Adirondack Peeks Winter 2024

A Winter Camping Primer—Vintage 1960s MOUNTAIN VIGNETTES

I n this age of polypro underwear, Gore-Tex parkas, fleece jackets, and plastic boots, have you ever stopped to ask yourself how those early winter climbers survived? Con sider that in the 1920s, George Mallory made it to 27,000+ feet on Everest, and in 1939, Fritz Weisner came within sev eral hundred yards of the top of K2 without the benefit of any of our modern gear. To continue this story, let’s return to the Adirondacks we know. At the age of twelve I began sleeping each New Year’s Eve on the front porch of my home. It could be well below freezing during the night, and I’m sure my parents viewed my interest as a little strange, but for some reason the “man versus the elements” challenge fascinated me. My winter climbing began at the age of 16 (in 1962) when my father decided that Jim Bailey (later a 46er President) was a responsible and trustworthy adult. I was placed on a train and sent off to Plattsburgh to be met by Jim. As my counselor for several years at Pok-O-MacCready Camps, I had climbed most of my 46 peaks on trips led by Jim. With other Camp friends we snowshoed up the Hopkins trail and camped for several nights at the former Plateau lean-to. During Christmas break my senior year in high school, my father let me take the car and drive to the Ad irondacks to meet another friend. We spent the first night in the Adirondac Loj parking lot at 30 below zero. Fortunately, the old three-cylinder SAAB started right up the next morn ing. Having survived the night, despite the lack of a tent, we opted for breakfast at Ruthie’s Diner in Lake Placid. Unfortunately, we slid off the road on the way out, which temporarily curtailed any explorations on that trip! My father had been in the National Guard and spent numerous winter nights on maneuvers while freez ing with fellow “city dwellers.” We now call this “learning by doing.” One of my first Christmas gifts was an Eddie Bauer Karakoram down bag—which I still have and use to day! Dad had also learned that what you place under you was as important as what went on top. Thermarests hadn’t been created, but I had an air mattress. Although the con vection currents could rob you of some heat it was still bet ter than sleeping on the ground. Cotton waffle long johns were the initial choice for a base layer, but were still subject to chilly “sogging” and were replaced later with a fishnet alternative. Although still made of cotton, the fishnet pockets allowed warm, dry air to insulate your body. Wool was the fabric of choice whether in the form of socks, hunting pants, or shirts to layer for warmth. Although warm, even when wet, the ma jor drawback of wool outer clothing was its tendency to Phil Corell, #224WV

stick to snow, which then melted with body heat. Still, the next morning you could hit your clothes against a tree and put them back on with few ill effects. Wool hats and mittens were a natural choice, and a hooded, poplin pullover with a large front pocket served as my wind layer. At that point, we lacked over mitts or gaiters. By 1965, I was the proud owner of a Holubar “ex pedition” down parka. It was great for emergencies or standing around the campsite at night but much too warm for use during the day. Soon you realized that a dry shirt next to your skin and layering up worked much better. Footwear and boots were interesting. My father advocated the “Sorel felt liner in a rubber boot concept” before Sorels existed. He purchased a pair of sheepskin in ner boots with hard soles from the Montgomery Ward cata log along with a pair of five buckle rubber boots. The inner boots had the sheep’s wool on the inside with the leather on the outside. They were very warm and more importantly waterproof when placed inside the rubber galoshes. The two drawbacks were keeping the inner boot dry from per spiration and cutting off circulation when the bindings were cinched down tight. Climbers also used the Army surplus Korean boots, or “Mickey Mouse” boots. These were two layers of heavy rubber with a layer of air between. Again, these were very warm but heavy, and circulation could be a problem with tight bindings.

Breaking Trail

26 | ADIRONDACK PEEKS