This is looking like one the best trip reports I've seen on SP... and it's not even done yet. Great pictures and awesome page! I really like the varying perspectives from each person.
Awesome TR, guys. Sounds like this traverse may be harder than the Presi. How would you compare it, Mark? Great perspective having every share their experiences. Looks like you are ready to climb Wheeler!
I've hiked the Presi, but not as a dayhike. Both are difficult in their own way. I'd have to say the footing in the Presi is more difficult, but the terrain in the Adks is more rugged. The Presi constantly wear on you, the Adks slap you in the face.
I did a similar hike this spring, but it was counter-clockwise (I went from the Garden to Marcy, Haystack etc. and down from the Wolf Jaws Gap). So, didn't bag LWJ or Hedgehog-Roostercomb. I am planning to do this exact hike next summer... Maybe we can hook up, if you feel like some more punishment :)
That day couldn't be beat! I was out on Marcy, Haystack, Basin and Saddleback on the same day you guys were doing this. Great pics. Must have passed you guys at some point.
26 miles is doable. Now, for me, Marcy itself was 16 miles roundtrip. That took about 7 1/2 hours. Looks like it took you an additional 12 hours to go 10 more miles and 6600 more feet. Nice work.
It's definitely doable. All you need is willpower, stamina, and a screw loose. That was the 4th time I've hiked 26 miles... this round was definitely the hardest. Marcy was the easy part.
Two weeks before this I did 20 miles roundtrip (with 3 or 4000ft gain), started around 10 and finished before sundown, no problem even though it was a hot and humid day. It's the steepness of these cols, and the fact that they get harder as you proceed, that makes this hike slow.
I really like the way you all did the report. Can't wait to move back up there in 2 1/2 months. That Devil's Path hike sounds fun if the group's not too big. Let me know.
I know I'm a little late in commenting on this TR, but I just had to let all of you know how awesome this TR is. I really like the style of each climbers perspective being given under each category. As an aspiring 46er, I also crave intel about all of these peaks. An amazing feat of endurance and an interesting and well laid out report! Great Job!
Hey guys, excellent trip report! I was in Burlington last week and when a planned Presidential Traverse fell through, I came across this and decided to do it last minute. Grueling, but awesome! I followed your Roostercomb to Roostercomb route (but somehow I missed Pyramid) and it took me approximately 20 hrs. Maybe drinking beer and sitting on my couch all summer wasn't the best preparation...
Just came back from doing the traverse on Saturday, Sep. 18. Started at 5am at Rooster Comb and finished at 9.30 pm at Garden. I found your trip report the best resource among all things on the web. Encountered frost on the trees and rock and patchy ice. I still think Devil's Path in Catskills is way harder.
NOW I find your post! I just hiked your EXACT complete route 2 days ago - Rooster Comb to Marcy, including Pyramid and out to The Garden. Amazingly I was just as slow (haha) - started at 5 am, left the summit of Marcy @6:30 pm and reached The Garden at 11:15 pm - Almost in sync! It kicked my butt! I was SO spent for the hike out (and made the HUGE mistake of making a last minute change hiking out via Hopkins Trail versus Phelps - so much rougher). Too bad I read your post AFTER my traverse. I especially loved your posting each hiker's perspective for each summit section. I switched perspectives depending on the summit, commiserating with different perspectives on different summits. It was so much fun reliving my traverse just 2 days ago! Thanks so much! Awesome job!!
injektilo - Aug 15, 2006 2:36 pm - Voted 10/10
WOW!This is looking like one the best trip reports I've seen on SP... and it's not even done yet. Great pictures and awesome page! I really like the varying perspectives from each person.
MudRat - Aug 15, 2006 7:16 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: WOW!Thank you. Appreciate your enthusiasm! We're still in progress, but trying to make it a bit humorous as well as explanatory. Such a great area!
shknbke - Aug 16, 2006 3:04 am - Hasn't voted
awesome!Awesome TR, guys. Sounds like this traverse may be harder than the Presi. How would you compare it, Mark? Great perspective having every share their experiences. Looks like you are ready to climb Wheeler!
WalksWithBlackflies - Aug 18, 2006 2:36 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: awesome!I've hiked the Presi, but not as a dayhike. Both are difficult in their own way. I'd have to say the footing in the Presi is more difficult, but the terrain in the Adks is more rugged. The Presi constantly wear on you, the Adks slap you in the face.
The Ogre - Aug 16, 2006 6:16 pm - Hasn't voted
Great report!I did a similar hike this spring, but it was counter-clockwise (I went from the Garden to Marcy, Haystack etc. and down from the Wolf Jaws Gap). So, didn't bag LWJ or Hedgehog-Roostercomb. I am planning to do this exact hike next summer... Maybe we can hook up, if you feel like some more punishment :)
WalksWithBlackflies - Aug 17, 2006 1:26 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Great report!I'd like to make this an annual event, so definately send me a reminder when you choose a date.
BobSmith - Aug 16, 2006 10:57 pm - Voted 10/10
Kickass!Wish I could have joined you guys! Looks like a wonderful trip!
zofon - Aug 18, 2006 1:28 pm - Hasn't voted
Great DayThat day couldn't be beat! I was out on Marcy, Haystack, Basin and Saddleback on the same day you guys were doing this. Great pics. Must have passed you guys at some point.
hgrapid - Aug 18, 2006 1:54 pm - Voted 10/10
That is doable26 miles is doable. Now, for me, Marcy itself was 16 miles roundtrip. That took about 7 1/2 hours. Looks like it took you an additional 12 hours to go 10 more miles and 6600 more feet. Nice work.
WalksWithBlackflies - Aug 18, 2006 2:03 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: That is doableIt's definitely doable. All you need is willpower, stamina, and a screw loose. That was the 4th time I've hiked 26 miles... this round was definitely the hardest. Marcy was the easy part.
nartreb - Aug 18, 2006 2:08 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: That is doableTwo weeks before this I did 20 miles roundtrip (with 3 or 4000ft gain), started around 10 and finished before sundown, no problem even though it was a hot and humid day. It's the steepness of these cols, and the fact that they get harder as you proceed, that makes this hike slow.
EastKing - Aug 18, 2006 11:13 pm - Voted 10/10
AwesomeWay to go!!!!!!!
Rob A - Sep 7, 2006 1:14 pm - Voted 10/10
Freaking sweetgood job guy's...count me in for Devils Path. it'll give me a goal to get in shape for.
CRiedel2 - Jan 14, 2007 6:29 pm - Voted 10/10
Great Trip ReportI really like the way you all did the report. Can't wait to move back up there in 2 1/2 months. That Devil's Path hike sounds fun if the group's not too big. Let me know.
CaLculAted Risk - Nov 2, 2007 1:00 pm - Voted 10/10
Incredible!I know I'm a little late in commenting on this TR, but I just had to let all of you know how awesome this TR is. I really like the style of each climbers perspective being given under each category. As an aspiring 46er, I also crave intel about all of these peaks. An amazing feat of endurance and an interesting and well laid out report! Great Job!
maddie77777 - Feb 24, 2009 4:15 pm - Voted 10/10
WowIncredible trip and incredible report. I don't know if I could ever do this, but it's mesmerizing to read. Congratulations!
mtgomery - Jul 24, 2009 2:28 pm - Voted 10/10
Excellent guide!Hey guys, excellent trip report! I was in Burlington last week and when a planned Presidential Traverse fell through, I came across this and decided to do it last minute. Grueling, but awesome! I followed your Roostercomb to Roostercomb route (but somehow I missed Pyramid) and it took me approximately 20 hrs. Maybe drinking beer and sitting on my couch all summer wasn't the best preparation...
welle - Sep 21, 2009 12:17 pm - Hasn't voted
I second Mtgomery - Excellent Guide!Just came back from doing the traverse on Saturday, Sep. 18. Started at 5am at Rooster Comb and finished at 9.30 pm at Garden. I found your trip report the best resource among all things on the web. Encountered frost on the trees and rock and patchy ice. I still think Devil's Path in Catskills is way harder.
HikerFedEx - Sep 20, 2010 11:11 pm - Voted 10/10
Deja VuNOW I find your post! I just hiked your EXACT complete route 2 days ago - Rooster Comb to Marcy, including Pyramid and out to The Garden. Amazingly I was just as slow (haha) - started at 5 am, left the summit of Marcy @6:30 pm and reached The Garden at 11:15 pm - Almost in sync! It kicked my butt! I was SO spent for the hike out (and made the HUGE mistake of making a last minute change hiking out via Hopkins Trail versus Phelps - so much rougher). Too bad I read your post AFTER my traverse. I especially loved your posting each hiker's perspective for each summit section. I switched perspectives depending on the summit, commiserating with different perspectives on different summits. It was so much fun reliving my traverse just 2 days ago! Thanks so much! Awesome job!!
MudRat - Jul 4, 2015 7:52 pm - Hasn't voted
Fastest Known TimeAs a matter of record, read here for the fastest known time on the GR Traverse which broke the 6 hour threshold.
http://www.ericbatty.blogspot.ca/2012/09/great-range-traverse-new-fkt.html