Adirondaks / Cascade (4,098') and Porter (4,059') / Intermediate

Organizer - Michael Blair @ (978) 808-1932 This event is part of the ADK 46 Peaks in 14 Days UPDATE 07/04: Monica and I are camping in the back yard of the Keene Valley Hostel for the entire week. It costs $15 per person and allows access to the kitchen, bathroom, and showers of the hostel. There is also free wifi access. You can camp too if you would like or you can reserve a bunk in the hostel for $30 a night. http://www.keenevalleyhostel.com These are aggressive trips - the goal is to summit safely. To do that, everyone in the group needs to be at a similar fitness and experience level to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip for all that participate. They are not for beginners and I'm going to give preference to those that I've hiked with before. I've already climbed all of the 4,000 foot peaks in VT, NH, and ME - my current project is to climb each of the 4,000 foot peaks in the Northeast during 2009. All together there are 115 "official" 4,000 footers - 48 in NY (46 in the Adirondacks and 2 in the Catskills), 48 in NH, 14 in ME, and 5 in VT. While this is a personal mission I would love to have some company out on the trail. We will climb 21 of the 46 peaks in the Adirondacks on this trip. There will be one-day hikes along with multiple-day backpacks - here's the plan: Saturday 07/18 Big Slide (4,240') / Intermediate / 8 miles on maintained trails Sunday 07/19 AM Street (4,016') and Nye (3,895') / Intermediate / 8 miles on maintained trails and bushwhacking along unmaintained trails Sunday 07/19 PM Cascade (4,098') and Porter (4,059') / Intermediate / 8 miles on maintained trails Monday 07/20 Emmons (4,039'), Donaldson (4,108'), Seward (4,361'), and Seymour (4,091') Advanced on maintained trails and bushwhacking along unmaintained trails Tuesday 07/21 Allen (4,347') / Advanced on maintained trails and bushwhacking along unmaintained trails Wednesday 07/22 Santanoni (4,606'), Couchsachraga (3,793'), and Panther (4,442) / Advanced on maintained trails and bushwhacking along unmaintained trails Thursday 07/23 Dix (4,857'), Hough (4,409'), South Dix (4,060'), East Dix (4,006'), and Macomb (4,405') / Advanced on maintained trails and bushwhacking along unmaintained trails Friday 07/24 Giant (4,627') and Rocky Peak (4420') 11 miles on maintained trails Saturday 07/25 Esther (4,240') and Whiteface (4,867') / Intermediate / 8 miles on maintained trails You can sign up for one, several, or all of these trips. We start as a group, stay as a group, and finish as a group. If you are faster than the group and don't want to stay with us or want to head off on your own, this isn't the trip for you. Likewise, this trip isn't for you if you are slower than the group and expect us to constantly wait for you or want us to go on without you. The goal of this hike is to summit safely, and to do that, everyone in the group needs to be at a similar fitness and experience level. If you have ANY questions about your ability to participate in and complete this entire event please contact me. Mountain weather is subject to rapid changes and extreme conditions. We will assess travel and weather conditions and make changes to our planned trip as necessary - "Reaching the summit is optional, getting down in mandatory" (Ed Viesturs). Details regarding carpools, trailhead directions, and meal planning will be shared with those participating in this event. Below is a list describing the minimum clothing and equipment required to participate in this event. Sturdy hiking boots. Synthetic shirt and pants, including at least one insulating layer. Waterproof rain jacket (with hood) and pants. High-energy snacks and food for lunch. At least three liters of water. Map and compass. Plastic whistle. Headlamp with two sets of spare batteries. Emergency space blanket (e.g. mylar). Small pocket knife or multi-purpose tool. Toilet kit (e.g. hand sanitizer, toilet paper and a zip-lock bag to pack out your used personal hygiene items). Sunscreen. Lip balm. Waterproof cover for your pack. You should know how to use all of your equipment - test and adjust it prior to this trip. There will be a group first aid kit that contains basic items but you will need to bring any personal medications or medical supplies that you may need during the trip. As a condition of your voluntary participation in this activity you acknowledge and agree to the following: this activity involves inherent risks that can cause property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death to participants and/or others; you assume all risk associated with this activity; you are responsible for having the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, clothing, and equipment to safely participate in this activity; you know and will follow the Hiker Responsibility Code described at www.hikesafe.com; the leaders of this activity are volunteers; and you release, hold harmless, and indemnify the leaders and all members of this group from any and all claims for property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death - including those caused by negligence and/or other reasons.