Kaaterskill Falls/ DEC Rescue Training 01-22/23-09

January 23, 2009 at 11:20 am · Filed under Gunks Rock Climbing/ Rock Climbing and tagged: ice climbing kaaterskill falls catskills

Bob Ellsinger lowering in the litter while DEC Ranger Rob Meccus watches

Lowering the litter into Bridal Veil Falls, Platte Clove

John Mackey starting pitch 1 of Gottlieb's Roof WI 4+

John Mackey, Tom Andrews, and I climbed the majority of Kaaterskill Falls on Wednesday.  I got the first pitch of Kaaterskill WI 3+and John wanted the rest.  He has been dreaming of climbing this gem for years and Wednesday was as good as any to tackle it.  In reality he climbed the first pitch of Gottlieb’s Roof  WI 4+which is no easy task in itself.  The climbing was pretty stiff for the grade but John climbed it like a champ.  The last pitch of Kaaterskill Falls was still fairly thin in the tube so we all decided to save it for another day.  Great job John.  Thursday took us to Platte Clove for a rescue training with the DEC.  Brendan Mealia, Ralph Schimmenti, John Mackey, and I all helped in this years winter training above Bridal Veil Falls.  The weather cooperated with temps in the 20’s and partly sunny skies.  We do these trainings with the DEC and other organizations in the area to prepare everyone in the event of a emergency.  They are extremely helpful in getting people who are first on the scene to initiate the rescue process.  Great job by the DEC and other organizations involved.

John Mackey bridging the crux on Gottlieb's Roof WI 4+

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