"Six of us did a loop of Rusk, Hunter and Southwest Hunter from the Rusk TH. Nice sunny blue sky but unfortunately that led to warm temps and sticky snow. Bushwhacked over East Rusk on our way to Hunter mtn where we had our usual buffet lunch complete with tablecloth, paper plates and napkins. Bumped into Ralph Ryndak and Rob Stewart, who had whacked up from Becker Hollow TH, at the cabin. We chatted with them while having lunch with the wind blowing and the sun shining. Got to the SWH can and out to Spruceton road before 5 pm so no headlamps were harmed on the venture." — Nimblefoot • Dec 23, 2019

"Tom, Peter, Mimi and I met in the Spruceton trail PA to get in a quick romp of SW Hunter and Hunter before the big snowstorm comes arrives. First a short road walk to get over to the Diamond Notch trail then onto the Devils Path to ascend to the can on the SW peak. Up to the tower on Hunter where we celebrated Tom and Peter’s completion of a single season Fall 35 and Mimi’s completion of her 4 season grid. Do to the windy conditions we dropped down the Spruceton trail to have our catered lunch and present Tom and Peter with their Fall triangle patches. Mimi prepared some bowls of vermicelli soup bowls with seafood right on the trail then opened up a container of spring rolls with dipping sauce and a container of cream puffs. On our way out we passed the only other hiker we would see all day down by the spring below the leanto. He was also doing Hunter before the storm figuring it would be quiet peaceful, which it was. The roads were a bit messy on the way home with a occasional car sliding off into a guard rail or into the median." — Nimblefoot • Dec 1, 2019

"Solo hike of WHP and Tremper on nice blue sky day. Carried the microspikes on WHP but didn’t deploy them as I got good grip on my way up and down in the inch or so of snow. On Tremper it felt like a different season with bare ground and warmer temps in the sunshine. I left the spikes behind and I could have taken more gear out of my pack for an easier ascent. I treated it as a little workout. On my descent of a Tremper I took a bushwhack shortcut from one of the hairpin curves in the trail straight down to the PA to save time. I don’t think I saved much for the hassle of steep drops and briars, much better with plenty of snow to play in." — Nimblefoot • Nov 21, 2019

"I got a later than planned start from home so when I got to the Spruceton trail TH I found the lot nearly full. Surprisingly there was a solo hiker signed in to do the same peaks I had planned and right before me a couple doing Rusk and it’s East peak. Most folks are usually bound for the tower on Hunter. Once I left the trail at the hairpin curve I headed straight up toward Rusk passing the couple who seemed to be a bit befuddled on which way to go. With the leaves down it was harder to discern the usual herd path from just any opening between trees. I just headed up at a relaxed pace making any necessary corrections as I neared the summit. Signed into the canister then headed over the east peak wearing an orange safety vest just in case. Once back on the trail I took off the vest and enjoyed the climb to the summit tower without getting slapped and poked. As luck would have it a few minutes after reaching the tower and cabin a friend arrived leading a small group who were celebrating one woman’s completion of her 3-season 35er. They proceeded to pull out all sorts of goodies and beverages. After chatting with Lyn,taking some group photos and witnessing the presentation of the pat..." — Nimblefoot • Nov 16, 2019

"Tom and I joined Christy for a sunrise romp of Balsam Lake mountain and Graham. A little nippy at our 5:30 am meet in the Millbrook Rd PA which kept us moving at a brisk pace but we didn’t quite make it to the top of BLM before the sun rose. We had to take our photos through the trees along the trail as the sun popped up over Graham. Climbed to the top landing of the tower to take in the views while enduring some wicked wind. Christy slowed down a bit on the climb to Graham, a direct result of not eating any breakfast that day. We hunkered down next to the old cinder block building to escape the wind while having some snacks and hot beverages. Graham completed my 35th round of the Cat35 and was my 1300th Cat35 peak that I know of. Back at the PA Christy headed off to her job at the Mohonk Preserve while Tom and I wanted additional peak(s), Bearpen and Vly for him and Halcott for me. A solo stroll to the canister where I signed into a fresh notebook then called it a day. " — Nimblefoot • Nov 14, 2019