Favorites

[Everest NBD]

I think it would be cool to start up the "favorites" list up again for any new members (or old) to share their favorite high peak and if your not done yet your favorite so far.

Well mine is Haystack for the veiws and the walk up. :)

[ADKatie]

I'm with you, Nick, HAYSTACK all the way!

That's my favorite too. I can't say enough about how much I LOVED that walk up Little Haystack, getting a sneak preview from the shoulder, then looking over to Haystack and doing that rollercoaster traverse. SO FUN!!!

I also loved how you could sit and face the Skylight/Marcy view for a while, and then turn yourself around to gaze upon the Basin/Saddleback view for a while afterwards. One thing about Haystack coming down into the Basin col, it sure does toss you off, but I even loved looking back up at it as we climbed Basin. TREMENDOUS!

:P :P

[adamsets]

I really enjoyed Haystack, although I hiked it from Panther Gorge. Camping there for 2 nights with my dad was amazing. I also loved the summit of Skylight...but my favorite has to be Gothics. The views are amazing and the mountain itself is breathtaking...the only downfall of being on Gothics is Gothics isn't in the view...when I'm on the other mountains I could just stare at Gothics with amazement forever.

[AlpineSummit]

In addition to about 25 of the normally named spots; I just luv the view from Indian Falls.

[peak_bgr]

Besides Basin in a full out thunderstorm, I really like Street. It has nice views of the MacIntyres, and doesn't recieve the crowds that alot of the more popular peaks get.

[Mavs00]

Besides Basin in a full out thunderstorm.........

:cool: Gee, that's sounds oddly familiar :cool:

Mine is, and not just for the spectacular bleacher seating for natures light shows :shock:, most definatly Basin. Been up it all points of the compass but south. I Love Chiken Coop Brook and her slides, I love the summit and I especially love the Ampitheater.

I just love everything about that mountain. Dix, Gothics & Haystack also rank right up there.

[Skyclimber]

My absolute favorites are Algonquin for the beautiful view of Colden from there. I also have partiality to Dix as I became a Forty-Sixer on that peak and absolutely love the views. Let's not forget, Seward holds a special place in my heart too, as I became a Winter Forty-Sixer on that peak. Like a friend once told me, when I asked him, "What is your favorite peak?" He replied, "Whichever one I am standing on." I guess I would have to fully agree with him. As they all are my favorites in some shape or form.

[Neil]

The one I've climbed the most is Algonquin and is where I like to take people to introduce them to the dacks. (None of this "easy beginner peak" business for my introductions.)

Nevertheless, I find it hard to come up with a favourite moutain. Looking at, looking from or climbing are three different experiences of a mountain. Then there's the region where the mountain sits and the memories it brings up when you think about it. The views from Algonquin are pretty excellent, ditto for most of the highest ones. Others, like Nippletop, Donaldson, Colvin and Sawteeth have unique perspectives. The Sewards are in such a remote and wild area. Colden is unique because you can ascend and descend by two different slides - something I havn't done yet.

[pete_hickey]

You know what they say about first impressions. The first time I did Gothics, back in '71, I was really impressed. It was on a solo backpack trip. I took a bus from NYC, got off in Keene Valley, and started walking. I got to Gothics, and was mipressed. I spent the night camped ni the col (now illegal) between Gothics and Sadleback. Gothics impressed me so much that I climbed it again the following morning to watch the sun rise. Unfortunately, one does not see a good sunrise in the rain.

The impressions Gothics made on me when I was a 'kid' have remained to this day.

[marcygirl]

Mine would be Marcy as you can tell by my screen name.









46er#5459 I think! LOL

[bushwacker]

i think Basin and Haystack.
especially with the thunder and lightning

[Silverback]

Pyramid/Gothics, Haystack, Basin, and Algonquin are all very close for me. If I had to pick, I would say Pyramid, but my best experience came when I was alone on Algonquin one morning in between layers of breaking clouds. The shafts of sunlight shining through from above and the breaks down to the flowed lands and Lake Colden were otherworldly and spectacular.

[Gandalf]

My agreement with everyone who calls this a tough call. Here are my top 5 today, but if I were to answer tomorrow the list might be completely different!

1) Haystack (haven't climbed since 1998, NEED to get back there this year!)
2) Redfield (my favorite herd path, and an awesome view of Allen)
3) Macomb (the W slide, nice views w/few people)
4) Donaldson (love the two unique lookouts and the general remoteness of the Sewards)
5) Gothics (for reasons others have given...can't wait to finally climb it from Pyramid!)

[Dick]

Tough for me to list favs too. The ones that currently stand out in my mind (for a variety of reasons, not just summit views) are, in no particular order:

Gothics (via cable)
Seymour
Colden
Basin
Algonquin

I'll probably add Haystack (the one we finished on) and Rocky Peak Ridge, as soon as we go back and we're able to see more than three feet in front of us :roll:

[mike1889]

Gothics, love the trail up from Beaver Meadow Falls, and love the view OF Gothics from Marcy and other peaks.

[AlpineSummit]

I haven't disagreed with a single choice from anyone yet.....
I'll throw in Hough too, what a cool mountain that's not easy to climb being as remote and well guarded as it is. A great summit, and the beckhorn is so impressive from there, imposing even.

I do have a hankerin' for Pyramid tho and I think that may be the next tune-up hike this w'end.

Katie, so far I am climbing ugly,,,,,,,,

[1ADAM12]

Well all the ones i have climbed are awesome in their own way which makes them all my favorite. The one that really stands out to me though is Colvin. It captured me the day I climbed it! The sun was setting over the Great Range.....unbelievably AWESOME!!!!!!!

[ADKatie]

Bruce, I'm with you, I am! I know JUST what you are talking about! There's nothing worse than that hiking ugly thing! UGH! :mad:

And this year, so far at least, I have to say I'm in better than the usual shape for my first hikes of the season.

I'm no jackrabbit still, but I ain't no slouch either.

Can't wait for another one next weekend! Wish I could do Pyramid with you! That one's on my to-do list!

[Dick]

We've been up Pyramid several times, and it's one of the best views around! I'd love to join some of you on this one (I never tire of it), but we're going south (Catskills, not sure where yet) for a couple of tune-ups.

Dick

[hillman1]

Couchy. I know. I'm sick in the head. I just don't want that mountain to feel left out. It's like being picked last for the kickball game...

[Everest NBD]

I loved Pyramid also and when my dad and I were up there there were some crazy guys climbing up the South face of Gothics. Unfortunately Dad dropped the camera in the Ausable River at the begining of the hike so we got no pictures that day. :cry:

[lumberzac]

Couchy. I know. I'm sick in the head. I just don't want that mountain to feel left out. It's like being picked last for the kickball game...

While Couchy isn't my favorite, I enjoy the hike over to it both times I summitted.

Dix is my favorite, in part because it was my first High Peak and in part because the area around it holds a lot good memories.

[Hikerdad]

Favorites are tough when so many mountains are great....I'd say Wright's and Algonquin for being first in the ADK and great above tree line feeling (now I've got to go back, been there twice and in the clouds 98% of the time), Haystack for it's remoteness and above treeline, Gothics for the view and the cable climb (great adventure), Basin becuase I think it's a really cool looking mountain, Dix for the ridge to the Beckhorn....Gee they're all great in their own way (or maybe I'm wishy washy....).

[masshysteria]

My Top 3?

#3; The Basin Amp, brings new meaning to the word, REMOTE.

#2 The top of the Ribbon Slide on Gothics. With the North Face dropping off at your feet, the Range extending to your left, the slide itself spliiting like a Y 400 ft. below. Beautiful!

#1; Grace (East Dix). The remoteness of it, the fantastic view looking east and southeast, looking down the Great Slide.

This list is always open to alteration with new exploration, though.

Tom

[Mavs00]

#3; The Basin Amp, brings new meaning to the word, REMOTE.

No doupt about it. The towering cliffs seem to wall off the rest of the world, and the trip out is.........ummm, intereseting.

[Dick]

#1; Grace (East Dix). The remoteness of it, the fantastic view looking east and southeast, looking down the Great Slide.


Yes! I don't know how could I have forgotten this one in my list! It's my wife's favorite one (Basin her close second). I think I remember hearing that Grace is the only HP that can't be seen from Marcy, or something like that. Is that correct?

Dick

[mike1889]

I think I remember hearing that Grace is the only HP that can't be seen from Marcy, or something like that. Is that correct?

Dick

Also Couchsachraga can't be seen from Marcy. The actual summit of South Dix (Carson) can't be seen from Marcy, but just south of the Carson summit on the open rocks, Marcy can be seen.

[AlpineSummit]

The luscious col between Basin & Saddleback.

[Everest NBD]

You can Just see the summit of Couchsacraga poking over the shoulder of Panther from Marcy.

[1ADAM12]

Lets bump this up :D

[ajtiv]

I am holding my vote,
6 not climbed yet and worse Seward range, Algonquin, Phelps, Santinoni all no views.
After I finish with the list and go back for the missed views I will let you all know

A clear winters day climb that may change my mind too. I love those the best
But as of today based solely on experience the best view I have had was from the middle of frozen Avalanche Lake looking around almost knocked me down from the views.

Favorite HP Haystack, and fav. mtn. Beckhorn this past winter
Both were on long solo hikes that really gave me that impossible to describe feeling of joy
Al

[adkdremn]

hikes that really gave me that impossible to describe feeling of joy
Well, with only 5 peaks under my belt I don't have a lot to choose from. But, I had that same feeling this past winter after completing a 3 peak trip ending on Iroquois. I bounded down the side of Iroquois so full of excitement that I fell and just started rolling like a little kid down a massive untouched snowfield. Hard to describe, but I remember it like it was yesterday, and I can't wait to have that same feeling again!

[Joe H.]

A hard choice, but I have always been very partial to Dix. For whatever reason of all my hikes up these peaks, I always seem to end up on Dix late in the day and, often, my party is the only one up there. The solitude of the area plus the beauty of watching the sun sink lower from that spot have always been special moments. It was also my first High Peak thanks to a camp leader who agreed to take several teenagers up there way back in August '80.

[LionRoar]

If Couchie (3820')is a "high peak" then what's Lyon (3830')?

I will add my list, but none of then are "high peaks" in the 46'r sense of the word:

Hurricane
Jay
Catamount
Lyon
Moose
Gilligan
St. Regis

High Peaks:
Panther (which one - there are six in the Park!) (4442')
Seymour
Gothics

I know that I missed a few...

LR

[Mark Schaefer]

My favorite Adirondack mountain is Noonmark for the great views of the Great Range.

Among the 46 Giant and Rocky Peak Ridge are my favorites the varied landscape. There are so many good choices. Honorable mention: Algonquin, Colden (Trap Dike!), Haystack, Gothics, Macomb, Marshall, Dix, Grace. Couchsachraga is my favorite wooded summit.

[TFR]

.. Colden (Trap Dike!) ..
ADKs: I've climbed Colden 3 different ways, and it gets better every time!

Cats: Hunter Fire Tower

Whites: Carrigain or Bond Cliff

Maine: Katahdin

I know, wrong board ... :D

[timmus]

Fav High Peaks views : Haystack

Fav non-High Peaks views : Pyramid in winter

Fav High Peaks hike : Dix

[Jay H]

I think my favorite high peaks are either Gothics or Colden..

Fav non-high peak: Noonmark and the hike to the summit is so much fun!

Jay

[Boreal Chickadee]

Pyramid. :tup:

[ADKJack]

Favorite Mountain, Algonquin view from summit at dawn is amazing.
View from Big Slide is also pretty good.
Best Climb, Colden in January via Trap dike and slide
So Far....

[Shewolf]

At this point...Skylight. But as my # of HP increase, my opinion may change.

[Gandalf]

Redfield and Haystack are my favorite HPs, though I'm another one of those oddballs who kinda likes Couchie...

[Grumpy]

ADKs: I've climbed Colden 3 different ways, and it gets better every time!

Me, too, for a total of five times. And I agree with your assessment. Colden definitely is my "default" favorite.

Still, you'll likely get a different answer from me depending on when you ask. It always seems that my favorite is the one I happen to be on (if I happen to be on one) at the moment.

G.

[AlpineSummit]

Redfield and Haystack are my favorite HPs, though I'm another one of those oddballs who kinda likes Couchie...

Cool!

Gandolf, you and I are about the only guys who would mention those 3 as high on the favs list. I tip my hat to you, Haystack is an easy pick but Redfield and Couchee show that you're a true mountain man.(person?)

And Shewolf - Don't expect Skylight to be downgraded too far, it's an AWEsome peak.

Happy Trails!

[eghaley]

Lots of things to consider in choosing my favorite high peak. So many feelings are part and parcel to the choice. However, my favorites and reasons why are:

Algonquin - quick hike from the Loj and nice views of Colden
Marcy - climbed 12 times before I had a view
Phelps - coldest temp on top - minus 30F
Haystack - the view, the view and the view
Little Haystack - just being there (I know, not a peak)
Whiteface - because we can ski up and spend the night on top for New Years
Wright - SAC history
Santanoni - was coated like a glazed donut
Gothics - where I slipped off the east peak
Cascade - like climbing the back of a whale; a certain white birch tree
Street & Nye - sleeping with deer in the col
Big Slide - toboggan slide down from the top
Dix - finishing the 46 eating blueberries on top

I really can't pick one that is the best of them all. If I had to choose, I guess I'd pick Algonquin. Not because it's close but maybe because of being on top in a sleet storm where my polarguard pants and jacket were covered in a thick coat of ice that cracked when I moved. It looked like I was a huge glazed donut. But I was warm and toasty inside.

[peacedak]

Been a long time since I have posted... favorite high peak... as so many of you have noted... favorite is based on not only the destination, but the journey and the experience therewithin... Taking all that into consideration... here is my contribution to the favorite list...

Basin... 1st high peak... crested summit @ 9:00 AM on a clear blue windy summer day... Myself, MAVS 00 and friend were all alone. It was about the views, but more about the feeling... I could feel the universe speak to me... as a living, breathing, fluid creature... I was a part of her... breaking from the self-centered, man-made reality I so normaly existed in... powerful reminder that WE are only a part of it ALL... not the center.

Santinoni was also quite spiritual... 180 degree views after an incredibly difficult hike... once again felt the rhythm of the IS... the power of nature.

[joseywalesb]

You know what they say about first impressions. The first time I did Gothics, back in '71, I was really impressed. It was on a solo backpack trip. I took a bus from NYC, got off in Keene Valley, and started walking. I got to Gothics, and was mipressed. I spent the night camped ni the col (now illegal) between Gothics and Sadleback. Gothics impressed me so much that I climbed it again the following morning to watch the sun rise. Unfortunately, one does not see a good sunrise in the rain.

The impressions Gothics made on me when I was a 'kid' have remained to this day.


Pete, was Gothics considered a mountain that long ago??? It's grown like a few hundred feet since then hasn't it?? lmfao... I am sooooooo just kidding but '71, was that when you became a 46er? :D

Back to the point, I've got 10 left now. With everything I've been on so far, I've been on Colvin in winter and several times in the summer now and hands down it's my favorite. Just the solitude and view of the range from there is everything to me. I've been on Gothics in winter and 2 times in the summer and have yet to see what the deal is with it??? Seems like everytime I get there it's miserable with wind/rain etc... Every peak I've been on I can honestly say thinking back, I really would like to go to again. Colvin just seems to stand out... :)

[DIB]

Basin was great, but my choice is probably not high on most peoples list. I loved the "hike" to Big Slide over the brothers. Great bang for the buck.:tup: