ADIRONDACK WINTER HP SERIES: Giant Mountain and RPR

ADIRONDACK HP SERIES: Giant Mountain and RPR PLEASE -- TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND REVIEW ALL THE TRIP DETAILS BELOW, AND ALSO READ OUR GUIDELINES! EVENT ORGANIZER: Julie Moran Contact me here: jmmoran @ nycap.rr.com, Mobile 281-5882. Please feel free to email me with your thoughts about this trip. WORK TOWARD YOUR WINTER ADK 46 LIST WITH US! UPDATES (05/07/2009 8:00 PM): Once again we're going for this wonderful ridgeline walk across RPR, after the challenging Giant Mountain ascent and the tricky descent in the Giant RPR col route. We'll try to get enough folks to go so we can once again spot a car at the New Russia trailhead; or, we'll walk over to RPR and walk back to Route 73. We have a meetup planned for the Stockade in Schenectady at 5:30 a.m. and will be arriving at the Clifton Park Park and Ride (Fire Road) at 6:00 a.m.; we'll also may stop at Glens Falls / Exit 18, at Lox of Bagels at at 6:30 a.m. At this point I'm proposing this as a weekend trip (MLK Birthday) in combination with the Dix-Hough trip. Hiking in darkness may be part of this day trip -- reliable head-lighting is essential. I have added a trip planner with three route options -- see the link at the bottom of this page -- please view / print these pages and take them with you. http://www.explorewithjulie.com/Julie_Giant_Mountain_1_Cropped_19_Percent.jpg Me on one of my winter trips to Giant Mountain. This will be my eighth ascent of this Adirondack favorite! ESSENTIAL TRIP DETAILS: When / Where: See above. Difficulty (Two Options): 11.2-11.9 miles, about 4,017 - 4,367 feet of climbing. Click here for Google map directions from the meetup location to the Zander Scott trailhead location on Route 73, near Keene Valley, NY. Longest Estimated Drive Time From Meetup to Zander Scott trailhead (including New Russia car spot): 1 hour, 47 minutes; est. distance: 106.3 miles ONE WAY (from Roaring Brook trailhead, add 1.5 miles, two minutes).. Estimated Travel Cost for Non-Driver / Carpoolers: $30 divided by the number of riders. Estimated Return Time (w/ no stops): About 6:00 p.m. WEATHER AND OTHER SUDDEN EVENTS CAN CAUSE SUDDEN CHANGES TO OR CANCELLATION OF THIS EVENT. YOU MUST CHECK BACK TO THE MEETUP.COM SITE OFTEN FOR UPDATES TO ANY HIKING MATES CHALLENGE EVENT. YOU MUST READ OUR GROUP GUIDELINES BEFORE ATTENDING ANY HIKING MATES CHALLENGE EVENT. A long view of Giant Mountain and Rocky Peak Ridge ... http://hikingmates.net/Giant_Rocky_Peak_Ridge.jpg Rocky Peak Ridge at sunset. http://hikingmates.net/Rocky_Peak_Ridge_At_Sunset.jpg ESSENTIALS TO BRING: Flash light AND head lamp, food / snacks / at least three bottles of water, first aid items. Wear multiple layers of synthetic materials for warmth; consider bringing charcoal warmers for fingers and toes. NOTE: Poles and friction devices for boots, such as micro-spikes, "Yak-Traks" and / or crampons, are ESSENTIAL as added gear should wet rock surfaces freeze. Snow shoes may be required -- stay tuned for weather updates. CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT SNOW DEPTH INFORMATION FOR NEW YORK STATE. Be sure to have a method for backpack attachment for these items; be sure to try out your gear before you start out for your first winter trip! LINKS TO YOUR RESEARCH ESSENTIALS: http://www.adirondackjourney.com/Giant_RPR.htm http://alavigne.net/Outdoors/FeatureReports/Adirondacks/index.jsp?navpage=peakdetail&peakname=giant http://alavigne.net/Outdoors/FeatureReports/Adirondacks/index.jsp?navpage=peakdetail&peakname=rocky http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150557/giant-mountain.html http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150701/rocky-peak-ridge.html NOTE: You are responsible for bringing appropriate gear, supplies, clothing, first aid and lights. You should review topographic maps and trail features carefully; understanding topography of any challenge hike is key to your knowing where you are, where you're going and how to get back. LINKS TO TOPO MAPS: TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP SHOWING THE ROUTE FROM CHAPEL POND TO RPR LINK TO TRIP PLANNERS (view / print / take with you -- click on the "Rt73-ZST To New Russia Car Spot " tab link at the bottom) See you there! Julie.