Outbound Dan's Outdoor Musings

  Hiking Cliff and Colden Mountains in the Adirondack High Peaks Avalanche Lake in the Adirondack High Peaks is one of those places in winter which is awe inspiring.  |  Source Adirondack Loj in the High Peaks A adirondack loj:   Adirondack Loj Rd, Lake Placid, NY 12946, USA get directions Climbing the Winter 46 High Peaks Backpacking for a few days in January in the Adirondack High Peaks, what's the worse that could happen? I'm an experienced mountaineer, why would I allow something in the forecast like "a chance of snow melt" affect my plans when I've hiked in the worst of weather conditions - or so I thought. Then again, my winter backpacking plans often go awry. Perhaps it is the uncertainty that makes my pulse quicken and reminds me to embrace life with a certain fullness. Though, I have climbed all 46 of the Adirondack High Peaks over 4000', I went back yet again to climb in those same majestic mountains. It is an addiction, one I satisfy on my monthly f...

Introduction Since the introduction of the modern decked snowshoe, snowshoeing has grown immensely in popularity among winter sports enthusiasts and amateurs alike. For people looking for a physically demanding and soul soothing fitness activity to start the New Year off right, they should try strapping on a pair of snowshoes. I worked in outdoor retail for years and each year people would would walk up to the snowshoe display and stare with an inquisitive yet dumfounded glare at the myriad shapes and sizes of snowshoes. As I greeted them, awakening them from their snowshoe stupor, they usually asked, "How do you go snowshoeing?" Though the physical mechanism of snowshoeing is simple, just place one foot in front of the other, there are a few things you need to know before getting started for a fun and safe snowshoeing experience. The snowshoe you choose depends upon your weight and the terrain in which you'll be hiking. In the above picture, me in a pair of Atlas 1025 sn...