At 5,100+ feet, Algonquin is the second tallest peak in New York. The perfect quick break for the Jogging LaBella Brothers to conquer!

RB-One-Kenobi (Jedi-Knight) and "g" had planned a brotherly rendezvous when it was realized that RB's plan to hike the Tetons would interfere with his family's plan for a trip to Hawaii.. Following a business trip to Miami, RB flew into Albany at about 11:00 PM.. Scooting off to Publix House, the Boys had a couple of brewskies and a pizza, and some good laughs. The following morning called for a quick stop at the Middle School to drop off Abbe and then driving north to summit Algonquin in the High Peak Region

As with any trip planned by the Boys, there are always some minor corrections and discrepancies to overcome. For their immediate trip, it looked like they might encounter a little rain. No sweat. (Ha! It's a good thing RB and "g" have great rain gear!)

"g" was excited about a good hike. He was still (secretly) planning on winning Backpacker magazine's "Win a trip to Alaska contest" to test cool gear for a week, and intensive training was scheduled for the subsequent two months. He'd also been experimenting with preparing dehydrated, gourmet backcountry cuisine for the Boys' trip to the Tetons and he wanted to field-test his latest concoction when they summitted Algonquin: Spicy Italian Beans and Ham with Basmati Rice.

Anywho, RB and "g" arrived at the ADK LOJ and hit the trail to Algonquin at 9:40 AM. The ranger warned them of snow and possibly ice above the tree line, and a pesky thunderstorm that was predicted to reach the summit first.

The weather had been odd all winter and spring. One benefit to the colder then usual spring weather was a diminished number of black flies. Ordinarily, they'd act like a thick wool blanket covering a steamy, hot trail - something "g" deliberately neglected to tell RB.

Typical of many of the summit trails in the Adirondack Mountains, one hikes in (mostly) dry stream and water run-off channels. "I wonder what it's like to hike these trails when their flowing with rain water?" wondered RB.

When you're in the Adirondacks, be prepared for two things: sticky, muggy humid weather and rain. Poor RB. Desert-Boy had just hiked the Grand Canyon two weeks earlier, but the humid cloud that hung over the trail quickly drenched him in a panting sweat.

Mid way up the trail, while resting and eating a Carrot Cake Cliff Bar, "g" checked the barometric graph on his watch, "So... when the barometric pressure drops, doesn't that mean a cold, rainy front is moving in?"

Before RB's response had rolled off his tongue, a light mist began to appear followed by light rain."g" reached for his Paclite jacket and pant shells. RB donned his "waterproof" jacket.

As the Boys climbed higher, they became surrounded by a white cloud that limited their visibility to about 50 feet. Thunder boomed above and the rain pelted them with raindrops the size of grapes. Gradually, the dry river bed/trail transitioned from a trickle of water to a torrent of thrashing white-caps that gushed over and around large stones the Boys tried to walk on top of.

Once above the tree line, the temperature dropped. The rain came down sideways. Those water pellets the size of grapes took on a frosty bite that hurt the skin and could be felt through their rain gear. The wind howled loud and forcefully. It was so intense that RB and "g" braced themselves for support with every slow step... up.

As they ascended, RB choose to seek cover and protection from the biting weather under some soft evergreen branches. He was soaked and cold. He kept murmering, "I can't tell if my jacket is soaked or if I've sweated so much I'm drenched from the inside out! 'g,' I'll wait for you here."

It took "g" about 25 minutes to climb to the summit, step on the geographical marker and head back down towards RB. The wind was bone chilling and it knocked "g" to the ground at one point. Twenty feet down from the summit, "g" realized that he forgot to take a picture of his foot on the summit marker. As he turned to head up, he was quickly discouraged by punishing winds and fierce rain. "What the heck am I doing?" thought "g," "I'm outta here!"

The going down was slow. Their footing was always treacherous as they navigated over wet rocks on a steep descent and often hoofed through deep pockets of water. It took longer to get down then it did to reach the summit. But once at the bottom, the Boys took advantage of the 50 cent showers at the LOJ, warmed their chilled bodies and soothed their aching feet.

Epilog:

There was no way "g" would attempt to cook lunch atop a peak drenched in traumatizing weather. So when the Boys finished showering they were famished. A quick stop at the taxidermist to check out the bobcats, wolves and bears preceded a very late lunch at the Noon Mark Dinner. By the way, RB did experience the trail with water, "g" did read the barometric graph on his watch correctly, and it was (much) later determined by "g" that RB's "rain coat" was nothing more then a great, thick nylon shell. (Oh, well. Guess what RB wants for Christmas?) Happy Trails!