This Summer was once again blessed with our team's annual trip to the Adirondack Mountains. This year's swimmers who went on the hike were Justin White (Most Improved), Sean Pebbles (Rookie of the Year), Sullivan Landino (MVS), and Josh McDowell, who although did not receive a specific award proved to be an invaluable asset to our program last season. The planning of this year's hike was just as extensive as last year, even though we would not be climbing the ultimate prize, Mt. Marcy. However, this years hike involved another unique challenge, tackling not one, but three mountains (two of which were highpeaks) in one day.
The first day of the trip was very similar to last year's. We were again on the road before 7:30 am. This year we were lucky enough to not have the horrible singing of Dan and the ride was relatively quiet... except for many of the things that Josh said that were so incomprehensibly stupid Coach had me keep a list in a booklet. We arrived at the Adirondak Loj campground in a similar time to last year and again drove to the summit of Whiteface Mountain, despite a visibility of 0.
On Tuesday morning coach got us up at 5:30 and we drove to the trailhead that would take us to our goal, the summit of Dial and Nippletop mountains. The climbing was unrelenting. Being the only returning member, other than coach, on the hike, i have to say that compared to last year this hike was personally much more difficult. The ascent was much steeper than up the VanHovenburg trail to Marcy. Along the way we reached a rocky outcropping on the side of trail that was well above the valley floor and saw one the best views I've seen thus far (2nd only to Fishhawk and Indianhead cliffs talked about later on). Unfortunately despite having spent a few hours climbing up radically, we then had to descend into a steep ravine and then climb up an even steeper side just reach the first major point, Bear Den mountain. Although not a high peak it is still considered a mountain and was a major stepping stone for the rest of the day. Although the summit of Bear Den was covered with large trees providing no view, we stopped and ate a quick snack before carrying on to Dial.
From Bear Den to Dial wasn't quite as difficult a hike and we made it to the summit relatively quickly. Again the summit was wooded and provided little view. However, as if by fate, there is a massive boulder at the summit, which if you climb on gives you a very nice view of the surrounding mountains. We stopped for a few minutes to enjoy the scenery, and the accomplishment of 3 of our group having conquered their first high peak, and set off to reach the summit of Nippletop before lunch. After hours of climbing we finally reached the top and were relieved to be able to stop for lunch. Of course nothing ever goes perfectly... No sooner had we reached the 4620' summit and looked across the valley when a rain storm moved in. Although it was all the way on the other side of the ravine, all you could see across from us was a giant grey wall of rain coming down like a curtain. We decided it was best to make it well below the summit before we got absolutely drenched by the storm. As luck would have it, after 15 minutes of sprinting down the steepest trail I've been on thus far (the backside of Nippletop), the storm blew over and never hit the mountain. We had cut our visit on the top short for nothing.
After carefully crawling our way halfway down the backside of he mountain we stopped and ate lunch of, again, peanut butter and bacon sandwiches. We then continued on our way to finish the loop and go back to camp. We decided, however, to add .7 miles to our trip to visit Fishhawk and Indianhead Cliffs, rumored to have some of the best views in all the Adirondack Mountains. Let me be the first to tell you, that description is 100% accurate. When we reached Fishhawk cliffs we walked onto a barerock outcropping again however this time instead of a typical mountain view we were looking over a cliff 2000 feet above a private lake surrounded by mountains on all sides with the far end opening up into another breathtaking lake. Having seen the view from the highest point in all of New York State, and spending 3 weeks in Australia seeing nearly everything their eastern coastline has to offer, I can honestly say that the view from Fishhawk Cliffs is one of the greatest views I have ever witnessed. To even attempt to describe it further would be an injustice and i strongly urge anyone who ever visits the Adirondacks to make time to see this.
From Fishhawk we made our way to Indianhead cliffs which is essentially the same view only from .5 miles further from the end of the lake. After that we made the long hike back to van and sprinted to last 150 yards to the car to touch it, and end the hike, at exactly 7:00 p.m. On our way back to the Loj we stopped by a little diner to have Brownie Sundaes, graciously funded by a donation from the altruistic, Ted Applin. I would again like to thank him for his generosity in helping support our swim teams unique experience. We arrived at camp and were treated to a hot meal by Coach, which was devoured by 4 starving teenage boys.
On our way back we again stopped at Rich Lake to attempt to continue the tradition of swimming out to the large rock in the center. Unfortunately the lake was at high tide and the water was way to choppy to risk the 1200 yard swim. So we made our way back to Wayland, again eating nearly 50 dollars combined at McDonalds on the way.
I would again like to thank Coach Rob Hughes for organizing this entire trip and giving not only me, but some of my closest friends the opportunity to experience some of the greatest natural wonders in our State. Coach Hughes always goes above and beyond what one can or should expect from a regular coach to ensure that our team is reaching our highest potential, in and out of the water.
As we climb some of the highest points in New York State, I feel it appropriate to describe Coach Hughes as a man who's selfless efforts both as a coach and a role model, and dedication to not just the program, but to us, the athletes, personifies our State Motto. Thank You for everything you do for us.
Excelsior-"Ever Upward"
Fishhawk Cliffs, Adirondacks. ^^ Sully Landino 2010
