Adirondacks anniversary

Just like last year, we went to the Adirondacks for our anniversary, but this time it was a double celebration, because we went with our good friends, one of whom was celebrating a birthday!

I wasn't sure if I'd be able to hike, because my plantar fasciitis flared up earlier in the week (for the first time in over a year - argh!), and as I limped around the office, barely able to walk, the idea of doing a vigorous 8-hour hike seemed unlikely. The idea of getting to the top of the mountain and being unable to hike back down seemed more likely... Very, very thankfully, it cleared up enough, and just in time!

We had our big hike planned for Saturday, and got up very early to get a jump on it, but it was raining quite a bit, so we ambled around town, ducking into shops to avoid the rain, and feasting. Upon the recommendation of a local, we did a quick hike up Cobble Hill later that afternoon, which gave us some nice views of Lake Placid and the surrounding mountains. It was a fun, little hike with a nice bit of exposed rock "scramble" where some of us perfected our crab walk.

Saw a shooting star Saturday night after a nice dinner of duck steak. 

Adorable croquet course on the lawns of the Lake Placid Lodge. We rented
a condo nearby, where the accomodations are not $1,100 per night...

Dusk on Lake Placid, with rain falling on Whiteface.

It's a good thing we didn't try to push through the rain to hike Big Slide on Saturday, because Sunday's weather was crystal clear (though also exceptionally chilly). It was below zero when we woke up! Glad I brought my long johns this year...

The route we took went over the "Three Brothers" which gave us some stellar views very early on in the hike. There were some "very steep," and some "quite steep" sections (it's hard to determine what the hiking book means, when reading such qualitative terms... quite or very, which is worse?! what does it mean?!) but all in all, Big Slide is an amazing hike with a good mix of steep sections, open rock, levels paths through forests, and a descent which is not nearly as knee-jarring and thigh-quivering as we've experienced. 

The inspirational "no more sadness" birch bark drawing.

The Slide, and The Sandwich.

At the top we met a hiker who was celebrating his 46th peak! How amazing to be there just as he'd finished such an amazing accomplishment! Very inspiring for us aspiring 46'rs... We got to chatting, and he gave us some good intel on some of the peaks we have yet to do. I was also curious how many he's been averaging per year, and it turns out he did thirty-two this year alone... Oh man, to be a local and be able to hike there so much!

It was a wonderful weekend!