Plateau Mountain via Devil’s Path from Mink Hollow PA (All Trails Challenge NYNJTC Map 141)

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Plateau Mountain via Devil’s Path from Mink Hollow PA (All Trails Challenge NYNJTC Map 141)


Only two cars in Mink Hollow PA, and I started around noon. I so adore midweek hiking and skiing that I’m counting down the days to retirement—which should be about 12 years from now.


The trails were damp but firm, and the rocks and tree roots were slippery from the rain. I always bring poles, but today I was particularly grateful for them—especially on the way down. 


Today’s IPA induced musing was that my natural proclivity is toward monogamy, but if I really think about it, I’m kind of in an ethically non-monogamous relationship with skiing, as it will always be my primary partner. 


With skiing (and hiking) I can constantly rebuild my belief in myself by taking on new projects or challenges. It also gives me a sense of efficacy and control over my psychological, spiritual, and physical well-being. When I engage in it, I feel I’m living life to the fullest. 


I think we often rely on partners to relieve us of our emotional burdens, but it seems unreliable and unrealistic to put that all on another person. I bet if we were all able to find something we’re passionate about, and society prioritized time for us to engage in it, that humanity would be much more empathetic, forgiving, and overall chill with each other. 


The IPA of the day was aptly Devil’s Path IPA, my favorite to come out of the Catskills.





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