ADK Haystack

[Griff]

Pete, Little Pete, and I did a three day in the ADK. Pete and I were on a mission because of two blown attempts at Haystack due to ice and injury. This time we went in by Upper Works entrance through an old 1840's -60's era iron works. We passed Calamity Pond where there is a monument to David Henderson who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound while scouting for another water source for the iron works. We were accompanied by a little bird named Dave for the next three days. This is a nice entrance as its pretty easy allowing your legs to loosen up from the car ride. The vegetation varies a lot over a little tramp. We camped at Feldspar Lean-to about 8 miles in, where we would leave our heavy packs.

Saturday morning we went passed Lake Tear of the Clouds the highest source of the Hudson River. From there we went over the shoulder of Skylight Mtn and down into Panther Gorge giving up a shit-ton of elevation. We climbed Haystack from that side scrambling up some serious rock faces. We met two old misogynist 46ers 3/4 of the way up who tried to throw shade on the idea of a loop over Marcy. It would turnout that they were full of shit since the Marcy climb was easier than a return descent into Panther Gorge would have been. The full loop back to our tents was 8.7 miles.

Sunday morning we reversed our Friday trip and descended on Schroon Lake for massive bacon cheese burgers.

Haystack from any direction other than Marcy is kind of a mean bitch but Marcy is a gentle giant welcoming all willing to do the miles.