Distance

12.4 mi to summit

20.7 mi total

Elevation

2,178 ft start

4,185 ft max

Vertical

4,841 ft gain

Time

9 hr 35 min to summit

13 hr 39 min total

Did a loop traverse of the "Catskill 9" with two hiking companions to close out my winter round finish of the Catskill 35 in style (35/35 on Rocky Mountain, and the rest were bonus summits). We started from the Denning Road Trailhead at 7 AM, heading counterclockwise up Table and Peekamoose before bushwhacking over the four trailless peaks. Climbing the col from Friday to Dink and Cornell was brutal. The forest is dense and fights you at every step. When we finally hit marked trail again, we were banged up, bloody, and grateful to be out of the mess. My favorite Outdoor Research Whirlwind Hoodie did not survive Dink's wrath. The snowpack is high over the burroughs range, and being elevated into the forest canopy felt like we were still bushwhacking. The Cornell Crack required a rope to safely negotiate. Once down, we dropped our packs and jogged the trail out and back to Wittenberg. Climbing up Slide's eastern face on tired legs was a real challenge. We enjoyed an ice cold celebratory beer at the top, and then made the long descent back to the car. The trip was just under 20 miles and about 5100 feet of gain.

Obstacles

no info yet

Key gear

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Other peaks climbed on this trip