Well where do I start. Looking back 4 years ago I was super intrigued by Russ’ article on Bearpen and the Lane’s startup of the Princeton Ski Bowl as well as James Deluxe’s follow up article on Russ. It was planned to hike the mountain before hurricane Irene destroyed Prattsville. Yes Dutchess was a good substitute but the allure of this ill fated attempt was still there.
As with all my trips to visit family in NJ I usually try to visit ski areas whether operating or lost so I envisioned another try at the granddaddy of major lost areas of the Catskills with its location within a 3 hour drive of many Snow Journalists. With the planned hike on a Holiday weekend I figured a decent turnout. I also figured I had nothing to lose by emailing the one who built this fabled rope tow ski area on this snow magnet.
Although not completely surprised by Dr Ben Lane’s reply I was struck by the ENTHUSIASTIC response to wanting to meet. Remember this 83 year old working eye Dr didn’t know me from Adam. I therefore telephoned him and we were like buddies after telling him where I grew up and my dads farm in Montville a couple miles away from his Lake Hiawatha residence/ business. These 2 brothers have lived there since 1938. We set a date for Sunday the 5th and we talked about Russ LaChapelle and the Dr said he would ask Russ to join us. I offered to pick him and his brother Ken up with Liz(most everyone here knows her name anyway)and they would be our guests of honor for a full day tour of their ski area. The weather looked good and everything was coming together.
Everyone from the hike has mentioned the time they spent with the brothers answering their questions but I would just like to point out some of the observations of spending 15 hours with I will call Ben and Ken.
Ken greeted us enthusiastically and his vibrant outgoing personality was demonstrated by his greeting us and a hug for Liz as if he hadn’t seen a long lost friend in 25 years. He could talk and joke nonstop so we just listened and when he gave us time we would ask a question and he would get into a lot of detail on the subject and before we knew it we were shown through the home which had all kinds of ski paraphanalia in a somewhat “hoarder” arrangement. Finally Ben came down and he too after looking at my size quickly was comfortable in showing us some of his prized ski related items. He brought out a projector and showed us slides of Bearpen and his ski trips to Great Gorge, Tuckrrmans, Aspen and others. Before we realized it it was almost 8 and we had to get rolling to meet at the Prattsville diner at the appointed time.
Liz had brought a voice recorder and I asked Ben if it was alright if we taped the conversation , no problem. He reiterated much of the history of the articles and we spoke of our ethnic backgrounds and some of our personal lives. Although being engaged 3 times Ben never married and neither did Ken.
Now just some observations and recollections. It was demonstrated that these men were brought up to respect others . Ben said that his mom always said to leave a better world for others. It was shown by the discussion of Percy Goff and others who ended a possibly gold mine of a ski area. He showed no remorse and although dissapointed at the final outcome never showed a “ I’ll get back at them” attitude. Also they both seemed truly interested in us by asking what we did, what our parents did ,their backgrounds, our siblings, grandkids,etc. it wasn’t about “them”.
I could tell these brothers truly love each other and the mountain where their dad had died and the family put their heart and soul into it. After the hike and dinner at Selina’s diner near Hunter Mtn Ken was tired after devouring a large meal ( Ben brought home leftovers) and laid his head in Ben’s lap and took a quick nap. Now that’s brotherly love!
I won’t get into detail on Russ but I have to because without him and his friend Hal Shaw who lives at the bottom of the mountain I wouldn’t have made the summit of the mountain. Hal came to the rescue and had 2 for wheel drive atv’s. I was a little more than half way to the summit and although my legs were ok I was somewhat lightheaded and dizzy and obviously out of 2000 vert hiking shape. Russ picked up James deluxe who had time constraints and gave him a whirlwind tour of the mountain. ( these 2 had never physically met) before coming back to get me and Hal grabbed Ken and brought him up.
You could obviously see Russ’ passion for this mountain. After looking out from a few vantage points( my favorite was the rock ledge looking out to Plattekill) and showing us rusted rope tow vehicles, Russ gave me a private tour of the mountain. We were driving down rope tow lines that were smooth as silk and a consistent grade bulldozed by the Slutsky’s 60+ years ago. He showed me trails he constructed and knew this place like the back of his hand. Personally I got along great with Russ and would nt hesitate to ski with him. ( it didn’t hurt that we both have the same vice)
After Ben,Ken, and Russ showed us where the lodge, first aid hut where their mom spent much time, many of the trails such as Ski Spree, Plunge, Bearpen trail, and others and the skating pond was it was time to finish up the hike/ ride.
There’s something about sharing a meal that brings those together. We garnered much insight into the area by staring at Hunter Mountain, learning of its history and getting a fantastic meal paid for by the Njskibabe.
I have gained an appreciation for these brothers only by spending a FULL day with them and think I can call them my friends as well as Russ and the others who joined us.
I can only hope I can keep up with the Lane brothers on the slopes if I am fortunate to ski with them some day!
