A long due trip report !
In september 2018, I tried to reach the "Magic Bus" from the movie Into The Wild. This is what happend. It's the first time I write something like that, I would love to have your feedback (on the story, on english, on whatever picked your mind).
I enjoyed reading that and enjoyed your prudence in not pushing across the Teklanika and your acknowledgement that a phone wasn't suitable backcountry guidance. Your english was very good. What would you have done differently, if anything?
Thanks! It means a lot. I would have done a few things differently. If the context was the same (last minute decision to try this): • I would have given me more time. I told my friends to reach for help if they didn’t hear anything from me 48 hours after I started. At first, I wanted to go and don’t tell anyone because I couldn’t imagine being one of those guys who would end up being rescued (happy that I managed to avoid that!). After reading on the internet that someone died in 2010 and that a lot of people ended up needing help, I thought it couldn’t hurt. Having the ‘48h-limit’ to do the round-trip put more pressure on me, if I had more time I would have slept near the Teklanika River and would have probably tried another crossing really early in the morning, where the water should have been slower and lower. • I should have taken something to waterproof my backpack. I could have “easily” crossed the river where the hunter told me if I could swim a bit, even though the water was fast. Then I could just dry myself and change clothes to continue. Not being able to have a waterproof backpack there meant I would have ended up with wet clothes and no ability to change. As it was already late (5pm), I couldn’t count on the sun to dry me. • I should have bought a map & compass as a back-up for direction. If the context was different: • I would have bought a Packraft to cross the river; • I would have gone with someone.
If you have questions in the Adirondack High Peaks, hit me up. I've finished the 46ers and am going back in two weeks to hike some in pursuit of a winter 46er badge.
My hiker friends recommended I do Franconia ridge as a weekend trip and mt algonquin as a day hike. I don’t know if I’ll go more than a couple times this summer (definitely not planning to do the 46 anytime soon). Do you think these are good peaks for an absolute beginner? Or are there other routes tu liked better?
I haven't done Franconia ridge but have done Algonquin. I've actually hiked Algonquin twice to the summit. The first time I tried it I turned back at the tree line in windy, winter conditions. I think it's a good option for a beginner as long as you're reasonably fit. My first Adirondack hike was Wright Peak. Wright is located just off Algonquin, and the hikes are the same for 90% of the distance. Algonquin wouldn't really be any harder. While I'm more fit now, I didn't exercise regularly when I did Wright. The trail to Algonquin is pretty easy to follow. Above the tree line you should pay attention to where you went up so you can follow down the same way, but in good summer conditions it's a piece of cake to do. Algonquin is an amazing hike and probably the best in the Adirondack High Peaks that's accessible to a beginner. Cascade is the "traditional" beginner summit, but I agree with your friends' suggestion for Algonquin.
The Adirondacks looks really nice! What are your main fears regarding hikes like that?
Mostly being a complete beginner (that might even be an overstatement - I literally did 2 hikes in my entire life). So I have no understanding of anything. So planning a hike would be hard since I don’t even know how long it would take me to cover a certain distance. That’s not to mention all the other safety stuff like getting enough water or eh... whatever else is important. And how do I not get lost in the woods?! I’ll stick to marked trails and day hikes for a bit!
I feel you. Before planning my trip to Canada & Alaska, I never did too much hiking except on rare occasions. I bought a tent and an inflatable mattress for the first time 2 months before this hike after some googling. Lets say you can learn those things quite fast! If you have some questions regarding hiking, I would love to answer if I can help.