How's Slide Mountain (the one in the Catskills, not Big Slide) this time of year? What is needed - crampons? instep or 12 point? ice axe or maybe just a pair of collapsible trekking poles?

If I do this, it'll probably be via the short approach from the west/southwest.

Normally I don't do shit this time of year, forgive the clueless gumby questions!

I doubt you'd need crampons or axe from that side. I've skied up it.

Snowshoes! Don't go postholing up one of the most heavily used trails in the catskills!

"one of the most heavily used trails in the catskills"

Strat is sure right on that. It can be a great place in the winter though. I did it real early one winter day after a fresh snow and was the first one to break the trail (snowshoeing) until I was nearly at the top when I was passed by a couple of people moving much faster.

On the way down I passed CROWDS especially near the bottom.

From the West the slope is very gradual, easy to snowshoe, except in one icy spot I remember. I think I decided to take my chances in the snowshoes or my boots, not bother to put crampons on.

Have fun!!
-Chris C

snowshoes - ok sounds perfect to me! is there even any snow there now?

instep crampons can't hurt. it can be icy when the snow conditions are poor. i've hiked it in january when there was an inch of powder on a fat layer of solid ice -- it was a pain in the ass without crampons (i had broken my collar bone a couple of weeks earlier. sheesh) i can't speak to the current conditions though ...