Got back out there for a short overnight trip in the Big Indian Wilderness area of Catskill Mountains in NY. This trip was kind of a last minute (night before) decision to go. We picked a relatively short in and out hike, about 11 miles for the day, while knocking 2 peaks above 3500 ft off the Catskill 3500 list, Balsam and Eagle Mountains. Both pretty much no thrills and no views at their peaks. Balsam Mt does a small view just a few hundred yards from the peak, and Eagle Mt has a Cannister to sign at its peak. I believe Balsam Mt is also a winter peak on the list. Meaning it has to be climbed in the winter months, ( December 21 – March 21) AND any other time of year to count for the 3500 list. I can see it being a challenging winter hike as I imagine the climb up and down could be a steep ice chute and require some skills if the conditions were right. The bugs were horrible. Mid May in the Catskills is a buggy time, I guess all the hatchings and hungry bugs are swarming. Relentless. If you stop moving for 10 seconds they will swarm and encompasses your entire body, and if you stay still even a few seconds longer they WILL not only bite you, but they WILL definitely pick you up and carry you away! I was so thankful I decided to bring my SMD Lunar Solo tent, ad that extra space in there was a huge welcome to sit and spread out and get away from the madness because we hiked the 2 peaks, 11 miles in about 5 hours time and were back at camp around 3 pm. We decided to hike down past our camp and head over to the lean to so we could make a fire and keep bugs away, and also cook and eat our dinner there, as not to do it anywhere near where we were camping! Over all it was a fun time even though no spectacular views or anything like that and the bugs.. there definitely were no crowds and this section is most likely less traveled due to the lack of views.. so that was welcome for us! Less people the better and we only saw 1 other group of 4 people, and then 1 single person the entire 2 days. My pack weight was 9.5 lbs with both of our food for 1.5 days and no water.. not bad. I really didn’t pack anything extra.. especially with warmer weather now. I really do love being out there even if it’s a short hike and overnighter..
