Solo.

Set my alarm for 04:45 yesterday thinking, “yeah right,” after having hiked Hadley in the morning. Been a long time since I did back to back days. Was awake before my alarm! Thankfully didn’t really gear down my car yesterday so getting ready was easy.

Was on the road for 5, & it was truly authentic Kellie kind of day. Threading my car up the curves of 23A in the pre dawn hours, blasting hip hop, thinking about all of the dozens of times and however many cars I’ve done that same drive in before. Feeling very rooted.

Arrived at the Mink Hollow trailhead around 07:00, car showed 16° - zero cars there, glanced at the poor excuse of a trail and nearly balked. Took my time gearing up and cursing all of the bare booters, shrugged because wtf am I gonna do, drive home? & on my way I went.

Trail conditions: total ass. I slowly snowshoe clattered my way next to the stream feeling cranky & sore & pushing snow. Made the junction and realized I was about to hit the Devil’s Path for the first time in … idk when. Big oof. Hurt a lot.

Pace was absolutely embarrassing as my quads started cramping about halfway up, I stopped frequently to hydrate.

Hit true summit, backtracked to the overlook having seen no one. Beautiful view, low 20’s for temperature, zero wind. I sat & drank my Budweiser in total peace, checked in via text with my brother so he knew I summitted & was going to skip Plateau, then dove back into the woods.

Spent a lot of time on the way out on my ass. Had I brought my sled, I might’ve died. To call my snow pants butt sledding “somewhat controlled,” would be incredibly generous. More like “toss your poles ahead of you & pray,” lol. Note to self… bring your damn gaiters next time you go out…

Passed two guys wearing just spikes on their way up, exchanged standard short pleasantries, then nearer the junction, stopped and spoke with two Catskill gridders (Tom & Peter). They lightly goaded me about how I should be trying for a SSW, how we should hunt down the folks who ruined the lower trail, & then told me I shouldn’t skip Plateau because they made a beautiful trench just for me. The conversation was great & the offer was certainly tempting, but when I hit the junction my quads were fully smoked & I turned toward my car.

Left a note for the pair on their car, geared down & regretted not having a spare shirt or pants as the back of my clothing was drenched from effort & also snow. Traffic on the way home was insane but time passed quickly, thinking about how rejuvenated I feel after a day like today, car full of gear flung around smelling of sweat & boots. Great day out.