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Friday, February 20, 2009

Mt. Marcy: The Ultimate Adventure

Wow, I still to this day have a vivid memory of the time I climbed the tallest mountain in the state of New York. Now I've ran cross country for years, lifted weights, and climbed mountains before but they don't even begin to compare to the grueling 15 mile climb of Mt. Marcy. My cousin Chris, Logan, and myself got ourselves up at 6am to get in the car and drive to the base of the trail. We arrived around 8am and snapped a few pictures of the scenery before heading up. 

Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
The view from Lake Placid, NY


Mt. Marcy is located just outside of Lake Placid, NY, where the Winter Olympics were held a little while ago. After applying some suntan lotion, loading up with a gallon and a half of water, 2lbs of protein bars, my trusty Nikon D50, and several lenses, we were ready to climb.

Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
Ready To Climb


The first few miles of the trail weren't bad, mostly flat with fairly smooth terrain. We were making good time.

Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
The trail wasn't bad at first


Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
One of the many great views from the trail


The trail didn't stay friendly for very long though. We were now at the base of Mt. Marcy. The trail turned into a obstacle course of huge boulders and broken bridges.

Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
Watch your step, its a long way to a hospital


Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
One of the many creeks that line the trail


We continued our climb, noticing the change in climate. It was about 70°F at the base, now it was closer to 50°. The plants started to change, the trees started to die off from the lack of oxygen. I understood what the trees were going though. After 4 hours of climbing I was starting to feel like death too.

Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
A mountain lily, these only grow above 5000ft


I was covered in sweat, but thankfully we started to drink up some of our water, which made our packs much lighter. Carrying 15lbs of food and water around doesn't sound like a lot, but you can feel every pound after scaling a mountain for 5 hours.

Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
We must be going in the right direction


But suddenly we found ourselves going downhill a bit. I could see the peak of Marcy in the background looming. Where were we going? Sometimes you have to go down to get back up.

Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
The Peak of Marcy


After 6 straight hours of climbing we finally started to break above the treeline. It was a toasty 40°F up there, but it felt amazing. It really hit me how high up we were.

Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
Breaking above the treeline


Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
Some of the beautiful arctic plant life


We were only about another 1000 feet from the top of the peak. Thats when the trail turned totally vertical. As if the last 7+ miles of rock climbing wasn't enough, we were on all fours scaling the shear cliff.

Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
Logan Traversing the Summit


We had finally made it!

Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
Logan was happy to see the top


I know this sounds cliche, but the view really was worth it. With nothing taller in the entire state you could see for miles.

Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
The Peak


Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
Lake Placid


Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
Ansel Adams would love this view


We stopped for about half an hour at the top, downed some protein bars, water, and took a well needed rest. It was one of the most surreal locations I've ever been in.

Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
A photographer's heaven


Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
Woohooo!


Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
One of the many rock piles at the top


Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
The "Cloud Splitter"


Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
I love this in black and white


Soon, it was time for us to climb back down. Another 7+ miles was ahead of us.

Mount Marcy photo by Josh Jones
On the way back down


The climb down was even more brutal than the climb up. Not only were we exhausted, but it started to rain a bit and this made the rocks slippery. After a few close calls, we took the trail very carefully. The sun began to set. I remember literally having to crawl for a bit toward the end. I have never been so physically exhausted in my life. A 15 mile hike is one thing, but rock climbing for 15 is another thing. I'm glad that I was able to do this though, and that none of us were seriously injured. It was truly one of the greatest adventures of my life.

15 comments:

  1. what an adventure - photos were absolutely stunning - loved the black and white ones.

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  2. I can see how that must have been a grueling climb, but the pictures are phenomenal.

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  3. Wow, that sounds grueling, but it looks like it was totally worth it - completely gorgeous images!!

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  4. Hahaha wow that brings back so many memories...or nightmares maybe LOL

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  5. Josh, I'm just absolutely speechless. I have no words, if you saw me right my mouth is on the floor! LOL What a beautiful blog you have. I can't thank you enough for visiting my little corner here in blog land. Now I can come visit you. I'm so glad you guys made it to the top! I hope you are keeping a journal on your adventures! It would be on the Best Sellers List! Your pictures and descriptions are just so fantastic! Thank you Thank you!
    Have a fabulous weekend and can't wait to see you again and what you are up to!
    Cheers!

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  6. Looks like a great spot to go to. Nice images!

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  7. That was an amazing photo journal. Congratulations on you big climb. No doubt life changing.

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  8. Great Series!!! You did an amazing job.

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  9. Absolutely stunning photos Josh! Looks like you had a wonder, yet tiring day, but it looks like it was totally worth it!!

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  10. Josh, thanks for sharing your Mt. Marcy portfolio. The Adirondacks - you gotta love them.

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  11. These are great imnages.

    I really love places like this.

    It reminds me of North Fork Mountains or Dolly Sods West Virginia.

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  12. Scaling a mountain for 5 hours? i was unaware you had to scale anything on this hike. maybe it got steeper since i went.

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  14. Your photography is beautiful. inspiring blog too. Thanks!!

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