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| Giant Mountain summit |
Giant Mountain was my first and remains my favorite of the Adirondack high peaks. Easily accessible from Vermont, over the years I've had a chance to visit this place in every month. It's a steady climb the whole way from Chapel Pond with abundant views and a summit that looks out over the expanse of the high peaks.
After a mid-winter snowfall I grabbed my snowshoes, readied my winter pack and headed out for a few hours of fun on a bluebird day. When big, physical endurance goals are on the horizon it’s tough not to look at every outing and activity as a means to train and condition, and even though snowshoeing is good strength training, I viewed the day as a respite in the mountains. For as dedicated as I may be to the goals, I still want to enjoy the journey.
It's been a popular sport to characterize this winter as a 'never-was' with the below-average snowfall and above-average temperatures, but in the mountains of our region, winter is very much here. The encasement of the high places in snow and ice reveals a beauty that is stark and severe. The elements make the mountains as inhospitable as ever, with winds that scour the ridges and sculpt the snow. Sheltered below is the colonnade of woods which stand dormant, silent, frozen in time. And clumping through the snow, I smiled at the blue sky overhead and marveled at this veritable playground.
After a mid-winter snowfall I grabbed my snowshoes, readied my winter pack and headed out for a few hours of fun on a bluebird day. When big, physical endurance goals are on the horizon it’s tough not to look at every outing and activity as a means to train and condition, and even though snowshoeing is good strength training, I viewed the day as a respite in the mountains. For as dedicated as I may be to the goals, I still want to enjoy the journey.
It's been a popular sport to characterize this winter as a 'never-was' with the below-average snowfall and above-average temperatures, but in the mountains of our region, winter is very much here. The encasement of the high places in snow and ice reveals a beauty that is stark and severe. The elements make the mountains as inhospitable as ever, with winds that scour the ridges and sculpt the snow. Sheltered below is the colonnade of woods which stand dormant, silent, frozen in time. And clumping through the snow, I smiled at the blue sky overhead and marveled at this veritable playground.
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