Matt McCarty=Hero
Matt Murphy=Boone
Josh McCarty=Black Widow (BW)
The frenzy to plan our man trip started a few fateful days before our ETD with a nonchalant visit to The Map Store. Boone originally had our sights set upon a leisurely 28 mile loop through scenic Vermont, a backlash against the two previous back breaking trips (Wisconsin and 4 Pass Loop Maroon Bells, CO). The curiosity that led us to check out a new backpacking store also fated us to cross paths with one Doug Davis-fresh new resident to Louisville from NY-. Boone's chat with this gentleman persuaded us to change our plans with a drop of a hat and consider the beautiful mountains of the Adirondacks in NY. A few pics from google and a little pep talk from Double D and our itinerary changed, that simple.
Tuesday 5 pm-1013 Alabama Ave, the men congregated. We shared laughs, a few farewells, some snapshots, some fine rope, a fudgesicle to wet our whistles and we were off.
8 pm- Sonic. BW and Hero planned a food exchange, a swaap that left Boone standing alone with his tator tots. He retaliated by simply ordering more...foot long, who wants a footlong!
8 -11 pm- Hero drove much of the way Tues because BW was trying to do homework (for his degree which to the relief of everyone reading this he has finally graduated). He didnt get much finished. Hero took to the back seat to watch 300 while BW and Boone mended broken fences. A frank talk about finances, work, and family responsibility ensued and proved to be very fruitful. During the film, Hero noticed his throat hurt when he swallowed, maybe nothing.
Wed 12 am- Stayed in the La Quinta Inn near Erie, PA. BW was full of Christian gaiety and entertained while Boone and Hero sneaked into bed. Hero was innocently disrobing for bed and was ridiculed for his choice to sport whitey tightys. He felt the snugness the briefs gave him justified his choice. BW came to bed late after trying to work on his studies late into the night.
8 am- Mistake #1 We didnt leave the hotel nearly early enough. Our lack of concern for the beast of a haul we had ahead of us would prove costly. Hero's throat still hurt and even worse, he developed a chest cold with a wonderful green goo that demanded exit every so often. He was still in the middle of making salt water when Boone mistook it for an unused cup. He wondered why his apple juice just "didnt taste quite right?"
1 pm- Mistake #2 We stopped at Friendly's to dine in. This simply being the result of our dedication to the declaration that while in NY we could not eat at a common chain restaurant. While the dining experience and chatting with the locals put a smile on our faces, it really put a dent in our time. We started to realize we were behind schedule.
3 pm- Boone, leaning up into the front from the backseat, "It smells like B.O. and death up here."
3:19 pm- Boone gags from direct result of the acid bomb BW dropped full of recycled fast food.
5 pm- We realized we were fighting dusk and denied BW his request to stop and get Subway for the trail. He accepted it. But this was met with a melancholy reaction, "I'm not that hungry anyway. Now I'm sad."
6:15 pm- We entered the Adirondack Wilderness area but still had 20 or so miles to drive to the trail head. After discussing our options we decided it best to just camp at the first available spot and not hike to base camp until the following morning. We arrived to the trail head before dark, loaded up and hit the trail. Our first night we bedded down on the rocky edge of a creek, just off a shimmering lake. Boone began his quest to the Phelps Food Award* with delicious cheese burgers. BW was sad.
Thur 7:30 am- We awoke to a foggy morning with a welcomed chill in the air. After being startled by some DNR's, we quickly packed up and hit the trail. Base camp was a little over 5 miles away.
7:33 am- "This is really enjoyable and there isn't much I would rather be doing than hiking."
8:19 am- "I mean hiking is cool and all, but I dont know if it's that enjoyable."
10:22 am- "I don't like hiking."
11:30 am- Our relative easy hike turned quite rocky, many many small boulders became the norm. Nonetheless we enjoyed many river crossings, small bridges, and several laughs along the way. We dined for lunch at a monument from the 1880's where a gentleman passed, may he RIP. BW lost his yellow Nalgene here, we think.
4:30 pm- We reached our base camp and after some deliberation decided upon the more private of two shelters, away from the acid filled lake with no fish. We also learned no fires were allowed.
7 pm - The evening consisted of competitive meals, more relaxing, and some fine cigars.
9:30 pm- We hung our food (bears), climbed in our bags, and enjoyed the sweet sound of Boone's harmonica. He about had lulled us to sleep when he offered it up for anyone else to try. Hero politely declined due to his cold, but BW thought eagerly accepted. Hello life on the Bayou. His ignorance for musical rhythm and meter proved to be to his advantage as he declared with great delight, "Anybody can play the harmonica!"
Fri 8 am- The trio woke to a surprising warmer morning, but with warmth brought many clouds to the sky. Our day hike consisted of the plan to climb to the peak of Mt. _______________ , which rose 2000 ft in a little under 2 miles. The hike was beautiful, with stream crossings, waterfalls, and picture perfect scenic views. But there was a price to be paid for such loveliness. Many times we had to resort to gymnastic like stretches in order to climb the rough terrain. A mere two feet would not be enough to summit this wily peak. Rocks, roots, trees, and even boulders above helped us achieve each new 1000 meter plateau.
11 am- As we neared the top, a strong mist appeared, accompanied by an even stronger wind. As we donned our rain jackets fellow hikers warned us of strong wind gusts up to 40 mph at the peak. They were not exaggerating. It was all we could do to keep our balance once the gales hit us. With haste we trekked to the top, only to discover with rain and clouds also brings fog. Interpretation - RAIN + CLOUDS + FOG + 4000 ft. = TERRIBLE VIEW. We may as well been looking into a rubber room painted gray. The experience of defeating the mountain with such wind was exhilarating, but as quickly as we got to the top, we equally as quickly scampered down.
11:07 am- We forgo our elaborate lunches for Snickers Bars.
11:12 am- Light mist turns to good ol fashioned rain.
12:12 pm- Boone, "Everyone watch your step, be careful."
12:14 pm- BW slips on a moss covered slope.
12:16 pm- BW again pays no attention to the fact we are walking down a literal mountain face covered with algae and water. This time he adds flare to the fall by sending his walking stick flailing through the air before he lands again on his backside.
12:21 pm- You guessed it.
1:40 pm- We arrive back to base camp. We agree the trail may be one of the best we have ever been on. If the splendor and beauty at the top could have been seen it would have our votes for sure. It is raining still, the group decides to pack up and head out. Who wants to spend another night on the trail in the rain. Not us, not no way not no how. Hero declares we can only stop once all the way back to the car. It takes us two hours to cover five miles of rocky terrain. There are few driving forces that are stronger than the promise of clean warmth after being on a long wet backpacking trip.
6 pm- We arrive at Lake Placid to find we are quite let down. It is a far messier and less compact version of our queen city, Aspen-where the beer flows like wine.
6:20- Holding true to our Man Trip Motto we dine at the very foreign __________________ Steak House. We are greeted by a very icy foreigner who seats us with not so much as a smile. Boone, not being able to stand the lack of attention we have received begins to pepper our hostess with questions.
Boone "So where are you from?"
Helga "Katzcataskan."
Boone "Oh, school?"
Helga "No."
Boone "So then, how did you arrive here, why are you here?"
Helga "Come, eh, I miz my family, friend." Then abruptly leaves.
We never really break the ice with Helga.
6:42 pm- Boone, "I eh, um, how you say...spa?"
What trip is complete without Hero cackling at the top of his lungs in a public setting. Boone's improvised impression of Helga struck a chord in Hero's fun factory. BW was very embarrassed, as usual.
7:42 pm- We check into our hotel, complete with a spa.
7:49 pm- 4 old people in spa.
7:58 pm- 4 old people still in spa.
8:07 pm- 2 old people in spa who have now realized we are stalking the spa.
8:16 pm- We enjoy the spaaaaaaah...and by enjoy I mean have hold your breath competitions and swim laps.
9:30 pm- 3 hot young men in a place far far away from home. We must get out, hit the town, grab some beers, pick up some hookers...we went to Baskin Robbins. The rain started falling again and we retreated to our room.
10:51 pm- There is discussion as whether to hit the road early and make the long trek back in one day or stay and sight see. We don't decide but we do turn the lights out and snooze.
Sat 7 am- Boone makes the declaration, we are to head home...TODAY! We gather our things and prepare our minds for the fact that Man Trip VII is winding down.
8 am- We stop at a local breakfast nook to grab a quick bite. Upon entering we are greeted with an unwelcome comment from another patron, "Well I can tell you guys have been up in the mountains." Mind you, we are all freshly shaved, showered, and clothed.
How rude we think.
9 am-We backtrack several familiar roads simply to find a gas station to fill up we passed 30 minutes before.
9:12 am- We hit the interstate for a long ride home.
Sun 1:30 am Arrive back at 1013 Alabama Ave. We have laughed, lived, and learned all through yet another man trip. Until next year.
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