Saved by Conglomerates - Whittenberg Cornell Slide FKT Report
Located in the heart of the uplifted and eroded geology of the Catskill Mountains lies three of the regions high peaks connected by a 14.1mile trail. From Woodland Valley campground just outside Phoencia, New York the trail summits Whittenberg Mountain (3780’), Cornell (3860’), and the highest point in the region, Slide Mountain (4,180’).
On Saturday September 21, 2013 at a quarter to eight in the morning, I took off out of Woodland Valley passing over Woodland Creek starting the ascent up Whittenberg Mountain. Just up the trail, I stopped and signed into the NYDEC log book and continued on my way. Things were not ideal for the majority of the initial hike. Maybe my head wasn't in the right place, but neither were my lungs and legs. Approximately a half hour in, I caught a toe on a boulder forcing me to tumble over a rock filled section of trail. Apparently, a broken handheld strap, a scuffed up knee and palm was enough to kick the adrenaline in and set me back into my comfortable level. I reached the summit of Whittenberg in 52 minutes. I knew my only fighting chance I had at this fastest known time (FKT) was to continue to push the pace up the climbs. I charged the descent off Whittenburg and again kept the pace moving on the ascent and descent of Cornell.
The climb up to Slide allows very little room to gather any rhythm with rock scrambles and short runnable sections. Once up on Slide Mountain (1hr 31min), I waived to the boys scout group just reaching the summit, retied my shoes, and began the chaotic loose scree downhill. At this point, I was nine minutes up on the record time, and I wanted to extend that before the road section. As I began the descent, the clouds opened up just long enough to soak the trail and make the boulders slick. Slippery sections of technical downhill were not ideal, but it was still manageable due to the solid footing provided by the conglomerates of the Devonian and Mississippian period.
I attempted my form of leg turnover on the mile road section leaving the Slide Mountain parking area heading toward the Giant Ledge lot. Although I’m not in favor of leaving the trail, this is a pleasant section to loosen up from the constant pounding of the technical terrain. Making the right into the yellow trail I greeted a nice couple out for a day hike and began the hike towards the campground. The last two climbs were definitely marches, but the single track from this point to the campground is fast and provides great views overlooking a couple ravines. With my mind on the finish and a slight misstep, a portion of the trail slumped away from under my foot forcing me to scratch and claw my way back on trail just a half mile from the end. Following the two staircases down to the parking area, I hit the stop button to see 2 hours 44 minutes. An idyllic way to cap off one of my favorite link ups in the Catskills.
GPS Track: Whittenberg Cornell Slide Loop