LOCALadk Magazine

Will Roth has lived in Saranac Lake about seven years, and like many locals, spends a good deal of time on Baker Mountain, a small peak on the outskirts of the village with knockout vistas. Unlike most Baker aficionados, though, he doesn't just hike the mountain—he boulders it. Four years ago, Roth discovered a half-dozen bouldering "problems" (miniature rock climbs) on various bedrock outcroppings along the 0.9-mile hiking trail. Now, when he hikes to Baker's 2,452-foot summit, he manages to squeeze in some climbing as well. "As a climber, it's a fun challenge. People might wonder why anyone would run up a mountain when you can walk. Because it's a challenge. It's the same thing," said Roth, a rock-climbing guide and president of the Adirondack Climbers' Coalition. Baker Mountain's bouldering trail may be unique in the Adirondacks. At least, Will has not heard of any others in the Park. In fact, he hasn't heard of a similar bouldering trail anywhere else. In Fontainebleau, France, where people have been bouldering since the nineteenth century, climbers will go from one boulder to another in a color-coded circuit of problems of similar difficulty. But that's different from following boulders to the top of a mountain. Will got the idea aer spotting a 15-foot vertical crack in a small cliff just off the hiking trail. He started climbing the crack on his hikes and eventually went hunting for other bouldering problems. He found six. Five of the problems are crack climbs. e other involves awkward moves on a slab. All of them are easy enough for skilled practitioners to do in "approach shoes" (low-cut hiking shoes with sticky rubber), though the less experienced may want to change into rock-climbing shoes. As for Will, he solos the circuit about 50 times a year wearing approach shoes. He once raced up and down Baker and did all six problems in a mere 38 minutes. If you want to give it a whirl, we don't recommend that you try to best Will's time or that you hurry at all. Give yourself an hour or more. at will give you leisure to enjoy the hike and the spectacular views. And why not enjoy the problems more than once? Furthermore, though the problems are easy compared to typical bouldering problems, they should not be attempted by non-climbers. Most are about 15 feet long or so, and a fall from high up would be dangerous. Even experienced climbers should not be lulled into complacency. Bring a partner to spot you. Bring a crash pad for safer landings. So far, few climbers other than Will and some friends have hit the boulder trail. No doubt that's owing in part to a lack of publicity, but Will says, "I really hope that other climbers who are looking for a quick fitness fix start using it. It's a great way to do something fun and different without negatively impacting the environment." It's also an odd mix of activities. How many people have even thought of combining hiking with bouldering? Yet some people enjoy oeat adventure. If you're one of them, here's a guide to Will's creation. All of the problems lie a short distance from the hiking trail, which is marked by red disks. e trail starts on Forest Hill Avenue near the north end of Moody Pond. Parking is limited and Baker is popular, so we suggest you go on a weekday or off- peak times. Just aer passing the register, you'll cross a small stream and reach a junction. Turn right for the marked trail. At 0.65 miles you'll come to another split. Bear right again. e first two boulder problems are reached before the second junction. e other four lie closer to the summit. BAKER MOUNTAIN BOULDERING X X X X X LOCALadk 37 Story & Photographs by Phil Brown

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