2025-06-24

They survived!! Kudos to @raybanmeta on their glasses being surprisingly rugged. Mine took a 30-meter (~100-foot) tumble down a rock face when I was out guiding a multi-pitch rock climb. (Totally my fault, I perched them on my shirt collar and then leaned over the edge.) Neither lens was damaged, and after a little rest and recharge in their case, they work perfectly fine!

BTW, these are my secret weapon for capturing awesome moments while my guests are climbing, all while keeping my hands safely on their rope. And you get a copy of all the shots when you book an adventure with @onwardguides.

📸: @baker_media24

Climber wearing a bright green helmet and sunglasses grasps a rope while scaling a rocky surface with lush green forest in the background.

2025-06-21

Two great days of climbing at Chapel Pond with @saw_dust_ery! The Slab, Shipton’s Arete, and Tilman’s Arete all provided lovely routes and opportunities for fun onsights. Summer rock is a gooo! 🤘

A climber ascends a steep rock face using a rope in a forested mountainous area with dense green trees below. Legs in climbing shoes rest against a steep rocky cliff with a vivid green forest seen below. The person wears khaki shorts and a harness, indicating they are rock climbing. A person wearing a helmet and backpack climbs a large rocky surface using a rope surrounded by lush green forest. A climber ascends a large rock face using ropes wearing a helmet and yellow jacket amidst lush green foliage under a clear blue sky. Rocky cliff rises above a forested valley with a winding river below under a partly cloudy sky mountainous landscape extending into the distance Two smiling individuals stand on a rocky ledge overlooking a lush green valley with a lake below wearing outdoor gear in a hiking setting. The person on the left is wearing a cap with visible text TAHANDUS MOUNTAINEERS SUPPLY CO. The shirt reads NOLINKMOLE HARD CIDER. A person wearing a blue helmet climbs a rocky cliff face using a rope surrounded by dense green forest beside a calm river. A person wearing climbing gear and a helmet ascends a rock face. A rope is attached for safety. The climber is surrounded by a lush forest with a river visible below. A climber scales a rugged rock face surrounded by green foliage. The rope links climber to ground, with sunlight filtering through tree branches, creating intricate shadows on the rock surface. A climber ascends a steep rock face using a rope in a forested outdoor setting under a clear blue sky. A climber ascends a steep rocky cliff, secured by a green rope fastened with carabiners, surrounded by lush green trees overlooking a tranquil body of water below. Two shirtless men wearing helmets stand on a rock ledge smiling with climbing gear in a forested area overlooking a river below.

2025-06-15

This looks so cool!! Magic Move from Keynote has really grown up.

Do yourself a favor and turn on Debug > ”Slow Animations” in an iOS 26 simulator and then bounce around within an app. It really lets you get a sense of the fun merging effects they are doing with Toolbars and generally how so much "life" the system is imbued with.

The way the glass droplets combine and separate is gorgeous.

2025-06-09

Sundays are for friends and a great day for up, particularly out on Cloudspin Cliff in Wilmington! We enjoyed splendid views of @whiteface_mt all day as we topped out climb after climb. Thanks Dakota, Louisa, and Bill for such a fun day.

2025-06-07

Giant Mountain via the Ridge Trail - 6/6/25

Today was Day 2 with @sekoshan as she prepares for a long hike down in Peru. I guided her up Giant Mountain along the Ridge Trail today. Compared to yesterday, today was far more humid, wet, and cloudy. But we still had a great time on the trail!

5.8 miles, 3000 ft of elevation gain, 6 hours car-to-car.

No warm-up like we had yesterday on Colden! This trail is steep from the beginning, rising 600 feet in the first .5 miles to a lookout. You do nearly 1000 feet of elevation gain for each of the 3 miles to the summit, popping in and out of the woods onto the rocky ridges. It’s one of my favorite routes because you get views all the way up!

The trail was in superb condition on the way up. Mud and blowdown was basically a non-issue. We were way more wet from sweating in the muggy weather than any water/mud on the trail.

Clouds rolled in just as we were reaching the summit, but we got a short window view down into the valley before getting socked in. We knew rain was imminent and that the descent would be harder on wet rock, we opted not to continue to Rocky Peak Ridge, saving our legs for the McIntyre Range tomorrow.

Rain did indeed start coming down about halfway back to the car. It soaked the rock quickly, and we took our time to avoid slipping. Rain coats went on to avoid getting chilly and it was quite pleasant.

Bugs were out, but not too bad. Some swarms knew the summit, but nothing a little bug spray couldn’t handle. The mosquitos kept biting through the rain.

We saw 17 people on the trail, with a few still headed up as we were coming down.

Timeline:

  • 6:45am - Started from Route 73
  • 7:30am - Giant’s Washbowl
  • 9:00am - Roaring Brook/Ridge Trail Crossover
  • 9:45am - Giant Summit (3 hours)
  • 10:15am - Left the summit
  • 11:00am - Roaring Brook/Ridge Trail Crossover
  • 12:15am - Giant’s Washbowl
  • 12:45am - Returned to the trailhead (6 hours)

2025-06-07

Colden from Loj, 6/5/25

I had the pleasure of guiding Shannon and Susan up Colden yesterday from the Loj. We had a splendid day with great views despite Canadian wildfire smoke, and the rain even held off for us!

We opted to do it as an out-and-back via the Lake Arnold Trail. ~13 miles, 2734 ft of vert, 10 hours car-to-car.

Trails were in really good condition — some of the best I’ve seen for this hike. Basically no blowdown left, and even the trail near Lake Arnold wasn’t as muddy as usual. Some slick rock near the summit was our only challenge, and only when coming down.

Trails were quiet for most of the day. We saw two people headed out to Skylight, and another couple we leap frogged with up and down Colden. Once returning, more groups were headed to the Avalanche Campsites and Marcy Dam.

Timeline:

  • 6:45am - Departed from Loj
  • 7:45am - Marcy Dam
  • 8:30am - Avalanche Camps/Lake Arnold Crossover
  • 10:00am - Lake Arnold
  • 11:15am - Little Colden
  • 11:45am - Colden Summit (5 hours)
  • 1:30pm - Lake Arnold
  • 2:45pm - Avalanche Camps
  • 3:30pm - Marcy Dam
  • 4:30pm - Loj Trailhead (~10 hours)

2025-06-06

These three peaks provide lots of technical challenge. Steep climbs, exposed rock faces, and lots of winter blowdown. But the incredible views from the heart of the lower great range made it all totally worthwhile. It’s amazing what our bodies can do with a little gumption! Congrats to Meg on peaks 40-42 on her 46er journey!

2025-06-06

Strong legs and great conditions turned our two-peak day turned into a four-peak day! Gotta love those long days in the mountains. Congrats to Meg on peaks 37-40 on her 46er journey!

2025-05-31

Is there a better way to spend the first sunny day in a while than questing up Chapel Pond Slab? We think not! Empress (5.5 X) was a total joy with Shane. We even spied the incomparable Will Roth on Regular Route!

It’s the summer of sending! Book your own climbing adventure today — both group instruction and private climbing days available on our website. Link in bio.

📸: Gripped Photo

@newyorkoutdoorguides @lakeplacidadk @adirondackclimberscoalition #lifeisbetterwhenclimbing #Adirondacks #PerfectDayADK #HireAGuide

A man in a red jacket stands with folded arms beside a silver Subaru on a forest road with trees and mountains in the background. License plate reads KTG 9908 DELTA. Climber ascending a rugged rock face secured by a rope in a sunny mountain landscape surrounded by greenery and a clear blue sky. Climber ascends steep rock face using ropes surrounded by greenery under a clear blue sky with a small cloud. Climbing rope stretches down a steep rocky cliff face surrounded by dense green trees in a lush forest setting. A climber ascends a steep grey rock face with a rope trailing behind wearing a helmet and backpack surrounded by a lush green forest. Climber ascends a steep rock face using a rope under a clear blue sky with sparse clouds and surrounded by some greenery. A climber ascends a rugged rock face secured by a rope under a clear blue sky with some trees visible at the base. A climber ascends a steep rock face using rope and gear under a clear blue sky.

2025-05-29

I had the pleasure of guiding Bill and Bev up Mt. Marcy for them to reach the top of New York State for their high point journey! We lucked out with incredible weather with spectacular views clear across to Vermont. Bill regaled us with tales of their climbs across the world. He and Bev are so impressive and dedicated, showing us how it’s done into their 70s. I can’t wait to hear about their next adventures, including Mont Blanc this fall. Wow!

@rockandriver_official

2025-05-29

Tom and I nabbed the rest of the Dix Range (Dix and Hough) yesterday to tick his 27th and 28th high peaks! The weather was glorious, though the black flies are officially out in full force. But even those little buggers couldn’t keep the smiles off our faces as we traversed that gorgeous range. We summited via the Beckhorn trail and then went down Lillian Brook for a 12.5 mile day in just about 11 hours.

Big thanks to Curt, a volunteer herd path maintainer who we met on top of Hough and who was continuing to clear the significant blowdown in the range!

@newyorkoutdoorguides @lakeplacidadk #Adirondacks #PerfectDayADK #HireAGuide

2025-05-21

Tom and I only planned on hiking Macomb, but it was so nice that we went out to South Dix and Grace Peaks as well! He’s well on his way to becoming a #46er with these being 24-26/46 summits for him. Great way to spend the 133rd anniversary of the Adirondack Park. 👌

A person with a red backpack takes a photo at a wooded trailhead with a sign indicating various peaks.

@newyorkoutdoorguides #nysoga @lakeplacidadk #Adirondacks #PerfectDayADK #HireAGuide

2025-05-04

We wrapped up April and kicked off May with 3 more summits on Tom’s tick list! Dial and Nippletop provided challenge and beauty with the miles and elevation gain. Tabletop’s approach was more pleasant, but the last half mile proved particularly dicey with a shark’s fin of snow taking up the narrow trail. Tom crushed it both days, always with a smile and a chuckle at the hard bits, reveling at the payoff views of the high peaks. 25 miles and 6000 feet of elevation gain over two days is not for the feint of heart this time of year, but Tom proved himself!

@newyorkoutdoorguides @lakeplacidadk #Adirondacks #PerfectDayADK #HireAGuide

A hiker stands beside a rustic wooden gate with intricate designs and the text CAMP AMR in a forested area surrounded by tall trees and a gravel pathway. A forest path meanders through leafless trees with a tree bearing a mounted sign that reads Attention Alpine Zone 4000 FT. The blue sky stretches overhead. A person hiking through a dense forest carrying a backpack and trekking poles surrounded by lush green trees and sunlight filtering through the canopy. Hiker with a large backpack climbs a snowy forest trail using trekking poles surrounded by green trees and sunlight filtering through the branches. A person stands on a rocky ledge holding a yellow helmet in a mountainous landscape with clear blue skies and forested slopes in the background. Trail signs attached to a wooden post indicate directions surrounded by snow-covered ground and pine trees. Text reads JBL 5.6 ADK Loj 9.2 Dial or Lake Road St. Huberts Nippletop 0.2. A hiker in a yellow cap climbs a snowy mountain trail using trekking poles surrounded by evergreen trees with distant mountains under a clear blue sky. A person stands on a rocky hilltop amidst greenery with distant mountains under a clear blue sky highlighting an outdoor hiking scene. Two people stand smiling against a mountainous backdrop with snow-capped peaks under a clear blue sky both wearing casual outdoor attire and sunglasses. Sun casting light over distant mountains surrounded by a forest of barren trees with rocky terrain in the foreground under a cloudy sky. A small stream flows through a forested area surrounded by leafless and evergreen trees with a distant mountain under a clear blue sky. Rocky stream winds through a forest filled with tall trees and scattered moss-coated ground in a sun-dappled woodland setting. A wooden sign points left with the text Route to Table Top Mtn in a sunlit forest; the ground is covered with fallen leaves and sparse snow. A hiker, wearing a yellow cap and carrying a large backpack, ascends a narrow, snowy path surrounded by dense green trees in a mountainous forest setting.

2025-05-04

Last weekend, I escaped the rainy ADK to climb with some friends in the rainy Red River Gorge in KY! Miguel’s and RRG was our usual weekend getaway back in the CMU days, but it’s a longer haul from NY now! Still, mega fun weekend ticking off some classic routes that I hadn’t done in years, and trying hard on new ones.

2025-04-20

When the weather’s warm and sunny down south while it’s wet and dreary up north, you go to the Gunks! A perfect weekend spent with good friends from @adkclimb.club! Finally tagged Ken’s Crack (5.7+) on this trip — what a great little route.

People carry climbing gear on a forested trail smiling and walking. A leafless wooded area with rocks and a stone structure surrounds them. Person in foreground wears a cap with “ONE MOVEMENT”. Man wearing a green helmet smiles while standing on a rocky cliff edge holding a climbing rope in a wooded area with people below carrying gear. A climber wearing a helmet and harness ascends a rocky cliff face surrounded by rugged terrain and scattered trees. A climber wearing a pink helmet holds a rope and smiles while gear is arranged beside them. They are near a rocky cliff in a wooded outdoor setting. A fire pit burns with bright flames at night on a dark surface with pants and a box labeled Sam’s Choice on a bench nearby in the background. Five people smiling and posing at a restaurant table holding menus. A green lamp hangs above, creating a warm, relaxed atmosphere. One person wears a hat with “Two Skis Means” text.

2025-04-12

A little solo hike up Saddleback from The Garden yesterday. Trailhead says spring, but the peak’s still in winter with fresh snow. 14.3 miles, 3157 ft elevation gain, 9.5 hours.

2025-04-01

A little personal trip down to the Gunks to get ready for rock season! Feels great to be pluggin’ cams and pulling on rock. Book a trip of your own! Single and multi pitch, learn to lead, anchoring clinics — we do it all.

2025-04-01

Todd and I completed a mega day out in the High Peaks (18 miles, 6000 ft elevation gain, 13.5 hours) tagging his 20th-23rd winter summits. Our first truly warm hike together this winter, we battled steep ascents, deteriorating snow, and high winds. But it was all smiles all day with incredible views throughout the day. What a way to close out the winter hiking season!

2025-04-01

March ended in a flurry! I scurried down to the Gunks for a few days of nice weather to climb with @coppertop217 (we stayed in a school bus AirBnB!), who then followed me back up north for a very successful @adkclimb.club and skiing at @whiteface_mt. I hunkered down for a couple days while an ice storm made everything slippery and then back to Whiteface for an open-to-close laps day with the man, the myth, the legend @willclimbz for his birthday. Great way to round out the month, and now I’m back to dreaming about rock climbing!

A person holds a climbing rope wrapped around a tree on a rocky ledge high above a forested valley with bare trees and distant hills visible in the background. A climber in a helmet sits on a rocky ledge holding a phone, surrounded by climbing ropes, overlooking a vast forested landscape extending to the horizon. A rock climber scales a vertical cliff face using safety gear in an outdoor setting under partially cloudy skies. Two climbers wearing helmets and jackets smiling while securing ropes on a rocky surface surrounded by bare trees. A parked yellow bus beside a small, black camping tent amidst tall trees. Nearby, a covered round table with four stacked chairs rests on dry, leaf-strewn ground. A person sips from a white mug while seated in a cozy vehicle interior. A package of OREO cookies and a Jetboil are on a patterned table nearby. Climber ascends vertical rock face using a rope and harness in a natural outdoor setting with trees at the top and a clear blue sky above. Climbing rope extends up a rocky cliff face under a clear blue sky with sparse trees at the top edge creating a rugged outdoor setting. A climber ascends a bouldering wall with colorful holds while several people observe in an indoor climbing gym featuring padded flooring and overhead lights. Two people wearing ski helmets and goggles are smiling, standing on a snowy mountain with a wooden railing and a distant view of mountains. On the jacket, text reads FISU University Winter Games 2023 KARBON. Two people wearing helmets and ski goggles smile while sitting on a ski lift surrounded by leafless trees, both wearing winter jackets, one in blue and the other in red.

2025-03-25

Tried out an (unclimbed?) ice flow off of the Jay Mountain ridge today! T’was thin-but-in! The 3-mile uphill walk to get there was a bit of a bear, but nabbing an extra day of climbing was well-worth it. Thanks for the invitation, Jim!

Person wearing a helmet and goggles, smiling and dressed in winter gear, standing on a snowy slope. The background features trees and a partially frozen waterfall in a forested area. A frozen waterfall cascades down a rocky cliff, surrounded by snow-covered ground and leafless trees, under an overcast sky. Pine trees line the top of the cliff. Snowy mountain landscape showing dense forested hills extending into the distance under an overcast sky creating a tranquil and vast wilderness atmosphere. Mist-covered mountains with snowy patches rise in the foreground against a backdrop of overcast skies, creating a serene winter landscape in a forested area. A person climbs a large icy slope using ropes surrounded by snow-covered trees in a forested area on a cloudy day. Two people smiling in winter gear navigate through a snowy forest with bare branches and evergreen trees while carrying backpacks and wearing protective headgear.

2025-03-19

The rock season starts with Pitchoff! The Lonely (5.6, onsight) → Pete’s Farewell (5.7) was the perfect way to kick things into gear with @saw_dust_ery. Let’s go climbing: onwardguides.com

A person wearing a blue helmet climbs a steep rocky cliff holding onto a rope in a rugged forested area with bare trees and shrubs. Climber wearing blue helmet ascends rock face using rope beside a road and frozen river surrounded by snow-dusted terrain with sparse trees.

2025-03-14

Finally ticked Central Pillar with Jim and @saw_dust_ery! Both pitches were so much fun today. I led up the right side with some big traverses. Then top roping the steeper left side was one of my favorite pitches of the season. Hope to get back to lead that one soon!

A frozen waterfall descending a rocky slope is framed by bare trees with snow covering the ground and surrounding landscape. A climber ascends a steep, icy slope using ropes and gear, situated in a snowy, mountainous forest under a clear blue sky. Frozen waterfall cascades down rocks forming layers of ice surrounded by a forested area with trees and shrubs. A person in a blue helmet climbs a steep ice wall using a rope surrounded by trees and rocky terrain. Frozen waterfall cascades down a rocky cliff surrounded by snow and leafless trees against a clear blue sky.

2025-03-13

Squeaking in perhaps our last climb on Multi Gully for the season, @izzolp33 and I had a grand time on the fat and sticky second pitch (first pitch is definitely deteriorating). Great day in the Adirondacks!

@newyorkoutdoorguides @lakeplacidadk #Adirondacks #PerfectDayADK #HireAGuide

2025-03-12

Sneaking in a few pitches with @ben_k_ and @andrew_jarvis05 before the next big warm-up. North Side of Pitchoff seems like it’ll hold on for a bit longer. 🤞

Book your ice trip before it’s too late!

2025-03-12

Hiking Marshall and Cliff mountains together meant we could cut out an extra drive to Newcomb, but, boy, 20-mile days are long! Spring is knocking at our door with wet snow conditions, and rivers opening back up. But the peaks are still plenty snowy and gorgeous. Another couple winter peaks checked off the ol’ list!