"After a long drive north we arrived at the Crown Point campground happy to be away from the cities and out of the van. Nestled on Lake Champlain Crown Point Campground is a beautiful destination with views of the Adirondack Mountains and Crown Point Bridge, which crosses over to Vermont. Setting up tents and building camp was our first big task and students learned quickly the ins and outs of creating a safe and comfortable camp. Nighttime quickly approached and with no electricity to keep us up we fell to sleeping early. The next two days were all about the rock! We climbed at Jewels and Gems on the first day. This is an extremely popular climbing destination and we were very lucky to have it all to ourselves. Everyone climbed and with some motivating words from friends almost everyone made it to the top of the climbs. Our next day was at Owls Head. This is also a popular destination, but a bit less climbed due to its 1-mile hike in from the road. A gorgeous cliff though, with great views in all directions. We had three ropes set up on three different ‘cracks.’ Crack climbing is a fun form of climbing in which climbers really have to wedge themselves into the rock wall. The views from the climbs were incredible! The hike in gave everyone a good taste of what the backpacking would be like. Felix and Simon Herron as well as Elizabeth were true ‘Rock Stars.’ They were the first one’s on the rock and the last one’s off. After climbing on this second day we were treated by a swim in what was agreed upon as the ‘best swimming hole ever!’ With the sun shining the chilly water felt perfect on our sore muscles. This swim also served as our first shower! Later that evening though we had another kind of shower. Torrential downpours and hard winds roared though the campground delaying dinner, soaking everything in site and forcing all of us into the van for cards and conversation. Spirits were high though and the storm was more exciting than anything else. The stew was finished warming everyone up and we were all quick to bed once more. A few hours later we were woken by hair raising thunder and illuminating cracks of lightning. Though difficult in the comfort of the sleeping bag we rallied everyone to wake up and get in the van for safety from the storm.
Day four was
our backpack prep day so after drying off clothes and tents we spent all
morning distributing food and gear for the backpacking section. Packs were
heavy and the students were doubtful of their ability to hike with such heavy
packs. That afternoon we hiked a
little less than a mile to out first campsite at Roaring Brook Falls. The site
was located at the top of a beautiful waterfall at the base of Giant Mountain
overlooking the Keene Valley. Here we stayed for two nights, lightening our
packs and enjoying the solitude of the woods. Day five brought us to the summit
of Giant Mountain. A difficult hike to the summit, which sits well over 4,000
ft, tested our abilities and exhausted our legs. The views were magnificent and
the weather perfect. Always changing though, we woke the next morning to rain,
rain, rain. Due to weather we made changes to our itinerary and sought refuge
in a local diner for the rainy morning. That afternoon we got back on the trail
and hiked a strong, though wet 4.2 miles to the Bouquet lean-to and campground.
Students were hiking much faster than previous days, which was great to see.
Unfortunately the rain never quit and by the time we got to camp we were all so
wet and tired that setting up camp was a little frantic and stressed. It also
did not help that this backcountry campground was the only one in a long
stretch of trail so it was full of other backpackers. A late dinner was cooked
by the counselors as students stayed warm and dry in their sleeping bags. With
hopes of sun in the morning we all slept heavily. Though still cloudy, the
morning was filled with rested and cheery campers so we set off with daypacks
for the summit of Dix Mountain. Dix is another mountain over 4,000 feet and a
very difficult and steep hike. The challenge of the trail brought great reward
on the summit. Amazing views spread themselves in all directions as clouds
traveled with us, occasionally whitening everything. That night we sat by the
comfort of a smoky fire and ate delicious pizza bagels in the same campground
as the night before. Yesterday was our last day of backpacking and the students
hiked faster than ever! It is amazing how quickly they strengthened to the
challenges of the trail. With full expedition packs on we hiked over four miles
up and over Noonmark Mountain, which is just below 4,000 ft. Though lower than
the other mountains many of us agreed that Noonmark provided the best views.
We are now at Lincoln Pond State Campground, our new home
for two days. We will be day hiking today and traveling tomorrow. Students are
enjoying the comforts of showers and bathrooms here. Unfortunately we had two
students return home from issues around behavior. Overall though students are
bonding and excited to move onto the water. I get the feeling that the white
water rafting is the most heavily anticipated activity. Personally for me, a west coaster, I
have been blown away by the beauty of the Adirondack Mountains and am thrilled
to explore Lake Champlain. Photos will be added shortly and you should be expecting
phone calls soon…. Take care"
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