What's Your Nature?
Become a Nature Up North explorer to share your encounters with wild things and wild places in New York's North Country. Post your wildlife sightings, landscape shots, photos from your outings, and even your organization's events!
Recreation
Harper Falls Winter
8-10 inches of fluffy powder transformed the landscape last weekend, creating true winter hiking conditions. Along the way to Harper Falls we encountered a porcupine in a small beech tree. It had stripped nearly all of the bark off the upper third of the tree. I'm always impressed by the resiliency of winter wildlife. The tree, on the other hand, will not be long for this world.
Ice Climbing on Mt. Colden West Gully (Cruciflyer) Slide
Photo 1: Mosaic of various slide areas.
Photo 2: Kevin climbing a lower section of the slide, photo by NP Photography.
Photo 3: Beautiful ice formations were on the left for a 1/4 mile.
Photo 4: One of the 3 rappels we employed.
Photo 5: Kevin walking under a large overhang just before the most exposed pitches.
Photos and text: http://www.adkhighpeaks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23392 or www.mackenziefamily.com/46/46r.html
Sunshine Farm
The north country comes to life at sunset. Going on an afternoon run, I could not help, but stop and take a picture.
Pirate Treasure Hunt Hike
Nature Up North partnered with Blair Madore of the ADK Laurentian Chapter for a pirate themed treasure hunt hike last Sunday. On a picturesque fall day we set out on the Red Sandstone trail in search of lost pirate coins and the natural treasures of Sugar Island. We caught frogs, saw crayfish, roasted hotdogs, learned about pirates, and had a great romp around the woods. Thanks to all who attended!
Dix Mountain Lobster Claw Slide on Southern Ridge
Intro/Thoughts
I topped Santanoni’s East (Twin) Slide on Monday, August 5th. While scanning to the east something seemed amiss in the panorama. Two white scars, partially hidden behind one of Dix’ western ridges, painted what looked like the side of the southern ridge (between the Beckhorn and Hough). I pushed it to the back of my mind at first. The next day, I grew curious and scanned a few photos from trip reports on the forum. Comparing June and July photos from Hough confirmed that Dix had a new slide added to its already extensive collection. Time to explore!
Avalanche Pass Slide
If you've gone to Avalanche Pass, you've walked directly under this slide created in 1999 by Hurricane Floyd. Keep in mind that skiing/snowshoeing is strictly forbidden. Triggering an avalanche here would put anyone on the trail below in jeopardy. For the full trip report and pictures see the "Slides and Bushwhacks" page at http://www.mackenziefamily.com/46/46r.html