Mavs00
07-28-2005, 06:11 PM
Since last year, We’ve been spending quite a bit time b-whacking ADK lesser peaks, HH and doing some other things outside of the “big dogs” where we spend so many enjoyable days (and nights). I’m enjoying it greatly, but it’s a different kind of “hiking”. Things don’t come as easy and it can be a struggle at times. My recent memory is clouded with thoughts of swimming up “Little Santanoni” in an all day driving rain. There was also a Siege at “Mount Stewart”, and then begging forgiveness for and INADVERTANT stroll on (well……. It really don’t matter where does it). I could go on, but you get the point.
Today, we had a few hours to kill, so we decided to hit up Noonmark. It seems hard to believe, but I’ve climbed over 80 different peaks (some pretty obscure ones too) in the last 7 years, and never have I climbed this “mandatory” ADK kid climb. We arrived at the trailhead at just before 11 AM (another novelty) and headed out.
Damn, this little sucker is steep. Well 1:25 hours later (2.5 miles, 2150’), we topped out. As I stood on this rocky outcropping gazing at the vast panorama around me, I could feel my heart swell. The feeling is hard to describe. Its like when you’ve been away much to long, and you finally come home, and everything just feels right. That was it. My old friends surrounded me. Dix, Giant, RPR, Dial, Nippletop, the entire Great Range and even Allen. The weather was perfect and it was just an overwhelmingly wonderful moment. It was a great way to refresh why we (my family and I) spend so much of our time, money and effort getting up here. The Adirondacks are OUR HOME.
In another odd sense, it justifies pushing through cripplebrush, negotiating precipitous cliffs, falling though femur eating hidden root holes and standing in the middle of a thick stand of spruce and wondering “is this really the summit”. You never know when the trees will open up and the world will be before you. So now I’m ready and refreshed to head back into the Sentinels, Sawteeths and Fishing Brook Ranges for the next batch untrammeled peaks..
My point is, I’ve strolled away a bit and done some different things. It’s what I wanted to do and I’m happy, but today just served to remind me that my old friends are still right there, waiting for me to return. Those are friends you’ll have forever and that makes me feel good. After longer than we had planned, we turned around and headed down, confident in the knowledge that life is good in our world. It took us an hour to reach the car
Now, we’re off to Maine and a date with Katahdin. Our friends will be waiting back here in NY, we known it. Ohhhhh yeah, we saw an eagle on Noonmark too. Thanks for indulging me for this hippish, free spirit trip report. :D
Today, we had a few hours to kill, so we decided to hit up Noonmark. It seems hard to believe, but I’ve climbed over 80 different peaks (some pretty obscure ones too) in the last 7 years, and never have I climbed this “mandatory” ADK kid climb. We arrived at the trailhead at just before 11 AM (another novelty) and headed out.
Damn, this little sucker is steep. Well 1:25 hours later (2.5 miles, 2150’), we topped out. As I stood on this rocky outcropping gazing at the vast panorama around me, I could feel my heart swell. The feeling is hard to describe. Its like when you’ve been away much to long, and you finally come home, and everything just feels right. That was it. My old friends surrounded me. Dix, Giant, RPR, Dial, Nippletop, the entire Great Range and even Allen. The weather was perfect and it was just an overwhelmingly wonderful moment. It was a great way to refresh why we (my family and I) spend so much of our time, money and effort getting up here. The Adirondacks are OUR HOME.
In another odd sense, it justifies pushing through cripplebrush, negotiating precipitous cliffs, falling though femur eating hidden root holes and standing in the middle of a thick stand of spruce and wondering “is this really the summit”. You never know when the trees will open up and the world will be before you. So now I’m ready and refreshed to head back into the Sentinels, Sawteeths and Fishing Brook Ranges for the next batch untrammeled peaks..
My point is, I’ve strolled away a bit and done some different things. It’s what I wanted to do and I’m happy, but today just served to remind me that my old friends are still right there, waiting for me to return. Those are friends you’ll have forever and that makes me feel good. After longer than we had planned, we turned around and headed down, confident in the knowledge that life is good in our world. It took us an hour to reach the car
Now, we’re off to Maine and a date with Katahdin. Our friends will be waiting back here in NY, we known it. Ohhhhh yeah, we saw an eagle on Noonmark too. Thanks for indulging me for this hippish, free spirit trip report. :D