Algonquin: After a Storm

This winter season has been, at times, difficult. Especially for a skiers who earn their turns in the backcountry, relying on Mother Nature to make it possible. After a March Nor’easter pummeled New York with 2 feet of snow in some places, it seemed like a fitting time to head back into the High Peaks wilderness in search of soft snow.

Algonquin intersection

My friend Jack and brother Bailey and I decided upon a couple classic lines within the MacIntyre Range: Algonquin’s northeast bowl and the historic Wright Peak Ski Trail.

Our skin began at 7am at the Adirondack Loj, a popular summer trailhead which grants access to over a dozen High Peaks. It was 15 degrees and cloudy with light snowfall.

Continue reading

Whiteface: Earning Opening Day

Thanksgiving is time to be appreciate, and gather with family to celebrate the approaching new year. For me, it’s also the start to one of the best times of the year: ski season. Shoppers are searching for the deals on Black Friday, skiers head to mountains with snow. Whiteface, Jay Peak, and Smuggler’s Notch to name a few.

tour start

Conditions are generally less than ideal in November, with most ski areas opening a handful of groomed trails for skiers of all abilities. This combination can feel chaotic to a reclusive skier, who’d rather seek solitude somewhere in the backcountry.

Continue reading

Moose Mountain: Search for Solitude

In the Adirondacks, fall is a special time. The bugs have disappeared, it’s comfortable outside, and the trees in the valleys turn a brilliant mix of yellows, oranges, and reds. It’s a great time to hike and sightsee, and crowds make their way to Lake Placid and the surrounding areas to witness the most beautiful time in the Park. Nearby hikes and High Peak summits become congested, which, for a reclusive slide climber is less than enjoyable.

The ideal plan for the weekend was to climb a low elevation mountain that also had a slide. This way, we could avoid crowds as well as have exceptional views during peak foliage.

Continue reading