Andy Arthur.
Giant Mountain.
The first high peak I unsuccessfully tried to climb prior to getting sick from my acrophobia.
July 11, 2010.
About three weeks ago I decided I wanted to go hiking in the Adirondack High Peaks. It was my first time hiking there, and it probably will be the last time I go up there for a while, mainly because of the absurdly bad fear of heights. A 120 mile drive from Albany, it took me about 2 1/2 hours to reach the trail head on NY 73.
Giant Mountain Sign.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/125 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, EV -1/3, Focal Length: 38mm.
The first part of the trail is steep (as is most of the trail), but with limited views.
Along Trail.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/125 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 140, EV -2/3, Focal Length: 38mm.
After 3/4 mile of a hike, it opens up to a ledge with views of the Keene Valley.
Keene Valley.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/1000 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.
Shortly there after you reach the Giant Washbowl, a mountain pond with interesting views, surrounded by mountains.
7/10 Mi to NY 73.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/60 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 80, EV -2/3, Focal Length: 117mm.
You also get a neat view of Nubble.
Untitled.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/800 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.
There are two primative campsites along Giants' Washbowl with no facilities except some logs to sit on.
Campsite.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/30 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 140, EV -1/3, Focal Length: 38mm.
Second Campsite at Washbowl.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/80 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 400, EV -3/3, Focal Length: 38mm.
You cross Giants' Washbowl on a log.
Foot Bridge. Crossing the marshy end of Giants Washbowl.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/100 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, EV -2/3, Focal Length: 38mm.
With the confirous trees surrounding Giants' Washbowl you would have no idea what season it was from this picture.
Colors.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/500 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, EV -1/3, Focal Length: 38mm.
Past Giants' Washbowl, the trail gets steeper and goes through a series of switch backs as you continue to climb.
View Through Trees.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/1250 sec, Aperature: f/5.6, ISO 400, EV -4/3, Focal Length: 38mm.
At about 2 miles the trail opens up to a series of open rock scrambles, where you walk along a ledge of sloped rocks. It did nothing for me.
Rock Scrabble.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/1000 sec, Aperature: f/4.0, ISO 400, EV -1/3, Focal Length: 38mm.
Literally, the trail runs right along this sloped ledge. These open ledges just made me sick. I started to puke, with my fear of heights kicking in as as scrambled along this.
Open Rock Face. The trail runs along here.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/800 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.
That and seeing the maggots swarming over this piece of dung right on the trail did nothing for me.
Got Maggots. This pile of shit or whatever it was, was right on the trail.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/500 sec, Aperature: f/3.6, ISO 400, EV -1/3, Focal Length: 337mm.
That said, the views from this ledge where spectular.
Looking Across the Valley.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/640 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.
I continued to climb another 300 feet or so on the trail, when I decided to go back, but I did get a chance to get some pretty awesome pictures from up above.
Further.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/160 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.
On a rock ledge, looking down at Giants' Washbowl.
Giants Washbowl from Above.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/500 sec, Aperature: f/3.2, ISO 80, Focal Length: 64mm.
And Noomatic Mountain.
Noomantic Mountain.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/640 sec, Aperature: f/5.6, ISO 80, Focal Length: 40mm.
Looking South-West towards Pharoah Mountain Wilderness.
South-West.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/800 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.
Dix Mountain and surrounding range.
Dix Mountain.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/1600 sec, Aperature: f/6.3, ISO 400, EV -1/3, Focal Length: 117mm.
At any rate, this kind of hiking did nothing for me. I decided to descend Giant Mountain, and not spend much more time in the High Peaks Range for the foreseeable future. As much as I enjoy spending time outdoors, the High Peaks with their significant ascent and the open faces just is no fun. Just writing about this mountain and looking at the pictures makes me want to barf again!
Untitled.
Giant Mountain (High Peaks Adirondacks) on July 11, 2010.
Kodak Z7590 Zoom Digital Camera, Exposure: 1/800 sec, Aperature: f/2.8, ISO 80, Focal Length: 38mm.
Map of the hike:
View Giant Mountain in a larger map
“The policy of the state shall be to conserve and protect its natural resources and scenic beauty and encourage the development and improvement of its agricultural lands for the production of food and other agricultural products.”
— Article 14, Section 4 NY State Constitution