Adirondack Peeks Winter 2024

had a perfect day and the snow was amazing. We used our backcountry cross country skis to go from the HPIC to the Lake Arnold/Avi Pass junction. Then we put our skins on to get up to Lake Arnold where we took our skins off and had an incredible time making our way down to Uphill Lean-to. We stashed our skis and switched to snowshoes and scurried up Redfield, then Cliff. Then we were back on our skis, and we had a fantastic ski out over Lake Colden and Ava lanche Lake! It was really a phe nomenal day! We were flying! It’s one thing to fly on downhill skis that you know you can eas ily control, but we were on thick,

AS: Two friends and I were hiking Marshall and were break ing trail across Flowed Lands, getting into chest-deep drifts on the ascent. We were becoming fatigued and although within a quarter mile of the summit, agreed to honor our turn-around time and hike out. We could have pressed on but were happy with our decision. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should! JZ: My favorites are probably my winter ascent of the Trap Dike, skiing Allen and the Dix Range, and anytime I find myself above the clouds. PBW: My first winter high peak was Colden. I was so resis tant to winter hiking because I hate being cold and I had never even worn snowshoes! My friend Todd convinced me to give it a try and I loved it! We had a cloud inversion— it was beautiful, and I was hooked! I also loved the butt

metal edged cross country skis with beefy x-country ski boots. We had to make sure we stayed in control, but it was epic! Allen with dad and later with Maebh was much the same sort of experience. I’m glad that Lee and I have taught Maebh how to ski both downhill and cross-country, like my dad taught me. Whenever we have an option to ski, we do! JE: Finishing my hiking grid (all 46 peaks in each month of the year) with family and friends present was very special. Also, the first time I saw Haystack from Horse Hill in the winter was mind blowing. DP: Do you want to share an experience when you wish you had the Star Trek teleport option to get back to your car?

slide down Allen, the incredible beauty of Gothics, and the sense of accomplishment doing the entire Dix Range in a day (that was the most exhaust ed I have ever been!). Coming off sections of Cliff using a rope was memorable too! SC: I think my most memorable ADK win ter hiking day was when I did Cliff and Redfield with my dad for his winter round. I think it was my third time doing these peaks in winter. We

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