First Team Workout @ Hartshorne woods December 26th

Expedition Date: Dec. 26th 2010
Crew: Dylan DeVesty, Jeremy Herman, Ryan Devesty
Dogs: Kali
Distance: 6 miles
Completion time: 1:09 hours

Vine Swingers had it's first team workout today and we couldn't have asked for more difficult conditions. Just driving to Hartshorne was a journey. With at least 2 inches on the trails we took off  running Grand Tour to Laural Ridge then down to Butter Milk Valley parking area. We call it "The Killer Loop" it's about 6 miles on black diamond trails.

Even with the BLIZZARD conditions and our frozen faces we had a blast. We took it slow and just enjoyed the winter wonderland around us. Kali girl may have been MVP of the run. She was so happy to be in the snow it motivated all of us. We are truly lucky to have this county park in our backyard. What an ideal first training session for Team Vine Swingers.

Burroughs Range Trail NY

Expedition Date: Oct. 8th-10th 2010
Crew: Dylan DeVesty, Cara pescatore, Jeremy Herman, Ryan Devesty
Dogs: Kali
Distance: 17 miles Lots of climbing (we added and extra 7 mile loop)
Summits: 3
Elevation Gain and loss: 12,000 feet
Completion time: 40 hours

We left NJ Friday night and arrived at Woodland Valley Campgrounds around 1am Saturday morning.  On are way down the never ending road to Woodland Valley we were lucky enough to see a BIG black bear cross the road just a few feet from our car. It was awesome! Now kinda scared we decide to set up a lean-to off my car and get a few hours rest before the sun comes up.

Burroughs Range consists of 3 summits. East to west first comes Cornell Mt. (3790ft) then Wittenburg Mt. (3870ft) and finally Slide Mt. (4180).

 Saturday we hiked/canyoneered 10 miles. The day was so strenuous we finished our whole water supply. At this point we decided to set up camp before it got dark. We passed multiple natural springs but they were all dried up. After camp was set up Jay and Cara hiked to one last natural spring a mile away and it paid off. There was water and they filled all are bottles back up. Now we had water for dinner and breakfast plus all day tomorrow, which made all of us very happy. Its easy to get grumpy in the woods especially when you have no water. Being out here really makes you appreciate the small things in life. I love it. Get out there people.

 

 http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/Slide_MT_Wilderness_0000.asp

Devil's Path NY

Expedition Date: November 8th-10th 2010
Crew: Dylan DeVesty, Evan pescatore, Kane Dalaney, Ryan Devesty
Dogs: Kali, Jameson
Distance: 24 miles 9 of which are climbing
Summits: 5
Elevation Gain and loss: 18,000 feet
Completion time: 42 hours

 It all began Friday night Nov. 8th at 8:30pm on Prediger Road trail head. This night we summated Indian Head Mt. at around 12:30am and continued to Jimmy Dolan's Notch 4.5 miles from are start. Once we made it to Jimmy Dolan's Notch we set up camp for the night. This was around 1-2am with below freezing conditions. What a first night! At this point we new this trip wasn't gonna be easy...

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Path_%28hiking_trail%29

Mt. Washington NH

Expedition Date: October 9th-10th 2010

Crew: Dylan DeVesty, Ryan DeVesty

Distance: 8 miles

Summits: 1

Elevation Gain and loss: 6,288 feet

Completion time: 36 hours

Dylan and I half way up Mt Washington at the half way house. That's Tuckerman's behind us and the summit is off in the far upper right corner. We made the Summit the day before this photo was taken around 2:30pm in blizzard conditions. 60-70 MPH winds with snow and ice covering everything. It was no joke. Sunday the day this photo was taken the weather was clear and sunny. You could see the summit from hermits lake shelters which was just an amazing sight. What a great weekend expedition! 

http://www.mountwashington.org/

 Lean-to #2 @ Hermit Lake Shelters. What a relief to drop are 45lb packs and set up camp. At this point we unloaded to repacked are small summit packs with just enough water and head back out for a light weight summit.

  It took us 2 hours to reach the summit from Hermits Lake Shelters, which is the half way mark up the mountain. What a reward to finally see the summit sign through the blinding snow and wind. Most unpredictable weather in the world! If you live on the east coast Mt. Washington summit is a must! Get Some...