Often I wonder to myself why certain people are drawn to frozen water. Not just from the perspective of an ice skater, but to that of those who search out vertical waterfalls. And not only to view the sparkling blue beauty, but mainly the desire to smash, thrash, and climb up these hunks of ice sculpture. One of my buddies loves the cold. All summer long he moans because he can’t wear his “‘fuzzy” pants. He mumbles about winter’s lack of bugs and crowds. If one mentions snow or ice, his complexion stiffens and a strange faraway look enters his eyes. Oh yes, snow and ice …

The High Peaks receive an average annual snowfall of 120″. Much of this falls in single storm accumulations of 8-12″. In February and March, just after one of these storms, the high country is most accessible. Hiking trails leading to the highest peaks are snow-choked ski-ways. Dwarfed pine trees near timberline are often buried. During the dead of winter after a bad storm, the following ski tours are at their best. All three are intermediate in difficulty and could be done by anyone who has enjoyed alpine skiing.

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Chapel Pond pass is a rock climber's paradise. Some lovely slab climbing on one side, steep steep Spider's Web on the other. Click on the drawing to get a 1100 x 700 pop-up window. You must slowly chant "hesitation, partition, emperor slab ..." while you click.

A book review by Robert Hey, 1986.

The 132 mile long Northville-Placid Trail is a sleeper among the East’s extended hiking trails. The Appalachian Trail from the New Hampshire border to Mt Katahdin in Maine is far more rugged and alpine; the Long Trail in Vermont has a more romantic setting; the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia flirts with the sea and passes through terrain reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands. But the NP Trail, whether you’re hiking it all in two weeks or just a section over the weekend, casts a vibrant spell of its own in Autumn.

Written by Carl Heilman, March 1984

Well, there’s downhill skiing, cross country skiing, skijoring, and now ski-shoeing. Skis-shoeing isn’t exactly a combination of activities at once, but rather a combination of two activities done in the same day.

Cross Country skiing and snowshoeing; each sport has its own merits. Ah, to glide along on skis over a meandering course on a crisp winter day. Skiing is great, but I find I glide right past a lot of scenery I used to notice while on snowshoes. They are a great way to get somewhere fast. I find I am more confined to the valleys though, since that’s where the majority of the level, faster trails are. It’s possible to climb on skis, but I find them much more cumbersome than climbing with snowshoes. Coming down those steep mountain trails on skis can also be hazardous to one’s health, as well as that of the trees strategically placed on those right angle corners.

In winter, distances shrink when traveling on skis in the Adirondack High Peaks. Remote summits and hidden slides can be reached in a single day.

First there is the aerobic output of the approach ski over hiking trails. It is possible to reach any of the four shoulders of Marcy by skiing in over miles of gradually rising terrain. The trails are usually just wide enough to herringbone up over hummocks, yet rounded and sunk for the fast gliding on return runs. Bright, snow-capped summit cones skim over the treetops as you ski.

An honest intermediate ski of ten miles is best in new snow on top of a three foot base. Since the two endpoints are The Garden in Keene Valley and South Meadows Road, (turn left at the trail sign about one mile before Adirondack Loj), two cars are recommended. if shuttling is not desired, have two groups start at each terminus and pass each other in the middle, swapping return vehicles.