Another awesome day at King Philip’s Spring Wall introducing a gym climbing family to the wonders of real rock! The Heyman’s did GREAT facing some fears and doubts, with everyone topping out every climb. We walked out with a real sense of accomplishment. Do rad stuff together as a family — you become a better team. 🤘

Person wearing a helmet climbing a rock face gives a thumbs-up as they ascend with a rope in a wooded area under a blue sky. A climber ascends a large rock face using safety ropes surrounded by lush green trees and a partly cloudy sky overhead. A person wearing climbing gear ascends a steep rock face surrounded by a dense forest with leafy trees and exposed roots on the ground. A person wearing a red helmet belays a climber ascending a rock face. They are in a forested area with trees and scattered boulders. Two children wearing helmets sit on a log in a forest clearing surrounded by lush trees and foliage with climbing shoes placed on the ground in front of them. Four people wearing helmets sit on a large rock. They are surrounded by tall trees and a blue sky with clouds. Two have red helmets with unreadable writing.

The Clark family made a special stop for Day 11 of their road trip to climb in the Adirondacks. They did an amazing job for their first time on real rock, even climbing the 5.8 line ‘Springtime’ at King Philip’s Spring Wall. That crag’s a perfect spot for families and groups! There’s still time for your family to go on an ADK adventure this summer. 🗓️

Four people wearing climbing gear point upwards while smiling beside a rock wall where one person climbs, supported by a rope. They are surrounded by a sunny, wooded area. A child wearing a helmet is climbing a rock face using a rope surrounded by tall green trees under a clear blue sky. Two people wearing red helmets and climbing harnesses stand on rocky ground smiling next to a rock face. Text on helmets reads “Evolution Climbing” and “Mountain Skills Academy." A person wearing a helmet climbs a steep rocky surface outdoors under a clear blue sky. Their red shirt has visible text “Stay Wild”. A safety rope is attached for support. A climber ascends a steep rock face wearing a white helmet and harness surrounded by a forest under a clear blue sky. A person wearing a red helmet labeled “Ontario Mountain Guides” kneels on a forest floor arranging small rocks and sticks with trees surrounding them. Five people wearing helmets look up while standing on a rocky forest floor beneath green leafy trees appearing to be preparing for a climbing activity.

Did you know we rent out crash pads for bouldering? Conveniently located 10 minutes from the Mckenzie Pond boulders, get them for $20/day and keep crushing those problems! Easy rentals via our website (link in bio).

Two crash pads lie beneath a boulder among trees, with two people nearby on a forest floor. Text review by Bonnie Jakobsen-Martin: Rented some crash pads for the day. The arrangements communication and pickup and drop off processes were all smooth. The weather on the rental day ended up being great but ahead of time Jarrod even said we could move the rental date if it had been rainy which was very reassuring. Great experience overall.

The hike isn’t always about reaching a summit. This time it was for slowing down, reflecting, connecting, and noticing all the beauty that nature has to offer. Kudos to Michael for making the most of a rainy ADK getaway, and finding love for every quiet moment — even simply the raindrops on the tent. 🏕️

A person in a green rain jacket is sitting on a mossy rock by a forest stream holding a walking stick. Dense pine trees surround the area with a misty atmosphere. A hiker with a large backpack and trekking pole bends to pet a small spotted dog on a wooded trail alongside another person. Man sits inside a tent inflating an orange sleeping pad surrounded by camping gear such as a water bottle and a hat with colorful tent walls creating a cozy atmosphere Two tents sit on a forest floor surrounded by tall trees and scattered logs providing a serene campsite setting under a leafy canopy. A person smiles on a rocky mountain summit holding a trekking pole with a backpack. Cloudy sky and forested peaks form the backdrop. Water cascades over a cliff, creating a foamy waterfall amidst moss-covered rocks and dense green forest, framed by branches, under an overcast sky. A person sits on a wet metal platform removing a sock next to a flowing creek surrounded by lush green pine trees and rocks. A person sits on a wooden bridge in sunlight beneath tall trees with water bottles camping gear and a pathway in the background. A hiker with a large backpack and walking stick stands on a wooden bridge under a bright sun while two people sit nearby in a forested mountainous area. An orange salamander crawls across a damp soil surface surrounded by scattered twigs and patches of light-colored earth. A narrow wooden boardwalk extends through a lush forest with tall trees and dense green foliage creating a serene natural pathway. Wooden trail sign points right indicating Adirondack Loj 1.0 miles surrounded by a lush green forest. Second sign with faded text is partially visible above. The faint moon rests in a clear blue sky above a line of tall evergreen trees with a leafy tree in the foreground on the left. A grassy field with scattered yellow wildflowers stretches toward distant mountains under a clear blue sky. Trees line the horizon and a dirt path runs along the foreground.

A few shots from a massive day completing the Pemi Loop (32 miles, 10,000+ ft elevation gain, 13 summits, 19.5 hours) with Todd yesterday for the Northeast Ultra 8 challenge. The White Mountains delivered in a spectacular way. Can’t wait to go back! ⛰️

Man stands smiling holding a sign on a rocky mountain overlook with expansive forested hills behind him. The sign reads Northeast Ultra 8 Pemi Loop 5/8 and has two logos. Two individuals wear headlamps and backpacks smiling in a dark outdoor setting suggesting a nighttime hike. They both have devices attached to their backpacks and are dressed for outdoor activity. Rugged rocks rest atop a mountain surrounded by evergreen trees under a dramatic sky with layered clouds. The distant horizon reveals multiple mountain ridges fading into a cloudy atmosphere. A wooden trail sign lists directions and distances to Franconia Ridge Trail Falling Waters Trail Mt Lafayette Greenleaf Hut and Mt Liberty surrounded by a dense forest with ferns and moss. A tall rock formation stands prominently among mossy boulders shrouded in fog overlooking a dense green forested valley and distant mountain slopes. Two hikers stand on large mossy rocks giving thumbs up in a foggy mountainous environment both wearing hiking gear and backpacks. A golden retriever stands on a concrete ledge next to a man looking down wearing a white shirt with orange patterns on a cloudy day in an outdoor setting. A hiker walks down a rocky trail surrounded by dense green trees on a mountainside under a blue sky with fluffy clouds. A man stands on a moss-covered rock holding a walking stick overlooking a vast green mountainous landscape under a cloudy sky. Dense green foliage with small round leaves grows intertwined with clusters of narrow pointed leaves. Scattered among the leaves are a few small blueberries, nestled in a natural setting. A person sits on a large rock smiling with a hiking pole beside them surrounded by a lush forest and distant mountains under a cloudy sky. Rays of sunlight stream through thick gray clouds over distant mountains illuminating a rocky foreground with patches of greenery on a rugged terrain.

Watched: Spider-Man: Brand New Day 🍿

Some great web-slinging! And a notable step up in cinematography from the first few of the Tom Holland series. 👍

After starting their climbing journey with ice last winter, Nicole and Dan have expanded into to the rock world and booked an instructional day to learn how to become more independent climbers. We covered building single pitch anchors off bolts and trees, how to evaluate gear placements, cleaning, and more. Jewels & Gems provided a great outdoor classroom, and the rain held off just for us. It’s so cool to see these two progress!

A person wearing a helmet ties a knot on a rope attached to a board on a birch tree trunk surrounded by rock formations. Board text reads Practice Board Use Palms Not Fists Hit Board Only Not Tree. A climber ascends a sheer rocky cliff gripping a rope while surrounded by lush green trees filtering sunlight. A person climbs a large rock face using climbing gear surrounded by a lush green forest with tree leaves framing the top of the scene. A person is kneeling and tying a yellow rope around a tree in a dense forest with several signs mounted on trees. Two people wearing climbing gear stand and talk in a forest clearing surrounded by tall trees and scattered rocks.

Watched: The Dink 🍿

A movie poster for “The Dink” (2026) directed by Josh Greenbaum. The central figure is a man holding a pickleball paddle, surrounded by other characters. The background features a net and numerous green pickleballs. The text reads: “Wasn’t sure I was gonna like this one at first. But I laughed so hard. Everyone was committed to the bit. A fun watch.” There are emoji reactions below with two thumbs up highlighted.

Curious about what specs and number of external monitors that your Mac can support? RetinaDesk has a neat tool for that! Just select your Mac, and it shows you how many displays, at what resolutions and refresh rates, and the capabilities of each port on your Mac. Pretty handy!

Watched: The Odyssey 🍿

A spectacle from start to finish. Quite gripping through the very end as well. Not sure it captured Odysseus' wit or the love between him and his crew as much as I expected, but there were certainly very powerful moments. Another triumph from Nolan and team.

Watched: Star City 📺

Really brought over the drama and tension from For All Mankind, but it’s a very different show. I liked it. I think they captured the paranoia of living under constant surveillance quite well. Hoping for a season two!

There’s something very special about helping folks expand their comfort zone into a new sport. Climbing can be scary, but we’ll show you how it all works so you can trust the system will keep you safe. 👌

A person climbs a rock face using a safety rope in a forested area. Review text from Aaron Faist: I never thought hiking or rock climbing would be something I would enjoy doing. One trip with Jarrod has changed everything. His knowledge and experience made this trip both educational and fun. Being a 300+lb man I was very nervous to be leaving the ground but the constant motivation from Jarrod pushed me outside my comfort zone and to the top. I am already planning my next trip.

What an awesome Adirondack week! Monday and Tuesday, we worked with @stregiscanoe facilitating some athletic hikes moving fast uphill (plus cliff jumps to cool off 🥵). On Wednesday, we got to introduce Lauren and Nick to the high peaks wilderness heading up Wright, and then a stellar turnout for @adkclimb.club. Thursday found us on the Raquette River for a leisurely paddle through calm waters. Friday we were rewarded with an absolutely perfect day on Marcy for Eric’s 20th high peak! Can’t get enough of our beautiful park!

Three people ascend a rocky trail towards a metal observation tower surrounded by dense trees under a clear blue sky. One person climbs the tower ladder. People walking along a dirt trail surrounded by dense green forest atmosphere bathed in sunlight filtering through the trees overhead. Two people holding hiking poles stand on a wooden bridge. They are surrounded by lush greenery and trees in a forest setting. Two people wearing helmets and harnesses are rock climbing. One holds a rope, smiling, while the other observes. They are positioned in front of a rock wall surrounded by greenery. A red kayak glides on a tranquil river surrounded by lush trees under a partly cloudy sky. Two hikers stand on a grassy area smiling and gesturing towards a forested mountain under a clear blue sky surrounded by trees and shrubs. A person stands on a rocky mountain peak holding hiking poles wearing a blue shirt red backpack and sunglasses with a vast landscape and a blue sky with scattered clouds behind them.

Good day spent with a great pal @saw_dust_ery at Poke-O-Moonshine! We got on The Snake, Ladder, and Bastard. Surprised not to see other climbers on such a perfect day! ☀️

A climber ascends a steep rocky cliff using a rope wearing a helmet. Green forested hills and a clear blue sky create a scenic backdrop in a mountainous area. A climber wearing a blue helmet ascends a rocky cliff face using a safety rope in a forested area with lush green trees below. A climber scales a rough vertical rock face secured by ropes under a clear blue sky. Green foliage is visible at the top of the cliff. Two climbers with helmets smile and gesture enthusiastically while standing on a rocky ledge surrounded by foliage and a clear blue sky.

Jeff and I had a blast recreating his journey up Mt. Marcy from back when he was 23 years old! Amazing what we can achieve with determination and great attitude. Backpacking is the best way to experience the Adirondack wilderness, if you ask me.

A person stands confidently on a wooden platform near a river with wooded mountains in the background Two other people adjust backpacks beside them under a partially cloudy sky A person stands near a makeshift campsite with tents and a tarp in a dense forest clearing with ferns and logs scattered around the ground. Two hikers carrying backpacks ascend a rocky forest trail surrounded by dense greenery. One hiker is taking a selfie, smiling at the camera, while the other is climbing behind. A person walks on a narrow wooden plank path through green grass and trees under a partly cloudy blue sky. A person wearing a blue jacket and cap stands smiling on a rocky mountain summit under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds and distant mountains in the background. A person hikes uphill with trekking poles wearing a blue rain jacket and beige pants surrounded by dense forest and rocky terrain. Sunlight filters through tall pine trees illuminating a rocky forest path. The ground is scattered with boulders surrounded by dense greenery and the air appears misty with light beams. Two hikers smile holding trekking poles in a forested parking area with a gray SUV parked behind them. They wear backpacks and outdoor gear.

Finished reading: Dust by Hugh Howey 📚

A worthy conclusion. This one’s gonna be rattling around the ol’ noggin for a while.

A splendid morning spent at Chapel Pond with Brad and John. Love spending time each summer climbing with these guys and seeing them grow stronger and more confident on the rock!

A child wearing a helmet and climbing gear ascends a steep rock face surrounded by lush green trees in an outdoor setting. Two people wearing climbing helmets and harnesses stand closely together on rocky terrain in a forested area. The child wears a “Rocket Scientist” shirt and smiles. A serene lake sits in a mountainous landscape surrounded by lush green forest under a cloudy sky. The foreground features rocky terrain, suggesting a viewpoint above the lake.

Finished reading: Shift by Hugh Howey 📚

Fantastic story! I loved this even better than Book 1, and I flew through it. Can’t wait to see its adaptation in Silo season 3!

Finished reading: Wool by Hugh Howey 📚

Excellent story, and fun to experience the book version leading up to the third TV season. Can’t wait to dive into Shift, but should I wait until after I’ve seen its season?

Stunned and saddened to read that Om Malik has passed:

Om Malik passed away on June 24, 2026, at Stanford Hospital after a long health journey with his heart. He was surrounded by family and friends.

My condolences to his loved ones. I’ve been reading Om’s blog for years and always enjoyed his insight, and especially his interweaved creative endeavors. His photography has always been striking. He’ll be missed.

Om’s most recent post was a personal note saying he was taking a break for some time to himself, and to read some mystery novels. I hope he enjoyed them. His final sign off:

Be well.

Finished reading: Steve Jobs in Exile The Untold Story of NeXT and the Remaking of an American Visionary by Geoffrey Cain 📚

Wow, it’s incredible that NeXT technology is at the heart of so much of our tech still today, despite the own-goals that stymied the company from start to finish.

With our rugged terrain and option of unrelenting trails, the Adirondacks make a superb training ground for big mountain goals, both foreign and domestic. We’re proud to have helped clients prepare for their treks across the globe — and that our high peaks keep them coming back. 💪 Can’t wait to hit the trails with you again, @sekoshan!

Review text from S Seko giving five stars to Onward Mountain Guides praising Jarrod for excellent communication and guidance for a South American hiking trip. Smiling hiker posing on rocky terrain amid a forest backdrop. A hiker wearing a green backpack stands on a rocky trail overlooking a dense forest. Text above reads: Before each hike he communicated the night before and in the morning to confirm meeting places and routes. During the trip he set a perfect pace for me and my friend and had perfectly scheduled snack break stops. Jarrod was never concerned about additional stops if we needed to layer up or down stop for pictures get something out of our bags etc. Overall Jarrod was incredibly organized supportive knowledgeable patient and communicative. I honestly had a blast with Jarrod and it won’t be my last time hiking with him

Reflecting one week later on our Presidential Traverse and I’m struck by the drive that Todd has shown in this Northeast Ultra 8 challenge. We’re 3 hikes in, with 66 miles and nearly 30,000 feet of elevation gain under our feet, and there’s no slowing this man down. Very proud to be on his team as he takes on the hardest hikes of the northeast. Our 10 summits last Friday gifted us stunning views with perfect weather. Can’t wait to get back to NH to see more of the White Mountains!

Person wearing a headlamp stands next to a trail sign reading USFS AMC RMC Appalachia Valley Way Airline and Diverging Trails holding paper with text Miles 66-88 The Presidential Traverse Northeast Ultra 8 Hike 3/8 logo for North East Ultra 8 and Forward Mountain Guides surrounded by greenery at night Two men stand on a rocky mountain peak smiling. One gives a thumbs up wearing a blue cap and beige jacket holding a hiking pole. The sky is overcast with distant mountains. Two hikers smile and gesture with peace signs on a rocky mountain summit. One stands holding trekking poles. A wooden sign reads Lowe’s Path Gulfside Trail Gray Knob Cabin. A person wearing outdoor clothing and a blue cap is sitting atop a large rugged boulder, surrounded by a rocky terrain under a clear blue sky. A person wearing hiking gear walks with trekking poles on a snow-covered mountain slope surrounded by rocky terrain under a cloudy sky. A person with a backpack sits on rocky terrain, displaying a hand gesture. They are wearing a blue cap and sunglasses. The surrounding environment includes mountains under a cloudy sky. Two individuals in hiking gear rest on a rocky mountain top with a vast hilly landscape behind them. One person holds a trekking pole. The cap text says Saddle Up And Hike. A person wearing a blue cap and sunglasses stands beside a sign at Mt Washington Summit in Mt Washington State Park 6288 FT 1917 M surrounded by rocky terrain. Two hikers smiling on a rocky mountain summit with expansive views of distant mountains. One wears a beige shirt and blue cap showing hand gestures. The other in red holds trekking poles. Two hikers stand on a rocky mountain summit smiling. One gives a thumbs-up while holding trekking poles. Text on the hat reads KIRKLAND & ELLIS and ONWARD MOUNTAIN GUIDES. A person stands on rocky terrain raising both hands displaying hand signals surrounded by a mountainous landscape wearing hiking gear and a blue cap with text saying Mount Washington Observatory. Two hikers wearing outdoor clothing and sunglasses stand on a rocky trail surrounded by trees. One shows ten fingers indicating a count. The cap reads Kirkland & Ellis. Two people wearing outdoor gear standing on rocky terrain smiling with one giving a thumbs-up and the other holding up hands. They are surrounded by trees and distant mountains. Mountains rise in the distance under a cloudy sky while a rocky terrain with sparse vegetation fills the foreground leading to a green valley in a vast landscape.

A few shots from a week of excellent hikes with Tom. Even though he’s already a 46er, there’s something about these mountains that keeps him coming back. Must be those amazing views! 😍 ☑️Phelps ☑️Giant ☑️Wright ☑️Algonquin ☑️Pitchoff ☑️Indian Head ☑️Colvin

Two people standing on a rocky mountaintop gesture peace signs wearing outdoorsy clothing surrounded by a scenic view of forested mountains and a partly cloudy sky. Man wearing a red shirt and green cap holding a hiking pole stands on a rocky ledge in a lush green mountainous area with a lake in the distance under a blue sky. White flowers bloom with green leaves growing under moss-covered fallen branches in a dense forest setting filled with lush foliage. Hiker wearing a yellow jacket and backpack walking with trekking poles on a rocky mountain summit surrounded by distant peaks under a cloudy sky. Two pairs of feet in hiking boots stand on a rocky surface near a metal survey marker. One pair of legs wears blue pants, the other yellow. Trekking poles are visible to the side. A person wearing a blue cap and green shirt photographs distant forested hills with a smartphone while standing on a rocky outcrop under a cloudy sky. A person in a yellow jacket stands between two large boulders on a rocky surface beneath a cloudy sky. A winding road traverses a lush, green landscape surrounded by dense trees. Mist hovers over a distant mountain, partially obscuring it. The atmosphere is tranquil and overcast. A person stands on a large rock formation wearing hiking gear under a clear blue sky surrounded by lush green mountains and scattered evergreen trees. River flows through a lush green valley flanked by tree-covered mountains under a bright blue sky with clouds. Two people wearing bright jackets stand smiling on a cliff overlooking a lush valley with a winding river under a clear blue sky scattered with clouds. A metal survey marker is embedded in a weathered concrete surface. It is circular with engraved text reading County of Santa Cruz. Pine needles and dirt are scattered on the surface. A person wearing a cap and jacket points at a distant mountain from a viewpoint surrounded by trees under a partly cloudy sky.

Aspiring 46ers and anyone looking for a fun group experience to summit an ADK high peak, these hikes are for you! Join an OMG expert guide for a focused, educational day on the trail aiming for one of the high peaks. Our small group size keeps things moving with individual attention, and raises our chance for a summit!

June 9: Tabletop with @heyjb.me June 13: Marcy with @rhodes_and_trails (learn all about Marcy’s alpine ecology) June 18: Santanoni with @heyjb.me

Spots on group hikes are hard to come by in the ADK, so we’re pleased to offer these options. Please share!

onwardguides.com/group-events

A mountainous landscape with lush green forests under a cloudy sky. Text reads Upcoming Group Hikes with Onward Mountain Guides. June 9 Tabletop. June 13 Marcy Alpine Ecology. June 18 Santanoni. Small group size 4ppl. Summit a high peak. Friendly guide. $200.