Late fall and winter are hiking season in the Catskills--especially if you are bushwacking. That's what I did with Connie (also known as Killer Connie, in red) and Edna on November 15 as we trudged up Mount Sherrill and North Dome. When we arrived at the trailhead in Westkill it was ten degrees out. I was not ready for the cold, even though I had on four layers. I kept all of them on during the hike and even added my down jacket on the descent! Our goal was that red canister in the background--there are canisters on the summits of all bushwack peaks in the Catskills--not a glorious view. 

There are 35 peaks over 3,500 feet in the Catskills. Lots of people have their lists and the 3500 club promotes climbing all of them. Some hike them all in the winter as well. And then there are those who climb all of the peaks in every month of the year (this can take a year or two, depending on how obsessive you are). Connie is one such hiker--she has done this grid twice and is working on her third grid. She's an amazing woman: bakes great cookies we eat at the end of each hike, runs a health club, and practices reiki. Connie is keeping my Catskill list for me. I've got a few peaks to go...