New 46'er on Mt. Marcy-11/22/04

[DeadFred]

Our group of 7 people and one dog started at the High Peaks Information Center at the Loj at about 7:45 and climbed Marcy on a beautiful and slightly cold day, taking about 9.5 hours RT.

Views From The Top were intermittent but the conditions still allowed for some openings in the low clouds and we caught some nice views. Conditions above 2500'-3000' dictate crampons but not snowshoes yet. These conditions will slow a party down until the snow comes in. There is A LOT of ice, especially on the Marcy summit cone and it is too dangerous to attempt climbs this high right now without crampons.

The party had a GREAT time and with 5 out of the seven already 46'ers, we welcomed John C. as a 46'er on the summit on his 50th birthday. Congratulations John!

-DeadFred

 

[Tom Rankin]

Congrats to John C. ! Might as well finish on a big one!

And thanks for the conditions report. Not going to be up there for a while, but it's good to keep tabs on what's up, up top!

 

[KZKlimber]

Congratulations!! - Wish I could have made it.

So - what did you drink to celebrate???

 

[EarthNsky]

I'm going there next weekend to climb Marcy. Looks like it may snow there some this week. I wonder if snow shoes will be necessary now. I plan on hiking into Feldspar Friday and then bagging Marcy and Skylite on Saturday and hiking out Sunday.

 

[DeadFred]

EarthNsky,

Unless the storms bring lots of snow and it consolidates well enough on the trails, I would suspect snowshoes will still not be necessary on your climb yet. That being said, if it were me, I would bring them and ask at the Loj Info Center about conditions above 3500' when you get there. Crampons will be absolutely necessary. Poles would be extremely usefull too.

Keep your eyes on the trail conditions and see if someone posts a report for a high peaks climb a day or two before your climb and that will give you a pretty good idea of what you may face.

Have fun. Skylight is a wonderful mountain!

 

[Peakbagr]

Fred and others:

Do the folks at the HPIC at the Loj currently provide trail conditions and details?
Reason I ask is because ADK successfully defended a HUGE lawsuit by a pair of ill-equiped winter "hikers" a few years back. The lawsuit was partially based on whether ADK did or did not provide subjective details about weather and conditions. The staff are annually asked not to provide anything but the NWS weather forecast details.

 

[DeadFred]

Peak,

I didn't speak to anyone on this past hike as we started before the info center opened. In the past, I recall them posting NWS about the weather up there and whenever I've seen a Ranger they have always been more than forthcoming about trail conditions. I don't go into the HP's from this direction very often any more, so my knowledge may very well be a little outdated in terms of how much and what type of info they provide.

 

[EarthNsky]

?'s

How many miles is it from the Loj to Feldspar and how many miles is it from Feldspar to Mt. Marcy? Do you recommend this be done as a three day two night trip or two day one night trip considering trail conditions?

I have Friday off and can do this as a three day trip if need be, but if this can be done as a two trip I can spend friday seeing other places in the Adirondacks since it is a 500 mile drive for me. Plus I am a strong hiker and I have good 12 point crampons and everyone in my group is the same skill level.

 

[DeadFred]

EarthNsky,

I don't have my map with me so I can't recall how far it is to Feldspar LT from the Loj and to Marcy/Skylight.

If you are a strong hiking party and are prepared with the proper gear for this season (read: anything!) then I PERSONALLY would be doing that trip from that direction with one overnight. If you get an early start on Friday and conditions permit good travel, then you can hike to FLT, drop overnight gear, tag Marcy and Skylight and be back at the LT before dark. Making for an easy out the next day.

The better option, esp. if you have a later start on Friday, should have you stay at FLT Fri night and climb Marcy/Skylight on Saturday and then out. This may give a stronger chance at success because it allows you to overnight on Saturday if you take all day Saturday hiking from FLT to the peaks and find that you don't have enough time/energy to get out.

Hope this helps a little. I'm sure there are other options and you may want to post a question about your route in the Q and A forum to get advice from others VFTT'ers.

Have a blast!