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It was an interesting conclusion to my goal to complete the 46 peaks by year's end.
First, thanks to all who have hiked with me or supported me along the way. Without the combined experience of the hiking community (whether through trail talk or websites) this probably would not have happened.
I arrived at the loj at 10:30 AM Friday. Originally a friend Bobby was going to hike in with me that day, but decided to stay home. Left the loj parking lot at 11 AM sharp. Met up with Joe, a 46r, along the way. I thought I knew him from somewhere, and after our second encounter we were finally able to trace it back to Jeff. Joe (a preist) recently married Jeff and Bernie. Small world indeed.
After quite a bit of chatting and story telling I bid him farewell at Marcy Dam (he was doing Phelps that day).
I made my way around the eastern shore looking for either a camp spot or free lean-to. The second lean-to was open so I ditched my pack there and headed for Avalanche Pass. I hadn't hiked into the pass yet, and having the day off Friday meant I could take my time and soak it in.
At about 2PM I arrived at the pass and snapped a bunch of photos. Took the trail along the water's edge, then returned to Marcy Dam. I had company! 2 kids and their grandmother, all from Vermont, had settled in. We chatted for a while and decided we would make good lean-to companions. It was nice not being alone as no one who expressed interest in joining me for the Saturday hike had shown up that night.
That night there were no bears
. The wind howled. It wasn't too cold.
I woke about 7:30 AM to bright skies. By 8 AM a strange figure in the shape of Jeff arrived at the lean-to (I had marked in the sign-in at Marcy Dam my camp location). We laughed for a while, then about 9 AM I had just finished eating and packing when Martin arrived. The three of us walked over to the Dam to wait until 10 as I had planned. At exactly 10 AM Scott (Nukedrocket) and wife Kristi arrived, ready to hike. 5 strong our group made our way to Phelps.
Once we reached the Phelps junction Scott and Kristi were talked into hiking to Tabletop with me (for #45). Jeff and Martin were going to hike Phelps (Jeff's #13, Martin was a rehike). Both Jeff and Martin had hiked Tabletop before.
The pace was moderate to Tabletop and we made summit after 12 noon. Kristi started to complain her hip was hurting after pulling herself up a few steep sections too many. Our descent went slowly and time started to become an issue. With Jeff and Martin waiting for me at the top of Phelps it was agreed that I should charge ahead as Scott didn't feel they were going to make the ascent to Phelps today. We agreed to meet back at the lean-to (where the remainder of my gear was) so we could all head out together and have dinner.
Once I left their company I proceeded to ascend a peak at the fastest rate I have ever climbed. In 20 minutes from the Phelps trail junction I casually approached Jeff and Martin on the summit.
"I hope you guys REALLY took your time, because I'm late." (or something to that effect)
We exchange smiles and handshakes, took some photos, and Jeff handed me a 46r patch that Rick had sent him for the occassion (awesome gesture Rick, thanks!). It was cool and breezy on Phelps, and with our stomaches growling and 2 people waiting we started down for the lean-to and cars.
At the lean-to Scott and Kristi popped the cork on some champagne (I don't drink, so it meant more for Jeff
). We toasted and I was truly thankful at that moment to have their company. While it's one thing to solo hike a few mountains, it's something else to celebrate the accomplishment in the company of others who appreciate it.
We make our way out and it sprinkled off and on. Wildernessphoto (Gary) had recently come across a Prime Rib Buffet at the Howard Johnson's in Lake Placid. All you can eat for $12.95 sounded good to me, so we agreed to meet there. Lots of food and more laughs, we parted ways about 7 PM.
I'm glad the list is over. I'm glad I did it, what I've learned about myself and the outdoors in the past 19 months could only have been found climbing each and every one of those 46 peaks.
Special thanks to all the hard working trail crews that made the climbs up some challenging mountains possible.
Congrats to Scott and Kristi on making #7 today, and to Jeff for #13. Additional thanks to Jeff for taking me up Cascade as my first high peak last March. So now we know -- it's all Jeff's fault!!
The journey's just begun. Stick around for part II.
It was an interesting conclusion to my goal to complete the 46 peaks by year's end.
First, thanks to all who have hiked with me or supported me along the way. Without the combined experience of the hiking community (whether through trail talk or websites) this probably would not have happened.
I arrived at the loj at 10:30 AM Friday. Originally a friend Bobby was going to hike in with me that day, but decided to stay home. Left the loj parking lot at 11 AM sharp. Met up with Joe, a 46r, along the way. I thought I knew him from somewhere, and after our second encounter we were finally able to trace it back to Jeff. Joe (a preist) recently married Jeff and Bernie. Small world indeed.
After quite a bit of chatting and story telling I bid him farewell at Marcy Dam (he was doing Phelps that day).
I made my way around the eastern shore looking for either a camp spot or free lean-to. The second lean-to was open so I ditched my pack there and headed for Avalanche Pass. I hadn't hiked into the pass yet, and having the day off Friday meant I could take my time and soak it in.
At about 2PM I arrived at the pass and snapped a bunch of photos. Took the trail along the water's edge, then returned to Marcy Dam. I had company! 2 kids and their grandmother, all from Vermont, had settled in. We chatted for a while and decided we would make good lean-to companions. It was nice not being alone as no one who expressed interest in joining me for the Saturday hike had shown up that night.
That night there were no bears
. The wind howled. It wasn't too cold.I woke about 7:30 AM to bright skies. By 8 AM a strange figure in the shape of Jeff arrived at the lean-to (I had marked in the sign-in at Marcy Dam my camp location). We laughed for a while, then about 9 AM I had just finished eating and packing when Martin arrived. The three of us walked over to the Dam to wait until 10 as I had planned. At exactly 10 AM Scott (Nukedrocket) and wife Kristi arrived, ready to hike. 5 strong our group made our way to Phelps.
Once we reached the Phelps junction Scott and Kristi were talked into hiking to Tabletop with me (for #45). Jeff and Martin were going to hike Phelps (Jeff's #13, Martin was a rehike). Both Jeff and Martin had hiked Tabletop before.
The pace was moderate to Tabletop and we made summit after 12 noon. Kristi started to complain her hip was hurting after pulling herself up a few steep sections too many. Our descent went slowly and time started to become an issue. With Jeff and Martin waiting for me at the top of Phelps it was agreed that I should charge ahead as Scott didn't feel they were going to make the ascent to Phelps today. We agreed to meet back at the lean-to (where the remainder of my gear was) so we could all head out together and have dinner.
Once I left their company I proceeded to ascend a peak at the fastest rate I have ever climbed. In 20 minutes from the Phelps trail junction I casually approached Jeff and Martin on the summit.
"I hope you guys REALLY took your time, because I'm late." (or something to that effect)
We exchange smiles and handshakes, took some photos, and Jeff handed me a 46r patch that Rick had sent him for the occassion (awesome gesture Rick, thanks!). It was cool and breezy on Phelps, and with our stomaches growling and 2 people waiting we started down for the lean-to and cars.
At the lean-to Scott and Kristi popped the cork on some champagne (I don't drink, so it meant more for Jeff
). We toasted and I was truly thankful at that moment to have their company. While it's one thing to solo hike a few mountains, it's something else to celebrate the accomplishment in the company of others who appreciate it.We make our way out and it sprinkled off and on. Wildernessphoto (Gary) had recently come across a Prime Rib Buffet at the Howard Johnson's in Lake Placid. All you can eat for $12.95 sounded good to me, so we agreed to meet there. Lots of food and more laughs, we parted ways about 7 PM.
I'm glad the list is over. I'm glad I did it, what I've learned about myself and the outdoors in the past 19 months could only have been found climbing each and every one of those 46 peaks.
Special thanks to all the hard working trail crews that made the climbs up some challenging mountains possible.
Congrats to Scott and Kristi on making #7 today, and to Jeff for #13. Additional thanks to Jeff for taking me up Cascade as my first high peak last March. So now we know -- it's all Jeff's fault!! The journey's just begun. Stick around for part II.
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