Last Autumn I had taken a trip to the Adirondacks for a long four day weekend. We climbed Ampersand Mountain. Though not considered one of the '46 High Peaks', as it comes in at
3352 ft., it's still a great climb, offering wonderful Vistas at the top. It's the tallest mountain near Saranac Lake.
Below is a picture I captured of my niece. Behind one of the trees you'll catch a glimpse of P., one of my friends, as we make our way up the mountain.
My niece is quite the ham, always ready to quickly pose for a pic. Behind her, P.
Below are a few
Cairns that people had built along the way. Because Ampersand is already a clearly marked trail, this really wasn't necessary, but appeared to be a place where many stopped along the way.
On the way up. My niece, my sister
Brunetta, and P. To the right of them was a Huge slab of Rock that we had to go around to continue on the trail.
The trail is pretty rocky. And the angle of the next three photos give an idea as to the angle of climb we had.
A large tree that had fallen on the trail. Sometimes it's easier to walk along the side.
Brunetta using the roots of the trees to hoist herself up. Sometimes the Rock gets pretty slippery, especially when wet, muddy, or has moss growing on it.
I like this photo. I like how the roots of that tree have literally grown around the rock. Kind of amazing it hadn't fallen over yet.
Not quite at the Peak. Coming across false Peaks are pretty common when climbing.
My niece and P. at the Peak! It's always very windy on top.
One of the Rewards for this hard work....The vista. This photo doesn't do it justice. Unfortunately the day was a bit hazy, as you can see from here. I'm looking forward to bringing my new
Canon Rebel Camera next year and plan on buying a tripod and decent Wide-angle lens before then.
Another view from the apex. It's breathtaking up here.
While at the top, we had come across a gentleman who had come up with his dog. He was kind enough to take a photo of the four of us, including his dog.
The next two pictures below is the other 'Reward' we get for our hard work....
These are
The U.S Coast & Geodetic Survey Markers that are on the top of all mountains. They are there to show the U.S. documented Height. It's kind of neat to walk around the the Peak of a Mountain you just
Bagged, to find this little treat.
"The Hermit of Ampersand"Walter Channing Rice was a man who watched over a fire tower on Ampersand Mountain from 1915 to 1923. He was known as The Hermit of Ampersand and below is a Bronzed Plaque in his honor that is Cemented to a part of the Rock on the Peak of this mountain. To reach it, one has to climb down a large boulder and make a quick jump across a crevice to an adjacent Boulder, both of which are at the top.
On the way down! Below, my niece....obviously the youngest of the four of us, is seen carrying BOTH my backpack *and* her mother's!! What a Trooper!!! :)
WhiteFace Mountain
The following day we took a trip to
Whiteface Mountain. No mountain climbing this time, one mountain is enough! Whiteface is
4867 ft. high and
5th in height to
The 46'rs. It's considered
'The Sacrificial Lamb" because though 5th in height, it was the 1st in Development. One can drive to almost the peak and then take an elevator to the top. There's a restaurant there. This is because it is *this* mountain that was used for both the 1930 and 1980 Winter Olympics.
Below is the marker for
'Little Whiteface' which is the smaller of the two peaks.
We took a Gondola Ride up Whiteface. The next two photos are pictures on the way up the Gondola.
Many of the other peaks of the 'Dacks can be seen in the distance.
I was standing on top of 'Little Whiteface' while taking a picture of Whiteface above. If you look to the left on the ground, you'll see four people there, giving you an idea of the Ratio. Keep in mind that we are already up 3678 ft. when taking this photo.
I'm already looking forward to next Autumn when we again will be staying in Lake Placid area for a week of Mountain climbing and relaxation.
© 2009 Greeneyezz
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