Some personal highlights from the year!

Jan - Ski instructing at Whiteface Mountain and many uphill skinning adventures with early morning exercise buddies. 🎿

Four skiers ascend a snowy slope using poles surrounded by snow-covered trees during sunrise with a mountainous landscape in the background. Text reads January.

Feb - Saranac Lake’s Winter Carnival is always a blast and ice palace spectacular! This year we got to share it with my mother-in-law. ❄️

Three people in winter clothing are smiling in front of colorful illuminated ice structures at night. Text in the image reads February.

Mar - Multi-sport weekend with Mike — climbing in the Gunks and skiing at Whiteface. 🧗

Two people wearing helmets and outdoor gear are preparing climbing ropes on a rocky surface amidst a forest of leafless trees. Text at the bottom right reads March.

Apr - A trip down to Florida, with a visit to Bok Tower with Aunt Sally and Grandma Beck — a cherished memory as we would lose Grandma later in the year. ❤️

A person sitting in a wheelchair is surrounded by three people crouching and smiling in front of a pink flower display outdoors near a tiled roof building Text April

May - Backpacking with Jo and Phin. We hadn’t done one together in a while, and it was wonderful to hit the trail as a family again. 🏕️

A person roasts marshmallows over a campfire surrounded by stones in a wooded area while a dog lies on a mat nearby. Red camping gear is visible. Text May.

June - Rock climbing season kicked into high gear with many trips up the slab, including this memorable one with friends from @adkclimb.club in which Taka did a few barefoot pitches. 🤣

A climber wearing a bright green helmet holds a rope while sitting on a rocky surface with a forested backdrop. Another climber approaches in the distance. The text reads June.

July - Perhaps the highlight of the year, a trip to Wyoming to climb Gannett Peak for Matt’s 48th state high point and my personal tallest climb. The stunning cirque rekindled my desire for bigger objectives. 🏔️

A person stands on rocky terrain wearing a jacket and yellow pants smiling against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and a partly cloudy sky. Text reads July.

Aug - Heartbreak as we said goodbye to our beloved Ollivander after 10 years in our little family. I can finally start looking back at photos of him with fondness instead of sadness. He was the greatest furry friend. ❤️‍🩹

A fluffy cat lies on a cat tree batting a hanging toy inside a home environment. Text reading August is at the bottom corner.

Sept - The month for love for us, as Jo and I celebrated the wedding of dear friends, Tyler and Lauren, and attended the balloon festival. And then celebrated our own (7th!) anniversary the next weekend. 💍

Two people smile at a hot air balloon festival. Various colorful balloons, including a penguin and owl, rise behind them. Many attendees gather on a grassy field. Text reads September.

Oct - Or Rocktober! The fall is my favorite time of year in the ADK, and I got to tick off a bunch of spectacular climbs among the beautiful fall foliage, including a few here on the Upper Washbowl with Brian. 🍁

A person wearing climbing gear and a green helmet stands smiling on a rocky ledge with a scenic view of a forested valley in autumn. Text: October

Nov - Snow and ice season arrived blessedly early and in full force! Got in some great pitches of climbing and backcountry skiing in deep snow before Thanksgiving — take that, west coast! 😉

A climber ascends an icy cliff face using ice axes and ropes surrounded by snow. The text November is written at the bottom.

Dec - I couldn’t choose between family time at the holidays and our current adventure with Dan and Sarah in Las Vegas for New Year’s, so I didn’t! Both have been wonderful. 🎉

Family gathering children and adults pose together smiling indoors. Another scene features a man in a glittery jacket with friends. A Christmas tree and decorative lighting are present. December is written.

I’m so lucky to live in a place I love, have a career sharing my favorite activities, and be surrounded by wonderful friends, family, and community.