Adventure on the Autobahn

If you spend time in the Adirondacks, then you know the weather can be unforgiving at times. On occasion, Mother Nature can be so cruel that she’ll alter the landscape. When strong storms blow into the high peaks and drop multiple inches of rain in a short period of time, strips of land can be washed away off the mountains, leaving a “scar” of exposed anorthosite. These rockslides are a fun friction climb in the summer and an even better ski in the winter if conditions cooperate.

Bradley Pond Trailhead sign

One of the more recent slides formed in the Adirondacks is known as the “Autobahn Slide” created after an intense rainfall in October of 2019.

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Saranac Ultra 6: The Longest Day in the ADK

There is a bell that tolls in a small park in downtown Saranac Lake to acknowledge a great effort. It rings six times, once for each of the town’s surrounding peaks after they all have been climbed: Little Haystack, McKenzie, Scarface, Ampersand, St. Regis and Baker. Only the hearty souls who have climbed each peak should ring the bell.

Barkeater Inn
Barkeater Inn

Legend says that anyone who pulls the rope of the bell without first summiting the six mountains will fall prey to the Kiwassa Curse. The 30+ mile challenge is known as the Saranac Lake 6er and it can be done over a lifetime. If completed in 24 hours it’s known as the Saranac Ultra 6.

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Bald Mountain in Old Forge NY

With the recent bout of dry weather, mud season is officially over in the Adirondacks. The weekend was looking prime and the cooler weather on Friday looked especially conducive for going on a hike. Unsure of our fitness level, Farah and I decided we would take it easy and do one of the shorter hikes around Old Forge.

exposed rock on Bald Mountain

Bald Mountain — officially Rondaxe and home of the Rondaxe Firetower — is one of the most popular hikes in the area. It’s fairly easy out and back with some more moderate sections that takes about an hour. From Utica, it’s a short drive on the Central Adirondack trail.

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