Fire Tower 2 Hurricane Mountain

Technically tax season was in full swing but the ladies we had met at Ubu's in January sent us a text to say they were hiking Hurricane Mountain and would we join them.  Paul and I thought we would be holding them up but we agreed to meet with the understanding they did not have to wait for us. Turned out to be a wonderful day.  We met up at the 46 Sandwiches in town.  They added Blake to our group.  a young filmographer of the 46er film. A hit among the local crowd and hikers everywhere.  After breakfast we went to the second entrance to Hurricane up Rt 9N. This is the shortest route to the summit

.   Lots of uphill driving to the trail head.  Good for us, less uphill to climb.  Morning was cold and sunny.  We waited for Blake..long dull story.   The beginning part of the hike was flat through a forest then started uphill.  There was more ice than we expected.  It had been very warm the week before and not much snowfall for the year.  Our micro-spikes came in handy.  And because they were so new they were thankfully very sharp.  It was a short hike 2.2 miles from the parking lot to the tower.  When we arrived at the top it was a glorious day.  We could see Whiteface as well as many other mountains.  We spent a couple of hours on top of the mountain lounging in the sun, Blake practiced yoga, Chrissy brought out the whiskey and vodka.  The girls were very instructional as to what items are needed on a hike.  In fact both Chrissy and Angie strongly recommended the Skills Training workshop held at the ADK Loj at the end of April.  They would be head of "cook groups" during the weekend.  The trip down the mountain was a bit harry.  Walking up the ice was one thing but Chrissy's webbing came in handy.  It was a flat webbed rope 50 feet long that you would put around a tree and climb down the ice patch backward. It was truly a lifesaver.