far as we could on Seneca but I didn ’ t have time to do the North Fork or Mt. Rogers which I read were two other premier mountains.
> I couldn ’ t believe the size of some of the trees I saw in the Smokies – huge red spruce, tuliptrees, oak, and unfortunately big hemlock skeletons.
> But with all due respect to the southern Apps , I ’ ll take the mountains of northern New England any day of the week! I like being above timber line!
> I could also compile a list of the lousiest hikes – like some of the bushwhacks on the hundred highest list – Vose Spur and Scar Ridge were especially brutal as was the final one on the Quebec border – the “ Unknown Peak ” . All I used was a shitty map and compass – on the way back I cut across a bit of Canada! I laugh when I hear of yuppie hikers getting lost. I call them “ IOWA ’ s – Idiots Out Walking Around!
> Mike
> -----Original Message----- From: entstrees@googlegroups.com [ mailto:entstrees@googlegroups.com ] On Behalf Of dbhg...@comcast.net Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 8:41 AM To: entstrees@googlegroups.com Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
> Mike,
> Soooper shots of Katahdin. What other mountain hikes do you especially like?
> Later this month Monica and I will return to the Catskills to climb Slide, Hunter, Blackhead, and Panther Mtns. The camera will be working overtime. Beyond the superb scenery, I want to begin real photographic documentation of the Catskill old growth. Ac c ording to Dr. Michael Kudish, the foremost expert on OG in the Catskills, there is around 64,000 acres of first forest. Most of it is higher elevation spruce, fir, maple, birch, and cherry. Most hikers don't realize their walking in a first forest environ m ent.
> In the 1800s. the Catskills were hammered unmercifully by the lumber barons. Virtually all of the big, virgin hemlocks were cut for the tanneries. Unfortunately, these great mountains must continue enduring the insults by being named for the rapacious barons. Hunter, N Y is an example. Fortunately, some of the best peaks have more benign names like Slide, Cornell, Kaaterskill High Peak, Indian Head, Plateau, Black Dome, Blackhead, Thomas Cole, etc. that speak to a more refined imagination and appreciation of the features of the surrounding terrain.
> Bob
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Leonard" <mlfores...@rcn.com> To: entstrees@googlegroups.com Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 6:10:07 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western sum mits
> I agree James. Katahdin and the Knife Edge is the best hike East of the Mississippi!
> I did it again last year with my wife Sun.
> First Pic is the view of the peak kayaking from Togue Pond.
> Second is the Knife Edge. Sun is the little figure in the l ower right.
> Mike
> -----Original Message----- From: entstrees@googlegroups.com [ mailto:entstrees@googlegroups.com ] On Behalf Of JamesRobertSmith Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 7:11 PM To: ENTSTrees Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
> Ka tahdin is my all-time favorite eastern peak. And I've hiked a bunch
> of them. The only major eastern mountain ranges I've never set foot in
> are the Catskills and Adirondacks. And the Daks are very high on my
> list to someday hike. If I can just get around to doing it before I
> get too old.
> I hiked Katahdin a few years ago. I've hiked pretty much all of the
> major southern peaks (with a few exceptions) and several of the big
> peaks in New Hampshire (including Mount Washington). But Katahdin is
> king, in my estimation. Yes, there are higher peaks, but it holds its
> own in pure relief against many other major eastern mountains, plus it
> is so isolated. We did a killer hike:
> Entrance to Chimney Pond. Cathedral Trail to Baxter Peak. Knife's Edge
> to H elon Taylor. Helon Taylor back to the Chimney Pond Trial and out
> to our car.
> My thigh muscles screamed for two days.
> On Jul 28, 4:08 pm, Marcboston <m...@hillsidenurseries.com> wrote:
> > Bob, I really enjoy your mountain submissions! I just got ba ck ( 2
> > weeks ago) from Baxter State Park. Katahdin is one truly great east
> > coast mountain, not sure if you have been up there but it worth the
> > trip. Though smaller than Washington it is a world apart. I found it
> > to be a tougher climb and much more "frontier" like. A very steep
> > mountain with a superb alpine zone. The knife edge is unlike
> > anything I have seen here in New England.
> > On Jul 28, 12:09 pm, dbhg...@comcast.net wrote:
> > > ENTS,
> > > Oops! My s tatement, " The second and fourth images show eastern mountain scenes." obviously was meant to be western mountain scenes.
1. AMC's White Mountain Guide
2. 100 Classic Hikes of the Northeast by Jared Gange - Jared has also
written separate guides to NH & VT. 3. Wandering Through the White Mountains by Steven Smith - Steve has a
nice little bookstore in Lincoln, NH (the gateway to the Kancamagus).
His book has great lists of the best views, etc. 4. 50 Hikes in the White Mountains by Daniel Doan. Dan was from the old
school.
Here are a few more of my favorite hikes:
1. Mt. Kineo in ME for a great view of Moosehead Lake - you have to
paddle a mile across Moosehead to get there or you could pay someone to
taxi you over.
2. Eagle Cliff, Red Hill or Gunstock Mt. for excellent views of Lake
Winnipesauke.
3. Mt. Morgan & Percival for views of Squam Lake
4. Mt. Pisgah for the unforgettable views of Lake Willoughby in VT.
My favorite backpacks:
1. The hundred mile wilderness along the AT from Monson to Abol Bridge.
I got a shuttle ride from the legendary Mr. Shaw who owns Shaw's
boarding house in Monson that provides refuge for all the thru-hikers. I
did it in August of 2000 and met some really cool thru-hikers with their
crazy trail names when most are finishing up their 2,000 mile hike (I
was "Mike the Argonaut"). The pristine lakes like Nahmakanta and Rainbow
are incredible.
2. About a 30 mile hike from Nesowadnehunk to Roaring Brook in Baxter
State Park, ME. Lake Wassataquoik is great! We set up camp at Russell
Pond where you can canoe and do a lot of side hikes then on to the
mysterious and extremely remote to Davis Pond through the Northwest
Basin. Check out the weird "sheepbacks".
3. A 35 miler through the Presidential Dry River Wilderness in WMNF.
Take the Dry River Trail to Lake of the Clouds and then on to Mt.
Washington via the Crawford Path where you can pig out at the restaurant
and gross out the tourists. Return via the fabulous Davis Path across
Mt. Isolation, Mt. Davis, Stairs Mt., and Mt. Resolution.
On my list is the Monroe Skyline in VT which I'll do one of these years.
As far as the hundred highest list, in retrospect if I had known what it
was going to be like in advance I probably would have only done the 65
4000 footers. The other 35 peaks in the hundred highest list is mostly
an exercise in map and compass work. The list mania has gone to the
absurd extreme. I met a couple who were doing all the 3000 footers! Now
I heard there's even a list for all the 2000 footers! Hey how low can
you go? I like to design my own hikes now and return to some of my
favorites.
-----Original Message-----
From: entstrees@googlegroups.com [mailto:entstrees@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Marcboston
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 12:02 PM
To: ENTSTrees
Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
Love this discussion and I have to thank you Mike! You just refined
my hiking list! I heard that Mt. Carrigain is a great hike, I cannot
find much information about it.
On Jul 30, 10:52 am, dbhg...@comcast.net wrote:
> Mike,
> Thanks. Excellent descriptions. I had to nod both forward and back in
approval and then shake it to disapproval on the comparison of northern
vs southern Appalachians. I too like the open, above timberline vistas
of the higher peaks of the northland. I also am drawn to the big forest
look that we enjoy in the southern Appalachians. When I'm in one
environment, I sometimes think of the other. As a native Tennessee ridge
runner, the southern Appalachians will always occupy a special place in
my heart. But as a New England transplant, I never tire of Thoreau's
compelling descriptions. I'm thankful that we have both mountain
environments as I suspect are you and others.
> I once read a book about Mount Washington by a professor who touted
the "superiority" of that worthy mountain over the slightly higher
"tops" of the Smokies. I saw red, mumbled a few oaths, and then thought
better of it. The good professor must not have had an eye for champion
trees or luxuriant forest vegetation. He was interested in the glacial
cirques, the alpine tundra, and other features of Washington, which it
has in spades. We don't see those kinds of features in the southern
Apps. What we get in spades in the southern Apps are its unexcelled,
temperate deciduous forests and unbelievable eastern hemlocks and red
spruces. In terms of mass, the largest of the southern Appalachian
hemlocks are double the biggest of what we have. There are also small
regions with outstanding white pines in the southern Apps, although the
volume difference between the biggest down there and up here is small.
Frasier fir, the southern counterpart of the balsam fir, is not a big
tree.
> In terms of peak bagging, the South has a club devoted to climbing the
6,000-footers. There are 40 of them in the southern Apps that are named
and qualify as distinct peaks on peak bagger criteria. I've climbed most
at one time or another.
> Bob
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mike Leonard" <mlfores...@rcn.com>
> To: entstrees@googlegroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 7:31:47 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
> Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
> Bob,
> As a veteran of the New England Hundred Highest List, these are my
favorite hikes in New England :
> 1. Katahdin via the Knife Edge
> 2. Presidential Range - the 22 mile " death march " includes all 8
peaks but only the hardy can survive that. I split it up into two hikes:
Up to Madison, then Adams, Jefferson, and Washington and down the famous
Tuckerman Ravine. Then the Southern Presidentials can be done from Amm
onoosuc Ravine to Monroe , Franklin, Eisenhower, and Jackson. Sun and I
climbed the steep Great Gulf headwall to Washington.
> 3. Franconia Ridge, WMNF - the best day hike is up the Falling Water
Trail to Lincoln and Lafayette.
> 4. Traverse of the Bonds in the Pemi gewasset Wilderness - Bondcliff
is not for those with vertigo!
> 5. The wild Mahoosuc Range including Mahoosuc Notch and Carlo-Goose
Eye.
> 6. Up the Precipice Ladder Trail and down the Beehive Ladder Trail in
Acadia National Park. Beech Cliff ladder trail is also awesome. The t
rails from Dorr Mt. to Cadillac Mt. also deserve mention. Acadia is a
hiker ' s paradise.
> 7. North Brother, South Brother, Mt. Coe, and the bushwhack to Fort
Mt. in Baxter State Park.
> 8. Traverse of the Bigelow Range in Maine.
> 9. Mt. Mansfield in Vermont is a very interesting mountain to explore
with all the different rock formations. Honorable mention to Camel ' s
Hump.
> 10. Mt. Carrigain - this remote mountain in WMNF is spectacular.
> Other great hikes are: Welch & Dickey; Chocura; Middle Sugarloa f ,
Mt. Willard; Baldface Traverse; and Cari bou in WMNF. OK in MA you have
the Mt. Tom Range, Holyoke Range, Mt. Sugarloaf and my favorite from
Sages Ravine to Mt. Race - Mt. Everett.
> I ' ve only been to the High Peaks in the Adirondacks once. I climbed
Giant Mt. and did the famous Al gonquin loop and bagged Iriquois,
Wright, and Algonquin. Backpacker mag said those were the two best in
the High Peaks area so I did them. I don ' t think I ' ll ever have the
time to bag all the Dak ' s 46ers but next month Sun and I are going to
the St. Regis Canoe Area to do the famous " Route of the 7 carries " and
I think I ' ll try and bag Mt. Marcy. I ' d like to the Gothics some day
too.
> Last year we spent a week down the southern Apps. In the Smokies we
did the Charlie Bunion Trail which was pretty good and then I hiked the
cool Alum Trail to Mt. Le Conte and also hiked the Chimneys which is
also not good for those with vertigo! I heard Gregory was cool when the
azaleas are blooming too but it was too early. In Shenandoah we bagged
the fabulous White Oak Canyon with its cool waterfalls and then I hiked
the real interesting Old Rag. We hiked up as far as we could on Seneca
but I didn ' t have time to do the North Fork or Mt. Rogers which I read
were two other premier mountains.
> I couldn ' t believe the size of some of the trees I saw in the
Smokies - huge red spruce, tuliptrees, oak, and unfortunately big
hemlock skeletons.
> But with all due respect to the southern Apps , I ' ll take the
mountains of northern New England any day of the week! I like being
above timber line!
> I could also compile a list of the lousiest hikes - like some of the
bushwhacks on the hundred highest list - Vose Spur and Scar Ridge were
especially brutal as was the final one on the Quebec border - the "
Unknown Peak " . All I used was a shitty map and compass - on the way
back I cut across a bit of Canada! I laugh when I hear of yuppie hikers
getting lost. I call them " IOWA ' s - Idiots Out Walking Around!
> Mike
> -----Original Message----- From: entstrees@googlegroups.com [
mailto:entstrees@googlegroups.com ] On Behalf Of dbhg...@comcast.net
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 8:41 AM To: entstrees@googlegroups.com
Subject: [ENTS] Re: Eastern and western summits
> Mike,
> Soooper shots of Katahdin. What other mountain hikes do you especially
like?
> Later this month Monica and I will return to the Catskills to climb
Slide, Hunter, Blackhead, and Panther Mtns. The camera will be working
overtime. Beyond the superb scenery, I want to begin real photographic
documentation of the Catskill old growth. Ac c ording to Dr. Michael
Kudish, the foremost expert on OG in the Catskills, there is around
64,000 acres of first forest. Most of it is higher elevation spruce,
fir, maple, birch, and cherry. Most hikers don't realize their walking
in a first forest environ m ent.
> In the 1800s. the Catskills were hammered unmercifully by the lumber
barons. Virtually all of the big, virgin hemlocks were cut for the
tanneries. Unfortunately, these great mountains must continue
