Great Range 6/16

[xombehiker]

Hey all,

I am working a double today so I have no time to post a trip report, but here is a video I did of the hike.

I'll do a TR as soon as I can.

GREAT DAY!

http://vimeo.com/44215057

[xombehiker]

Oh, if anyone wants the HD version just hit download on the video. 720p file is there.

[bignslow]

I was really surprised with the number of GRT parties out on Saturday, I think we ran into at least 5-6 groups. It was really humbling to go into the hike thinking Hey we're doing the "impossible" and then running into a bunch of other people doing the same.

I'm pretty sure we must have passed you at some point during the day as we were going the opposite direction.

Nice hike, and (IMO) a huge accomplishment.

[xombehiker]

I was quite surprised though that no one I came across added Pyramid into it. I don't know why, but I always just assumed it was done. My first time on it, and certainly NOT my last.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Rik

I would guess that the weekends before and after the solstice see the greatest number of Great Range Traverse attempts each year.

I thought I'd try it on Dec. 21.

[xombehiker]

All joking aside...I would LOVE to do it in the winter!

[langer318]

Did it in March this year where it was still techincally winter but it was quite warm and sunny. I also did it in late November with much less daylight but still doable. I'm thinking January this year for some true winter conditions.

[xombehiker]

Let me start off by saying that this was a huge accomplishment to me.

Two years ago I was 325 lbs, extremely overweight, and couldn't even walk up a flight of stairs without losing my breath. In the past 18 months I have lost 80 lbs, and am living a life I thought I was never capable of. I took up a Boxing training regime and fell in love with it, that along with eating right, and a complete lifestyle change is the only reason I was able to do this.

Ok,

So this started out like any other ADK hike for me, waking at 230-3am and getting ready to go. I kissed the wife, she told me to be careful and to call her as soon as I could. I said ok and went on my way.

The ride up was uneventful. Good tunes, and "waterloading" myself with a 2 liter Platypus on my passengers seat.

I arrive at the Roostercomb trailhead around 530-545, and get hiking around 6.

The thought of this hike quickly started going through my mind, and self doubt started setting in as I could NOT find a proper rhythm by any means. I was also feeling quite fatigued for some reason, but onward I went.

Reached the Roostercomb turnoff, and up I went without even stopping. Finally felt like I was getting somewhere Reached the summit soon after, and sat for a couple minutes looking ahead at what I had in store. Started getting really excited, snapped some pics, did a video, and started getting giddy.

Pain seemed to lessen.

The way back to the junction was uneventful. Went right by it and started heading up, up, up and down, down, down, then up, up, up, to Lower Wolfjaw. On the summit the same routine as Roostercomb(followed all day mind you) by sitting down for a couple minutes, snapping some photos, and doing a video. Grabbed something to eat, sat there for a little longer. More confident in the day at this point, I stood up slung my pack on and onward I went.

Upper Wolfjaw was pretty uneventful, up and down and up.

Armstong. I really like Armstrong. As I arrived, I stood in amazement at what I had ahead of me. Same routine as the others, and really soaked in the views.

At this point my body was working at its best, and I was feeling really good.

I had a nice conversation with someone who was staying or camping at the Loj who I would be leap-frogging all day.

If you are reading this, I apologize, I forgot your name, but it was a pleasure running into you all day.

Onward to Gothics, boy do I love Gothics. Everything about it. The trail, the climb up the ridge, the summit. EVERYTHING! I get to the summit, and I don't even take off my pack right away, I just stand there looking out. Awesome I kept thinking, over and over.

Halfway done at this point, I assessed how I was feeling and determined that I was good to go. I shared some deet with a couple guys up there, and had a little more conversation with my friend for the Loj. Told him I was heading to Pyramid and I'd see him if I'd see him. Off to Pyramid!

Wow...wow is my immediate reaction to Pyramid. I have heard how good the views are from here, but wow. All the bare rock from the slides on Gothics, Saddleback, and Basin are just beautiful. Having Marcy right in the middle of it all is just the icing on the cake.

Hhhhhmmmm...cake. I found myself thinking about food FAR to often then I should have at this point.

Anyway, Pyramid was outstanding. I ran into a father and his daughter who had come up from Sawteeth, and helped them out with some pics, and funny enough some more deet was handed out. Chatted with them a little, and went back on my way to Gothics.

The way down Gothics is always nice(now my second time), and entertaining at a part. Right before the Col, I started hearing some jackasses yelling on top of Gothics. It took about 3 times of them yelling before I promptly heard someone coming down off Saddleback yell,"SHUT UP!". I started chuckling to myself while still going down.

I got to the Col and needed to filter water, so I went down to the Orebed a little ways and found a nice flow and filtered. I miss-judged my fluid needs, and was milking a liter of water since the Col between Armstrong and Gothics. So water was a great welcome.

This is where I had to stop last year. I attempted the Traverse last July, and was having issues with my feet from improper footwear on top of Gothics. Also, I wasn't in proper shape to be doing that big of a hike then. I bailed at that point and went back to The Garden. So from here on out was all new to me. Besides the section of Marcy from the Van Ho.

On to Saddleback I went. I was feeling good, and strong. Water was certainly a factor in that. So up, up, up, I went until I hit the outlook right before the summit. I had a nice converstion with some guys that were camping at the Bushnell Falls lean-to, took some pics and on I went.

The summit of Saddleback is just amazing. Marcy looks so close now, and I can see my goal. I can feel it. I stare ahead and a second wind hits me. I feel like I haven't been hiking at all that day. I feel refreshed and ready.

Now, my biggest concern about this hike were the Saddleback cliffs. I had heard nothing but how "treacherous", and "scary" they are. I found them to be neither, and can't wait to do them in the winter. I just dropped my pack down, and looked at routes down, decided, and did it. All in all about 20-30 seconds each of the two "difficult" sections. So down I went, and up I went.

Now, while trogging up Basin something hit me. It was the realization that I was going to do this. I got extremely overwhelmed and teared up repeatedly all the way up Basin. A combination of being so proud of myself, and feeling so fortunate that I am able to do this, both physically and mentally.

Basin is a great mountain. I hit the summit and looked ahead to the two mountains I had left, and felt good about them. Only if I knew....

So down I went. I filtered at the Col before heading up Haystack, and a huff and puff I go up the mountain.

I arrive at the junction of Haystack(being right in front of you), and Marcy to the right, and I start up.

I run into my friend from the Loj, shake his hand, and tell him it was a pleasure. We both wish each other luck, and carry on.

Wow, Haystack is an amazing mountain. The way the rock just grips right to the Vibram, the climb up to Little Haystack just to see what the true goal is ahead, and the climb up to the true summit all the while seeing it get closer and closer. Just AMAZING! I get to the top, do the usual, and lay there for a minute. Just lay there and feel the wind form around me. I close my eyes, and for a second, feel like I'm part of the mountain. I once again well up with tears.

It was a beautiful moment. One I will not forget.

So I collect myself, and down I go. Down, down, down, I go. Down further. I start cursing this downward slope as I know I'll have to reclimb all of it and then some to get the last peak of the day...MARCY!!!

So I get to the junction, I look at the sign and it says I have 1200+ feet to climb, I start laughing, have a little chat with a couple guys sitting there waiting for the rest of their group and on my way I go.

Up, up, up, up...seems to be the theme for the day

As I am approching the top of Marcy, once again get quite emotional. I start tearing up and decided to record the final push to the end of this long, long day.

I get to the top, and just start crying. Briefly, but tears flowing regardless. I take some pics, do a video and head on down.

Down, down, down, down...seems to be the theme for the day

At this point I realize I have nine miles to go to The Garden. This is where the mental endurance will come into play...this I know. Yet, still am not prepared for.

Darkness sets in fast, and on goes the headlamp. Eating is becoming more annoying now as my body is working so hard that I have to nibble of food every 20-30 minutes. So in go the swedish fish, and gummi bears in my pocket so i don't have to stop. I am SO sick of water and Gatorade at this point that I literally just have a sip off my Platypus when absolutely needed, and even that is not appealing.

I come across the guys I met on Saddleback, and they congratulate me. I say thanks, talk briefly, and go on my way.

Now this "1.5 miles" from the Bushnell Falls lean-to to JBL seems like either someone messed up on the mileage greatly, theres some type of time vortex happening, or I was just damn tired and not in my right mind....maybe it's the 3rd one there

I finally reach JBL, and go right by it full steam ahead to The Garden.

There really wasn't much else to report. Just a fast walk out.

I finally reached the trailhead, saw a group from Pennslyvania. Part of them were the two guys I saw right before going up Marcy.

They offered me a burger, I gladly accepted, but then i said I should get going as I had a trek down to Roostercomb still ahead of me to get to my car. One of them gladly offered to give me a ride...I GLADLY accepted.

Thank you kind stranger from Pennsylvania.

So, I got back to my car, got into some fresh clothes, and started making the two hour drive back home. I stopped at the welcome center to call the wife and let her know I was on my way, and got some Doritos, and a Pepsi from the vending machines.

Wow...those tasted GREAT!

Headed home, with good tunes and one accomplishment of a lifetime in my head.

Start Time- 6AM
End Time- 1130PM

According to topo software:
Miles- 21.15
Elevation Gain- 9712'
Elevation Loss- 9225'

[Trail Boss]

Great achievement and TR! Congratulations!

[aoc-1]

Inspiring journey. Congratulations!

[OnTheTrail]

Sounds like a "Great Day" Congratulations on your accomplishments. Hope to do this trip some day in the future.

34/46

[mudrat]

Great report and congrats on an ambitious hike! Your journey over the last 2 years to this is, well, quite inspiring!

[Pathgrinder]

Congratulations! Hiking the entire Great Range is a major accomplishment and your story inspires me to do more!

[Rookie]

If you had to do it again, would start on Marcy ?

[xombehiker]

Originally Posted by Rookie

If you had to do it again, would start on Marcy ?

Noooo way. I loved the way I went

I couldn't imagine ending with Roostercomb. I liked looking out and having it build up to something bigger everytime.

[dharple]

Great TR, and congrats on losing so much weight! It feels great, doesn't it?