Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
Overlooking the Cross River Reservoir
On the AT in Harriman State Park
When I complete new hikes (and even old ones) I try to include these two things in at least one of the pictures. My partners and tour guides, the ones that have been with me during every hike over the last 17 or so, are my day pack and hiking poles. They are true tour guides that have never complained about the length of a hike or the severity of the weather.
These three photos were taken at Ward Pound Ridge, a place where I have spent many, many hours hiking since this past summer. Located about 20 minutes from my house, it offers a multitude of hiking trails that offer a sense of peace and tranquility to either start a day or end one.
After a lengthy cold spell, within the last week temperatures have actually made it up into the high forties to the mid fifties. I have to admit, feeling the (relatively) warm air made me think of spring days and being out in the woods. Looking over my maps of Harriman State Park and Bear Mt., I decided that just after the school year ends in June, I’ll backpack the Ramapo-Dunderberg trail.
Starting at the Tuxedo Rail Station, the trail runs through Harriman state park into Bear Mt. where it ends on route 9W right next to the Hudson river. At just about 22 miles, the current plan is to split it up into three days and two nights of what some web sites have said is relatively difficult hiking. Although the trail does have two lean to shelters along the way, I am bringing a tent just in case I show up at one and it has already been occupied by too many fellow hikers. With that saud, I am not thinking that this is going to be an issue because I am planning on doing this hike from a Tuesday to a Thursday so I will miss the weekend folks. More on that later.
So what am I doing now? I spent some time on the internet looking for a checklist that would help me get the stuff together that I will need for this short adventure. The decision to find a list was an easy one. I have backpacked before and gotten to my destination only to find out that I forgot to pack things. Here is the REI checklist that I am using:
As I continue to plan for this excursion, I will post updates with some gear info, planned route and other stuff.
Happy Hiking!!!
“There are few times that I feel more at peace, more in tune, more Zen, if you will, than when I force myself to unplug.”
-Harlan Coben
With technology the way it is, it almost doesn’t seem possible that we can disconnect or unplug from our every day lives, if even for an hour. This quote by Harlan Coben, however, sums up the truth more than anything that I could tell you. As always, I relate most of the quotes that I find directly to my love of hiking. That is my time to “unplug” and when I am out in the woods, I truly am at peace.
As like everyone else, I do carry a cell phone when I hike. However, I turn it off prior to hitting the trail and I don’t check it until I am finished. The only time that I will deviate from this is if I am going to be late or I change my route. At my somewhat advanced age of 52, I make a conscious effort to do this because if I am late my family will assume that I have been eaten by roaming groups of wild animals.
I do find it a shame that we have to “force” ourselves to unplug. It would seem like a natural thing to do, especially after sitting behind a computer screen all day. Or after the many hours doing whatever it is people do on their cell phones.
The bottom line is this-You have to unplug and disconnect at some point. It is imperative for your mental health, and for those around you!
UNPLUG! UNPLUG! UNPLUG!
Happy Hiking!!!
“Nature is not mute; it is man who is deaf.”
―Terence Mckenna
Think about it-When was the last time you were hiking and actually listened to what the woods were saying to you? If you pay careful enough attention, you will be able to hear the many conversations that are occurring right where you stand.
The myriad of animals, both large and small, speaking to each other, warning one another of any dangers lurking as you make your way down the trail.
The trees, moving as the wind blows through them, each season telling a different story.
It really is that simple. Don’t rush through your hike. Take the time to just sit and listen. You will be absolutely amazed at what you hear.
Happy Hiking!!!
“There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.”
-Sir Ranulph Fiennes
With the weather getting really, really cold (single digits), I knew that if I was planning on getting out to hike anytime soon, I would have to upgrade my current gloves. For as long as I can remember, I have used white athletic socks on the days that I have had to wear gloves. I know that sounds strange, and I can not offer any good reason as to why I have done this for so long. This year, however, I decided to get a decent pair of gloves for a couple of reasons.
First, I have found that as I get older, the cold affects me more than in the past. I tend to get colder quicker and I lose feeling in my extremities Second, also sticking with the “getting older” theme, even when I go out for a day hike I make sure that I am prepared to spend the night in the woods if something happens. This holds true for every hike that I take during every season.
With all of that said, let’s talk about the gloves. The gloves that I purchased were the REI Co-Op Fleece Gloves, size large. Before I ordered them, I used the sizing chart on the REI website to determine what size I should get. After receiving them, I tried them on and was very happy when they fit perfectly.
The hat I purchased to complete the ensemble was the Wigwam Outlast Watch cap. As with the gloves, the hat fit perfectly. Made of fabric that is touted to dry quickly, I am sure that at some point I will be able to test this.
Now, even though I have not worn either of these items while hiking, I was able to test them last night. My daughter had hockey practice last night. While she is practicing, I usually sit in my jeep and read my kindle. When we got to the rink at 7:30 pm, the temperature was 11 degrees and the wind was blowing. Needless to say, it was cold!!!
As I sat in the jeep with my gloves and hat on, I fell asleep, only to be awakened an hour and a half later when the practice was finished. Based on the fact that the only part of me that was remotely cold were my feet, I have to give both items two big thumbs up! My head and hands were nice and toasty and I am sure that when I get into the woods, they will work just as well.
Happy Hiking!
“We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone.”
-Katie Thurmes
“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”
-Dr. Seuss
I just finished posting my three favorite hiking pictures as well as my overall top favorites of the year. As I poured through my photos, I kept asking myself whether I should be looking for photos that just had an appealing look and was a “pretty picture”? Or, should I take it a step further and look not at how well the picture came out, but instead how it made me feel. Using approximately a ratio of 80% feeling to 20% appeal, I asked myself a simple question.
How did the picture make me feel? Did it stir any emotions? Good or bad, it didn’t matter. I just wanted to be sure that it produced enough of a reaction and recalled a memory strong enough to include it.
So, each of the six pictures included, after careful examination, answered my question in a satisfactory manner. Each of these photos made me think about hiking and all of the positive aspects of being able to walk in the moment.
Happy Hiking!!!!
A naked tree reaching up to the sky. Pictures like this symbolize the death of one season and the awakening of another. With no leaves, they seem to searching for something that they probably will never find. This is why I love hiking during the fall and winter. You just look up and life is waiting for you!
My second favorite hiking photo of the year! This was a sunset after exiting the woods in Ward Pound Ridge Reservation (late October). The contrast between the sky and the trees is what makes the photo special for me.
“O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?”
-Percy Bysshe Shelley
I hate to admit it, but the winter has already worn out its welcome. Although I love the colder days and lots of snow, it is a serious buzz kill whenever I even try to think about getting out into the woods. With only two hours of daylight left when I leave my school for the day, it is next to impossible to get to any trail in the area and get any type of hike in before the sun sets. This doesn’t really sit well with me. I guess I’m getting a case of modified cabin fever.
For the last few weeks I haven’t really been able to get out that much. Gone are the days of the summer when the hiking was easy. I could hike all day and not have to worry about losing precious daylight. Days when you could stop and take a breather for any amount of time and not have to worry about freezing to death have certainly gone by the wayside.
As a result, I am forced to be inside a whole lot more than I would like to be. At work and at home, the winter months mean that I will spend more time wishing that I could hike than I do actually hiking. So every night almost as soon as I get home, I pull the stationary bike out, move it in front of the tv and I ride. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that although the bike is excellent cardio training, it in no way can replace being out in the woods. The fresh air, listening to the sound of my breath as I push up hills and crossing the paths of like minded folks is beyond description.
Getting out into the woods is, hands down, the best way to dispose of the mental garbage we all carry. A nice mental enema…
The Zen Hiker 