Whiteface and Esther 3/11/12

          With a mild weekend and navigable snowpack predicted, the chance to climb some new high peaks arose. We arrived at the Atmospheric Science center at 8 and after slowly getting our stuff together and a bit of wandering around looking for the trail start, were on our way up Marble at 8:30. The initial ascent was a straight shot following the old lift line foundations I think(?) and a bit of a slog.

   There were nice views to be had at the intersection with the main trail. The camp site here is also compelling. The trail up lookout was quite pretty and we started to get some nice views through the trees. This part of the trail flew and we were soon at the intersection with Esther. There is a large cairn and a sign. Can't miss it.

   This was a lovely herd path, which was well packed out. The whole hike had well packed out trail, great for snowshoeing. enjoying the 4000 ft views in all directions we reached the summit in no time. The whole phase one of this hike flew by. Beautiful woods, gradual ascent and high spirits.  Back we went. We started running into people on our return and our thrall dissolved a little bit as we entered a different phase of our journey.



Esther Summit looking back towards Whiteface



     After about 15-20 minutes we reached the top of the lift for lookout mountain. Our good friends Erin Baxter and Christopher "Weekend" Moeller met us for a pow wow. They were spending a romantic weekend up at the face with their cat. It was great to spend some time, deliver Weekend his meteorite and sit down on a bench for a moment. Baxter had hard boiled eggs for us which fueled our final ascent.



Shredstars and sumitstars!



    In no time we began ascending the final push up Whiteface. Views opened up of the ski trails and we got to see people skiing and the lifts operating in miniature. Pretty neat. The trail opened up to the side of the highway, where there was a fairly steep section followed by a step up some ice. Jeanette came into this hike with some (and rightly so) fear of Whiteface Mountain. It's a very challenging ski mountain and the conditions are often even more challenging. With these feelings combined with some nerves about winter hiking in general (also, rightfully so), Jeanette got a little freaked out.



The final push along the arete.



Looking back

 

    She got up the steep part in snowshoes with no trouble and we sat down on the road for a switch out to crampons for the icy step up. This was also quickly reckoned with and we began our final ascent. Though still battling with (and overcoming) fear and anxiety, Jeanette pushed forward and was able to calm down, as the last stretch looked much more perilous than it was. The last section of trail along the arete is breath-taking as the ADK guidebook promises. Beautiful views out to the high peaks down south and vertigo-inducing views down into the slides. It was cool to do some recon on the slides for future trips on Whiteface. The second half of the pitch looks very manageable.



Possible slide access routes (?)  following natural lines



    We shared the summit with the usual gaggle of French Canadians and enjoyed our PB and J's. After some exploring and pictures we were ready to go. It was difficult to see on the map but it looked to me like you could walk a short distance down from the summit to the parking area. I started leading us down the west side of the summit where the observation machines are against Jeanette's best instincts. We realized after heading down a few hundred feet that this was the trail down to the lake. We went back up to the summit and trotted back down the arete to the road.



lake Placid and the other 44 from Whiteface summit



     The first stretch of road was intensely wind-blown. After getting in the protective shadow of the mountain, it dissipated and we needed to put our snowshoes back on. At this point we ate our summit chocolate and were recharged for the next bit of walking. We made good time and chatted more wildly as the mountain trance set in. Once time started to slow and our feet got to the point of being beyond sore, the snow thinned out and we were able to start bare-booting again. We sat at one of the many picnic tables and gave our legs a break.

Bare booting down the highway

    The final push wasn't terrible and as we approached the booth our spirits raised. Along the last half mile of trail, we saw numerous "dog" tracks and wondered if they might be coyote. On the last section of road walk, my feet became kind of deadened and sore. I could barely lift them! Back in the car at around 5:30. We hiked for around 8 hours with about a 1 hour of down time. Though sore, we both felt strong and appreciated the time we had been recently in the gym. 

   I took my time getting my boots off and having a snack before heading out and reflected on the hike. The weather was stunning, 30's in the morning and probably close to 50 at the highest, with a long afternoon and evening thanks to the spring ahead. I felt blessed. For my girlfriend, my buddies, this beautiful world and the opportunity to explore it.

Dial "M" for Nippletop 5/21/11

So we got a little drunk the night before...

It rained in the morning

which slowed to a drizzle as we reach the gate.

                              

Trilium are part of the first wave of spring flowers.

           

Bright fresh green on the ground and in the trees

        

The clouds begin to blow off...

               

Just in time for lunch

                             

                            

                                                                 

ADK Green

We moved through many different types of forest

                          

and saw many different forms of life

          

There was still snow on the ridge

                            

One more bump to go

                             

we emerge from the tree line

                          

trying not to fall down

                             

Nippletop Summit

                       

We descend a steep trail to Elk Pass.

                         

following wooden plank-ways over swampy ground

              
               

and so it glows

need some spring in my step. Miles to go...

                          

Gill Brook is an endless string of beautiful cascades

                                                            

After many hours and miles, we return to the lake road

         

With Giant there to greet us upon our return

          
             

Whiteface/ Wright Peak Birthday weekend 1/15/11-1/17/11

For my birthday weekend this year i was lucky enough to do two of my favorite things: snowboard and climb a high peak. The gnar crew has been renting this amazing ski cabin about 20 minutes north of Whiteface. We wake up bleary-eyed, pile into the cars.....

and end up at Whiteface for first tracks. Drool (as I am) as you gaze upon the untouched corduroy.

Sathi comes through with another mouth (and eye) watering batch of his signature cider. Be careful!!!! This stuff has been known to induce lift-line naps.

Whiteface is larger than life. Conditions vary wildy and terrain shows as much variety. Not to be triffled with, turns are earned. Jeanette, Kieran and I all learned lessons about respect on this mountain. It is a great humbler. We had some great days there this year, including some of the deepest pow of the season.

Whiteface is the fifth largest mountain in New York State. It is also the most isolated of the high peaks, well to the north of the others, it stands alone Jeanette and I plan on finishing the 46 on it's summit the end of summer/ early fall of 2012. Join us in celebrating! See you on the slides this winter ;)

After two epic days at Whiteface we drive to the Adirondack Loj to meet up with Derrick. He was moving to Colorado and came to the realization that he hadn't actually climbed Wright Peak (one of the most accessible high peaks, a mere 3 miles from it's trail head) and was not actually a 46er. it was a perfect winter day. Bright clear skies, temps hovering around 15 degrees.

Wright Peak is pretty special to me. It's the peak I've climbed the most (5 times to date), one of Jeanette and I's big first trips started here and most recently we took my cousin's Eileen and Christine up it as their first high peak.

This was a special trip. It was my birthday. I turned 29 in the Adirondacks doing what love.
Derrick is one of the big reasons why I live like I do now. I was beginning to dable with bigger hiking and camping trips. He took me on my first mega-hike (17 miles in the Lake George wilderness) and my first high peak (Phelps, at night, in the rain...quite an illustrious start). It meant so much to me to be able to be there when he finished the 46.

This has been a phenomenal year of hiking for Jeanette and I and it started right here. We climbed 16 high peaks this year, doubling the amount we had previously done. We climbed Mount Marcy, New York's largest, got to stand on many summits with some of our best friends and climbed our first trailless peaks (the Seward Range). Many 14 mile days, 20 plus mile weekends, astronaut dinners and PB+J lunches.

We feel so lucky to have the opportunity, drive and ability to undertake such a seemingly unreachable goal. For much of my life the idea of attempting something like this would have been laughable. Even more so, I feel SO grateful that this magical place is in this state, so close to home. I've truly found my place in this word.

Never had a home like this.....

Springtime in Albany

The end of winter has been slow coming this year. Record snowfall made it one of the best years of snowboarding I've ever had but now that the hiking bug has kicked in, it's time for it to go. There is still patches in the woods around Albany and the Peaks are gonna stay blanketed for a while yet but the city is completely snow-free.

My morning walk has gotten decidely more entertaining in the past week or so. The birds are back. Sure, you see a few birds in the winter, some of the hawks stay, Raven's definetly aren't leaving the High Peaks and you hear the occasional call coming from a trailside copse of pines. But the birds are back in the park.

Today I saw: Red-wing black birds, Mourning doves, Robins, Mallards, Canada Geese (coming in for a landing) and Common Grackle

I am overwhelmed and amazed by the sound and action. Flowers are coming up everywhere and green shoots of unknown genus threaten to bloom each day. The tulips have been put in the ground for Tulip Day and my dad has been out fishing.

It's getting harder and harder to take the final steps into the office but I do so knowing that not only will I be in the green and lush woods soon but digging starts soon too so my time in the windowless room is short.

In the coming weeks I'm going to make some posts about this winter's festivities. There was many an epic adventure and countless stories and pictures to sort through. We climbed 3 high peaks this winter and had 20 days on the mountain. We were blessed with so many beautiful days, great views and terrific company. So stay tuned and get amped for some serious in the woods and getting funky time in the near future!

Avalanche lake

We hiked in from the Loj parking lot. The trail was well-packed and the sky was blue, despite an overcast forecast. I really love the combination of snow-covered pine branches, birch trees and blue sky. The combination of colors, lines and shapes is quite pleasing to the eye.

Marcy Dam was still and quiet. Clouds and snow rolled off the summit of Mount Colden, a wintry eruption. Thought about Wesley as we passed the spot where Josh, Jeanette and I saw his jacket that fall. Thought about the time we camped on the Island in Marcy Brook as we passed that spot. Flooded with emotions and memories.

Felt the massive forces of the earth while walking through Avalanche Pass. Gravity, slope, friction, holding on, clinging and letting go. The place vibrates in a deeply elemental way.

A number of factors drive us to go to these places. The desire for novel experiences, to be places most don't go. To push ourselves. See how high and how far before we quit, we don't want it anymore. To get away. To get away from all that is too complicated and disordered in this structure, this civilization! Get closer. Get closer to the creation, the creator, the forces that bind the universe and keep it moving. In this place, these still and silent places, we contemplate these things, often without realizing.

This is a holy place. Throughout your life you will find holy places. They just feel right. Both man-made and natural. It feels right, it looks right, it inspires you. You must return! A pilgrimage...bring offerings!

You leave chanting and hooting nonsense prayers, unable to quantify the feeling, the experience but knowing that it is good and right. We left the wilderness that day full and solid.

via GIPHY

Home is where I want to be

Pick me up and turn me round

I feel numb - born with a weak heart(So I) guess I must be having fun

The less we say about it the better

Make it up as we go along

Feet on the ground

Head in the sky

It's ok I know nothing's wrong . . nothing

Hi yo I got plenty of time

Hi yo you got light in your eyes

And you're standing here beside me

I love the passing of time

Never for money, Always for love

Cover up say goodnight . . . say goodnight

Home - is where I want to be

But I guess I'm already there

I come home she lifted up her wings

Guess that this must be the place

I can't tell one from another

Did I find you, or you find me?

There was a time Before we were born

If someone asks, this is where I'll be . . . where I'll be

Hi yo We drift in and out

Hi yo sing into my mouth

Out of all those kinds of peopleYou got a face with a view

I'm just an animal looking for a home

Share the same space for a minute or two

And you love me till my heart stops

Love me till I'm dead

Eyes that light up, eyes look through you

Cover up the blank spots

Hit me on the head Ah ooh

-Talking Heads

Naive Melody (This must be the place)