Zachary and I braved the frigid blast for an alpine adventure on Algonquin today! Hardly anyone else out there in the high peaks.

It was a beautiful way to end a looong stretch of work since the start of February. Looking forward to a few days off and out of the cold for a quick trip down to Florida!

Julie and I spent an awesome day on the remote Allen Mountain yesterday. We were the only ones out there, which meant we had the pleasure of breaking trail the whole way. Though we didn’t quite make it to the summit, we still had a lovely time and know it’ll still be there for us next time! 17.5mi, 13hr

Seeing folks go from zero ice climbing experience to scaling overhung curtains, thin stepped ledges, and vertical corners in the space of a few hours is always thrilling! Equally exciting was the camaraderie and enthusiasm for cheering each other on shown by Everly, Emery, Lizz, and Lindsay today. We learned that we sure can do hard things!

Spent another fine day with @andymack.97, this time exploring the many miles of trails at @vanhoevenberg! Grooming was top-notch, which was a nice change from some of the slog of the Jackrabbit yesterday. Skiing 18 miles made for a full day! 😮‍💨

A person skis along a snow-covered trail surrounded by dense evergreen trees under a cloudy sky carrying a blue backpack. A person wearing winter clothing and skis stands on a snowy field looking toward distant mountains under a cloudy sky with trees nearby. A wooden post displaying directional signs stands in snowy woods pointing left and right. Text reads Porter Mountain and Return Porter Mountain. Surrounding trees are lightly dusted with snow.

17+ miles on the 🐇 Jackrabbit Ski Trail with @andymack.97 today! We skied from @paulsmiths to @saranaclake, battling sticky snow in these warm conditions. But Andrew was a trooper on this, his first backcountry Nordic outing, and we made up great time in the second half! Gonna hit up some groomers tomorrow for extra speed. 💨

Fun (and snowy) formations on Roaring Brook Falls today! Always a good time with @fosseauxlions___. 🤙

Seeing folks go from zero ice climbing experience to scaling overhung curtains, thin stepped ledges, and vertical corners in just a few hours is always thrilling! Equally exciting was the camaraderie and enthusiasm shown by Everly, Emery, Lizz, and Lindsay today. We sure can do hard things!

Spent another fine day with @andymack.97, this time exploring the many miles of trails at @vanhoevenberg! Grooming was top-notch, which was a nice change from some of the slog of the Jackrabbit yesterday. Skiing 18 miles made for a full day! 😮‍💨

A person skis along a snow-covered trail surrounded by dense evergreen trees under a cloudy sky carrying a blue backpack. A person wearing winter clothing and skis stands on a snowy field looking toward distant mountains under a cloudy sky with trees nearby. A wooden post displaying directional signs stands in snowy woods pointing left and right. Text reads Porter Mountain and Return Porter Mountain. Surrounding trees are lightly dusted with snow.

17+ miles on the 🐇 Jackrabbit Ski Trail with @andymack.97 today! We skied from @paulsmiths to @saranaclake, battling sticky snow in these warm conditions. But Andrew was a trooper on this, his first backcountry Nordic outing, and we made up great time in the second half! Gonna hit up some groomers tomorrow for extra speed. 💨

Fun (and snowy) formations on Roaring Brook Falls today! Always a good time with @fosseauxlions___. 🤙

Great day on the trail up Street & Nye today, and so good to reconnect with Luis and Tasha. After doing Cascade last winter, they’re officially on route to go after the 46! We enjoyed a variety of beautiful weather conditions, and a hard-packed trail all the way up. It’s a great time to bag some peaks! ❄️

Two people wearing winter clothing and snowshoes walk through a snowy forest carrying trekking poles surrounded by tall trees with snow-covered branches. Two people stand on a snowy trail holding trekking poles surrounded by snow-covered trees in a mountainous winter landscape. Snow-covered trees standing silently frame a distant snow-capped mountain under a cloudy gray sky creating a serene winter landscape Two people in snowshoes stand next to a tree with a sign reading Street Mountain surrounded by snow-covered trees in a winter landscape. People posing for a photo while snowshoeing in a snowy forest environment. One person is wearing a blue jacket, another in red, and a third in teal. Visible text: NYE MOUNTAIN. Three people wearing winter jackets and holding trekking poles smile at the camera surrounded by snow-covered ground and trees with a wooden cabin in the background.

Out for a ski with the buds 👌

So proud of Brandon and Ali as they summited their first winter ADK peak this morning. Extra kudos for still being game to do a sunrise hike despite (very) negative wind chill temps. We had the mountain to ourselves and enjoyed a lovely summit with no wind! Can’t wait for our next adventure together. 🥾 🏔️

I throughly enjoyed this weekend’s @aiare_official course taught by @caseyghenley and @northeastmountaineering (put on by @mountaineerbandana). Great crew and tons of learning! This is just the start of my avalanche safety and snow science education, but it provided a firm foundation — not a weak crust. 😉

People stand on snow holding drinks in a parking lot surrounded by vehicles with snow-covered trees in the background under a clear blue sky. A man works on a laptop at a conference room table with a wall-mounted screen displaying a mountain diagram by AIARE. Nearby is a 7up can and snacks on another table. Two skiers stand on snow-covered ground holding ski poles under a bright sun with a wooden cabin in the background and trees nearby. A person stands on a snow-covered area using ski poles next to a large snow pile surrounded by tall pine trees under a clear blue sky.

Day 2 at @ourayicepark with @adkclimb.club pals. School Room area. So much fun with friends! Refueled with great food at @ouraybrewery.

A climber ascends an icy cliff face using ropes in a snowy forested mountainous area with tall evergreen trees in the background. A person climbs a steep frozen waterfall using ropes amidst an icy landscape with sparse trees above under a clear blue sky. Climber ascends a frozen waterfall using an ice pick in a mountainous setting surrounded by ice formations and trees under a clear blue sky. A person ascends an icy, frozen waterfall using climbing gear, surrounded by thick layers of ice forming irregular, jagged surfaces. People sit on swing chairs attached to a wooden bar table. They smile and wear warm jackets. The setting is a cozy, sticker-decorated room with soft lighting and wooden furniture.

New toy, new place! Having the best time on western ice at @ourayicepark. Fun to get a new perspective on my own climbing. Thanks to @bbrianandersonn for the belay. 🙂 More to come, for sure.

Gnarly day up on Mt. Colden with Todd for his 40th/46 winter high peak! We were the first at the trailhead, so we had the pleasure of breaking trail through knee deep snow all the way way to the summit. Still, it was a stunning day in the mountains, and with careful precautions, the dropping wind chill was manageable. Only 6 left!

Snow-covered trees stand still, blanketing a mountainous landscape under a cloudy sky, creating a serene winter scene with layers of fluffy white snow amidst dark distant hills. A person wearing a red jacket hikes through deep snow using trekking poles surrounded by snow-covered trees and mountainous terrain under a cloudy sky. Snow covers a narrow forest path lined with tall trees heavily laden with snow creating a serene winter scene in a densely wooded area. A hiker with a snow-covered backpack hikes up a snowy mountain trail while another person follows using trekking poles surrounded by a vast landscape of snow-laden trees and hills. Two people stand on a snowy mountain peak wearing winter gear, including face coverings and gloves. One holds hiking poles, and the other displays a device showing 10 34 42 Sat.

Huge day yesterday! Pre-dawn uphill ski at Whiteface with Sarah and Dan, followed by super fun climbing on Multi Gully with Lizzo. One of my favorite ADK multipitch ice routes! Rounded out the evening with a bunch of hours with the rad crew of @adkclimb.club on Poke-O-Moonshine’s steep and long Waterfall routes. What a privilege to be outside all day doing cool things with cool people. 😁

Two skiers ascend a snowy slope at night wearing headlamps with glowing red backpacks in a dark mountainous landscape. Climber scaling icy rock face using ropes snowy forested mountainside surrounding adds a challenging and rugged outdoor environment. Climber scaling a frozen waterfall holding ropes amidst snowy terrain and rocky cliffs surrounded by trees. Two people wearing helmets and winter gear smile near a snow-covered rock face. They are equipped with climbing gear, suggesting a climbing or mountaineering activity in a cold outdoor environment. A climber ascends a steep icy wall using ropes at night with a headlamp illuminating the path surrounded by darkness above. Climber ascending a sheer ice wall using ice axes at night lit by a headlamp against a dark sky. Climber ascending icy cliff illuminated by lights in dark mountainous terrain surrounded by rocks and bare trees. Climber ascends icy cliff using gear under artificial light amidst darkness with surrounding frozen waterfall formations. Two climbers ascend a steep ice wall at night. One climbs while the other secures the rope. The scene is illuminated by artificial light against a dark sky.

Incredible ski day! ⛷️ I had the pleasure of joining @jmhaas73 and team for very productive ski guide training on the Angel Slides, and then @highpeaksskiup for a true gem of a Nordic ski back on the home turf. The snow was so good!!

Two skiers descend a snowy slope surrounded by snow-covered trees on a mountain. Snow is falling lightly adding to the wintery atmosphere. Snow-covered landscape features a mountain behind a forest of tall evergreen trees under a partly cloudy blue sky with sunlight casting shadows on the snow. Skiers ascend a snowy mountain trail surrounded by snow-covered trees and distant hills under an overcast sky. Three skiers standing and talking on a snowy mountain slope surrounded by trees. Each skier is equipped with poles and wearing winter gear in a cold, forested area. A person wears winter clothing and skis downhill through snow-covered pine trees under cloudy skies, using poles for balance amidst a snowy forest landscape. Skier wearing snow gear smiles in a snowy mountain landscape with pine trees while holding trekking poles and electronic devices labeled Rocky Talkie and Garmin surrounded by falling snowflakes. A person with a blue backpack and ski poles stands in deep snow facing a snowy forested mountain slope surrounded by snow-covered trees and overcast sky. Two people skiing at night on a snowy trail with snow falling and illuminated by headlamps, creating visible light beams in the dark environment.

A wild day up in the High Peaks! Todd nabbed his 38th and 39th winter summits on Gothics and Saddleback. You really can’t overstate how different those two peaks are. Gothics was steep, exposed, and mega windy — almost blew out packs off the mountain! We opted for a roped descent through the steepest and iciest bit. Saddleback was a cakewalk with consistent slope and powdery snow by comparison! But Todd did awesome. Every ascent is unique!

Wooden trail sign indicates hiking directions in a snowy forest with text Follow Markers Trail To Miles Alternate Range Trail use during high water Keene Valley 5.2 NYSDEC Range Trail Gothic Mtn ascent 2278 3.2 Saddleback Mtn ascent 2070 6.1 NYSDEC A person wearing a red jacket and snowshoes walks through deep snow using poles surrounded by snow-covered trees in a winter forest setting. A person wearing a red jacket uses walking poles while snowshoeing uphill in a snowy mountain landscape surrounded by pine trees and distant peaks under a cloudy sky. A person climbing snowy terrain wearing snowshoes and carrying an ice axe in a mountainous landscape with snow-covered trees under a cloudy blue sky. A person stands triumphantly holding ski poles on a snow-covered peak. Small snow-laden trees surround them, with a cloudy sky overhead. A person stands in deep snow adjusting climbing gear amidst snow-covered trees sunlight filtering through branches climbing equipment and backpack nearby. A climber wearing winter gear sits on a snowy mountain slope secured with a rope surrounded by a vast landscape of snow-covered trees and hills in the distance. Two people stand on a snowy mountain peak. One holds a sign reading Saddleback 4515 ft 39/46. Both wear winter gear, smiling in front of a cloudy, snow-covered landscape.

Neurosis (WI4-) with Shane today. What a route! P1 was thin and hollow for the first third, but got progressively better. P2 & P3 were generally fat and happy. P4 was steep and hard. So good!

A climber holds an ice axe standing on snow with rope equipment while wearing a red jacket and green helmet surrounded by a snow-covered rocky cliff background. Climber ascending an icy rock face secured with ropes surrounded by snow-dusted rocky terrain and sparse trees under a cloudy sky. A climber in a red jacket ascends a frozen waterfall using ice axes and crampons surrounded by a snowy mountainous landscape with leafless trees above. Climber ascends icy cliff using ropes dressed in red jacket and green helmet surrounded by snow-covered rocks and barren trees in a winter landscape. Icicles hang from a rocky cliff forming a frozen waterfall surrounded by snow-covered rocks and leafless trees under an overcast sky. A person climbs a frozen waterfall, using climbing gear and ropes, surrounded by rocky cliffs and leafless trees under a cloudy sky. A climber ascends an icy rock face using ropes surrounded by snow and ice-covered boulders in a wintry landscape of leafless trees and overcast sky. A climber ascends a steep, ice-covered slope using ice axes wearing a red jacket and helmet surrounded by snow and sparse, leafless branches.

Another fine day spent in the mountains assisting someone on their winter 46er journey. Today, Julie and I tackled Seward Mountain after we turned around on it last week. This time, we enjoyed bluebird skies, bright sun, fresh snow, and single-digit temps In other words, a winter wonderland! We got it done in under 11 hours, and thoroughly enjoyed every minute, including pushing through all those thick branches and deep snow up top! 😁

Some shots from @adkclimb.club at Pitchoff Quarry last night. This little community is the best and brings out so much stoke! Groups made the treks from Plattsburgh and Burlington VT 🤯 and we were out sending till 11pm. 🤞 We’ll be closer to home at Poke-O next week for them.

Climber ascends an icy rock face using ropes during nighttime. Other people stand below on the snow-covered ground surrounded by trees and illuminated by artificial lights. Climber ascends large ice wall with ropes during nighttime. Darkness looms overhead and a tree branch is visible at the top against the night sky. A climber wearing a blue helmet ascends an icy wall using ice axes. The scene is illuminated by headlamps, with ropes securing the climber in a dark, enclosed environment. Climber wearing a helmet ascends icy surface with ice axes at night illuminated by headlamp surrounded by darkness and snowy terrain. Ropes secured to the ice for safety. Climber scaling a frozen waterfall illuminated by a flashlight in a dark night setting with bare tree branches overhead. The ice forms a jagged and textured surface. Climbers are belaying and preparing to climb a large icy wall at night. They wear helmets and winter gear, while one person holds a flashlight amidst snow-covered ground.

Three Flows gifted us many pitches of hero ice yesterday! @9_9_mph and I managed to climb all three main lines. Come with me on lead up the right WI4 flow!

Tom couldn’t stay out of the high peaks for long! Though he completed his 46ers in November, he returned for a second chance at the Phelps’ summit view. We managed only to see the inside of (moody) clouds again, but still had a great time catching up and getting him acquainted with snowshoe travel. 😁