Sherrill, North Dome: Catskill High Peaks 30,31/37 12/17/24

[Ripitz]

After warming up on Halcott the day before, Powerman and I turned our attention towards two peaks that aren’t so easy to get to, Sherrill and North Dome from Shaft Road.

With only traces of snow, we spiked up an old road at first that follows a stream. Immediately my heels were screaming from bruising and blisters that had started on our previous jaunt. I knew right then and there that it was going to be a long day.

We hit deeper snow, started shwacking, and switched to snowshoes somewhere around 2,900ft.

2.25 miles in and 2,000 ft higher we found what we were looking for.

Then it was on to North Dome.

After a wild descent, we found ourselves in the notch between the two beasts.

These peaks don’t give themselves up too easy.

 

[Ripitz]

Part Two

3,615ft

Now 5 miles in we had to retrace our steps back to the car. It was 2:15pm with only 2 more hours until sunset. Time to boogie.

Back into the notch.

And back up Sherrill.

We made the summit for the second time with the sun getting lower. We had one more stop to make.

4:20pm, sunset at the Magic Bus.

What a beauty.

We shwacked back through the woods in the fading light and caught a glimpse of the Belleayre ski trails with the sun setting behind its ridgeline.

10 miles out and back with just over 3,000ft of elevation and we didn’t see a single soul.

The days are short and the shwacks are long but when you travel with a little faith and a good friend, anything is possible.