http://www.flickr.com/photos/lobo98/sets/72157603719290590/

- but in general it was a wash.  The higher temps of Jan 7, 8, 9 plus the rain pretty much destroyed everything.  THere was a lot of optimism about stuff coming back, but it didn't.  So here it is:

Jan 9 - Naz, Bill and I meet up at BWI and flew up to ALB, drove to Cascade Inn

Jan 10 - Hunt for Ice...After breakfast, we drove over to N. Face of Pitchoff - nothing - you could have lead Tendonitis - but it would have been super sketchy - it was running with water and there was a groove down it.  We decided to go with Plan B: Summit Mt. Marcy.  After lunch and repacking, we hit the trail about 5:30 PM.  The hike in was good - nice temp.  The hardest thing was to negotiate some of the creeks that had opened up because of the warm temps.  We made SLANT ROCK shelter about 9 and settled in for the night.

Jan 11 - 24 Hr. Marcy Assault - We got a super early start at 10:15 AM for the summit.  It was raining.  No fun snowshoeing in the rain.  Once we got about treeline, it turned to sleet and some snow.  We made the summit and turned around for the hike out.  We gather some things we left at Slant Rock Shelter and headed down.  WE got to the car about 6 PM.   We missed the Slide Shoe by Doug Scott - we were soaking wet and hungry.

Jan 12 - Yes, there is Ice - After breakfast, we dropped Naz off at Rock and River for her class.  It was going to happen.  Bill and I then talked to Ed Palen and he told us if we drove over to Crystal Ice Tower there was a TopRope set up and we could use it if we broke it down and brought it back.  We did.  It was good to swing some tools.  The ice was ok - delaminated at the bottom [hollowing sounding], bounded in the middle, and half bonded at the top.  You definitely see water running behind the ice on the rock - cold temp were needed.  Bill and I got in about 6 runs - trying different things like no crampons, no tools, no rope [just seeing if you are paying attention].  It was fun to be ice.  Afterwards, we broke it down, got lunch, and collect Naz.  She had been TRing down in the canyon and got in some good climbs on LIONS ON THE BEACH.  We made the spaghetti dinner and slideshow.  Bill caught a water bottle, I caught a chalk bag and chalk and won a headlamp.  This was all part of the swag they were giving away and raffling.  The show was about ice climbing in Newfoundland, Canada.  So big stuff up there.

Jan 13 - Chouinard's: the ol' college try - We got a 6 AM start thinking it might have been cold enough to get up Chouinard's.  It would have gone nad it was one of those decisions that ached.  Here we are - it will go - but is it worth it?  The collective answer was no.  On the bright side - that TR was set up on Crystal ICe Tower again and Naz got to do some laps.  SHe put on a clinic - great technique, one tool, and down climbing.  After the climbing, we got a lazy lunch, and headed to ALB to get flights.  When I landed in NC, it was colder than NY - go figure.

If you are going this weekend or the next - my bet is it will be good.  Have fun and be safe. 

Wayne

PMC Dining Guide - Naz, Bill and Wayne's Rankings

Breakfast
1.) City Diner(Lake Placid) or Noon Mark(Keene or Keene Vally) - more choices at City Dinner; great home fries at Noon Mark
2.) Cedar Run - good jam, but cost $0.75 for little container.

Lunch
1.) Tip-a-canoe - great fish and chips and $3 dessert special
2.) Sandwich Shop beside putt-putt in Lake Placid on the way to Saranac Lake (near price chopper) - awesome bread, incredible beet bisque - smallish sandwich
2.) Lisa G - tasty burger - lots of fries - slower service

Dinner
1.) Caribbean Cowboy - tasty steak plate, margaritas a little weak, sweet potato fries good