LOCALadk Magazine
Issue link: https://localadkmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1443429
Joe and Ray did their pre-hike research, mapped out the route, checked trail condition reports, and studied weather forecasts, which called for temperatures in the 20s, fair skies, light winds, and a slight chance of snow flurries. Given it was a long hike on a short winter day in February, they loaded fresh batteries into their headlamps before a predawn departure for the trailhead at St. Huberts. When they arrived at the parking lot, not another soul was in sight. It was a Friday, aer all. Friday the 13th to be precise. Most folks were likely just getting out of bed to go to work while Joe and Ray played hooky. e first few miles of the trek were through the lands of the Ausable Club and along the Lake Road of the Adirondack Mountain Reserve to the Lower Ausable Lake Dam. Ray had a new pair of MSR snowshoes and brought an old pair of Tubbs running snowshoes for Joe, who had never hiked in snowshoes. Walking in them for the first time was strange. Joe felt unbalanced at times, as though intoxicated. Every step was intentional, pounding the snow down, like Godzilla crushing everything in his path. Once they crossed the dam and began the ascent of Sawteeth, a wet snow began to fall. Despite the cold, their bodies warmed with every foot of elevation gained. One can feel the sweat evaporate from the skin under such conditions. Just a few yards before reaching the peak, a snow-covered boulder blocked the trail. Joe, being taller, younger, and more agile than his trail- mate, tried time and again to reach his arms up or swing a leg over the huge stone. He repeatedly slid back, fell, and pulled snow off onto himself, revealing a hard ice coating atop the boulder. "is is really getting on my nerves!" Joe exclaimed. ey stood there for a few minutes trying to solve the dilemma of how to vanquish this summit sentinel, when Joe suddenly charged ahead and by whatever miracle the Hiking Gods graced him, scrambled up onto the boulder. He then pulled Ray up and over. Shortly thereaer, they found themselves on the summit of Sawteeth, where clouds collided with the peak, obscuring the views. As they stepped off the summit and retreated into the woods, the snowfall intensified. Given the early morning forecast, they figured the snow would soon ease. LOCALadk 23