Marcy from Loj 4/23/05

[Rookie]

There's nothing informative in this for you experienced folks so If you're in a hurry don't read any farther.

I've been wanting to hike Marcy for about 5 years and I'm finally going to get the chance on April 23. I've been reading this forum trying to get information but I still have some questions.If anyone could give me some answers I'd really appreciate it.

It's become clear to me that I should have snowshoes but I don't want to spend a bunch of money. Does anyone in Lake Placid rent them ?

It sounds like you are supposed to being wearing snowshoes or skis but I hear people saying they are wearing crampons. I don't want to get in any trouble and I do want to respect the wishes of the many stewards of these
trails so where do crampons come into play and who says when crampons are
OK ? Does someone put up signs that say "OK-you can switch to crampons now ".

Is it best to carry both snowshoes and crampons ? If so, back to the first question on renting.

Is the trail clearly marked so there's no question of where to go ?

Do you think there will be a bunch of other people hiking Marcy that day? Some of the stories make it sound like there's way too many people for my liking. Would it be better to do Algonquin if Marcy is a predictable circus.

Gosh, I hope you give me some answers !

[alistair]

snow shoe rental from EMS, downtown L.Placid

[Gandalf]

I would think that in late April, crowds on Marcy would almost never be a problem. I've never climbed a high peak before mid-May or so though, so I couldn't say for certain.

[Mavs00]

With this time of year, giving the melting & freezing going on, trails sometimes tend to turn into rivers of ice. A much lower Ampersand had significant ice stretches from about 2700' on the 10th.

If you can, I'd carry both crampons and snowshoes, then you won't face the prospect of getting turned back due to lack of equipment. With the bright sun and warmer temps for the last week and expected, don't think this will be a problem for much longer.

I'm sure you'll run into others along the way.

[Kevin]

Bring your gaitors, the trails are going to be wet and muddy in the lower stretches until you hit snow line somewhere around 3,000', then as Mavs00 said - you could be hiking on a mix of ice and snow... but the snow this time of year doesn't support your weight, so even with snow shoes you could end up punching through (which is a real pain if there's still a few feet of snow on the trail).

[Rik]

If you are determined to make the summit I would suggest taking crampons and snowshoes as this way you will be prepared for anything you encounter up there. I would say that crampons may be needed but snowshoes will probably be needed. I would guess that you would see some people but wouldn't think it would be "crowded".

[Rookie]

Thanks for the answers.

[Rick]

For rentals, also call the ADK Hiker & Camper Building - They rent snowshoes.

[percious]

What mavs said is HIGHLY accurate. Check the trail conditions here: http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/trail/ny/index.html before heading out. Mountains like Algonquin, colden, skylight, haystack will have similar conditions.

Is this your first HP? What other stuff have you climbed?

-percious

[Rookie]

Thanks for the rental information and the trail condition website. I'll be looking to rent crampons by the looks of things.

First HP for me. Never though about it before. After reading this forum for the last couple months I'm thinking I want to chip away at the 46. Can you do another peak with Marcy in the same day or is this out of the question? I'm just thinking that if things are going well, and we have the time, why not hit another of the 46.

Is it true that if we get to the top and the view is blocked by clouds that you can just wait a while and the view would open up ?

If I run out of daylight, can the trail be followed easy enough with the naked eye ?

Sorry about all these pesky questions.

[Dick]

How much you do depends upon your conditioning, speed, weather, time, etc. Combining Marcy with one or even more area peaks is common (such as Gray, Skylight, Tabletop, Haystack). Harder at this time of year, I would think. Marcy by itself is certainly a satisfying experience. As for views on top, you could wait minutes and a view will open up -- or you could wait for days. I've done five trips to Marcy and my wife four (or three?). She has yet to experience views from that summit! If you run out of daylight, you need a headlamp. You will see people on this trip.

Dick

First HP for me. Never though about it before. After reading this forum for the last couple months I'm thinking I want to chip away at the 46. Can you do another peak with Marcy in the same day or is this out of the question? I'm just thinking that if things are going well, and we have the time, why not hit another of the 46.

Is it true that if we get to the top and the view is blocked by clouds that you can just wait a while and the view would open up ?

If I run out of daylight, can the trail be followed easy enough with the naked eye ?

Sorry about all these pesky questions.

[lumberzac]

Phelps could be done with Marcy pretty easily. The trail up Phelps spurs off of the Van Hoevenberg trail about a mile past Marcy Dam. I would strongly suggest only doing one mountain for your first trip out.

Is it true that if we get to the top and the view is blocked by clouds that you can just wait a while and the view would open up ?

This is only sometime true. It generally happens in the summer on foggy mornings.

If I run out of daylight, can the trail be followed easy enough with the naked eye ?

Defiantly bring a headlamp or flashlight with you for the hike. The Van Hoevenberg trail shouldn’t be too difficult to follow if you run out of daylight, but take your time should this happen and be sure to pay attention to the signs at trail junctions.

[alistair]

Yes you can climb other peaks with Marcy, but as this is your fist HP don't.... DON't plan on it. Especially with the potential of snow and ice conditions.

You should also always carry a head light with you. You just never know when your 3 hour hike will end up beign 8 or 9 hours. Walking along the ADK trails can be done at night with no flashlight but you better have good eyes, strong ankles and a bag of bad-aids.

As for waiting on the summit,... this is rwecommended no matter the conditions.

[Rookie]

Thank You All for this valuable information. What a bunch of neat people. I owe you.
I believe I'm all set and totally pumped to begin tomorrow at sunup.
Hope I can sleep !
I borrowed some snowshoes that have all kinds of metal teeth on the bottom. Does that mean you don't need crampons ?
re fuel : usually depend on cheese,peanuts and triscuts while canoeing, assuming the same should work here but I'm debating whether to lug water or gator-ade.
My last look at the forum will be at 11am if anyone has any comments.

[lumberzac]

Thank You All for this valuable information. What a bunch of neat people. I owe you.
I believe I'm all set and totally pumped to begin tomorrow at sunup.
Hope I can sleep !
I borrowed some snowshoes that have all kinds of metal teeth on the bottom. Does that mean you don't need crampons ?
re fuel : usually depend on cheese,peanuts and triscuts while canoeing, assuming the same should work here but I'm debating whether to lug water or gator-ade.
My last look at the forum will be at 11am if anyone has any comments.

I would still bring crampons. The metal teeth on the snowshoes are made to grip snow, but not ice.

You should be ok with the food, but I suggest you carry at least 2L of water (3L would probably be better).

Have a fun and safe trip.