Follow me @ Wandering …

The Great Range is arguably the most sought-after traverse in the Adirondack High Peaks. Backpacker Magazine, Apr 2005 / Feb 2017, rated it as one of the hardest day hikes in America. With close to 25 miles total distance, and over 10k elevation gain, this is, indeed, one tough day hike. The 10k+ elevation gain comes in the 1st 16 miles of hike, with relentless ups and downs, right from the start of the trailhead. Consider the last 7 miles as a rewarding cool-down as it’s a ‘gentle’ downhill to the end of the trail.

The traverse covers 8 of the Adirondack 46ers, namely:

• Lower Wolf Jaw (4,173 ft)
• Upper Wolf Jaw (4,203 ft)
• Armstrong Mountain (4,429 ft)
• Gothics (4,734 ft)
• Saddleback Mountain (4,528 ft)
• Basin Mountain (4,826 ft)
• Mount Haystack (4,961 ft)
• Mount Marcy (5,344 ft) – the highest peak in the Adirondack.

Marcy is not officially part of the the Great Range, but has been added to the traverse. Why? Why not! It’s already visible and within reach from Mt Haystack, the last peak in the range. And to make the hike more epic and rewarding.

The traverse is generally done from East to West, starting from the Rooster Comb trailhead. There are 2 possible endpoints on the traverse; at the Adirondack Loj trailhead, or at the Gardens traihead. Both approach require 2 cars, one at the starting point, and the other at the ending point (unless you do what I did).

Every peak of the Great Range provides amazing views, with the next peak always trumping the previous. Wait, I find Gothics as one of the peaks with amazing views – you can see the last 4 peaks to climbs, all within the view, all seem to be within reach!

I did the Great Range Traverse, one day in July, starting from the Rooster Comb trailhead, ending at the Gardens trailhead. AND THEN walking back to my car in Rooster Comb trailhead from the Gardens. This is an extra 2 miles after an already long and exhausting day.

Key points in doing this day hike.

• The 10k+ elevation gain is all on the 1st 16 miles of the hike. There are no breaks, except at the summits.
• Possible 1st water refill is at Haystack Brook, just before the climb to Mt Haystack, about 15 miles on the hike.
• Enjoy the descent on Gothics. This is where the steel cables are. (And if you’ll notice, some areas are covered with garden hose). You may not need to hold onto the cables if you are comfortable coming down on steep, slanted rock (the surface is sticky). When you reach the bottom, enjoy the view of the hikers going up.

• You will be descending the so-called Saddleback cliff. This may be quite intimidating. But as long as you have both hands and feet planted, you will be fine.

• Always look back. You’ll smile to see where you just came from.

• Don’t be fooled by the visible summit when climbing Haystack. This is just Little Haystack. Haystack is the next summit you’ll see while you are catching your breath at the summit of Little Haystack

• When you finally reach Marcy, breathe and be thankful. Not many people can do what you have just done.

• And if you’re a trail runner, wake up the trail runner in you on the last 7 miles to the end of this hike. A little hustle, here and there, with an Ozzy Osbourne tune in your head – Mama, I’m Coming Home.

On the last weekend of Sept, this kolokoy completed hiking the 46 high peaks in the Adirondack region, aka, ADK 46ers.

This adventure started on the first weekend of July,  and completed on the last weekend of Sept.  All hikes were multi-peak day hikes, on several weekend trips (8 trips) to the Adirondack High Peaks. 

The weekend itinerary starts with a 5+ hour drive on Friday after work.  Saturday is a full day hike. Sunday is an easier hike to save some energy on the 5+ hour drive back home.  Sleep would be in car where allowed.

Zero dime spent on lodging, and few dollars on food, relying on on-the-go food (eggs, purple yam, pbj uncrustables, and maple syrup for quick energy boost) during the hikes, coffee and home-prepared champorado for breakfast, and cheap instant noodles for dinner.

Here’s the breakdown of his hikes completing the 46ers:

1. Wright, Algonquin, Iroquois

2. Marcy, Skylight, Gray

3. Whiteface, Esther

4. The Great Range. Lower Wolf Jaw, Upper Wolf Jaw, Armstrong, Gothics, Saddleback, Basin, Haystack, Marcy

5. Cascade, Porter

6. Phelps, Tabletop, Colden

7. Big Slide

8. Dix Range. Maccomb, South Dix, Grace, Hough, Dix

9. Giant, Rocky Peak Ridge

10. Colvin Range. Dial, Nippletop, Colvin, Blake

11. Santanoni Range. Santanoni, Panther, Couchsachraga

12. Marshall, Redfield, Cliff

13. Seward Range. Seymour, Seward, Donaldson, Emmons

14. Nye, Street

15. Allen

16. Sawteeth

This is a very rewarding adventure.  With some inherent dangers, of course.  Heck, sitting on the couch, drinking beer while watching TV has its dangers too!  This guy has slipped on trails, banged his head on trees, got scratched and marks.  But everything is part of the adventure.  He felt the peace in solitude on the trail, the calming sound of the flowing water from the brooks, the trees with their roots that provided grasp and foot holds. He played get-a-picture-if-you-can with playful birds. This is Ikigai.

And this guy’s advice to anyone thinking of doing this adventure?

You have to want it.

This will drive your commitment to the adventure. Because once you have done the social media attention grabbing peaks, and started doing the less traveled 46ers,  there will be times when it’s just you and the mountain trail (unless a beer-loving friend joins you).  And did I say the trails would not be well manicured like the crowd-favorite ones?

And if you need some company, this guy’s available. Ping him. He’s cheap.  A good local IPA will do. 

Thank YOU, once again.

… for now I’ll enjoy the city from somewhere else.

One day, when this is all over
I’ll go back to the mountains
Hike the trail, sunrise to sunset
Find a rock, enjoy the view
Be still, find peace for a day.

… for now, I’ll enjoy the mountains from somewhere else.

One day, when this is all over
I’ll go back to the beach
Walk the shore, east or west
Feel the sand, hear the waves
Watch the sun, from afar
Have a smile, be thankful for a day.

… for now, I’ll enjoy the sunset from somewhere else.

One day, when this is all over, I’ll wander.

To discover in life a bit of joy…

A phrase from the prayer/poem called Prayer for Good Humor by St Thomas More. I got to know this poem just recently after watching a movie which focused on the life of Pope Francis. It was said that Pope Francis says the prayer every day. Only the first part below was recited, with a little twist – using but rather than what’s from the poem – and, which I think actually made the phrase stand out and be really funny. I laughed out so loud after hearing it.

Grant me, O Lord, a good digestion, but also something to digest.

I will leave it to you to search and find the whole poem.

From the full version, the last section stayed in my mind. And I try to say it when things are going in the wrong direction

Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humor. Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke. To discover in life a bit of joy. And to be able to share it with others.

During this stay-home lock down, I became a community birder + creature watcher, and these sightings somewhat has brought humor and joy in my life.

I hope you have discovered, and continue to discover, something to give a bit of joy in your lives.

And if you happen to have someone named Joy sitting next to you while reading this, then you have more than just a bit.

Can we inject humour to others, to bring some joy?
To forget the worries, even for a moment?

Affected in the same manner by this pandemic,
These creatures are finding humour in their own ways.

Read what they are saying… and hoping their stories can evoke a smile, or a laughter.

Finding beauty in what’s just around the corner …

… is something we don’t always do.

For some reason, we have that thinking that we have to travel far to see beautiful things. Yes, there might be some truth in it. The ones we see from postcards are grand and amazing, yet oftentimes unachievable to see in person. The ones around us, in the neighborhood, are rarely noticed, because they are not as spectacular as the ones from the far edges of the world.

How about having a change in our thinking? To start noticing and finding beauty from the things around us, within our reach? Yes, they may be simple and may seem unappealing to others. But like an old adage says

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Here’s hoping you find beauty in what’s around you.

The photo was taken in a neighborhood when I was on a bike ride. And is now my wallpaper.

These two surely play the role…

rain, nature’s powerful cleanser
comes down from the heaven
washes away the impurities in the air
disinfecting the earth, no lysol needed.

and after the rain, out comes the sun
even for a moment, to dry the land
providing warmth, and breath of fresh air
giving life back to earth, gratitude needed.

reconnect with nature and you will understand.