Hiking

You don't go to the Adirondacks to stay inside the cabin all day. There are many outdoor activities but we gravitate towards hiking.

In the High Peaks, that means bagging a summit, preferably one (nominally) above 4000 feet. If you climb all 46 major peaks then you are an Adirondack Forty-Sixer.

Stephen and I climbed Giant, Wright, Porter (I think), Whiteface and Cascade. The photo below was taken at the trailhead to Esther, but we didn't get far that day.

The next photo was taken at the summit of Giant. These aren't easy hikes but the views at the top are incomparable, typically there is unbroken wilderness as far as you can see.

Hiking can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing. The weather can be hazardous and unpredictable. A warm and clear October day at the trailhead can turn cold, windy and rainy at the summit leaving the unprepared at risk for hypothermia. I suppose that happens all too often but I think a more common risk is simply getting injured by falling or slipping on the trail.

I'm not concerned about getting lost because the trails are well marked. I also carry a map and compass to back up a Garmin GPS. We also carry spare water, matches, extra clothes, cell phones and food. I've learned not to trust my life to anything electronic after watching my GPS fail. I've heard of hikers who carry nothing except a cell phone, just in case they have to call for help (good luck!). Halfway up to Giant we were overtaken by a couple with no water and no packs, they just drove by the trailhead and impulsively decided to do the hike. They asked me how much farther they had to go and didn't like my answer of a few hours, with the unsolicited advice to turn back. I was relieved to see them headed down a little while later. These are the people who get themselves - and rescuers - in trouble. If they don't get the cell phone wet, and they remembered to charge it beforehand, they would be fortunate to get a usable signal.

T
he Adirondacks are deceptively dangerous. Even experienced hikers are one misstep away from a very bad day. I read a recent article involving a group of hikers who had to be rescued, all were quite experienced and one of them was a paramedic.

But I digress. Here's Stephen getting a GPS fix at the trailhead to Giant. 

Responsible hikers stay on marked trails to minimize the impact to the wilderness, especially alpine areas. They always bring a map and compass (and learn how to use them!). I'd recommend bringing the cell phone - in a Ziplok bag.

The definitive High Peaks trail guide is published by the Adirondack Mountain Club. The trail descriptions are, I think, a bit understated ("moderate grade" would be more accurately defined as "just slightly less than vertical") but if you are going to hike the High Peaks you should buy it. You also need a good backpack, I don't know anything about overnight hiking, so I'm referring to a day pack. An excellent addition if you have a lot of money is a personal locator beacon.



PLBs are still pricey but the price has dropped in the last few years. The one on the right was $450 in 2008. But the one on the left is about half that today. They are nice to have in an emergency, especially for solo hikers. They will transmit a message with your personal contact information and your location anywhere on earth, anytime, to satellites that relay the data to rescue personnel.

I guess you can pack a weather radio, that's overkill in my opinion, but if you have a small one, may as well bring it.