Heading out for a few days in the Adirondacks

Mentor

Mentor

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Nov 27, 2004
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Hi all,

This afternoon, I leave for a four-day hiking trip in the Adirondacks, which I am looking forward to. This will be my first outing in the U.S., as I usually spend my wilderness time in BC, Alberta, or Ontario. I didn't plan this particular trip, and I'm not sure what to expect. The photos I have seen look beautiful, but I imagine that the area will be quite busy this time of year - which can sometimes be a drag.

Anyway, I get to try out my new hiking set-up. I'm bringing a fairly standard PSK, with extra items (band-aids for blisters, energy bars) added on account of the two novice members of our party. Additionally, there is quite a bit of extra coffee and hot chocolate in my food bag, as I have found that there's nothing like a warm drink to make rookies feel comfortable before or after a long day of backpacking.

On the sharp side of things, I will be bringing my Becker Necker, which attaches to my pack strap, my current camp knife, which is based on a Maverick kit from CKK, and, stowed in my pack, my BK-9, for chopping. I could lose the BK-9 and still feel happy with my kit, but I haven't had the occasion to take pictures of it in a wilderness environment for a while. I have my Wave multitool as well.

And now for a small rant:

The first leg of my trip will involve me taking the bus from Toronto to Ottawa - something I do regularly for work. Yesterday, however, Greyhound began its regulatory response to the murder that took place out West last month. Thus far, there have been no announcements about similar policies in my neck of the woods, but I anticipate that persons travelling with outdoor gear may soon be subject to increased scrutiny. Which is unfortunate. As a criminologist, I am fascinated at a professional level by responses that treat random incidents as indicators of a trend, thereby necessitating a response (anyone interested in such things should check out Cass Sunstein's book 'Laws of Fear', particularly his remarks on the availability heuristic and probability neglect); as someone who enjoys spending time in the wilderness and often uses public transportation as part of his trips, I see a great deal of inconvenience on the horizon. After all, if you're a responsible backpacker, your gear for a half-week trip should include all manner of sharp, flammable, and potentially explosive items - all of which are instantly suspicious in a climate characterized by the criminalization of everyday objects.

/rant

Looking forward to a great trip. Pictures will, of course, follow upon my return!

All the best,

- Mike
 
Where are you heading to in the Adirondacks. there is a spot just outside of Inlet you can camp ect for 3 days for free without a permit, if going to be there longer then 3 days you would need a permit and I believe that is also free. it is called Moose River recreation area. I have done some hunting there lots of water, woods and wildlife. I have not been there in years but it is a great place. By the way lots of trails and lots of land. Doug
 
Thanks Doug!

I have not been involved in the planning of this trip, location-wise. In fact, I'm going on faith that we actually have a plan. So, I will most definitely look into the area you suggest, and see if I can steer us in that direction.

All the best,

- Mike
 
Have a great trip, the Adirondaks are beautiful, you will have a ball!

I hope you don't go through too much B.S. on the way down.
 
Hi All,

I’m back from a few days of camping and hiking in the Adirondacks. It was my first time in the area, and I will definitely be returning. While the region around Lake Placid is a bit less remote - and the trails a bit busier - than I’m used to, it seems to be an ideal location for novice or intermediate hikers. Several of the popular hikes can be quite challenging, and the scenery is beautiful.

Not knowing exactly what to expect, I packed for a serious wilderness outing. I envisioned us striking camp in the morning, making camp in the afternoon, and lugging everything from point A to point B - which I enjoy doing. As it turned out, our group opted to set up camp not too far from the Adirondack Loj. This meant that we could enjoy long day hikes (leaving in the morning, returning just before dark) without lugging too much gear with us. But, it also meant that I packed the wrong gear - specifically, I didn’t have a day pack! Fortunately, I was able to improvise. My expedition pack has a few modular pouches attached to the waist straps, including a rather large Lowepro camera case that usually serves as an easy-access pouch for items that come in handy during a long hike - first aid supplies, food for the trail, and other psk stuff. Detached and repacked, this pouch served as a great day pack. I mention this as an example of a situation where having a few modular pouches attached to a larger pack can be beneficial when the need to improvise arises.

In the gear department, top marks go to my Aquamira water bottle with microbiological filter. This was the second time I have used it on a wilderness outing, and did a great job. I was able to refill at mountain springs, rivers, or waterfalls, without requiring an additional filter. Has anyone else used this sort of combined bottle-filter? If so, what are your thoughts?

Since these threads are useless without pics, here are a few!

A waterfall partway up Algonquin Peak:

IMG_2327.jpg


Two views from the summit of Algonquin Peak:

IMG_2342.jpg


IMG_2343.jpg


A view of Algonquin Peak from the summit of Mt. Jo:

IMG_2349.jpg



My belt knife for this trip, pictured below, was based on a Maverick blade from knifekits.com. The handle is reclaimed black oak (unstained!). The knife was used for general light chopping and cutting, and to make fuzz sticks, and chopsticks for eating. Nothing too strenuous, but it performed very well. Also along for the trip was my Becker Necker, which took care of food prep.

IMG_2344.jpg


All things considered, this trip was an excellent way to finish the summer.

Best,

- Mike
 
I really love that area. Adirondack Loj is quite the hub for lots of peaks. That waterfall on the way to Algonquin is a great place to camp if you ever decide to go back. A few years ago we left on Friday after work, drove up to Adk. Loj and hiked to the waterfall in the dark using headlamps. Eerie, but really fun and peaceful. The trails are well marked around there so you shouldn't have much trouble if any.

You really can't lose in that area except for early in the summer when the black flies are a real menace and holiday weekends when some trails can be super busy. Algonquin is one of the best "bang for yer buck" trails, meaning it's a relatively short hike to the second highest point in New York with fantastic views, so it can get crowded.

Great pics, by the way. I'm glad you had a good time and the pack situation worked out for you.
 
Great pics. That brings back some memories - when I was growing up in upstate NY we used to go to Colden Lake and hike up Algonquin, Colden, and Marcy. Did you hop over to Wright Peak from Algonquin to pick up pieces of the B-47 wreck on the summit?
 
Excellent pics. Thanks for sharing. Great way to improvise with your expedition pack!
 
DPKnives said:
Where are you heading to in the Adirondacks. there is a spot just outside of Inlet you can camp ect for 3 days for free without a permit, if going to be there longer then 3 days you would need a permit and I believe that is also free. it is called Moose River recreation area. I have done some hunting there lots of water, woods and wildlife. I have not been there in years but it is a great place. By the way lots of trails and lots of land. Doug
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moose river is where i spend 90% of all my ADK time.the adirondaks hold a special place in my heart and just fascinate me.plan on going up in a few weeks.i live about 1 1/2 hours away.

here's some knowledge for ya,Adirondack means "tree eater" in indian so they are the tree eater mountains.i forget what the tree eater thing means.

i've never been to the lake placid area.trust me that their are some very remote areas where you will see ten times more bear droppings than people
 
It's the indians who ate the trees ! Actually they ate the inner bark which has nutritive value .My special memory of the Adirondacks is a trip as a high schooler by canoe along the Fulton Chain of lakes. At night , in a canoe, in the middle of a large lake ,this time of year, looking up at a fantastic display of curtains of light from aurora borealis !!
 
I did not take the side trip, though it's certainly something I'll do next time I'm out there. Heard about the wreckage.

When we were setting out for Algonquin Peak, we met a group of people at the trailhead near the parking lot. One was a rather old fellow wearing a kilt (late 60s - 70s, I'd say). He was being filmed and photographed by two reporters. We met up at the hikers' registry, and I asked about the filming. Turns out the gentleman with the kilt was a retired park ranger, and that he was setting out for his 700th ascent of Mt. Marcy, which the local media found interesting. He set off at a brisk pace, carrying only a water bottle, hiking stick, and flask of whiskey. Now that's a life well-spent!

All the best,

- Mike
 
That sounds like a great trip!

Speaking of Moose River rec. area, a buddy and I were stationed at Griffiss AFB many years ago, and decided to do some "camping" one weekend. We ended up at Moose River Rec. area. It was pretty deserted there, I think maybe late fall or something. I remember it rained pretty much all weekend. I had a Bronco II at the time, we ended up sleeping in there, not too comfortable...did some hiking and fishing, pretty cool place. Our food consisted of leftover pizza and wings.

As a boy, I lived in Plattsburgh, NY for awhile. In 6th grade, our class went on a camping trip to the Adirondacks. We spent some time studying water, plant, and animal life around Blue Mountain Lake. We also climbed Mt. Marcy. We also visited the Adirondack Museum. That was a very interesting place, I can still remember the boats on display, diaramas, examples of old wood crafts, too much else to mention. I highly recommend it. That trip and those things we did had a profound effect on me. The Adirondacks were such an unspoiled, vast area. I hope that they are still that way.

Thanks for dusting off a memory or two for me.

Glenn
 
northern1 said:
here's some knowledge for ya,Adirondack means "tree eater" in indian so they are the tree eater mountains.i forget what the tree eater thing means.
Click to expand...

I believe it means "bark eater," porcupine. :)

Stay sharp,
desmobob
(living right on the border of the Adirondack Park)
 
glennbad said:
We also visited the Adirondack Museum. That was a very interesting place, I can still remember the boats on display, diaramas, examples of old wood crafts, too much else to mention. I highly recommend it.

Glenn
Click to expand...

The guide boats on display are really works of art. Imagine a very small canoe with oar locks. I recall a picture that they had of a guide, a hunter and the deer they shot overflowing the boat as they headed back to civilization. Cool place to visit.
 
desmobob said:
I believe it means "bark eater," porcupine. :)

Stay sharp,
desmobob
(living right on the border of the Adirondack Park)
Click to expand...

i think your right.

the only reason i know is that i read it on some plaque i think on rt.28,south of old forge a bit and now that i think of it,it said both tree and bark eater.

still weird to me.
 
PB Wilson said:
That's a nice side trip too. I'd heard about the wreckage, but never found anything. Did you?
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Yes, I have visited the crash site a couple times. It is on a small face on the side away from Algonquin, just below the summit. There isn't much there, it hit full force into a rock face. One landing gear is jammed in a crack, and other than the landing gears, the biggest pieces are the engines, which are flattened from the impact. I have heard that a wing flipped over the summit and is somewhere on the other side, but I haven't seen it. There is a plaque set in the rock face at the point of impact, it happened in January 1961, IIRC. The B-47 was a decent-sized aircraft, so the remaining wreckage says a lot about the force of the impact.

One time I was at Adirondack Lodge and met a ranger who was part of the team that went in after the crash. The plaque says that the crew was never found, but the ranger said they were found - little pieces scattered everywhere.
 
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