Finishing the Adk W46... with a bang?

[hikingfish]

Hi!
I'm only 3 peaks down from last winter, but I hope to get a decent amount of peaks done in the Adk this winter and with that, the thought of where to finish had crossed my mind. I got more and more interested not only on which peak, but also "how" to finish it...I was hoping for something that would use a multitude of skills learned throughout my journey in the Adirondacks, such as a winter traverse of the great range, or perhaps Colden via the trap dike (in winter, obviously). I was wondering if anyone had made an effort to end a list in such a way or perhaps even just get a peak done in such challenging ways?

Fish

 

[Rivet]

It depends on the individual.
Many people finish on an "easy" peak so that they can be joined by others.

And, it's not the end, it's just the beginning. Or something like that.

(Oops, I missed the "W" for winter. I was just thinking of the regular 46.)

 

[Tom Rankin]

Hi! I'm only 3 peaks down from last winter, ... Fish

Which 3 do you have left? (Or do I have that backwards?) I am putting together a winter hiking trip to JBL, 3/19-22/6, see this thread for details.

 

[woodstrider]

Finishing up the 46W

Well, I've seen a few different ways to finish, like inviting a group of people whose company you enjoy and toasting with some grog, etc. on the summit.

My last peak was Iroquois, which was not planned. I missed it on two previous attempts due to severe weather. I ended up hitting other ranges and had to return to this peak- in exasperation- at the very end. I brought only one companion who had been on so many other trips with me. But I kinda just wanted to get it done- plus it was a bit windy and cold so we did not linger long on the summit. Celebrating followed in town, in a warm indoors place with food and drink.

FYI- the Trap Dyke in winter is a technical climb.

 

[hikingfish]

Tom, you have that wrong. I only have 3 winter peaks done (several more in summer, but only checking them off in winter!). I really doubt I could make it for the trip, even though it sounds awesome. I'll monitor the thread though and if I see I can get time off work and there's some spots left, I'll PM you!

Woodstrider, I've read the trap dyke can range from technical climb to easy snow climb, depending on the year. I would expect a technical climb though.

I was wondering if there's perhaps more danger in finishing with a bang, since I would assume you want to finish so bad that you might push the envelop a bit, which could risky on a long/harder/more technical hike.

Fish

 

[Pete_Hickey]

When I was finishing the winter 46, I chose an easy peak to finish on. Not because I wanted to have others join me. I was alone, as I was on 80% of my hikes.

For me, many of my winter hikes ended in failure. IE, I turned back because of conditions. For example, breaking trail solo, in fresh snow, to Marshall was exhausting, and I turned back.. a few times. Similar for Gothics.

When I finished my winter 46, I wanted to be able to do a peak that I knew would be easy. I chose Sawteeth.

 

[Neil]

Tom, you have that wrong. I only have 3 winter peaks done (several more in summer, but only checking them off in winter!).

Fish, you really do plan ahead!

I was wondering if there's perhaps more danger in finishing with a bang, since I would assume you want to finish so bad that you might push the envelop a bit, which could risky on a long/harder/more technical hike.

Fish

IMO you want to take your time when you work a list. Don't let the list work you. Use it as guide that will tour you through whatever region you're interested in. As they say, its the journey, not the destination.
One thing you may want to do is try and figure out non-conventional ways of summiting the peaks. The options are more limited in winter I suppose but if you're a climber then a lot of the ADK46 have slides...Nippletop, Blake, Whiteface (carry skis and go down the road) Colden, LWJ, Giant, etc.

 

[hikingfish]

Fish, you really do plan ahead!

Hi Neil!
I don't really plan that ahead of time...I'm just bored at work

As for skiing down a slide, it would be suicidal as I'm not a skier type! I usually can ski up anything with skins, but I have to leave the skins on and possibly slow myself down with my butt if I get too much speed. I guess I was never used to skiing when I was younger.

Fish

 

[Neil]

As for skiing down a slide, it would be suicidal as I'm not a skier type!

Fish

Not down the slide, the Whiteface Toll Road. Nice easy grade, gradual turns and decent speed. It's a must.

 

[hikingfish]

Not down the slide, the Whiteface Toll Road. Nice easy grade, gradual turns and decent speed. It's a must.

Oh, right. Don't know how I misread that lol. I'd be more inclined to try that than a slide!

Fish

 

[ALGonquin Bob]

With 43 still to go, it's a great time to pick which one on which to finish (good grammar, but awkward sounding?).

Anyway, I have about 30 more to go, and think I'll finish on Algonquin, after climbing up from Lake Colden and summiting Iroquois first. Not too hard, not too easy... I just like Algonquin Peak.

Colden via the dike would be a great way to finish; I was cautious and did the trap dike in September. I climbed Sawteeth and Gothics on the last weekend of winter this year, and can recommend Gothics via Pyramid as a spectacular route to finish on, although it's not a difficult peak. Good luck - you still have lots of fun ahead of you.

 

[spaddock]

I'd vote for either Whiteface or Algonquin.

Do something that will put a huge smile on your face. I was with Neil last year going down the Whiteface toll road with my cross country skis. I think we made the descent in about 20 minutes and I only fell once. If you can snowplow you can handle the road. It was the first descent I had ever done where I was unhappy to see the car. I'm hoping to go back there this year with my dad. Plus, in the winter you won't have the crowds on top.

I've heard the buttslide from Algonquin to the base of Wright is one of the best in the ADK's. I've got to get back there this year to try that out.


-Shayne

 

[Tom Rankin]

...I've heard the buttslide from Algonquin to the base of Wright is one of the best in the ADK's. I've got to get back there this year to try that out. -Shayne

Boy, I must have been there on the wrong day, because it was icy and too steep in a lot of places to butt slide.

A really awesome butt slide is the trail down Dix heading North. While I was sliding down, and I had to stop myself quickly because the guy in front of me (who had just finished the W46), was caught upside down in a tree by his snowshoe! I'm not quite sure how he did that, but I helped him out and we both continued on our way.

I hear Allen has a great butt slide too.

 

[spaddock]

I slid down a lot of the Algonquin to Wright butt slide zone in early May and was having a blast, figured it would be much better in March or even April.

In May I had to be on the lookout closely for rocks in the middle of the snow...

Seeing a guy in a tree like that must have been pretty surprising!


-Shayne

 

[Pete_Hickey]

In May I had to be on the lookout closely for rocks in the middle of the snow...

Not just in the spring. Rock, or nub on a log. Hit one of them suckers, and you break your tailbone. Painfull. Then you go to the hospital, and they send you from room to room, where they tell you to drop your pants and bend over, then they laugh at your black&blue butt. Humiliating.

Of course, this never happened to me.

 

[spaddock]

Of course, this never happened to me.

I'm glad there wasn't a link with pictures on that last post!


-Shayne

 

[ward]

Not just in the spring. Rock, or nub on a log. Hit one of them suckers, and you break your tailbone. Painfull. Then you go to the hospital, and they send you from room to room, where they tell you to drop your pants and bend over, then they laugh at your black&blue butt. Humiliating.

Of course, this never happened to me.

Sounds like a voice of experience talking if you ask me!
Slammy and i did some Butt sliding down Giant a few years back.
Quite by accident i might add. We probably should have had our crampons on , but Slammy was wearing his 10x36 snow boats and i had a pair of barely enough traction, Red feathers. Well i slipped first and whilst Slammy was laughing at me , he slipped and the both of us went cascading down like a runaway freight train. Stopped just shy of going over a cliff . Had my feet dangling over the edge ..........Now i wont leave home without my MSR denali ascents, aaannnd my crampons!

 

[spaddock]

We probably should have had our crampons on

Crampons and buttsliding don't make a very good combination.


-Shayne

 

[Pete_Hickey]

Crampons and buttsliding don't make a very good combination.

One quickly finds out when a crampon catches on something, snaps a knee, and sends you windmilling the rest of the way down..... and as you're windmilling, the crampon points cut up your face a bit.

 

[Reekee]

Winter 46

A friend is planning to finish this winter. He needs Panther, Coochie, South and East Dix. If interested stay in touch. Another friend needs Seymour. Seymour would be a day trip the other are multi. We like to camp! Get excited.
Reekee