Write-up: Greg Sipp
Leader: Paul Sirtoli
Co-Leader: Greg Sipp

Wilder Vly … aka “Mutiny on the Vly”

Eight people signed up for what was billed as a 9-mile difficult snowshoe, with a few not fully knowing that the 9 is a conservative estimate on a Paul hike.  When reaching the trailhead off of French Road, the temp was 3 degrees with some flurries.  It would eventually get up to a high of 10. Unfortunately for the group, it wasn’t cold enough to freeze ice.  About 4 miles into the hike, the bushwhack began, and abruptly ended about 20’ from the trail.  Paul took his love of cold water immersion therapy to the extreme, jumping into the water like he was at the Coney Island Polar Bear Club’s New Year’s Day swim.  He exited the water with help, looking refreshed and rejuvenated.  He was ready to press on to Wilder Vly, and that’s where the Mutiny began.  The entire group sided with common sense and unanimously agreed to end the hike and return.  You could hear Tom (new to the club and difficult hikes) yelling out “this is the 2^nd best thing that has happened to me in NYS” apparently he was ready to turn around 2 miles into the snowshoe.  Another new hiker, Kate, on her second snowshoe outing, will be hanging up the snowshoes after today’s fiasco.  Sorry Kate.  The hike did end, not with the 11 projected but with a respectable 8 miles.  Every hike has incredible laughs and surprising moments, some of the best memories you will have.

For more information, read “The Surprising Benefits of Swimming in Cold Water (+ How to Stay Safe) by Paul S