Adirondacks 2002



	B A C K P A C K I N G P A G E T W O 1 2 3

	O v e r t h e R a n g e . . .
	After a wonderfully quiet night we arose to another crisp morning that allowed us to see our own breath. We ate breakfast and packed up our tent and gear. Today was the big day, traversing the Great Range. Our expectations for a rugged trail and great views were high... we would not be left unsatisfied on either account.

	The upward haul began as we hiked north on the Range Trail away from our campsite. We soon reached the junction with the Shorey Short Cut trail again. Proceeding north the trail became steep in sections as we began our ascent of Basin Mountain. The sky was brilliant blue again and we began to doubt that afternoon thunderstorms would arrive as had been forecasted two days ago.

	From a ledge on the south side of Basin we had good views of Haystack and Mount Marcy (the highest peak in the Adirondacks at 5344'), and from the summit we had a good view to the north of the slides on Saddleback. It was going to be a rough day on the legs with the trails to come, but we were even more excited after reaching this first magnificient peak. The fun began once we reached a col between Basin and Saddleback. Following the trail up and out of the col, we were soon confronted by a high section of steep rock that would require, as the guidebook says, "extreme caution." It was more like climbing than hiking as we moved up the rock face a ledge at a time. After completing this section of "trail" we reached a long, barren, section of rock. The picture at right is not a photographic trick... this slab climb was steep! It was surprisingly technical to ascend, especially with full packs, and made for a slow quarter mile or so.
			View to south from Basin, Marcy is left of center. (click to enlarge)

			Aaron climbing to the next ledge on Saddleback. (click to enlarge)

			Katie climbing the slab on saddleback. (click to enlarge)

	G o t h i c s f o r L u n c h . . .
	Before leaving home we knew that one of the highlights of our vacation would be climbing Gothics. The slides on the sides of the mountain, its location in the midst of the High Peaks, and the remembrance of how identifiable it was from the summit of Algonquin the year before had us very excited to experience this mountain. We decided earlier in the morning that we would wait until we were atop Gothics to eat our lunch.
			The south side of Gothics from Saddleback. (click to enlarge)

	Given our experiences climbing Saddleback we expected the climb up Gothics to be similar. Unlike Saddleback, however, the climb up Gothics was dominated by very long slabby runouts. One after another, after another, after another... with our quads burning beneath us we would hike up a 30 or 40 foot length of steep rock, rest, then do it again. This persisted until we reached the summit. Cables provided some security in case of a slip on these ultra-exposed runouts.
			Katie climbing one of the slides up Gothics. (click to enlarge)

	We reached the summit of Gothics five and a half hours after leaving camp that morning and savored our lunch. Taking a break for lunch is a much anticipated part of a day of backpacking. After nonstop walking, and climbing, it is finally time to stop, take off a heavy pack and begin to satisfy the hunger that has been building. Plus, setting a lofty goal like the summit of Gothics for lunch ensures a beautiful view to enjoy while eating.
			We hiked across all but the most distant peak in the line. (click to enlarge)

	Leaving the summit of Gothics behind we descended to a col and gained the south peak of Armstrong followed by the north peak of Armstrong. The descent down the north side of Armstrong's second peak was pretty steep. Passage was aided down a twenty foot vertical face by a ladder. Lower Wolfjaw would be our final peak of the day before descending back to the Johns Brook Valley for the night. A short spur trail leads to the actual summit of Lower Wolfjaw. Views to the north and west are blocked by trees, but the views in other directions were open. The descent from the col between Upper and Lower Wolfjaw was unrelentingly down hill. Our knees were asking if the day was close to over. It took us about 1.5 hours to reach the Wolfjaws Lean-to from the col, a distance of about 1.75 miles and a descent of about 1700 feet. We were happy to find the lean-to unoccupied and soon realized we'd have it to ourselves for the night. It had been a perfect day of hiking with amazing trails, mountains and views. We fell asleep like the rocks we had climbed over... well, at least Aaron did. Katie lie awake thinking about bears half the night.

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	Email us: aaronandkatie@aakt.com © 2002 by A. Holmes