Adirondack Peeks Summer 2023

Marcy. It would be late May before I would make the solo hike to Haystack via the Phelps trail. I encountered short sections of snow monorails just beyond Slant Rock, but these dissipated further up the climb. It took me nearly eleven and a half hours to complete the 17.6 mile hike, but it was one I was very happy to have fin ished. I knew I wanted to finish on Colden, so that left only Redfield, Cliff, Gray, and Skylight. I'm not in the condition I was 20 or 30 years ago, and I was hoping to avoid two long hikes. So, after talking it over with David and Mark, the three of us decided to knock off all four peaks with an overnight. Early on the morning of June 28, we left the Upper Works parking lot toward Skylight and Gray. The plan was to stay at either the Uphill or Feldspar lean-to. Uphill was the first we came to and it was open so we dropped our gear and headed onto Skylight, then Gray. Nothing could take away from the satisfaction of being on those peaks and standing on the shores of Lake Tear. Even though it was late June, it was chilly that night and we didn’t get the best night’s sleep. It was just above freezing in the morning, and we managed a quick breakfast of coffee and pastry before head ing to Redfield. Although this would be my 44th high peak, my wayfinding skills still needed improvement. I somehow managed to get off the trail for some dis tance before David noticed my error. There was some good-natured grumbling from the party as we climbed back down toward the herd path. The views from Red field were better than the day before. Now it was on to Cliff, then a long hike back to the parking lot. Why is it that the least lofty peaks are some times the toughest to climb? Cliff is a good example, and the false peaks don’t help the situation. In the end, we made the ascent despite all the mud, rock scram bles, and rattlesnakes (well, maybe no rattlesnakes). The plan to finish on Colden couldn’t have turned out better. It was Friday morning July 15, when we arrived at the Loj parking lot about 6:45 a.m. Mark and I had spent the night at a nearby motel to save the three-hour drive up from Marcy (a town near Utica—not the mountain). The weather was warm and sunny and it promised to continue that way for the day. The hike to Avalanche Lake flew by. We took lots of pictures along the suspended Hitch-up Matilda. From lake level, the view up Colden's rock face looked formidable, but the ladders took the edge off the climb. We must have reached the top sometime around noon because I was ready for lunch. To my surprise and delight, David presented me with a 46er patch and a cap for which I was very grateful. After a bunch of congratulatory photos, we headed back. Rather than retracing our steps coming in, we took the Morgan-Porter trail back toward Lake Arnold and took the turn toward Marcy Dam. It was a great way to finish. I completed 46 high peaks at age 72 in just over 20 months. I hope my story encourages other senior hikers to consider this journey. Of course, you must honestly assess your personal fit ness and limitations, but the real challenge is having

Dave Pawlick #12803 and Carson Sorrell #14098

the mindset to keep going. Having the help of a couple good friends to share the experience with is really what makes it all worthwhile. P.S. There are many great hiking trails with terrific vistas that are accessible without climbing the High Peaks, and I plan to continue my visits to the Adirondacks as long as possible. * * * I’ll Pick the Trail Less Traveled Rob Van Avery, #10248W M initial 46 as I got hooked on this hiking journey. It was not until after standing atop Iroquois that July 4 that I truly realized this journey has nothing to do with how fast, how slow, or how young/old we are. I’ve found that some of the best hikes are those that don’t even have a 360-degree view or elevation above 4,000 feet. I’ve learned to appreciate the trails less trav eled. Mother Nature has a way of telling us some times to slow down and look around at all the beauty before us that does not involve a summit. Sure, crunch ing numbers and seeking a summit view can be thera peutic and rewarding. However, hiking into a lake or pond to camp (legally) and watching the stars at night brings just as much Joy. I had to slow down with my hikes—not by choice but by design. This hike through Avalanche Pass was a reminder to me to appreciate that I have the ability to walk, the ability to listen to nature, and the ability to see with my eyes! I’m grateful not to take this for grant ed. How fortunate we are for the beauty of this land that many call “home” . . . The Adirondack Park. y name is Robert Van Avery, and I reside in the “Foothills of The Adirondacks,” Gloversville, NY. A few years back, I seemed to have rushed my

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