Wright Mt New Year's Eve

Wright from Marcy Dam (on a day it was not in the clouds)

Since I have had a great time in the Adirondacks the past few years for New Year's, I figured I would make it another.  Today would be the third year in a row I would stay at the Adirondack Loj.

Originally I planned to do Couchsachraga, but with the weather forecasting snow along with the long drive, I chose to stay close.  Wright's summit can be reached via trails in just under 3 miles from the Adirondack Loj.  Of course, almost all of this is steep climbing.  Based on the trail reports I read, microspikes would be all I would need.  The trail was firmly packed of snow with no chance of post-holing.

The forecast called for snow around 3pm.  Of course I didn't get started until just before noon.  I made good time and reached the junction for Wright just after 1 pm.  I met quite a few people heading down and they all turned around because of the winds.  That is except for one guy who was with some friends.  He said he made it by crawling.  I then met another group which informed me that I was the last one going up.  I would be alone on a summit exposed to some cold, fierce winds.

I reached tree line after making my way by some tough ledges.  The microspikes performed extremely well.  The wind was quite fierce.  I continued to proceed, but then turned around looking at the summit encased in clouds.  I did not have my compass, so I had no desire to get disoriented on a day like today with nobody around.

Once below tree line and into the trees, the forest was quite peaceful.  I thought to myself, I should not have turned around.  But that's the trap.  The mountain will be there forever.  I won't.