Another Twofer! #2

Day 2 of the Adirondacks Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Another early morning and freezing temperatures. I arrived at the trailhead right around 5am. I was warned the day before that this was the busiest trailhead and to get there early or there would be no parking. Good thing I listened. This place was busy and there are multiple trailheads leading out of this area.

My goal today was the longest hike of the challenge which is also the state high point. Mount Marcy at 5,340 feet. While studying my map the evening before, I noticed that there was a trail along the way that split off to Phelps Mountain. Another peak in the challenge. However, this would add about 2.5 miles to my already long 16-mile day. But I thought, “what the hell two peaks in one hike. Let’s do it!”

The first 3.75 miles only gained about 835 feet in elevation. This is where the trail split to the left up to Phelps Mountain. This was a challenging 1.25 miles up a rocky/bouldery draw. Straight up for about 1400 feet in elevation gain and then another 1400 feet in descent to get back on the main trail heading up to Mount Marcy. At this point I was at 6.25 miles and recorded 2,170 feet in elevation gain and 1,523 feet in elevation loss.

The next few miles were steep and of course straight up. I gained another 2,341 feet in elevation by mile eight. From mile eight to the summit, at 10.5 miles, I had gained another 1,629 feet in elevation. Coming down was only just over eight miles, but I was spent. Between the two hikes the day before and this today my body was ready for a break. I stayed hydrated and nourished, but despite my efforts I started getting severe cramps as I was descending. This forced me to stop several times and wait for the cramps to subside before continuing.

All in all, not a bad day. In fact, it was a great day on trail. I recorded 18.3 miles and a total of 5,350 feet in total elevation gain. Peaks 3 and 4 of the Adirondacks Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge complete. ????