The "Prize" of the ADK Firetower Challenge

As of this date, we have technically completed the ADK Firetower Challenge. We've climbed all five of the mountains in the Catskill Preserve. And we've climbed more than 18 of the 24 mountains in the Adirondack Preserve. We submitted this Blog to the ADK Saratoga/Glens Falls Chapter that sponsors the "Challenge." They approved us and sent us each the patch to the right which recognizes our accomplishment of completing the challenge. So we SHOULD be done with a feeling of great success under our belts. But, being the "over-achievers" that we are, we have vowed to do "every" firetower listed in the challenge. That will include the newest one, not even on the list yet, at Loon Lake Mountain in Franklin County. There will be a guidebook published on all of this by the spring of 2012. Twenty-seven of the 29 chapters in that upcoming book are already written. So stay with us! It's all great fun. (Three more to go!)

Bald (Rondaxe) Mountain - 9/11/11

This was a "fun" mountain to climb. It's only about 400 feet to the summit. Much of it is over bare rock. Thus, the name "Bald" Mountain. The views along the way, as well as at the top are great. But on a more human note, we met a great family who had just come down from the top. It was the Honan Family from Spencerport, NY. They are 'musical' family' with an album pending. They are an example of how "Family friendly" this firetower mountain is. After all, the 8 of them did it! Check out their website at: http://www.honanfamilymusic.com/

Woodhull Mtn - 9/10/11 - Old Forge, NY

To climb this mountain we had to mountainbike in 5 miles on a dirt and gravel forest road. That just got us to the START of the firetower trail. Then we were going to hike 2.5 miles up the mountain, climbing 800 feet to the summit at about 2400 feet and the firetower. Then 2.5 miles down and then mountainbike out another 5 miles to our vehicle. We think that's why this is billed as the "least visited" firetower in New York State. So, naturally, we HAD to do it! So, overall we hiked and biked just under 14 miles over about 5.5 hours for the day. We had our usual "subs and suds" on the summit, and a VERY good day overall. Tired, but accomplished!