mavs00
New member
For our moderator 
Finishing a list is always a great personal moment for the individuals involved, but when the list is one of the most grueling and difficult challenges that you can pursue here in the NE, it’s all the sweeter. I had the distinct pleasure of being witness to 3 of my good hiking friends finish just such a list this past Saturday, July 1. Spencer (Peak_bgr), Alan (Peakbagr) and Brian (bushwacker) completed the momentous Adirondack 100 highest on Sawtooth #5, and what a day it was.
As some of you might know, this list is an amazing challenge that is not only a great physical test, but it presents a mental element that will likely crush the will of all but the most dedicated spirits. It’ll take you from the wide open summit mecca’s like Marcy and Algonquin all the way to remote little peaks that are so remote you feel as they’ve NEVER been visited by anyone but you. At times there is overwhelming joy and at others you’ll question your sanity and swear you’ll never set foot off trail again. Outside the traditional 46 high peaks, the lower 54 offers some easy gems (13 even have trails), and a few pretty firetowers. Other than those “softballs” you’re looking at 41 pure bushwhacks, some punishingly so. Trust me, this list is big. I doubt more than 30 have ever finished.
After many false starts and cancelled dates, we finally made it to the Corey’s trailhead at just after seven. We were a big group, far too big for a bushwhack, but as I said this was no ordinary day. I’d go through the line up, but really it doesn’t matter, all that mattered today was those three finishers. The walk in the blueberry trail was wet (Pete, we all agreed, this needs work) and we had some early sprinkles that put no damper on the chit chat and overall festive mood. By the time we hit the final 2 lean-tos 6.5 miles in, the clouds had broken and the breeze was pushing out the rest of the storm system.
We entered the woods shortly after that and we picked a very decent line that was fairly direct. The woods were pretty good and we moved pretty easily through them. The whacking over on this end was eons better then over by #4. Some thickish spots but for the most part, we moved about as well as you can expect given our size. There were some steep sections too, but overall it was open enough that it really did not seem to matter. We made the 1.2 miles in just about over 2 hours. As we topped the summit ridge and passed over the first (lower) summit knob, headed towards the true summit, we heard the unmistakable sounds of a flute wafting through the air. Neil and Doug had made good on a promise to “be there”.
Those boys were positively giddy this the whole trip, but the last few minutes was overwhelming. I’ll let them chime in with the details, but for one brief moment, Sawtooth #5 transformed from a desolate little outpost that few people care about and even fewer visit, to a proud & noble delegate standing ready to accept the newest members of this special and unique group of climbers. For once, Sawteeth #5 mattered to people, and for that, I think she didn’t even mind our feet across her space. She even briefly winked and from her heavily tree’d summit ridge allowed us a rare views down into Duck Hole and over towards the Sewards.
We took pictures and celebrated with the boys (and newly acquired Neil and Doug), before heading out 45 minutes later. We had hoped to head off a southern ridge and swing back west towards the same area we came in. We were all so giddy and happy following the open terrain, that we didn’t even notice ole #5 put a “wrinkle” into the plan and throwing a just enough of a twist in the terrain to push us too far south. We discovered it early enough, but ultimately just decided (since the going was so open) to just follow it, bending as much right as we could and heading downslope. We knew we’d eventually hit the trail further down and have to make up for the difference on trail, but the going was in general very pleasant so no biggie. Once off the peak itself we bent to the SW and came across a delightfully open meadow that had great views back up to #5.
We hit the trail about .9 miles further down then we left it, making for a longer “slog” out. At better than 7.4 miles going out, it certainly felt “death march-ish” toward the end. All-and-all it was a 17 mile day and certainly one that I’ll remember for awhile. A beer/soda toast awaited all at the finish line. Several more gathered at Spence’s later to really celebrate properly. On a personal note, Hiking and seeing all my friends again (hiking and the after party) was just great. you guys mean an awful lot to me and my family. Thanks.
I’m sure (hoping anyway) that the guys will chime in themselves. After all, only they can capture the sheer exhilaration they felt and how personally rewarding their journey was to them. For myself, and my son, I can certainly extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all three of them for allowing us to share your journey over the last few years. Thanks and congratulations… I owe you guys much.
Finishing a list is always a great personal moment for the individuals involved, but when the list is one of the most grueling and difficult challenges that you can pursue here in the NE, it’s all the sweeter. I had the distinct pleasure of being witness to 3 of my good hiking friends finish just such a list this past Saturday, July 1. Spencer (Peak_bgr), Alan (Peakbagr) and Brian (bushwacker) completed the momentous Adirondack 100 highest on Sawtooth #5, and what a day it was.
As some of you might know, this list is an amazing challenge that is not only a great physical test, but it presents a mental element that will likely crush the will of all but the most dedicated spirits. It’ll take you from the wide open summit mecca’s like Marcy and Algonquin all the way to remote little peaks that are so remote you feel as they’ve NEVER been visited by anyone but you. At times there is overwhelming joy and at others you’ll question your sanity and swear you’ll never set foot off trail again. Outside the traditional 46 high peaks, the lower 54 offers some easy gems (13 even have trails), and a few pretty firetowers. Other than those “softballs” you’re looking at 41 pure bushwhacks, some punishingly so. Trust me, this list is big. I doubt more than 30 have ever finished.
After many false starts and cancelled dates, we finally made it to the Corey’s trailhead at just after seven. We were a big group, far too big for a bushwhack, but as I said this was no ordinary day. I’d go through the line up, but really it doesn’t matter, all that mattered today was those three finishers. The walk in the blueberry trail was wet (Pete, we all agreed, this needs work) and we had some early sprinkles that put no damper on the chit chat and overall festive mood. By the time we hit the final 2 lean-tos 6.5 miles in, the clouds had broken and the breeze was pushing out the rest of the storm system.
We entered the woods shortly after that and we picked a very decent line that was fairly direct. The woods were pretty good and we moved pretty easily through them. The whacking over on this end was eons better then over by #4. Some thickish spots but for the most part, we moved about as well as you can expect given our size. There were some steep sections too, but overall it was open enough that it really did not seem to matter. We made the 1.2 miles in just about over 2 hours. As we topped the summit ridge and passed over the first (lower) summit knob, headed towards the true summit, we heard the unmistakable sounds of a flute wafting through the air. Neil and Doug had made good on a promise to “be there”.
Those boys were positively giddy this the whole trip, but the last few minutes was overwhelming. I’ll let them chime in with the details, but for one brief moment, Sawtooth #5 transformed from a desolate little outpost that few people care about and even fewer visit, to a proud & noble delegate standing ready to accept the newest members of this special and unique group of climbers. For once, Sawteeth #5 mattered to people, and for that, I think she didn’t even mind our feet across her space. She even briefly winked and from her heavily tree’d summit ridge allowed us a rare views down into Duck Hole and over towards the Sewards.
We took pictures and celebrated with the boys (and newly acquired Neil and Doug), before heading out 45 minutes later. We had hoped to head off a southern ridge and swing back west towards the same area we came in. We were all so giddy and happy following the open terrain, that we didn’t even notice ole #5 put a “wrinkle” into the plan and throwing a just enough of a twist in the terrain to push us too far south. We discovered it early enough, but ultimately just decided (since the going was so open) to just follow it, bending as much right as we could and heading downslope. We knew we’d eventually hit the trail further down and have to make up for the difference on trail, but the going was in general very pleasant so no biggie. Once off the peak itself we bent to the SW and came across a delightfully open meadow that had great views back up to #5.
We hit the trail about .9 miles further down then we left it, making for a longer “slog” out. At better than 7.4 miles going out, it certainly felt “death march-ish” toward the end. All-and-all it was a 17 mile day and certainly one that I’ll remember for awhile. A beer/soda toast awaited all at the finish line. Several more gathered at Spence’s later to really celebrate properly. On a personal note, Hiking and seeing all my friends again (hiking and the after party) was just great. you guys mean an awful lot to me and my family. Thanks.
I’m sure (hoping anyway) that the guys will chime in themselves. After all, only they can capture the sheer exhilaration they felt and how personally rewarding their journey was to them. For myself, and my son, I can certainly extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all three of them for allowing us to share your journey over the last few years. Thanks and congratulations… I owe you guys much.
