Step into the world of the Adirondack High Peaks through my eyes. Join me for an unforgettable mountain adventure, where every step is a new story waiting to be told.
After our last trip, I changed my workout routine. I began hitting the gym at 5 AM. Initially, I hesitated to wake up so early because our days are pretty exhausting, but it turns out, it's now my favorite time. It's peaceful, not crowded, and a fantastic way to start the day.
I initiated a routine of running five days every week, complemented by bi-weekly strength training, all while continuing with my regular yoga, climbing, and paddling activities. I like mixing things up for variety and to keep it interesting. We also got a stair stepper at our gym, which excited me because it's perfect for mountain elevation conditioning. In my pursuit of challenging dreams and seeking adventure, I also signed up for my first full marathon while training for high peaks.
It was my second overnight trip hiking the High Peaks, but the first time in the summer. We checked into AMR (Adirondack Mountain Reserve) and began our journey. The humidity made us sweat instantly, and the steep climbs with 35+ lb. packs were intense. It felt like a long trek to Dial, and it quickly started raining.
We hurried into our rain gear and covered our bags with garbage bags to keep them dry. Note to self: add waterproof bag covers to our hiking checklist. We moved on to Nippletop. It was a relief to drop our packs at the base and hike 0.2 miles to the summit. Without the weight on our backs, we felt like we were flying. We had the summit all to ourselves, took some photos, and headed out. The journey was tough and never-ending. When we reached camp, we set everything up, heated up some food, gazed at the stars, and it felt wonderful to crawl into our sleeping bags for some well-deserved rest before another action-packed day.
We conquered another 2 peaks with just under 8 miles into our journey and over 3,800 feet of elevation gain. The scenery on Dial and Nippletop is nothing short of breathtaking. As you hike Dial, you're surrounded by the Adirondack forest, catching glimpses of valleys below. Nippletop, with its rugged terrain, stands in striking contrast to Dial. Upon reaching Nippletop's 4,620-foot summit, you're greeted with sweeping views of the surrounding peaks and the rolling landscape, where the natural beauty of the High Peaks region truly comes to life. It's a place where you feel like you're standing among the giants of the Adirondack High Peaks.
Day one complete! Next up on day 2: Colvin and Blake. I felt more invigorated than ever, reinforcing my sense of belonging on this rugged adventure. This trip was a real test to see if all that hard work at the gym paid off, and it did.
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