Congrats to Derrick who started his @adirondack46ers_ journey today on Cascade & Porter! These quintessential starter peaks give a great taste of the views and adventures (and mud) to come. We enjoyed bluebird skies and even sunnier conversation on hiking, goals, and life. I can’t wait till we hit the trail again!

A person wearing a gray shirt and khaki pants stands on a large rock, while another person in a red shirt and sunglasses poses in the foreground with a thumbs-up gesture. They are outdoors on a sunny day, with evergreen trees and mountains visible in the background.

When the forecast is wrong about the sunshine, you supplement it was sunny smiles! Diane and Kevin did awesome on our hike up Tabletop Mountain today, tagging another peak on their #46er journey. The miles flew by with our conversation and camaraderie. I already can’t wait for our next one!

Three hikers stand on a rocky surface at a forested mountaintop, smiling at the camera. They are dressed in hiking gear, and one holds a trekking pole. Behind them is a sign that reads “Tabletop Mt.” Tall trees surround the area.

Sorry it’s low-res, but I was pretty impressed with Apple’s Clean Up feature in Photos today. I wanted a more professional version of this image for my website, and Apple Photos did a great job removing my clients being goofy in the background with no fuss. 👍

Animated image of three men on a mountaintop, flashing between the two people in the background being visible or removed from via in Apple Photos.

I’m so proud of Scott who had a mega day on his first outing going from gym climbing to real outdoor rock. He got a taste of everything, soaking up as much knowledge as possible about working up different rock textures, crack climbing, following and cleaning trad gear, and rappelling. Today was a primer for our main objective: a long multi-pitch climb on Friday. We explored many picturesque and popular climbs like Seven Ounces, Afternoon Delight, and Shipton’s Voyage!

For our educational courses, we always meet our guests at their level, providing a solid foundation of risk management and technical skills, and then we follow their lead on whatever they want to learn more about. Scott got in a little extra gear placement theory and anchor building practice so he could understand how our belay transitions will flow as we head up the Chapel Pond Slab on Friday. What an awesome day!

Book your own guided rock climb or skills course on our website!

A man with a helmet and tattoos is rock climbing a steep cliff. He’s wearing a gray t-shirt and shorts, and is secured with climbing gear. There’s a rope running horizontally across the rock face, and he’s using both hands for grip. The surroundings are lush with green foliage.

Michael and Alex has such a great time backpacking that they wanted to experience the Adirondacks through another medium: rock climbing! We had an excellent morning at Tillman’s Arete above Chapel Pond!

A person is rock climbing on a large, sloped rock face. They are secured with a climbing rope and wearing a helmet and harness. The rock surface is rough and uneven, with some cracks and patches of vegetation. Green trees can be seen at the top and edges of the rock face under a cloudy sky.

It was an honor to guide Michael & Alex on this Intro to Backpacking Trip, fulfilling a dream on Father’s Day weekend. The Nun-Da-Ga-O Ridge was in great shape, and offered plenty of adventure along its 5-mile trail, including stunning vistas, rock scrambles, and so many Pink Lady Slippers! We camped overnight at Gulf Brook, then hiked up Hurricane Mountain for a real icing-on-the-cake finish to a wonderful weekend. From the fire tower, we could view the entire range we traversed the day before.

So many firsts for this father/son team on the trip: first time in the Adirondacks, first time carrying fully-loaded backpacks, first backcountry camping, first time filtering water, and proving that, yes, our legs can get us that one more mile. It was amazing to see these guys cheer each other on throughout the experience.

Here’s to new friends, and exciting adventures, and lasting memories. ⛰️

Make your own dream a reality with an Adirondack adventure by booking a trip right here.

A person in a mustard-colored jacket and cap is taking a selfie on a rocky mountain peak. Behind them, two others are posing playfully, one appearing to hold onto the rock. The background features a vast landscape of forested hills and a cloudy sky.

Wright, Algonquin & Iroquois Peaks

So many stories and laughs were shared on this amazing day in the mountains. @sekoshan rocked it out all day, summiting three more high peaks in her training for a trek in Peru. I know she’ll do great!

A man and woman are smiling on a mountaintop. The woman holds a sign reading “Day 3 Iroquois Peak 4829 ft” and gestures with her hand. The man is giving a thumbs-up and is wearing sunglasses and a light-colored hoodie. The sky is cloudy, and the view includes distant mountains.

📺 Finished watching: The Last of Us (season two)

🍿 Finished watching: Fountain of Youth

Great hack.

Wow. Both are great.

Tom and I had the whole mountain to ourselves today as we took on Street ( ft) and Nye (ft)! After our 11-hour hike yesterday, we moved a little slower up the trail while navigating our boots carefully through each icy step.

We reached the summits before the clouds rolled in, giving us pristine views over the McIntyres, Santanonis, and Sewards. We even caught a glimpse of Gothics, which we summited yesterday. With temps warming, we had to be extra careful on the descent, trying to avoid punching through the ice into mud and water below.

Crossing back over Indian Pass Brook was our final challenge, which we dispatched with ease, and were rewarded with a fantastic view of the moonrise on our drive out from the Loj. Another perfect day in the peaks.

@newyorkoutdoorguides @lakeplacidadk #Adirondacks #PerfectDayADK #hireaguide 📷

Person taking a photo with a smartphone stands among trees in a dense forest with mountains visible in the background carrying a backpack and holding a walking stick. Wooden signpost displaying directional arrows stands in a forest with fallen leaves and trees nearby. Text includes Eureka Loj Trailhead Parking. Mount Jo via Rock Garden Trail.  Street & Nye. Phelps. Two hikers walk through a sunlit forest wearing backpacks and winter gear. A digital device on one backpack displays 8:56. Rest of the screen text is not fully visible. Tall evergreen trees stand still on a hillside surrounded by a dense forest under a bright sun partially obscured by thin clouds with distant mountains visible in the background. Animal paw prints create a trail across a snow-covered rock in a forest setting surrounded by fallen branches and snow-dusted evergreen trees. Icicles hang from a rocky cliff with green moss growing above frozen streams cascading down surrounded by forest underbrush and snow-dusted rocks nearby. A tree trunk stands with carved letters “NY 51” amidst a snowy forest setting featuring a small icy stream and surrounding evergreen trees. A person walks cautiously on a snowy and icy forest trail surrounded by tall trees and dense underbrush, creating a winter hiking scene. A person stands smiling in a snowy forest wearing hiking gear including a blue jacket and cap. A wooden sign on a tree reads STREET MOUNTAIN. Two people smiling outdoors standing near small evergreen trees with snow-dusted mountains in the background. One wears a blue jacket and baseball cap; the other wears a beanie and jacket. Wooden sign with yellow text reading STARR KING MOUNTAIN attached to a tall tree trunk in a forested area with branches and blue sky visible above. Two hikers are smiling in a snowy forest, wearing jackets and backpacks. A wooden sign on a tree reads NYE MOUNTAIN. A person hikes through a forest, stepping over icy roots between a large tree and a rock. The surrounding area is dense with trees and natural vegetation. Clouds scatter across a twilight sky reflecting in a calm lake surrounded by forested hills and silhouetted branches in the foreground.

~4 more new miles (and 2 more peaks!) explored today on our 12-mile journey. 🏔️ 📷

No-Shave November check-in. 📷

A person with short hair and light facial hair stands facing forward wearing a gray shirt in front of a textured black and frosted window.

The Mac has been on Apple silicon for 10% of its lifetime already. 🤯

Winter is sneaking back into the Adirondacks! I had a wonderful time with Jason and Henry as we conquered Street & Nye Mountains today. The frost flowers were in full bloom, and we broke out the microspikes for the first time this season. Although they were capped with clouds when we started, both summits greeted us with crystal clear views of the snow crystals atop the rest of the high peaks. 8.1 miles and 2600 ft elevation gain. 🏔️ 📷

Three people equipped with hiking gear smile on a forest trail flanked by tall trees and fallen leaves. The trail stretches into the forest, creating a serene outdoor backdrop. Ice formations sprout upward from the soil intermingling with brownish dried leaves on the ground surface creating a frosty and earthy textured scene in a natural outdoor setting. A person with a backpack walks through a forested area under a bright sun in a clear blue sky surrounded by evergreen trees. Two hikers pose together holding hiking poles in a forested area beneath a sign that reads NYE MOUNTAIN. Tall trees surround them amidst dappled sunlight on the ground. Snow-dusted forest ground scattered with rocks and tree roots, surrounded by dense evergreen trees, under a clear sky-lit canopy. Snow-capped mountain peaks framed by evergreen branches in a serene forest setting under a clear blue sky. Two people pose for a photo while hiking in a mountainous landscape surrounded by pine trees and clear blue sky. Fallen tree lies across a tranquil stream reflecting sunlight amidst a dense forest of tall, shadowed pine trees. Two people with hiking poles traverse rocks across a shallow stream surrounded by a forested area with tall trees and scattered rocks.

Instead of doomscrolling today, I went outside with the dog and sunk my anxious energy into splitting a whole bunch of wood, and started listening to Endurance (the Shackleton book). Then my wife and I went for a walk. Getting away from current events was good for the soul. 📷

Axe resting on a chopped tree stump surrounded by scattered wood chips and stacked logs among fallen leaves in a forest clearing. A wooden rack holds stacked firewood and twigs in an outdoor forest setting surrounded by trees and fallen leaves. A stack of chopped firewood rests neatly between two trees in a forest setting surrounded by fallen leaves and gravel. A wooden rack holds stacked firewood in three layers. On top, clay pots contain small plants. The ground is covered with gravel and leaves, and the wall is paneled gray. Firewood is stacked neatly against a wooden shingled wall beside a porch railing. A bicycle is partially visible on the adjacent porch area. Wood logs stacked on a metal rack resting on a wooden floor with a basket of newspapers nearby and a tiled wall in the background. A dog rests with paws crossed on a wooden porch next to a vertical beam. A hanging basket with plants and a macramé hammock are in the background. A golden retriever lies comfortably on a wooden porch next to a hanging hammock surrounded by a forested area.

Holy smokes this finish on the Studio Neat pens/pencil looks amazing! I don’t need another, but wow!

New friends, new climbs, and mega fun at the Rumney Craggin’ Classic this weekend, put on by the @americanalpine! 📷

People wearing helmets smile and pose while preparing for rock climbing in a shaded forest area with rocky terrain ropes and climbing gear scattered on the ground. Rock climbers scale a tall cliff with several people on the ground watching and belaying each other in a forested area under a bright blue sky. Camping gear and bedding lie inside an illuminated tent. String lights hang from the center, creating a cozy, warm atmosphere suitable for nighttime. Two climbers are smiling and gearing up at a cliff edge wearing helmets and harnesses amidst a lush green forest with a few houses visible in the background. Rock climbers scaling a steep cliff multiple individuals ascending or preparing to ascend rock faces others standing at the base amidst a rugged rocky environment with some greenery. Three climbers ascend a steep rock face using ropes and climbing gear surrounded by dense green forest below.

I saw two different rainbows on my drive home today! (Three if you count the double rainbow) 🌈 📷

A faint rainbow appearing after rain in a shopping area parking lot with trees in the background traffic lights ahead and a person walking near a brick building adorned with a “COMING SOON” sign A vibrant rainbow arches over a large red barn with twin cupolas situated amidst lush green hills under a cloudy sky adjacent to a road with yellow dividing lines.

Getting to spend a few days climbing with these guys from Frost Valley YMCA was a joy. It was so cool to see their skills progress as climbers and their teamwork flourish as they learned to belay each other. All after getting off a week of backpacking! Rock on, dudes. 📷

Person climbing a steep rocky cliff using blue rope surrounded by sparse greenery on a cloudy day A person wearing a helmet ascends a steep rocky cliff while secured by a blue climbing rope under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds and nearby green bushes. A climber ascends a steep rock face using a rope under the shade of overhanging trees with two people on the summit above. Two people are rock climbing on a steep cliff with the aid of safety ropes on an overcast day with trees above them.

Saturday found me guiding Jim and Matt up their first High Peak. Whiteface was a formidable choice for their first, especially as we opted for the more adventurous up-and-over route via Whiteface Landing. (What a great route!) Their preparation paid off and even ascending into rain clouds couldn’t dampen our spirits! Things cleared up for a gorgeous descent. Here’s to many more father/son hikes in the ADK. 🥾 📷

Sign on tree points to various trails and displays winter trail etiquette in a dense, green forest. Three hikers trekking uphill through a forested trail wearing backpacks and using trekking poles surrounded by tall trees and greenery. Various coniferous trees stand still on a misty mountain overlooking a winding river below under an overcast sky Person wearing a hat and backpack climbing a rocky trail using a trekking pole surrounded by dense forest on a mountain slope Person in yellow hat smiling in foreground two hikers walking on rocky mountain in foggy weather with sign reading 267-Ft Above Sea Mt Surface Mtn in background Two individuals equipped with hiking gear stand on a rocky trail surrounded by dense greenery and trees in a forest area. They are holding trekking poles and wearing wide-brimmed hats. Three smiling individuals stand together outdoors one in a yellow hat and two with short hair one giving a thumbs-up surrounded by lush green trees and a gravel pathway

Successful rescue mission to recover some gear I left at Cloudspin Cliff when bailing in an unexpected thunderstorm! 📷

Person in a green helmet and blue jacket stands outdoors with mountains and a glowing sun amidst clouds in the background. Person climbing wearing a bright green helmet looks up from a rocky ledge surrounded by dense green forest. Person wearing a green helmet and blue attire with climbing gear smiling at the camera while standing in front of a mountainous forest landscape

Matthew and I had a grand time hiking up Phelps Mountain yesterday. It was his (and Gideon’s) first high peak! Great conversation the whole way, and a fantastic view at the summit — better than we expected considering the wildfire haze. Gideon definitely earned his nap afterward. 🐾 📷

Two hikers smiling on a wooden bridge surrounded by lush green forest, one holding a drink and giving a thumbs-up while the other holds a leashed dog. A person stands on a wooden bridge holding coffee and a leashed dog in a mountainous forested area near a flowing stream under a clear blue sky. A person with a yellow backpack and dog walk on a narrow mountain trail surrounded by green bushes with expansive forested hills and cloudy sky in the background. Three people sit and stand on a rocky ledge overlooking vast green mountains under a partly cloudy sky one person in blue shirt is taking a photo. A man with a red cap and hiking gear watches a large black dog drink from a rocky creek in a lush, mossy forest. Wooden signpost displays trail markers in a dense forest TRAIL TO Arrow Adirondack Loj 1.0. Additional signs provide directions to various destinations including Avalanche Camps Junction. Two hikers smiling and holding trekking poles near a trail register in a forest with a resting black-and-white dog. The register has signs and maps.

Long days in the mountains are always good days in the mountains! Thanks Lewis family for all the laughs! 📷

Four people standing closely on a wooden path surrounded by dense, green foliage in a forested area under bright sunlight Four people rest on a rocky surface in a forest two seated on backpacks one standing holding a snack and jacket and another eating while sitting on the ground Tree branches with green leaves frame a view of a clear blue sky with a few clouds in a forest setting. Person hiking in mountainous terrain touching a rock while ascending a path surrounded by dense green forest and distant mountain range under a blue sky with scattered clouds. A woman sits on a large rock protruding from a mountain cliff overlooking an expansive forest valley with distant mountain ranges under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. Four people standing on a large rocky outcrop overlook a vast green forest with mountain ranges in the distance and a partly cloudy sky. A hiker stands on a rocky path holding a walking stick in a mountainous area surrounded by green shrubs with vast hills and a blue sky in the background. A cluster of vibrant blue flower buds growing among green grasses and leafy plants in a natural outdoor setting. Four people stand on a rocky mountain peak near a stack of stones beneath a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The person second from the left wears a shirt that reads DO EPIC SH*T Person standing on a large rock looking at distant mountain ranges under a blue sky filled with scattered clouds. Five people stand on a rocky mountain summit, posing for a photo with one person making a peace sign. Bright sky with scattered clouds and distant mountain ridges in the background. Woman holding hiking poles on a rock next to a beaver dam by a calm river bordered by lush green mountains with a clear blue sky. She is wearing a “Go Epic” T-shirt. Two people sit on a large rock giving thumbs up next to a calm lake surrounded by evergreen trees with mountains and clear blue sky in the background Person walking on a bridge at night in a forest wearing a headlamp with additional lights visible in the background. Stars scattered across a dark night sky with silhouettes of tree branches visible at the bottom creating a serene and quiet atmosphere.