NYC> Gunks> Cooperstown

I'm lucky enough to be the best man at my friends wedding this October, 13th at the Ommegang Brewery in Cooperstown, NY. Not wanting to travel for the wedding only, the ol' lady and I are planning to wrap in some "city" time and climbing into a 7-10 day trip. This will be both our first time to NY (as long as a quick train ride in to Times Square for a hot dog and back to the airport doesn't count). A quick search puts Gunks/Trapps directly between both - perfect! So, I'm looking for some advice on a few issues:

#1- Best manhood - Any advice really...
#2- Where to stay in the city? Is it really $150/night minimum?
#3- Anyone know of any NY VW van rentals?
#4- Gunks mid-October - I know conditions may be ideal, weather permitting, but isn't it crowded with foliage watchers? Are camp sites reserved way in advance? Should we make reservations ASAP?
$5- Any general advice with this plan?

I see I"m asking for a lot. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I can't help you with NYC info, but October is generally delightful weather in the Gunks. Columbus day weekend is one of the most crowded of the year, and any given weekend with great weather can be crowded, but even on the most crowded days I've never had to wait for a climb, as long as you don't set your heart on specific classic climbs and are willing to get on what's open, you'll be fine. Of course, crowds can be annoying for other reasons, but if it bothers you it can usually be avoided by walking a little farther down the cliff. The main camping areas closest to the cliffs are free, first-come first-serve, no reservations. There are probably some other campgrounds nearby that take both money and reservations, and probably things like hotels too, but I wouldn't know anything about those. I was just in Cooperstown last week and the Ommegang has some delightful brews. Have fun!

BC Sortor wrote:So, I'm looking for some advice on a few issues: #1- Best manhood - Any advice really... #2- Where to stay in the city? Is it really $150/night minimum? #3- Anyone know of any NY VW van rentals? #4- Gunks mid-October - I know conditions may be ideal, weather permitting, but isn't it crowded with foliage watchers? Are camp sites reserved way in advance? Should we make reservations ASAP? $5- Any general advice with this plan?

#1 - Don't fall into traps of having elaborate game-movie-stripper BS. Remember the wallets of the groom's other friends.

#2 - Stay in New Jersey. MUCH cheaper, and since you're not commuting to work just plan on heading into Manhattan after 9AM to avoid the worse traffic, and leave before 3PM or after 7PM. Rush hour is horrible down there!

#3 - Let me know if you find anything, none I'm aware of. Best you'll find is a van at a rental agency.

#4 - Ideal as Em explained. It's $17 /day to climb at the Gunks/Mohonk. Free camp grounds fill up fast in the evenings. Coming from out of town I'd push you towards finding a local campground and making a reservation. They can cost as little as $10 /night for a privately owned, or $25 for KOA. My advice - try to work climbing into the weekday part of your trip. They literally run out of parking on the busiest weekend days. During the week at peak season there are literally less than half as many climbers.

#5 - I'm all for the good culture of NY (food, museums, etc), but if you're truly a climber there's nothing you'll find in Manhattan that will justify the expense of your trip like the time spent climbing at the Gunks. IMHO - fuck the NYC touron part of your trip and spend it climbing instead. I made that mistake on a trip to Vegas a few years back. Never again - it's arrive at airport, then hit the road to the great outdoors. I have plenty of time to be looking at art when I'm too old and frail to climb.

BC Sortor wrote:I'm lucky enough to be the best man at my friends wedding this October, 13th at the Ommegang Brewery in Cooperstown, NY. Not wanting to travel for the wedding only, the ol' lady and I are planning to wrap in some "city" time and climbing into a 7-10 day trip. This will be both our first time to NY (as long as a quick train ride in to Times Square for a hot dog and back to the airport doesn't count). A quick search puts Gunks/Trapps directly between both - perfect! So, I'm looking for some advice on a few issues: #1- Best manhood - Any advice really... #2- Where to stay in the city? Is it really $150/night minimum? #3- Anyone know of any NY VW van rentals? #4- Gunks mid-October - I know conditions may be ideal, weather permitting, but isn't it crowded with foliage watchers? Are camp sites reserved way in advance? Should we make reservations ASAP? $5- Any general advice with this plan? I see I"m asking for a lot. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

#1. Don't do bachelor party in NYC unless you want a city tour. Let's just say from personal experience. The parties are over price and quality is errr... If you are running a bachelor party, only invite people with money. I'm serious, one time we invite the groom's broke ass cousins, man, that was miserable.
#2. $150 is about right. You can stay in NJ, but why? Which airport are you flying into? Stay in NYC with your ol'lady, ton of stuff to do and you guys would love it. Oct is also prime tourist season. Buy those 3 days tour packages that includes all the tickets.
#3. No VW Rental. Renting any vehicle in NYC metro region is expensive. Take the train or bus to New Paltz, hitch a ride or cab to gunks.
4. No camp site reservation. First come first serve. Go there during weekday and generally, you'll be fine. Camps are free there.

Visiting NYC is like the Paris thread. You can always come back and climb, and the gunks will stay the same. Visiting NYC properly is a wonderful experience. You don't need 10 days, but take your time and have a good trip.

divnamite wrote: Take the train or bus to New Paltz, hitch a ride or cab to gunks.

There's no train to New Paltz. You'll have to go to Poughkeepsie. Take Metro North instead of Amtrak, it's way cheaper. Or take the Trailways bus (more expensive, but you don't need to get across the river).

BC Sortor wrote:#3- Anyone know of any NY VW van rentals?

Is the van taking you all the way to Cooperstown? Why a van and not a car? Are you leaving from the same airport you arrived at? You definitely don't want a car while you're staying in the city. If you take the train to Pougkeepsie, you can rent a car there (you'll probably need to take a cab from the station to the rental place).

BC Sortor wrote:#4- Gunks mid-October - I know conditions may be ideal, weather permitting, but isn't it crowded with foliage watchers? Are camp sites reserved way in advance?

The're called leaf peepers, and they're more likely to be in hotels than campgrounds. Other climbers are probably going to be your biggest competition for campsites. Like others said, go to New Paltz during the weekdays.