Jdubs

Awesome travels and pics! Thank you for sharing! Hiking out West looks so much different compared to the ADK's. Both equally breathtaking in their own regards.

Sounds like you have an epic trip in store. Safe travels!

You can rejuvinate in the pool with a cold beverage.

Thanks TF! I actually planned to do this summit back in April while coming down from Algonquin and Iroquois, but I was pretty gassed and didn't want to "bag" it just for the sake of checking one more off the list. I considered saving this peak for #46, but ultimately decided that something more epic (like Haystack) will be more fitting. I couldn't be more satisfied with the way this hike turned out.

There is just something about hiking all night to watch a sunrise that calls me to the mountains. With a steamer of a weather forecast, I decided Saturday morning would be the perfect time for the short 7 mile RT hike to Wright. Leaving the house by 10 pm on Friday, I met my hiking partner at the trailhead by 12:30 am. The trail was so different from just 2 months ago when I hiked Algonquin and Iroquois in the snow! Rock hop after rock hop over 2 steepening miles until we finally made the last .4 mile summit path. It wasn't until stepping on the summit at 3:30 am that the wind really kicked up, making for a very chilly, but thoroughly enjoyable 2 hour summit stay. Wright is #37 on my way to finishing all 46 on Haystack next month. As much as I played with the camera settings, none of these photos will do the summit experience justice. You've got to be up there to fully appreciate the dawn of a new day.

Saw this too the other day, but picked up something else. I'll have to give it a try next time.

I was actually pretty chilly this morning hiking to Wright's windy summit by 3:30 am. Had to thown on a fleece and even that didn't help. Where is this so-called heat wave?

Bring it!

Something different. More hops than I was looking for. It's OK.

Just counted 7 cases of it at my local happy store.

Run 'em both hard and put away wet.

Some for the venison brats, some for me.

All good.

Congrats Fletch!

Good doggie! That's one lucky hiker.

Again, if you're making this out to be something it isn't, that's on you. You won't find any comments from me anywhere on this forum spreading messages of hate of any kind.

Good grief, I could care less if she's gay. I saw this story in the NY Post and got a chuckle out of seeing the name "BIZ". End of story. If you're offended making this into something it's not, that's your problem. Trust me, you haven't cornered the market on gay friends.

So Biz is really a woman now engaged to Chuckie Shumer's daughter? Um, congrats?!

Silly question, but how is that Fractal?

The large national brands charge the most. This is part of how they fund all of those catchy marketing ads. Your best bet is to work with an independent P&C agent who can shop around to any of the carriers for you.

EMS has been my go-to retailer simply because that's what we have in the Albany/Saratoga area. Too bad there isn't a REI nearby to check out. I actually picked up the same boots from EMS for hiking the ADK High Peaks. Pros: Good looking, durable, great ankle support, waterproof (bomber with Nikwax) and great traction on rock scrambles. In fact, these "Pros" are all rock solid features proven on the trails to me. Cons: narrow toe box, cheap laces and a bit hot for warmer weather. I really want to love these boots, but after the last 14 miler, they may be relegated to casual wear in fall/winter. The toe area when it flexes (this happens constantly on rough trails) creates a crease than rubs hard on my pinky toe knuckles. This gave me some nasty blisters last time out. The hikes before that were OK, no blisters, but I was up in the air about comfort "for me". Maybe I needed to go a full size up (I went up a 1/2) and get the wide version for best fit? Or, they simply don't work for me and I need something else. Shoes/boots are always a personal fit thing anyway and mine get used hard.

Went with the scalloped potatos as one of the sides. Everything is great. Obviously expensive, but the quality is legit. Seriously, I'll be wearing sweatpants for the next couple days.

This 2013 Frank Family Reserve cabernet was outstanding. Let it decant for 30 minutes then enjoy. We started with the non-reserve 2013 which is a bit smoother feel, but everyone agreed the Reserve was the best. Put these on your buy list.

Another ridiculously phenomenal steak dinner at Morton's in Saratoga. This bacon appetizer melts in your mouth like butter!