The Things Worth Believing In
Tested by Reality. Guided by Ethics.
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Category: Excursions
“The Way of the Pen and the Sword is forged as much on the trail as it is in the gym or the precinct. This section documents my journey to become a 46er—a pursuit of endurance, self-reliance, and the discipline required to meet the mountains on their own terms. These are the field notes of a practitioner seeking the standard in the wild.”
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Background For my first Adirondack trip with the express intent of peakbagging some of the 46 Peaks, I chose to visit the Dix Mountain Wilderness Area. Five of the 46 High Peaks can be found there, and all can be climbed in one day. If you are up to the challenge. Dix Mountain is the…
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In 2005, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) made the use of bear resistant food canisters mandatory in the Eastern High Peaks Zone of the Adirondack Wilderness. Between April 1 and November 30. All overnight campers in that particular area of the park (the most popular) have to use these cans or…
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If there’s one particular skill I can thank my time in the military for, it’s land navigation. The GPS system has made getting around easier than it ever has been before and cellphones that can run navigation apps seem to be in everyone’s pockets. However, while GPS is a great tool, the knowledge of how…
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The MSR Whisperlite Stove was introduced in 1984 and it’s still the best liquid fuel stove you can buy for group camping, backpacking, and winter mountaineering. I purchased mine back in the early 90’s and it’s still the only liquid fuel camp stove I own (plus a wood burning collapseable backup). The Whisperlite I own…
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My current packing plan for my Kelty Coyote 65L Pack: Bottom Pocket: Sleeping Bag Ground Pad Pillow Thermals (top/bottom) in WP Bag Small backpack Camp Shoes Center: Water Bladder Bear Can Mess Kit Mess Cup Fuel Stove Top Pocket: Rain Gear Emergency Bivvy Rain Cover Whistle Bug Net Outside Front Pocket: Flex Patches Spork and Knife…
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I just purchased a Kelty Coyote 65 and one of the strap buckles was broken. Their warranty department shipped a replacement out to me the next day. Excellent customer service.
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As I go along, I anticipate blogging about my new gear purchases, my packing lists and my pieces of “old friend” gear I still have. Believe it or not, I’ve always humped my old Army ALICE Large as my one and only backpack. Only recently (as in last week) did I cave in and buy…
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Mt. Marcy is the highest peak in the Adirondacks (and the State of New York) at 5,344 feet in elevation. I went up there the first time in 1991 and once again in on September 18, 2016. It can be an entirely different season on the top vs the bottom.
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Towards the end of August I intend to camp around Marcy Dam and visit Wright Peak and Phelps Mountain. Ideally a hiker could hit Wright, Algonquin and Iroquois all in one trip, but I will be going with my nephew and my buddy and his young son, so I didn’t want to plan too “big…
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I’ve been camping, hiking and climbing in the Adirondacks since I was a skinny kid in the early 90’s. While I’ve tramped all around the High Peaks area, I’ve actually only summited Mt. Marcy (twice). Most of my adventures involved rock climbing and the camping and hiking associated with getting to and from the rock…
