View Full Version : Adirondack High Peaks
On Friday 8/1, hiked in 8 miles from the Elk Lake parking area to Panther Gorge under sunny blue skies. Setup my HH in the designated camping area, and took a quick swim. By the time I had finished dinner I was ready for sleep. Temps were mild so I only brought my small 48x20 CCF and a synth bag/quilt.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/1/4/8/6/09_thumb.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=3842&c=member&imageuser=1486) http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/1/4/8/6/10_thumb.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=3843&c=member&imageuser=1486)
Woke up Saturday to overcast skies. Had a quick breakfast, got my daypack together, and I was off to tackle a couple of New York's highest peaks traveling in a loop. First up was Haystack, the 3rd highest in NY at 4960 ft. Reached the summit and saw storm clouds approaching from the west, the direction I was heading next. Headed down into the col between Haystack and Mt. Marcy, and began the ascent of Marcy, the highest in NY at 5344 ft. Halfway up, it started to rain with rumbles of thunder in the distance. I reached a trail junction where a few other hikers were debating a summit bid with storms closing in. A moment later a Ranger approached from the summit with a group in tow that he was evacuating off Marcy's summit. The rule is, if thunder is heard, everyone moves below tree line for 20 minutes. If no thunder is heard during that time, the summit is safe. During our 20 minute wait the Ranger gave a quick lesson in lightning survival techniques. The group consisted of folks from Albany NY, Glens Falls NY, Atlanta GA, and Toronto Canada. We all counted down the last few seconds of waiting, and then it was a mad dash to the top. We all reached the summit in about 10 minutes. Not long after this another rumble of thunder was heard and everyone scattered. Most retreated the way we came up, but myself and one other guy continued down the opposite side. We reached tree line and found another Ranger giving safety instructions to hikers going up this side. At least I was now within easy reach of my campsite with no more exposed summits to cross. With all the rain, thunder, and excitement, I totally forgot about my HH and wondered how it had fared. I reached camp and found all of the tent sites flooded, but my HH was high and dry! I was never so glad to be in a hammock.
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/1/4/8/6/35_thumb.jpg (http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=3844&c=member&imageuser=1486)
I hadn't brought a change of clothes so I slept a bit damp, but comfortable enough for a good night of sleep.
Sunday was basically the same, weather wise. Packed up camp and was on the trail by 6:30am. Rain started at 7:30am and continued until I was back at the Trailhead at 11am. All things considered, it was a great trip with lots of memories.
Trip Album:
http://thumb11.webshots.net/t/65/765/1/98/13/2780198130097219891BYytyo_th.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/565015365apuLCO)
Slideshow:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/slideshow/565015365apuLCO
Sounds like it was great trip. And those are great pics.
I'm guessing that puddle at the campsite is one of the tent areas in the designated campsite. That is when it is great to have a hannock.
Last October my son and I did Phelps from the Loj. We hiked in the dark in a downpour to the campsite just below the trail to Phelps and set up the hammocks off to the side over some rocks to keep our packs high and dry from the constant flow of ground water.
The next day when we return from summiting Phelps a group of tenters were trying to find a puddle free area to set up their tents and jealously eyeing our hammocks.
We are taking one of my son's friends up algonquin later next week and planning a short bushwhack over to Rocky Falls.
The regulations limiting camping to designated campsites in the south meadows - flowed lands corridore are expected to go in to effect next summer (although that is not definite) so we want to get some bushwhack camping in before that.
headchange4u
08-07-2008, 16:03
Nice report, Timber. The Adirondacks are on my list of places to go hiking.
slowhike
08-07-2008, 21:53
Nice photography Tim! Thanks.
eugeneius
08-08-2008, 01:54
What kind of wilderness has Rangers posted near summits forcing hikers off mountains and giving safety lessons on lightning? That is just weird and annoying? Summit bids should be your decision and yours alone in my opinion. ;)The Adirondacks are quite breathtaking though, your campsite looked primo, looks like that HH came in for you, campsite looks pretty soaked. Thanks for sharing the great pics, beautiful country!
Ramblinrev
08-08-2008, 05:55
Summit bids should be your decision and yours alone in my opinion.
Then there should be no such need for SAR. You want those decisions to be yours and yours alone then you should have no expectation of assistance should things get bad. People should not be expected to put their own lives at risk because of someone else's personal agenda. In a culture where some woman leaves the wheel of her RV while in motion to go back to the kitchen and make lunch, then sues the RV maker and _WINS_ because they didn't tell her she couldn't do that, I think the rangers are within their rights and doing appropriate work. But that's just _my_ opinion. :)
They might not have been rangers. Rangers can be distinguished from other DEC personel by the fact that rangers have sidearms.
Most likely at least one of them was a summit steward or assistant ranger.
The peaks in the Adirondacks used to be covered with alpine vegitation. Unfortunately, lots of people were walking all over it and killing it off.
The DEC and several conservation organizations started the summit steward program to educate hikers about the fragil alpine vegitation, keep them on the narrow designated trails, and provide genreal information about hiking and backpacking in the Adirondacks.
They are only on the two most popular peaks, but the theory is that most people will climb those peaks first and become educated about the alpine vegitation.
The DEC takes a proactive approach to safety because they average one SAR a day in the Adirondack Park. Summer stewads, assitant rangers, and outpost caretakers are all involved in educating hikers about safety and wilderness conservation issues.
They also enforce the usage rules including required bear canisters, mandatory snow shoes in winter, dog leash rule, and prohibition of campfires being the most common.
.
Thanks for all the kind words!
nogods, you’re right about the puddle being the designated campsite. It was kind of ironic to see the “Camp Here” yellow marker directly above the puddle :confused:. You’re also correct about the rangers being Summit Stewards. I wasn’t sure how common a term this would be so I just called them rangers.
I’m not sure if Summit Stewards have the actual authority to detain or prevent hikers from taking their intended course, but based on the weather conditions, everybody was more than happy to accept his suggestion to wait. While waiting for the storm to pass he gave a brief talk about the alpine vegetation, which was quite entertaining. Since the summit was socked in with clouds, the only view from Mt. Marcy this day was going to be alpine vegetation. ;)
eugeneius
08-08-2008, 09:00
I guess I'm of the mindset that I desire as little outside human involvement as possible in my outdoor experiences, we get enough "assistance" and "stewardship" in our busy live. I hardly see groups or individuals, let alone SAR (Lord willing) or DEC, or rangers out ON the trail or in the backcountry in most instances in New Mexico so that experience Timber had on the mountain struck me as odd. I probably wrongly assume that all hikers are educated in mountain safety and practice in general so I can see the need for wilderness staff in high traffic wilderness areas where the likelihood of more inexperienced incidents occur. The Adirondacks are amazing though, I would love to make a trip out there in my lifetime:cool:
Ramblinrev
08-08-2008, 09:29
The Daks are amazing... but you need to remember they are only about 4-5 hours from NYC. They get more stupid people than you can shake a stick at. People have tried to climb Marcy in flip flops. They have gone off without water or food. People have no clue of the dangers above timberline and they can't, don't, won't read warning signs or think that the warnings don't apply to them. People who know to get out of a backyard pool in a thunderstorm have no clue that lightening exists above timberline. (hyperbole) Temps in the 50's are notorious for hypothermia, but folks will go out with out rain gear and not realize the denim jeans they are in may be the pants they die in. Just a glimpse of what Marcy sees in a day. If you think the high country in the west gets idiots... multiply that number by several factors of ten and you probably come close to the Daks.
BillyBob58
08-08-2008, 15:27
I guess I'm of the mindset that I desire as little outside human involvement as possible in my outdoor experiences, we get enough "assistance" and "stewardship" in our busy live. I hardly see groups or individuals, let alone SAR (Lord willing) or DEC, or rangers out ON the trail or in the backcountry in most instances in New Mexico so that experience Timber had on the mountain struck me as odd. I probably wrongly assume that all hikers are educated in mountain safety and practice in general so I can see the need for wilderness staff in high traffic wilderness areas where the likelihood of more inexperienced incidents occur. The Adirondacks are amazing though, I would love to make a trip out there in my lifetime:cool:
Yes, there is a great dif in what you experience in NM and anywhere back east. It's just a matter of population density. I wouldn't be surprised if there were 50 or 100 times more people within hiking/climbing distance of any of these Adirondack peaks compared to the peaks near where you are. So, simply due to crowd control and the effects such numbers can have on the environment, I would expect to have a lot more ranger activity.
In 20 plus years of hiking in Wyoming's Wind River wilderness areas, I have never seen a ranger. I'm pretty sure I can say the same for all the other Western wilderness areas I have hiked, unless inside a national park. Even on last years week long hike inside Olympic NP, we only saw 1 park ranger that we knew of, though there were several times more people than we were used to outside of NPs. In fact, it is not uncommon for me to hike all day in the winds ( in the fall anyway) and not see another person other than whoever is with me. It is almost beyond all odds that I might pick one of many dozens of peaks to climb or scramble up, and find a ranger at all, much less one directing 10 or more people. But I would expect this is the north east peaks.
eugeneius
08-09-2008, 01:17
Yes, there is a great dif in what you experience in NM and anywhere back east. It's just a matter of population density. I wouldn't be surprised if there were 50 or 100 times more people within hiking/climbing distance of any of these Adirondack peaks compared to the peaks near where you are. So, simply due to crowd control and the effects such numbers can have on the environment, I would expect to have a lot more ranger activity.
In 20 plus years of hiking in Wyoming's Wind River wilderness areas, I have never seen a ranger. I'm pretty sure I can say the same for all the other Western wilderness areas I have hiked, unless inside a national park. Even on last years week long hike inside Olympic NP, we only saw 1 park ranger that we knew of, though there were several times more people than we were used to outside of NPs. In fact, it is not uncommon for me to hike all day in the winds ( in the fall anyway) and not see another person other than whoever is with me. It is almost beyond all odds that I might pick one of many dozens of peaks to climb or scramble up, and find a ranger at all, much less one directing 10 or more people. But I would expect this is the north east peaks.
Where did you hike in Olympic National Park? I lived in Port Angeles, WA for 4 years with my family right on the Puget Sound at the base of the Olympic Mountains, northeast of Mt. Olympus and such, we were a stone throw away from the Hoh Rainforest which as you probably know is the only RAINFOREST in North America, that is the most spectacular wilderness, hands down, I hiked there year round as a youth and loved the isolation. I want to go back there soooo bad. I've been reading about Wyoming lately, I really didn't know how diverse the ecosystems within the state are, the Tetons look amazing, the climate looks much like Northern New Mexico, dry and arid, frigid winters, and hot summers, high altitude desert and alpine regions as well, very cool!
BillyBob58
08-09-2008, 08:05
Where did you hike in Olympic National Park? I lived in Port Angeles, WA for 4 years with my family right on the Puget Sound at the base of the Olympic Mountains, northeast of Mt. Olympus and such, we were a stone throw away from the Hoh Rainforest which as you probably know is the only RAINFOREST in North America, that is the most spectacular wilderness, hands down, I hiked there year round as a youth and loved the isolation. I want to go back there soooo bad. I've been reading about Wyoming lately, I really didn't know how diverse the ecosystems within the state are, the Tetons look amazing, the climate looks much like Northern New Mexico, dry and arid, frigid winters, and hot summers, high altitude desert and alpine regions as well, very cool!
Well, we hiked in your Hoh rain forest! We set up camp the first night about 3 miles in- we didn't get started on the trail until almost sun down. I can't remember the name of the camp. My step son and friend son set up on the dry river bed with a tent, and after supper my fellow hanger and I went back into the woods about 1/4 mile until we found some trees small enough to hang from, and set up our HHs. That was the night I set up my SS without a space blanket and had so much condensation by morning- it was real foggy. But still, I was warm, passed right out and had one of the most peaceful sleeps ever. The next day we hiked in to Olympic Guard station and set up a base camp there for a couple of days, day hiking out from there. It was an incredible place. We also got up to the Austin pass area between Baker and Shuksan. I climbed Baker back in 88, and in 89 I did a winter backcountry ski trip, staying in snow caves, on Baker. Simply a mind blowing area, WA is. Ocean, rain forests and BIG glaciers. Being at sea level in warm lush emerald green forests, while gazing up at near by 14,400 ice covered peaks like Rainier. What more can be said? No wonder you miss it!
But, Wyoming's Wind Rivers are a wonder land, also. Really much like NM in many ways, but a bit dif also. Pretty well forested between 8000 and 11000 feet, above timberline from about 11000 to 13,800. Despite global warming and long droughts, still significant glaciers, especially in the north and on the north east slopes. Truly spectacular, rugged, jagged peaks are every where. For example, the Cirque of the Towers is world famous, but one of many incredible areas for those that love WILD mountains and WILD wilderness. But the main thing is the amount of streams and lakes in seemingly endless numbers, most filled with trout. Often, every few miles you hike, you come to yet another lake ( there are many hundreds of large lakes, probably way over a thousand counting the smaller ponds). Often this lake will have one or more jagged peaks rising out of it, not infrequently with it's own little glacier on it. And not infrequently, you will have this lake all to yourself and your group. It is a great place to hike of trail navigating with map and compass, or GPS. I think you would love it. It is different than WA and not as lush, and not as much diversity of terrain, but still definitely has it's own charms.
Of course, the Tetons are even more ( or at least, as) spectacular. I have back packed there once, skied and just visited there many other times. They are incredible, for sure. But the Winds are more wilderness like, and have a far greater variety of lakes and streams. Plus, you don't have all of the NP regulations.
BillyBob58
08-09-2008, 08:15
..............................
I hadidn't brought a change of clothes so I slept a bit damp, but comfortable enough for a good night of sleep.
Sunday was basically the same, weather wise. Packed up camp and was on the trail by 6:30am. Rain started at 7:30am and continued until I was back at the Trailhead at 11am. All things considered, it was a great trip with lots of memories.
Hey Timber,
BTW,great post and pics. It looks like you just used your HH as directed by HH- that is with the stock tarp attached to the hammock suspension rather than tied to the trees. Apparently, this worked A-OK for you in the rain? Which model hammock did you have? Explorer, Backpacker, other?
... It looks like you just used your HH as directed by HH- that is with the stock tarp attached to the hammock suspension rather than tied to the trees. Apparently, this worked A-OK for you in the rain? Which model hammock did you have? Explorer, Backpacker, other?
Yep...you called it right. I'm using the stock HH setup (with the only change being caribiners added to the tree straps).
If it's windy or raining when I'm setting up the HH, I'll tie the tarp directly to the tree with extra line that I pack. If the weather is calm and not raining, I'll attach the tarp directly to the suspension per HH instructions.
The stock setup worked well, even in the rain. You'll notice in the pictures (first post), I have the tarp pitched fairly steep, so even though it sags a tiny bit when I climb in, the water doesn't pool and runs right off. The steepness would have also kept out any wind driven rain. I mentioned "sleeping damp" because my clothes were already wet when I climbed in the HH.
The hammock I'm using is a 2008 Expedition A-sym.
BillyBob58
08-11-2008, 19:05
Yep...you called it right. I'm using the stock HH setup (with the only change being caribiners added to the tree straps).
If it's windy or raining when I'm setting up the HH, I'll tie the tarp directly to the tree with extra line that I pack. If the weather is calm and not raining, I'll attach the tarp directly to the suspension per HH instructions.
The stock setup worked well, even in the rain. You'll notice in the pictures (first post), I have the tarp pitched fairly steep, so even though it sags a tiny bit when I climb in, the water doesn't pool and runs right off. The steepness would have also kept out any wind driven rain. I mentioned "sleeping damp" because my clothes were already wet when I climbed in the HH.
The hammock I'm using is a 2008 Expedition A-sym.
Good to know it worked again! In case you don't already know:You can help that sag a bit by either hanging weighted stuff sacks from the tarp lateral tie outs ( from the mitten hooks), or probably just from adding elastics to the tarps tie outs. As well as by tightening the side pull outs, causing a little sag in the middle along the ridge line, BEFORE you tighten the head and foot ends on the suspension.
Bill