Andrew Skurka’s Alaska-Yukon Expedition

June 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Back on March 15, 2011, I reported on Andrew Skurka’s presentation at the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC. During his presentation he talked about his 2010 Alaska-Yukon Expedition, which covered 4,679 miles cross country terrain of the far north.

National Geographic recently posted this to their website. I encourage you to watch it for a lot of reasons, but primarily because its inspiring. He pushed the limits of hiking and shares what raw Alaska is really like:

Well, thanks again for visiting. If you enjoyed this post, please consider following the Suburban Mountaineer on Facebook or Twitter.

Filed Under: Alaska, HIKING AND BACKPACKING Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Great Adirondack High Peaks Linkup

May 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Adirondack Mountains. 46 peaks are above 4,000 ft. elevation. Those that climb all of them are 46rs. (Jessica Dube, 2008)

Andrew Skurka’s superhikes got me thinking about making my own hike across my old territory in the Adirondacks Mountains in Upstate New York. And while I was at it, why not hit all 46 of the High Peaks in one long linkup route?

For a little background, if you hadn’t heard, I’m a repressed alpinist that would settle for a good hike now and then. I’ve been thinking about this hike for several weeks now. Part of it is probably because I just bought a new pair of trail runners. But I know the truth about them. On me, these sturdy track shoes will spend way more time beating pavement in my neighborhood here in Peaklessburg than blazing backcountry routes.

Then I learned that the great High Peaks linkup has been done. It was first done supported, then supported again and again. Finally, in the fall of 2002 it was done in proper style Jim Kobak of Peru, NY and the late Ed Bunk of Voorhesville, NY in 10 and a half days! Then in 2008, Jan Wellford of beautiful Keene Valley, NY and Cory DeLavalle of Albany, NY went in Kobak’s and Bunk’s footsteps and covered the same 196 miles of the improvised route on trail and by bushwhacking in seven and a half days.

No offense meant to those that have gone before them, particularly to Ed Palen, but the approach they took wasn’t about speed or records (though DeLavalle helped Wellford set a record in 2008) but hiking without support! In fact, when Wellford and DeLavalle hiked in 2008, they gallantly turned down a freshly-baked pie in the middle of the linkup, or so the legend goes.

So here is what you need to know in case you want to do this hike:

  • First, it’s been done. Unless you want to break Wellford’s speed record of three days 17 hours and 14 minutes, I suggest you set a more reasonable pace.
  • Practice your backcountry navigation skills with map and compass, GPS and perhaps at altimeter.
  • Do some shorter practice runs in the region. Also note that some of the peaks in the linkup quest are trailless, so be ready for some bushwhacking.
  • Pack appropriately (preferably light), but pack and carry a bear canister. Those bear proof containers are required in the High Peaks Wilderness.
  • Consider taking one lighter daypack to share to take up the peaks while leaving the heavier peaks stashed at the base.

Here is the general idea of the route if you are familiar with the High Peaks Region. This way you can linkup all 46 of the High Peaks in one weaving loop:

“The Wellford Way”

  1. Seward Range
  2. Santononis
  3. Heart of the Eastern High Peaks
  4. Great Range
  5. Dixes
  6. Giant, Porter and Cascade
  7. White Face and Esther

Well, thanks again for visiting.  If you enjoyed this post, you can following the Suburban Mountaineer on Facebook or on Twitter.

Filed Under: HIKING AND BACKPACKING, OUT OF PLACE IN PEAKLESSBURG Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Jeff Alt’s 1998 Walk for a Cause

January 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

After re-reading the dark and sometimes suspect details of a well known mountaineering tragedy, I decided that I wanted some lighter reading.  Some hikers I knew distantly recommended Jeff Alt’s A Walk for Sunshine (originally published in 2000) about Alt’s charity thru hike on the Appalachian Trail (AT, 2,160 mi.) in 1998.

The book’s strength is in its detailed introduction to thru hiking sprinkled throughout the story.  He hiked the trail supported by his family, friends and charity, primarily by shipping resupply packages and notes to him to strategic locations along the trail.  In fact, one point of interest compared to some of the unsupported climbers on the trail was that Alt was able to carry the maps of the region of the trail he was hiking thanks to his support team, while others either brought the entire volume of guides and maps, which were heavy, or left them behind altogether.

Alt talks about what to put in resuply boxes, where to obtain information about appropriate foods to pack and gear to use.  He also recommends the Work Book for Planning Thru Hikes by the Appalachian Trail Conference to help plan for supply stops, distances covered and so forth.

The psychological challenge of hiking a long distance was certainly present in the early chapters.  He explained that it was necessary to occupy the mind early in the day when starting to hike.  He suggested choosing a problem or issue to examine and work to solve it in your end through the day.  More importantly, because of the potentially overwhelming nature of tackling the AT, it was important to recognize and celebrate important milestones, such as crossing a state border or crossing 100 miles, or 500 miles and so forth.

Compared to other long hiking stories, it is more enjoyable than some others, which are quite bland and often read like trail guides about their own life on the trail.  Even A Walk for Sunshine was a little dry at moments.  However, it was at least cystal clear why he was hiking and needed to make the end of the trail.  It was not to find himself or discover some secret to life or complain about how we as society have gotten away from simpler times and ways.  Alt was engaging in a sport he loved to draw attention to the Sunshine Home in Toledo, Ohio where his brother lived with cerebral palsy.  Alt dedicated the walk and the book to his brother Aaron.  I think his reason for hiking had a lot to do with his success on the AT.

The story is not a saga like the hike itself and is a quick read.  I enjoyed some portions much more than others and was disappointed he did not talk more about the trail in the northeast, instead spending more time and chapters on the southeast portion.  The ending was obvious (which was difficult to avoid) and was not creative.  I would recommend it if you’re into long hikes and plan on hiking through.  It was especially insightful if you plan to go supported.

Lastly, Alt’s website has some additional information including news on his current projects: www.jeffalt.com

Well, thanks for visiting again.  If you enjoyed this post, please consider following me on Facebook or Twitter (@SuburbanMtnr).

Filed Under: HIKING AND BACKPACKING, MOUNTAIN BOOKS Tagged With: , , , , ,
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