“I climbed Mt Pyramid in the summer of 1967 as my Canadian Centennial project. I was 18 years old at the time, working for the summer at Jasper Park Bakery. This was what I did on my one and only day-off that summer. I registered my climb with the Parks Service and I walked all the way from my apartment on top of the bakery in Jasper to the top of the mountain and back down again. The only problems I ran into were bears (on the lower levels), and I also forgot that I might get thirsty! (*dumb teenager) I had to climb down the shaded side of the mountain to quench my thirst with some snow, since I failed to bring enough water with me.

It was a spectacular summer day. Not a cloud in the sky and the scene at the peak, of the Rocky Mountains extending as far as the eye could see in all directions, was absolutely breathtaking.

The climb is actually an easy one. I left early in the morning, and was at the summit shortly after noon. I followed an access road to the northeast face of the mountain just below the tree line. From that vantage point, it became obvious why it is called Mount Pyramid. The mountain forms a perfect symmetrical pyramid. The road ends at the base of a gondola lift (meant for maintenance crews to get to the radio tower at the top of the mountain.)

I decided to climb along the right ridge of the pyramid to the summit. The ridge consisted of huge jagged boulders tacked on top of one another to form a pyramid, not that dissimilar to the pyramids in Egypt, but of course were of random sizes and angles. The ridge was narrow, and the steep slopes on either side of the ridge provided enough of an adrenalin rush to keep me moving with my eyes fixed on the summit.

I was planning on walking the entire way back to Jasper as well, but as I was walking toward town from Pyramid Lake, someone offered me a ride and I couldn't resist. I had been walking and climbing for nearly 12 hours by that point and the pain in my legs was beginning to take its toll.

The next day, I couldn't drive the delivery truck for the bakery because I couldn't lift my foot off the accelerator and onto the brake without assistance.”

Leigh Sheppard from CANADA - 22 Feb 2012

“Access to Windham High Peak, is easist from the PA on Greene County Route 23 in East Windham. You can also access the peak from Peck Road, which is off Big Hollow Road outside of Hensonville.
Windham High Peak is one of the least difficult of the 3500' Catskill Peaks, in that the first mile is a gradual ascent, than as you gain altitude the steeper parts are interspersed with level sections. There are numerous switchbacks to alleviate the steeper parts. There is a mix of open woods with partial views, and closed woods.
Once you reach 3200' the trail starts to steepen. The level summit is reached soon after sign designating 3500. Once you level off there are open views to the west from a ledge on the right of the trail of the Blackhead Range. A 100 yards or so further, at the summit, there are open views to the east of the Taconic Range.
The Rt is about 7 miles, with an elevation Windham High Peak of 1800'+.
Anytime of the year is a great time to hike WHP, as it is a wide trail all the way to the top.”

AOM from UNITED STATES - 19 Feb 2012

“33 North is an alternative tourism tour operator. It runs trekking guided tours to Mount Hermon in summer and in winter. During summer you can enjoy a camp at 2750 m, luggage are transported on mules back. In winter you can enjoy the mountain on snowshoeing or back country skiing.

For more information call us on 00 961 3/ 45 49 96 or 00 961 71 / 33 11 38.

email: info@33-north.com”

33 North from LEBANON - 17 Feb 2012