14th Apr 2025

Winter 24/25 with The Mountaineer Staff

Jeremy G found some serious stoke out there..

What a winter it's been! We had snow, we had skis, we had a lot of fun, and now we're just here patiently waiting for the mud to take over.

From booting up Marcy (only to turn around a half mile from the top-classic), to international skiing (Canada counts), to countless uphill laps at Pisgah (and, of course, Otis :D), & just soaking in the snow with the best people, this winter was one for the books.

There were two moments that really stand out in the backcountry: the Marcy whiteout (where we couldn't see a thing, but somehow it still felt magical) and the perfect bluebird day on Marcy (the kind of weather that makes you wonder why you'd ever leave). Both days had it all - adventure, a little bit of pain, and an overload of stoke. What a gift it is to be in the Adirondacks, with the endless wilderness to roam.

As the seasons shift, as do our moods. What was once excitement for the freezing temps has quickly turned to an eagerness for warmer days. Mud season? Sure it's here, but we're ready to trail season to kick in. Bring on the sun, the dirt, and the endless adventures!

What has Brittany been up to?

My winter has been all about my new dog Marty!! She came from the Vermont English Bulldog Rescue all the way from Texas & has been settling into her new ADK home nicely! She loves going for walks & also cuddling up on the couch!

Mark had a great winter helping out one of our favorite local guide services, Great Range Mountain Guides!

One of my most memorable outings this winter was with Mark Scott and Will Roth from Great Range Mountain Guides. We had tried to plan a photo op for a couple months leading up to this day, but the weather and ice conditions hadn't quite lined up. All the waiting paid off, making for a memorable time in Cascade Pass.

From the time we pulled off Route 73 to park next to Lower Cascade Lake, we were greeted with a beautiful bluebird morning and fresh snowfall of around 5 inches which arrived throughout the previous night. The temperature was sitting right around 28 degrees and sunny, making for some near perfect conditions on the ice.

There are few things that can compare to days like this, especially during the winter months. Ice is a medium that certainly deserves respect and immense focus, but it also brings out an excitement within me that I don't quite get on rock. Buster and Sisters Right were the routes for our time together which offered some varied terrain making for some great visuals as well. Being able to climb, rappel, and move myself into certain positions for the shots made for some creative negotiation on the ice, allowing for an invigorating time. I am always able to glean something new from these guys every time I get out climbing with them, and am very appreciative of them for letting me come alongside to capture their passion.

Mary Kay got some new skis & couldn't wait to send it

Last summer I distinctly remember craving a good ol' snowstorm. This winter did not disappoint ... pretty sure it snowed every single night in the month of February! It was a season full of scootin’ with 3-pins on mountain biking trails & breaking in a new set of AT skis on Whales Tail, Jenkins Mtn. 'Where's Ron Kon' trails & Lower Wolf Jaw Slide!

I will say, I spent a lot of time on skis, but one of my favs this winter was a visit to Noonmark … the mountain not the diner. With a crisp alpine start around noon, we had a perfect day of sunshine glistening off unbroken, deep snow. About 3 minutes down the trail naturally I was faced with a gear malfunction - I pulled over, took off a snowshoe to take a look, & immediately sank in up to my knee! As if by design, who comes up the trail behind me, but none other than Charlie Wise - Classic! He was off for some afternoon tree skiing! After fixing my gear, we followed Charlie’s skin track for quite a while before the hiking trail veers up a narrow cliff not quite ski-friendly. From there I broke trail- the higher we hiked, the deeper the snow! As most know, Noonmark rewards its visitors with views almost the entire way. Its summit somehow offers even more to enjoy in such a short amount of time! However, for how much effort it took to dig our way up in the deep snow, meer moments of sliding brought us safely back down. Once at the Round Pond jct, we decided it was a great time to flop into the snow for a moment of stillness before relinquishing our time in winter wonderland.

Kaz kept things cool this winter

Consistent cold and precip created some wonderful tree skiing (my favorite) this winter, the best in February. Here, some ski touring on Altai KOM's in Johns Brook Valley. As I've gotten older, this has become my favorite winter pastime...hunting down artful descents on the myriad of aspects and in trees here in the High Peaks, primarily in Johns Brook Valley as I can walk from my house to the snow, put my skis down and go.

Jeremy Utz got one last trip in!

Mt. Hog's Back, Chic Chocs, Gaspesie Peninsula. Hard to get to , easy to fall in love with.

Lily went to see Champy!

March 30th, 2025. A friend of mine took me out on Lake Champlain in a too-small fishing boat to target lakers. We planned to jig near the shore as the cold-water species hadn’t yet followed the impending thermocline turnover down to the depths. We got to our spot and dropped our jigs, only to quickly decide to move as the water was too rough. We started reeling up, and then all of the sudden, from my friend on the fish finder - “Wait, there’s a fish! A fish!” and then, a tug on my line, a hook-set, and a 27-inch, 7 pound laker! That was the end of my day.