Hiking Mates of the Capital Region

A Lone and Rocky Road for Sasso -The Cat 3500 Hike -Get off the Wii & LIVE!

April 21, 2012 · 6:00 AM
Corning Preserve Boat Launch

That 's right John...15 people (even you!) will be watching you finish this hike!

LONE AND ROCKY MTNS are 2 Catskill High Peaks---Trailless- that means fighting off angry tree limbs, fighting off uncertainty, and going where no man nor woman should ever set foot! If you are intrigued---jump on board ! If not, join the spectators and water your flowerbeds at home on Saturday! On Monday, when you see our colleagues around the water cooler listening to the story of our weekend experience...only then will you fully understand...only then!!!

Come celebrate with the last of the good guys.....John Sasso! John will be completing his last Catskill high peak on this day. It won't be an easy peak for him, but I'm sure he can make it happen.

We will enter the Neversink Basin, hiking up the tangles of brush, spruce and decaying logs to Lone Mtn. Then we will have John use his vast orienteering skills to lead us to Rocky Mtn. then we return down a deep ravine into the Neversink and return to the Denning trailhead.

John Sasso promises adventure, mystery and quite possibly a mishap or a series of unfortunate events. Either way, John will be crowned King of the Cats on this day.

This is not an easy hike, most of it is bushwhack and climbing beastly ledges (if we wish---which is what we want). It requires stamina and strength. It requires 6 hours of listening to John's bad comments. It will also require safety goggles (last time I did this hike, a stick became imbedded in my eye socket 1 inch).

Come join John for only Lone and Rocky Mountains . The hike will begin at the trailhead in Denning Road. The hike will take us up the Neversink River (stream) for approximately 3.0 miles. We will then head over to Lone Mountain. Once summitted, we make a beeline to Rocky Mountain and congratulate John on his achievement. The round trip of theis bushwhack is 7.5-8.5 miles depending on when you leave the Neversink River Basin. At that point, John's group will return to the Neversink and back to Denning Road TH. Tears will be shed so bring your tissues.

Special appearance by Wacko Jacko may be in store for John on summit of Rocky Mountain. Mr. Jacko will congratulate John and then return to Catskill where he has found refuge at BW.

While the core group returns via the Neversink, another group , should they decide to do it, may continue bushwhacking over Balsam Cap and Friday Mountains to Wittenberg Mtn and then return via the Cornell Slide Trail over Cornell and Slide Mountains (13 miles) to Slide Cornell TH.

Although we have the trx on a GPS.......WE WILL NOT USE IT! We have never been wrong with my compass and map. Misplaced maybe..lost never!

Disclaimer:

The Liability Waiver--Please read!

1) Hiking and other outdoor activities that we organize is an inherently risky activity. These risks include changes in the weather, hazardous terrain, animal attacks, falls, falling objects, failure of critical equipment, and injury from physical exertion. Traveling to a wilderness area involves additional inherent risks as medical assistance is not available. By participating you agree not to hold the organizers or any follow participants liable for any injury or damage to personal property as a consequence of these risks. (In plain English: Hiking is dangerous and everyone gets hurt sooner or later, so you can't blame anyone when you get hurt.)

2) Hiking with an amateur group rather than a professional guide also involves additional inherent risks. These include relying on other members for transportation, aid during an emergency, and general assistance throughout the event. By participating, you agree not to hold fellow participants or the organizers liable for negligence, poor judgment, over-sights, or any other mistakes on their part. (In plain English: You're choosing to hike with a bunch of amateurs, so you can't blame anyone when they make mistakes.)

By signing up for this hike and choosing to participate in it, you are asserting that you understand the risks involved and that you are assuming responsibility for your own safety and well-being during the event. Remember , the organizer is not a certified guide, nor is he someone that can make decisions for you. You are merely being provided with an opportunity to hike/ climb with other outdoor enthusiasts.

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John Sasso

Glad to provide the good advice to you, Chaz :-D

0 · April 23, 2012
4mincharlie AKA Flash115

Hey John...Ralph is the king on orienteering. Thanks for the use of the private earphone and the directions Ralph! BTW John....some good advice for hiking out,,,,,,,,,always hike downhill.

0 · April 23, 2012
4mincharlie AKA Flash115

I am so glad I attended this hike! John worked hard for these babies and we are well aware of it! The whole crew was fun to hang with! The Neversink has become my second home..or so it seems. Great hikers all of them...now I would question our math skills as evident from the restaurant! Loved the company...the hike.. and the excitement!

0 · April 23, 2012
Alan Jines

Wendy and I were talking at dinner tonight about how much we enjoy hiking with this wonderful group of friends. We had a great time on the hike and look forward to more. John, congratulations. It was a privilege to be on this finishing hike with you.

0 · April 22, 2012
John Sasso

And again, I am very, very grateful to Charlie for posting and help guide this finish. I can't express how thankful I am for all who attended as well as who hiked with me in the past. Too much to say, so little space to say it in...

0 · April 22, 2012
John Sasso

Thanks, Tracy. I could not have gotten as far as I have in my hiking "career" w/o the help of many people, esp. you. We've been through a lot of stuff, too many to recount.

As for yesterday's bushwhack, I have to admit that Charlie and Ralph(ie) were a big help. We're getting better at this stuff, but I think there are a few "lessons learned" I need to take away from all this. Continuous improvement, as they say!

0 · April 22, 2012
tag

Congratulations John on your accomplishment, not just in completing the 3500 but for the steps you've made along the way. When you first started out you wouldn't budge from your spot until you saw a trail marker! Now you're leading bushwhacks. You're always the 1st person there to help out in those tricky spots or what I like to call "sticky frog" moments! Always conscientious of your fellow hikers! I am honored to have traveled with you on many of your quests!

0 · April 22, 2012
tag

Lone, Rocky, woods, trees, streams, awesome friends, fantastic day and champaign at the end of a journey worth a lifetime! Very honored to have had the chance to share in your glory John! Guest appearance made by Wacko Jacko was a total surprize! Totally cool! No rain with bits of sunshine added to the day! Lots of fun and laughs! It was a very wise person who said "these finishes are about the people you are with and not so much about the hike itself". Awesome orienteering and bushwhack! Just an all around awesome day!

0 · April 22, 2012
Jim

Congratulations John! What a great day today was, it was Very Fun after a long working week. I enjoyed the excellent company, and the weather was Great, no rain! It was an excellent day!

0 · April 21, 2012
John Sasso

Words cannot be found to express how deeply appreciative I am to everyone who came along today, and for Charlie for taking the time to lead me through to the finish! Wow, what a big gathering, and the warm congrats you all gave me! As a good friend and fellow hiker said, these finishes are about the people you are with and not so much about the hike itself. I've understood this with the many finishes I've seen others through. Many of you (even those who were unable to make today's hike) have been with me on this journey of the Catskill 3500. Bushwhacks, cold weather, scratches, dings, falls, etc... - all of that bearable so long as I had friends along for the ride. I won't forget this for as long as I live.

0 · April 21, 2012
A former member

Absolutely awesome time from start at the Corning Preserve to the finish at Gramsy Stout. I loved the bushwhack and every scratch was worth it!!! Glad to see some of the folks I haven't seen in a while and it was a pleasure to meet Greg, Lisa, Allen and Wendy! CONGRATULATIONS JOHN SASSO!!!!!!!!!

0 · April 21, 2012
4mincharlie AKA Flash115

the bushwhack challenge version!

0 · April 19, 2012
John Sasso

Oh, I forgot. Chablis woman!

0 · April 18, 2012
tag

I'll skip the beer!

0 · April 18, 2012
John Sasso

For those of you who are coming back with me after Rocky & Lone, lets enjoy a good meal and a beer someplace, either in the Catskills or in Albany.

I can drive those who'll just be doing R&L and can head for eats afterwards. TAG and Lisa, I know u r in. It'll be a great get-together afterwards!

0 · April 18, 2012
jim wallace

Marathon as well!!

0 · April 18, 2012
tag

Is anyone bringing moonshine? :D

0 · April 18, 2012
tag

At the end of war and peace comes Rocky Road ice-cream so Sasso can eat it A Lone! :D We need to figure out the car situation. Can you post whether you are doing the Lone and Rocky road or the marathon?

0 · April 18, 2012
4mincharlie AKA Flash115

I deleted some discussion on here and kept the necessary ones.

0 · April 17, 2012
Chris J

Just wanted to let everyone know I am definitely planning on coming now...not going out of town this weekend.

0 · April 17, 2012
tag

I do see the reason for wanting to get more peaks in especially since it's a long drive, but I too, will be hanging with Sasso. It's his day!

0 · April 17, 2012
Lisa

I'll be hanging with Sasso for just two moutains..then heading out for a nice cold beer to celebrate! Hope people don't drop because a few others are now considering for a longer hike. There will be a group of us who will stick with John for just two mountains as originally planned. This is sasso's day.

1 · April 16, 2012
John Sasso

Marc - no rock climbing gear required for this trip.

0 · April 16, 2012
Millie

I have to be back in town by evening ... but child care may require I back out ....

0 · April 16, 2012
John Sasso

Also, I will be doing the orienteering for this trip. I've been getting good at it and the more practice, the better :-)

0 · April 16, 2012
John Sasso

All - parts of this bushwhack will involve going through thick balsam, so you're apt to get whacked in the face with branches. I recommend you bring a cheap pair of safety glasses with you. If you don't have any, let me know and I will bring a pair with me from work (we have a slew of them around).

0 · April 16, 2012
4mincharlie AKA Flash115

Neversink........At the ending of Denning Road! I love the Neversink.....get ready to wear eye protection people. I will be leading John through the most uninhabitable area imaginable...not fir for man or woman or beast. Bring some rope Wallace....You will be hitting some steep spots if I can lead you there. Sasso will earn his patch on this date.

0 · April 14, 2012
John Sasso

Charlie, I selected the meetup spot since none was selected. We normally meet at the Corning Preserve for Catskill hikes.

0 · April 8, 2012
John Sasso

Mr Blanchet, I hope you will permit me to join this bushwhack. My hiking experience includes walking a loooong 4 mi of The Crossings of Colonie, some of the Mohawk-Hudson bike trail, as well as watching movies about hiking and mountaineering ("127 Hours", "Touching the Void", etc.). As for bushwhacking experience, well, does trimming hedges count?

0 · April 7, 2012