A few months ago, I started hearing some chatter about a “High Peaks Challenge” in the Adirondack Region of Northern New York State. Something about a 24-hour hike up a handful of the highest peaks… looking for a select few who were willing to push themselves to the edge, and maybe over a little. The group would begin in daylight hours, push through the night by headlamp, and count on a majestic sunrise for an energized finish.

Those causing the chatter (my husband and a few crazy friends) had tackled a similar feat last year, mastering 5 peaks in just under 18 hours. “Count me in!” I thought. I’m an athlete for goodness sake, how tough could it be. I was mostly concerned about the 15,000+ calories we were expected to burn (I really don’t like an empty stomach) and protecting myself against the mosquitoes and black flies we were bound to encounter. I sort of forgot about my fear of heights – never mind extreme altitudes, sheer cliffs and scrambling along near vertical rock ledges. Oops.

Day pack, check. Hydration packs, water purification, check. Gaiters, dry socks, rain gear, electrolytes, food and fuel, check. Don’t Bite Me patch – big check. (Worked like a charm!) 5 hour energy, just in case, check. Point and shoot camera, batteries, extra memory card, check.

I’ve never hiked the Adirondack Mountains before. It’s a long way up! Rocky stream beds and long stretches of bare rock to climb. Then it’s a long way back down again. But what a view from above. Night hiking was strange, a little scary at times, but really cool. We didn’t really see anyone else all night long, nor did we hear any signs of life in fact. It was silent aside from our own breathing and boots brushing against the rock and sticking in the gushy bogs.

In the end, it was an incredible adventure that included 4 of the highest peaks. Mud covered, quads tight and spirits high, we climbed the final 5,344 feet to the top of the highest, Mount Marcy, at 1pm Saturday for a grand total of 8 peaks in 24 hours. Make that 29 continuous hours of hiking in and out of the park, 22.5 miles and 11,800 ft of gain and loss when all was said and done.

I never imagined a bed at a Comfort Inn could feel so good.

MULTIMEDIA Adirondack Hike 2009:

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