Giant

[hockey2]

I'm climbing my first high peak in 2 weeks. There's a group of us climbing Giant from the Chapel Pond area. Can anyone give me any beta, advice, info you think I should know?

Thx
Chad

[TFR]

I'm climbing my first high peak in 2 weeks. There's a group of us climbing Giant from the Chapel Pond area. Can anyone give me any beta, advice, info you think I should know?

Well, a lot can happen in 2 weeks, but ...

Everyone should have snowshoes, crampons, wind protection, and all the usual gear. It's not a really long hike, but it does gain 3000' in about 3 miles. There are some exposed rock faces that could be tricky if there is snow/ice.

[Margaret]

Crampons. Essential.

Snowshoes. Proably mandatory (is that everywhere in the 'Daks, or just the High Peaks?)

Wind gear- including face masks.

Crampons.

A freind of mine climbed Giant in winter, ran into a father and son near the summit - they had no crampons. Father started sliding towards a ledge. My friend - in crampons and carrying an ice axe - managed to extend her axe, and pull the guy back onto solid, non-icy rock. He was very, very grateful and thanked her many times for saving his life.

I'm not sure I'd have been that brave.

Hmm.... are you sure you want to go to Gaint? Sure its short, but its a lot of bare rock, a lot of ice.... How about Phelps or Table? Or Esther? That's a breeze right now.... all packed trail, mostly in the trees .... Even Whiteface could be easier, as if the rocks get to be trouble, there is always the road.

Margaret

[Dick]

Snowshoes are mandatory in High Peaks. They are also a good idea elsewhere, unless one KNOWS there is no snow in a particular area (I speak from a bad experience here!).

A lot can happen with the weather in two weeks to any of these mountains. The weather can change daily, or more frequently, turning snow to ice, or vice versa. Recent trip reports have indicated some need for crampons on Phelps and Cascade, at least. Given this year's weather, I'd have crampons with me if I were going to climb any of these mountains.

Dick

[Eric]

I'm climbing my first high peak in 2 weeks. Chad

Hi Chad,
It could be helpful to check out the trip reports on the forum (ADKHighpeaks) or www.viewsfromthetop.com before you make definate plans, as Dick stated the weather in ADK's change daily as do the trails. I was on Giant recently and it was very icy and went back and forth from crampons to MSR snow shoes, I would not have summited if I hadn't had them.