-
Adirondack Hiker’s Gift Guide 2016
Have an avid hiker on your holiday gift list this year? Check this out! I love reading gift guides, so I finally decided to make my own! Big Agnes 15 Degree Down Sleeping Bag – this sleeping bag looks perfect for cold weather camping and should definitely keep you warm and cozy in your tent. LAMO Footwear Suede Sheepskin Fleece Lining Slippers – there’s nothing like slipping your feet into warm fuzzy slippers for the drive home after a winter hike. Pistil Clara Visor Beanie – I have a beanie very similar to this one and I love it Adventure Medical Emergency Bivvy – keeping one of these bivvys in your hiking pack is a must for anyone…
-
Yard Mountain, Big Slide and the Brothers Loop
Since finishing hiking the 46 high peaks last month, I took a much needed break! However, I can’t stay away from the mountains for too long. My new hiking friend was looking to hike in the high peaks on Saturday and I couldn’t resist joining him. The great part is, now I can hike what I want, whenever I want! There are bunch of peaks I want to hike again, taking new routes. YEsterday, we decided to hike Big Slide, one of the easier high peaks. Instead of doing the popular out and back route over the Brothers, we chose to take the trail into the John’s Brook Lodge, ascending Yard…
-
My 46er Finish on Esther and Whiteface Mountains
Saturday afternoon after hiking Seymour, I was pretty tired. I decided ahead of time to get a space at Tmax & Topo’s in Keene, a hiker hostel. It’s owned by some pretty legendary 46ers (they even made an appearance in the The 46ers Film!) and is frequented by high peaks hikers. So staying here on the eve of my finish, along with so many other accomplished hikers, seemed fitting. I showered, cooked my dinner (trader joe’s boxed mac and cheese!) and hunkered down in my room, reflecting on the journey while other hikers milled about discussing their day’s hikes. I chatted with my bunkmate who had just hiked Marshall. He was…
-
Backpacking Mount Redfield
I have my first official backpacking trip behind me and it was awesome. On Friday, my best hiking friends Brendan, Jenna, her boyfriend and their friend Greg headed to the Upper Works trail head in Tahawus. Our plan: hike in our gear to a lean-to in the Flowed Lands, get up the next morning and hike high peaks Cliff and Redfield. With heavy packs we started down the Calamity Trail. We hiked for a little over an hour. We passed a good looking tent site on the right of the trail next to the Calamity Brook and decided to set up camp there versus setting up our camp in…
-
Phelps Mountain in the Spring
Yesterday I hiked Phelps, the 32nd highest peak in NY, for the second time. The first time I hiked this mountain was back in January 2014 with Jona. It was cold. Yesterday’s weather was much better! The temps were perfect. There was very little ice on the trail (only at higher elevations). It was a beautiful day. Brendan is my good friend and one of my hiking buddies. He’s working on the 46 also and we both wanted to hike this weekend. I need to get my legs in shape for summer high peaks hiking. Phelps is a short hike compared to the rest of the 46. It is about…