Hunter Mountain - June 26, 2011 - Rip VanWinkle

We met Rip VanWinkle on this firetower trek! He fell asleep near here in the late 1700's and slept for twenty years. completely missing the American Revolution. Then woke up to a whole new world. At least that's the fictional story according to author Washington Irving in his short stories book published in 1819. Located at about the 3200 foot level of Hunter mountain, just off the high point of the Colonels Chair lift, is a memorial to good old "Rip". It took 14 years to complete this monument out of a chunk of 8 tons of blue sandstone by sculptor, Kevin VanHenteryck. Oh, yea, we found it at the END of our 4 mile, RT hike, up about 900 feet to the Hunter Mountain Firetower. Did we mention that? The photo is of Rip, not Roger; although they are about the same age. :-)

Red Hill Firetower - Re-do - June 12, 2011

In December of 2010 we climbed this mountain in 6 inches of snow. But.... Someone forgot to get the GPS reading at the summit! And since we ALWAYS do what we write about, it had to be done once again. But this time it was even better. On top, we met "Vince" hanging out 8 stories high on the tower. He was the volunteer "Tower Guide" according to his sign in at the base. And, he had the keys to get up into the "cab" at the top where the observers watched for fires. Even Roger, who hates heights, couldn't resist climbing up the nine stories to the top and looking out. It was the first time he has climbed to the top of one of these firetowers. It was a limited view on a foggy day, but Roger remembered to get his reading this time! It was a fun trip, no matter what the reason. And Vince was a good "Tower Guide" for us.

Balsam Lake Mountain - June 11, 2011

The downpours had passed when we began our trek up this Catskill mountain. And, we were pleasantly surprised when we completed our 2.7 mile climb in a relatively dry condition. We were met by Mike, the volunteer firetower guide and "keeper of the keys" to actually get up into the top of the tower where the fire observers actually stood watch for about 100 years. Sadly, the "view" from the top was almost non-existent due to heavy fog. Kate and Mike could barely even see Roger from the top of the tower. But we made it up the mountain today, enjoyed learning from Mike and had a great day! The photo to the right, with Mike and Kate at the base of the tower puts the tower in perspective.

Overlook Mountain - May 28, 2011

It was a two hour drive from Glens Falls to get to this firetower trail near the town of Woodstock, about 100 miles north of NYC in the Catskill Preserve. We climbed, almost constantly, for over two miles up a gravel and dirt forest road, climbing about 1400 feet in elevation. At about 2900 feet we found the ruins of an old hotel originally built in 1871. (Photo here.) At about 3200 feet we found the Overlook Mountain Fire Tower. We found great 360 degree views from the tower. Kate had the "courage" to brave the mountain winds and actually made it to the top of the 8 story, swaying tower. First time she's made it all the way to the top of one of these. We have photographic proof not shown here. Congratulations to Kate! That's #7. Only 21 more mountains to climb this summer! :-)

Mt. Tremper Fire Tower April 19, 2011

Continuing our ADK Fire Tower Challenge adventures, we went down to the Catskill Mountains, about 20 miles west of Kingston to challenge Mt. Tremper. It is billed as a 3 mile trek with an elevation climb of about 2000 feet. It is billed as a "moderate" hike up. Well, it lived up to its billing on a cool and rainy day. We completed it with the great view of the fire tower as exhibited here. :-) It was a tough climb after months of "flatlander" hiking in Florida over the winter, but it's in the books now!

Although Overlook Mountain was the next one scheduled for April 21st, a stone induced, foot arch bruise on this trek has sidelined Roger for at least a few days. But it will be re-scheduled when he is up to it and it can be resheduled, probably the second weekend in June. Stay tuned as we progress through the summer.

"The ADK Firetower Challenge" - suspended until spring

We will continue the ADK Firetower Challenge in the spring - April, we think. Roger is in Florida doing a book on the trails in the Ocala National Forest. Kate is back teaching 6th graders at some undisclosed school district in New York, freezing.
But you can follow all of our activities, books and antics at: www.RogerFulton.com whenever you like.

Red Hill Firetower - 12/11/10

In the Catskill Preserve on a December day we trekked up the mountain on 6 inches of fresh powdered snow. According to the check-in log, no one had been up the mountain for several days. So we were alone with silence and new fallen snow and no tracks to follow. But the trail was as well marked with yellow markers as any we have seen.
We found any number of animal tracks from voles to chipmunks to what we think, were bear tracks - from the night before – we hoped.
Overall, it was a fantastic day of peace, solitude and nature!