This is a three full day/three night hike in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York.

 

Please read Signup/Eligibility (below) before signing up

 

Dates and times:

 

Friday May 16 – Monday May 19

 

Leave Friday afternoon May 16 from Amsterdam/116th. Exact leaving time can be determined at our pre-trip meeting. An earlier leaving time (e.g. 2PM) would be best.

 

Return Monday evening May 19, probably around 10PM but possibly later than midnight.

 

Mandatory pre-trip meeting 5PM Friday May 9 location TBD.

 

Description

 

The hike is in the Eastern High Peaks Region of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State, near Lake Placid. The trip will include climbing the five of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks including the top four. There are possibilities for side trips to climb more peaks, depending on our travel time and interest. This is a combination loop/out-and-back trip – mostly we hike on new trail, but there is some backtracking. Hiking is about 10-15 miles per day. Most of our steep climbing on this trip will be done from base camps where we’ll leave our overnight packs and hike with only our lighter day packs. This does not make the trip “easier” – we still have to carry all of our gear into the backcountry and do a lot of climbing! If we stick to the itinerary below, we’ll climb 11,600 ft in three days! A more detailed day-by-day itinerary is at the bottom of this page. Plans are subject to change and open to discussion at the pre-trip meeting.

 

Spring weather can be unpredictable and temperatures could vary greatly. It could be 70deg in the daytime and reach freezing at night. Depending on conditions, we will be carrying and possibly using crampons and snowshoes for some travel at higher elevations. Crampons and snowshoes will be provided, or bring your own if you have them.

 

Map of the tentative route

 

A day-by-day route description is at the bottom of this page.

 

Signup/Eligibility:

 

Before you sign up please make sure that this trip is appropriate for you. You need to be in very good physical shape as we’ll be doing a lot of steep climbing and have a lot of miles to cover in three days. You should have experience climbing several thousand feet in a day, and have some experience carrying a full pack (25 – 50 lbs). If you have any questions about whether this trip is appropriate for you please contact Brian (bmb2124). You must be confident in your ability to do this hike – don’t just assume that you’ll grit it out!

 

You must have the proper gear. Some gear is available for rent inexpensively from Columbia Coop (see below). If you show up without the proper gear you will not be allowed to hike. More info about gear procurement at the pre-hike meeting.

 

This trip is three nights and 3.5 days of hiking. More details on the route are below, but are subject to change. The only thing that’s certain is that it will be a lot of work!

 

You need to signup for the trip by Friday May 9 and attend the pre-trip meeting on that date. The trip cost is $90 including food while on the hike and transportation. Meals on the road to and from the mountains are not covered.

 

Signup is limited to six people (not including the leader and driver) If you are not among the first six to sign up you may put your name on a waiting list in case someone cancels. This limit will be strictly adhered to – Adirondack Park regulations limit total group size to eight people.

 

Gear each person will need:

 

Required:

 

Proper hiking boots with ankle protection

Internal or external frame backpack

Day pack – string bags work very well as they are light and can be used as stuff sacks when you’re carrying your full pack. Fanny packs also work well, but be sure yours can carry at least quart of water.

Warm sleeping bag (proper lightweight backpacking bag, not a car-camping bag)

Sleeping pad

Cool, light-colored LONG-SLEEVE, LONG-PANTS outerwear. The long sleeves and pant legs will protect you somewhat from flies and mosquitoes. The light color will help keep you cooler in the sun.

Non-cotton warm clothing (cotton is not warm when it’s wet)

Warm waterproof gloves and head covering

Waterproof outerwear

Flashlight (headlamps work well)

Drinking water container/s at least ½ gal (2 L) capacity

Cup, bowl, and spoon for personal use

Sunglasses

Personal items (toothbrush, TP, chapstick, etc)

 

Optional/Recommended:

 

Lightweight point-and-shoot camera

Your own crampons and snowshoes if you have them (and if we decide that it’s necessary or prudent)

Trekking poles

Insect protection – we may encounter significant black-fly and mosquito populations. Be prepared with your weapons and/or protection of choice!

 

Not recommended:

 

Heavy SLR cameras

 

Absolutely not allowed:

 

Textbooks, paperwork, cellphones, computers (duh)

 

Not required (will be provided):

 

Campstoves

Cooking pots

Crampons, snowshoes (if they are deemed necessary)

Food

First aid kit (you may bring your own personal first aid if you desire)

 

 

You may not bring your own food! All of our food must be stored in bear-proof containers, so our food storage space is limited and will be restricted to the food that is purchased for the group. All food while hiking is covered in the trip fee.

 

Sleeping bags, pads, tents, and frame packs are available from the Columbia Coop if you don’t have your own. Other items are available from Eastern Mountain Sports (http://www.ems.com), REI (http://www.rei.com), and many other fine storefront and online retailers. If you’re not sure what clothing to bring, here’s a suggestion (courtesy of REI):

 

Hiking Clothing

        Quick-drying pants/shorts             Fleece jacket or wool sweater

        Short-sleeved shirts                     Wicking long underwear (top/bottoms)

        Long-sleeved shirts                      Regular underwear

        Fleece or wool vest                      Warm pants (fleece or wool)

 

Outerwear

        Rainwear (top/bottoms)                Fleece or wool gloves/mittens

        Wide-brimmed rain/sun hat           Waterproof gloves/overmitts

        Warm hat (fleece or wool)            Sunglasses

 

Footwear

        Hiking socks                               Gaiters

        Wicking liner socks                      Hiking boots/shoes that match the terrain

 

Tentative route:

 

This route is subject to change and open to suggestion. Several side trips are available to climb other peaks if the group has the time and the desire.

 

Day 1 (Friday):

Leave Friday afternoon – drive six hours to trailhead (Adirondack Loj), dinner on the way.

Camp at the trailhead. If we leave early (say, 2PM), we may be able to hike in a couple of miles before making camp on the first night.

 

Day 2 (Saturday): (total 12.2 to 15.5 miles, +3000 to 5000ft)

 

6.2 miles +600ft with full packs to Lake Colden where we’ll make camp and leave our packs.

2.7 miles +2400ft to Algonquin Peak (2nd highest in New York).

4.6 miles +2000ft to Mount Colden (11th highest in New York) – some of the group may choose to skip this second climb and head back to camp after descending from Algonquin.

2.0 miles +0 back to camp at Lake Colden.

 

Day 3 (Sunday): (total 11.6 miles, +4100ft)

 

5.3 miles +1500ft with full packs to Panther Gorge where we’ll make camp and leave our packs.

1.6 miles +1200ft to Mount Haystack (3rd highest in New York).

2.4 miles +1400ft to Mount Marcy (highest in New York).

2.3 miles +0 back to camp and Panther Gorge.

 

Day 4 (Monday): (total 10.3 miles +2500ft)

 

2.0 miles +2000ft to Mount Skylight (4th highest in New York)

8.3 miles +500ft to trailhead

Dinner in Lake Placid, and a six hour drive back to NYC.

We’ll Plan to return by 10PM but could easily later than midnight.

 

Map of the tentative route

 

ROUTE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

 

MORE DETAILS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE PRE-TRIP MEETING ON FRIDAY MAY 19