1981 July 14

Dear Grace,

All of us enjoyed our recent trip back to New York to complete the 46 and to visit our former neighbors/friends near Brockport.

We made the 1500 mile drive Fri PM, Sat, Sun the 26-28 of June. Arrived in Lake Placid to learn that the area had been receiving lots of rain. We certainly were lucky to choose the week that we did for hiking, as the weather was great.

With black fly season at its height (or so it seemed) and our age increasing each year, we'd decided to "camp" in town and do long day hikes.

Expecting Marshall and Cliff to provide the greatest challenge due to the long distance in from the Loj, coupled with the prospect of an unspectacular view and poor herd paths, we opted for an assault on those 2 on Monday while we were fresh. We started at 6:35AM and came out at 8:30PM, thinking we'd gone roughly 22 miles in those 14 hours. The walk in over Avalanche Pass and Hitch-up Matilda was enjoyable, especially on the newly maintained trail.

We left the main trail for Marshall about 9:30. The hike along and up the brook was reminiscent of the Seymour ascent (which we'd done in the rain). Arrived on the summit at 11.

On Marshall: log book ->	6/24	Wayne Cook (25th)      Black River, ND
	6/24	Dan Hoffman, 46er #1148 and Joe Coughlin (26th)      Watertown

The walk along the Opalescent went easily. It certainly is a "violent" stream.

The "blocked off" yellow trail to the Redfield/Cliff col is horribly oozy. I thought when I misstepped that I might sink forever into the mire. Jeff asked if we knew what BOG meant, having proudly coined a new acronym: Black Ooze Group.

Started up herd path to Cliff about 2 or 2:15, arrived st summit at 3:15. The traverse over to the summit was a welcome relief after the steep climb.

On Cliff: log book ->

George Hoch (39th), Binghamton (no date) Frank Bianco, Whitney Pt. (2nd time around) Larry pringle (32nd), Springfield, MA Mike Mathras (32nd), Belchertown, MA

The trail via Lake Arnold returning was the same as we'd found it last year - extremely wet and unmaintained; the kind one just slogs over. Arrived back at Loj, tired and happy.

On Tues, June 30th, we left the Loj at 9:30AM for Street & Nye. This pair was much more enjoyable than the usual trailless due to the walk up along the stream through woods that were (relatively) open. We climbed & climbed, expecting to arrive at the col & finally realized we were on Street, not far from the summit. Arrived at 1:30; no view; par for trailless.

Street - log book:	6/23	John A Harrington
	6/30	Hank Bickel (32nd), ?, NY Bob Ottaviano (#1484), Glenville (had noted that these two had registered before us at the Loj)

The maze of herd paths between Street & Nye is a challenge. Jer got out the compass & we trekked over, losing, then finding paths. Arrived at the summit at 2:45PM.

Nye - log book:	6/24	Eileen Keegan (#1645) J Robert Paltrand (35th)
	6/30	same two as on Street

Bushwacked partially till we found the primary herd path down. Came off trail at 7:30PM.

Jen & I had been, for about 2 months, running 2 miles/day and found that it helped considerably on those 2 days. Nevertheless, we decided that we deserved/needed a rest on Wednesday.

Thursday, July 2nd, we left the Loj at 6:05 for Colden and Haystack. The fog/clouds parted now and then so that we could never be sure that it would clear, but it did, finally, late in the afternoon and we were grateful for a decent day, cooler for a long hike than a clearer one would have been.

We arrived at the summit of Colden at 9:30. Jeff spotted the red triangle on the rock. He enjoyed being the first on each of these last 6 mountains - actually has been 1st on most of the 46. (If the numbering assignment isn't specified in any particular way, it'd be neat if he had the lowest of our 4, as he's the one who'd enjoy that "honor".) Still too much fog for a great view, but we could see a bit & saw a group coming up the dyke.

Finally, we meet a few people on the trail - there seemed so few this trip; empty lean-tos, empty parking-lots at the Loj.

The trek up to the shoulder of Marcy was familiar, and is a good trail, an easy walk before the deep col between Marcy & Haystack. Haystack is definitely on our list of mountains to re-climb.

As far as I can recall, we've taken pictures of ourselves, or had another hiker snap the 4 of us on all the peaks - except the 46th! We enjoyed the view, the clouds having temporarily lifted a bit, ate a (second) lunch, and were back on Little Haystack before we realized we'd forgotten the photo. Then we attempted to catch the pix with us on Little H and get H in the background - just as the clouds were rolling in again. Alas, perhaps another time we'll have a super day on Haystack.

Jen came "home" only as far as the Univ of Kansas where she's attending Music Camp for 2 weeks (she's a violinist), so her letter will arrive later.

This first year in Tulsa has been a good one, with Jeff and Jen both well settled into their new schools.

Your mailings of the 46er application forms arrived just as we did last August - all was topsy-turvy, and I'm sorry to say that I can't locate them (though I expect thay are SOMEWHERE in a SAFE place). Could you please send more?

We hope that you have a good year. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Jean Wagener
46er