One year as an independent guide

Today marks one year since my first client took a chance on Onward Mountain Guides as a brand-new guide service and we climbed two mountains together. Since then, we’ve hiked 40 peaks together, and I couldn’t be more grateful to him or the dozens of other awesome folks I’ve been able to share the outdoors with as an independent guide this year.

A person stands on a rocky mountain peak wearing a jacket and yellow pants against a background of snow-covered mountains under a cloudy sky. Text reads ONWARD MOUNTAIN GUIDES Celebrating One Year in Business.

I didn’t have high expectations going into this first year. It’s a fairly crowded space with excellent guides who have been here much longer — but something has clicked, and I’m delighted and proud to share that with over 100 days in the field, OMG operated “in the black” all year and business is accelerating! I probably won’t ever get rich off guiding, but that has never been the goal. I feel rich to be able to spend my days in the outdoors with so many different people, and sharing what I know about climbing, hiking, camping, paddling, and skiing with others. I’m so fortunate to be living my dream.

There are many family, friends, and mentors who I owe a debt of gratitude for helping me get to where I am today. You know who you are. The Adirondack community, too, has been so kind, welcoming, and supportive. But, I’d be remiss if I didn’t directly mention my wife, @jo_marie07 , who was on board from the first minute of me suggesting that we start this new business. She’s been my biggest supporter, my patient sounding board, and she shouldered immense responsibility to keep us housed and fed while the business found its legs. Thank you, I love you.

Here’s to many more years of adventuring in the mountains. 🧡

—J.B.

By the way, that first client? It was Tom. A year ago, he had no aspirations of climbing all 46 high peaks — he was just in it for the views. But the mountains took hold, as they often do, and he’s now on the cusp of completing the 46er challenge. We’ll be hiking his final two peaks this week. Big thanks to him for kicking this whole thing off! 🙌

Cliff & Redfield packed a punch for Tom’s 43rd and 44th high peaks. More snow AND more water made conditions quite challenging in both the low and high elevations. Getting to the Uphill Lean-to from the Loj via Lake Arnold and the floating logs took about 5.5 hours, then up and down Redfield (nice views, and snow 6-inches deep!) in about 3.5 hours, and Cliff (the cliffs weren’t too icy yet) in about 2.5 hours. About 6 hours for the return hike in headlamps (incredible full moon!) put us at around 17.5 hours of constant movement — our longest yet. We head into the mountains to test ourselves, and Tom continues to impress!

Just two peaks left on his #46er journey: Blake and Seymour. Thankfully, both should be shorter days.

A person points towards distant snowy mountains surrounded by frosted trees under a partly cloudy sky. Text reads Hiking Cliff & Redfield Nov. 4 2025. A tranquil stream flows through a rocky bed under a starlit night sky with surrounding snow-dusted mountains and silhouetted trees creating a serene natural landscape. Water cascades over moss-covered rocks in a forested area surrounded by tall trees with sparse foliage creating a serene natural setting. Snow-covered logs create a makeshift footbridge over a shallow stream in a forested area with bare trees and patches of snow on the ground under a cloudy sky. A person hikes through a snow-dusted forest path with trekking poles wearing winter clothing including a beanie and backpack amidst tall evergreen trees. Person wearing snow gear stands with green backpack amidst snowy evergreen trees on a narrow path under a cloudy sky. Footprints trail through fresh snow in a forested area with tall trees and scattered branches. Two people smile in a snowy forest holding a sign reading Mt. Redfield. One person points at the sign. Text in the sky reads #43/46. Two people posing outdoors dressed in winter clothing amidst snow-covered trees with one person wearing a red jacket sign reading Summit Cliff Mtn visible Text includes hashtag 44 slash 46 Snow-dusted tree branches frame a scenic mountain view during sunset with a softly illuminated sky adding warmth to the cool, shadowy forest below. Bright full moon illuminating a cloudy sky above a dark forest with tall and sparse trees while the snowy foreground is partially lit by the moonlight creating a serene nighttime scene. Person wearing a headlamp carefully walking on a snow-covered log using hiking poles surrounded by trees in a dark forest. A winding river flows through a rocky landscape beneath mountainous terrain, surrounded by dense trees and under a sky filled with clouds. Two people wearing outdoor gear smile while standing in darkness, suggesting a nighttime hiking setting. They wear jackets and head coverings, and backpack straps are visible. One has the brand name Osprey.

18 miles and about 5,000 feet of elevation gain. 😅 Tom proved his mettle on this hike through snow and lots of ice. We broke trail up Gray, experienced otherworldly views on Skylight, and incredible cloud inversion on Marcy. A very memorable day for Tom’s 41st and 42nd high peaks. Only 4 left!

TIL (also) that Apple TV has an official Giphy presence with collections of GIFs from their shows.

The new Apple TV animation (or “mnemonic”) is cool, though it doesn’t feel nearly as timeless as the original. The accompanying audio, credited(!) to FINNEAS, is pleasant and ethereal. But the original (Mac startup chime-inspired) thrum was perfect and I’ll miss it. Here’s a comparison.

New Apple TV Intro

TIL that Scott Forstall (yes, that one) created WordArt while he was an intern at Microsoft. 🤯 (Via Louie Mantia)

Rach Smith: ‘A letter to myself: Strategies’

Do you recall all those years you were a hot mess? Life was a series of chaotic mistakes and mishaps until out of necessity (having dependants) you developed an extensive set of strategies. The strategies work well, but are annoying to manage, so you are sometimes tempted in to thinking you’re a fully functional adult now who can “just remember” to do important things. This is folly, and will only lead to disappointment and burnt potatoes.

For our longest hike together yet, Tom and I tackled Haystack and Basin. Each are around 4900’ and have steep, challenging sections — made trickier with a good amount of ice above 4000’! But they were absolutely worth it for the amazing views we were blessed with as the skies cleared. ☀️

Layering is difficult this time of year as temperatures vary greatly between sun and shade, and trees go from frozen to dripping. So with 15 hours on the trail, and many layer changes along the way, we got Tom into the 40s for his high peak count. Hard to believe he only has six left! 🏔️

(Congrats to the fella who was celebrating his 46/46 summit as we arrived on Haystack! 🙌)

Kevin brought so much enthusiasm to his time rock climbing with us and left the day itching for more! We talked about getting his kids into so that climbing can be a family adventure for them. Can’t wait to meet the rest of the family next time!

A person wearing a helmet stands on a rocky cliff holding climbing equipment against a clear blue sky. Text reads Kevin Weatherby Local Guide 9 reviews 50 minutes ago Absolutely awesome trip Jarrod showed us the ropes and had us climbing and repelling in no time I will absolutely be calling him for my next trip

It took us a couple attempts, but we got the Santanoni Range done bringing Tom’s high peak count to 38/46! We did Panther on Friday, but rainy and freezing conditions prevented us from feeling good about going for the full range. We returned on Sunday with full winter gear in tow and summited Santanoni & Couchsachraga in a 14-hour push. Next up, Haystack & Basin. 🥾

These early winter conditions can be some of the most difficult to deal with, as you’re faced with ice, snow, and wet mud all at the same time. Tom is an inspiration — if you’re ever hiked the Santas, you’ll know how impressive it is for him to be out there at 69 years old! 💪

🆕📝 7 Things This Week [#181]

Hey, looks like there are at least 7 new things on the internet since last time!

A Very Good Tweet™

I’ve heard of time travel but this is ridiculous

A screenshot of my iPhone lock screen in which the clock has moved to the left edge of the screen instead of being correctly centred

I challenge you to look at this baked potato jacket that Aldi made without laughing. 😂 (Via Jason Kottke)

Wanna get a peek at what Allen Mountain looks like after a day of rain? The opalescent is knee-deep again, but that couldn’t stop us from getting Tom’s 35th high peak done! Allen is always an adventure, and today was no exception.

As I told @bigbrando66 when he and the guys were here, it’s so special to see friends or family do these outdoor adventures together. The camaraderie, support, and trust that comes from doing challenging things together is spectacular to see! All wrapped up with jokes and laughter, of course! Thanks for an awesome couple days, guys! 🙏

Review text overlay on a rocky landscape with trees and a cloudy sky backdrop We spent 2 days out on the rocks with Jarrod and he put together a trip our group will talk about for a long time From challenging ourselves rock climbing to enjoying the beautiful sunset views as we rappel down the side of Roaring Brook falls this trip was a great introduction into a new sport for all of us Jarrod was more than willing to answer any questions we had share his knowledge and ensure we had a safe and memorable trip Looking forward to our next excursion thank you

Tom has set up shop in Lake Placid for the next few weeks to knock out the last of his ADK High Peaks. We kicked off his hiking residency with a trip up Mt. Marshall (4,360’) via the Calamity Brook trail. It was a fine fall hiking day for Tom’s 34th High Peak, and the best conditions I’ve had on Marshall all year. It was a great warm up for our longer hikes coming up — namely Allen and the Santanoni Range later this week!

As an aside and a general PSA, venturing off trail looking for shortcuts is not a great idea — especially late in the day or when you’re on your own. We picked up a new friend when Tom and I faintly heard him yelling for help off in the woods somewhere. He’d fallen behind his friend and tried to beeline off trail through the forest toward the trailhead to make up time. He quickly realized his mistake, but after 30-40 minutes of wandering on his own, he became worried he wasn’t going to find the trail again and yelled for help. Tom and I just so happened to be within earshot at the time, were able to locate him on the wrong side of Calamity Brook, and guide him back to safety. It all turned out okay, but could have been a very different night had we not been traveling through that section of trail at the time. In short: stay with your hiking buddy, stay on trail (bushwhacking is hardly ever a shortcut), and if you feel that you’re lost, stop. Call out for help right away if you don’t recognize your way back — don’t go wandering further!

@lakeplacidadk @saranaclake @tupperlakeny @adirondack46ers_ @hike.adk @mountaineerbandana @newyorkoutdoorguides #Adirondacks #PerfectDayADK #HireAGuide

A reflective pond bordered by dense green trees under a clear sky captures a serene forest landscape. Text reads Mt. Marshall October 18 2025 Tom’s 34th High Peak. A person wearing hiking gear walks on a narrow wooden plank over a small stream using trekking poles in a dense forested area with scattered sunlight filtering through the trees. A person wearing outdoor gear stands smiling with hiking poles on a rock in a forested area by a narrow wooden footbridge over muddy water surrounded by tall, thin trees. Man standing beside a stone monument holding trekking poles wearing hiking gear in a forested area. The monument reads: “This monument erected by filial affection to the memory of a dear father David Henderson who accidentally lost his life on this spot 3 September 1845." Rocky path stretches through dense forest bordered by tall evergreen trees under a clear blue sky. A hiker walks with trekking poles through a dense forest, navigating a narrow path beside a small stream. Sunlight filters through tall trees, casting shadows on the ground. Stacked stones rest on green moss along a forest path surrounded by trees and scattered fallen leaves. Sunlight filters through the dense canopy, lighting patches of the ground. A hiker wearing a backpack and cap pauses on a rocky forest trail surrounded by dense green trees and moss-covered ground. A person holds up one finger while standing on a forest trail wearing hiking gear. The person carries trekking poles and is surrounded by dense trees and moss-covered ground. A solitary bird perches on a bare tree branch surrounded by dense green forest with a large mountain in the background under a clear blue sky A person standing and smiling, wearing hiking gear and a cap, surrounded by lush green foliage with distant rolling mountains under a clear blue sky. A person wearing a bright orange hoodie stands smiling on a mountain trail holding a hiking pole surrounded by green trees with a distant view of blue mountains under a clear sky. A person wearing a beige shirt and blue cap displays hand gestures while standing in a forested area near a sign on a tree. The sign reads MT HAYES. Wooden sign reading Mt Marshall attached to a tree trunk amidst a forest setting with branches and lichen visible around it.

Dang, I’ve been using the ‘Speak Screen’ accessibility option as my ad-hoc (and free) narrated article feature for two years now! I use it every day and highly recommend this method.

Rewatched: Agatha All Along Season 1 📺

Even better the second time through, as I was able to keep up with the twists and turns and weirdness. And catch all the foreshadowing. Worth a rewatch! 👍

The boys are back in town! Brandon, Kevin, Shane, and Brian all came upstate for a weekend of camaraderie and adventure — and they sure got it! We spent yesterday rock climbing and doing a rappelling clinic at King Philip Spring Wall, and then this evening the main event: a stunning sunset rappel down Roaring Brook Falls. It was so great to hang out with these guys and swap stories. Their firefighter training gave them all a great base for learning technical systems, so moving into the rock world was a logical step. Can’t wait to have them back!

Message us with your grand idea, and we’ll do everything we can to bring your adventure to life.

Four people wearing helmets and climbing gear stand on a rocky outcrop overlooking a hilly landscape with autumn foliage and a cloudy sky in the background. A person wearing a helmet and gloves is holding a rope while standing on rocky terrain near a small pool of water. The background features large, rugged rock formations. Four people wearing helmets and outdoor clothing stand on rocky terrain with a backdrop of forested hills and a colorful sunset. Person climbing a steep rocky hill at night illuminated by a bright light with dark sky and scattered trees in the background. A person climbs a rock face using a red rope while another person secures them below in a wooded area. Their helmet reads Rugged Mountain Co Black Diamond. A person wearing a red helmet and gloves rappels down a rock face using climbing gear surrounded by trees and fallen autumn leaves. Climber rappels down a rocky cliff holding a rope, wearing a red helmet, surrounded by a forest with autumnal trees and multicolored leaves. A climber wearing a red helmet descends a rocky cliff using a rope in a forest. The surrounding trees display autumn foliage in shades of orange and green. A person wearing an orange helmet and red sweater is rock climbing while holding ropes on a steep rocky surface surrounded by autumn trees. The helmet has the text Edelrid. A person wearing a red helmet climbs a rocky cliff using a red rope surrounded by patches of vegetation under a clear blue sky. Climber wearing a red helmet stands atop a rugged rock face holding a rope under a clear blue sky.

A Very Good Tweet™

You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the cable bundle.

apple.com/newsroom/2025/10/app

Nick Heer does the work regarding that MacBook charger brouhaha:

It is not just countries that use the Euro receiving cuts. In Norway, the new MacBook Pro starts at 2,000 krone less than the one it replaces, and a charger is 849 krone. In Hungary, it is 50,000 forint less, with a charger costing about 30,000 forint. There are some exceptions, too. In Switzerland, the new models are 50 franc less, but a charger is 59 franc.

Rumors of the charging-brick-less-yet-more-expensive MacBooks have been greatly exaggerated.

I so appreciate this note at the bottom of an email from Upgraded:

And hey, if you don’t need a new device, don’t get one. We’re just having fun in this email. Never over extend yourself financially for something you don’t need. 👊

Marketing, but with humanity. More of this, please!

A better way to pull your rap cord

One helpful tip I’ve learned from painful experience over the years is how valuable it is to bring a hand ascender whenever I do long rappels with a pull/rap cord. Instead of wrapping the cord around your hand, suffering through rope burn, or messing with a wrapped carabiner, the ascender is worth its weight in gold for efficiency and comfort in getting your rope down. It firmly grabs the rope and gives you a nice big handle to pull down more ergonomically.

Plus, you’ll start to identify other great uses for the ascender, like more easily pulling slack or giving yourself some mechanical advantage with a GriGri when belaying from the bottom.

Oh, and don’t forget your gloves!

The Imperfectionist: ‘How to forget what you’ve read’

The second reason – a universal law of personal productivity – is that the more effort a technique requires, the more likely you’ll be to engage in self-defeating avoidance instead. If your system requires you to take detailed notes on everything you read… then you won’t.

This is a lesson that is easy to understand while the habit is devilishly difficult to break.

(Via Ratika Deshpande)

Not gonna lie, the back display on the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max does look pretty sweet. Marques Brownlee is right, looks like they took the iPhone 17 Pro series and just basically tried to one-up every spec they could.