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Mt. Marcy is the highest peak, towering above the tree line, in the Adirondack Mountains, upstate New York. Add winter's theatrics and you too could be a make-believe Himalayan mountain climber. 70 km/hr gusts blast your ski goggles, your partner 20 feet ahead fades in and out of the blowing snow. Ice axe in hand, you brace yourself at the summit long enough for Facebook bragging rights.

Mid February this is the best real-world mountaineering within a nine hour drive from Kitchener-Waterloo.

Itinerary:

Leave from a Tim Horton's near you, Friday, Feb. 17, as soon as the last attendee gets off work. Drive towards Lake Placid, NY, stopping for the night around 10 pm at some shared motel room(s).

Continue Saturday morning to the Adirondack Lodge parking lot, Eastern High Peaks, Lake Placid. Start hiking mid morning with the intent of approaching the tree line before establishing camp for the night.

Summit Sunday morning and return to the Adirondack Lodge tent camping venue for the night.

Holiday Monday, 'family day' in Ontario, enjoy a made in America breakfast in Lake Placid before returning home.

Cost:

Gas money, split motel room(s) Friday night, nominal parking fee Adirondack Lodge, split tent camping Sunday night.

$60 (gas) + $40 (motel) + $5 (parking) + $10 (camping) = $115

Difficulty:

This probably shouldn't be your first winter camping experience, however, if it is, outfitters in Lake Placid can ensure it isn't your last.

Gear:

Snowshoes, -30 C sleeping bag, tent, stove for melting snow, ski goggles, hiking poles, footware traction devices such as microspikes and/or crampons. Passport for border crossings.

Inspiration:

My favorite YouTube is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqHR6ZKYBlc (Disregard his first born, SUV in the ditch, and the snow cave).

Links:

Adirondak Loj (http://www.adk.org/ad_loj/)

Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS), Lake Placid

Adirondack Hiking forum (http://www.hikeadks.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=47)

Theme song:

'I want to take you higher (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twh45yX2Kj8)'

Wildcard:

In the event winter eventually arrives this year, travelling times may vary due to poor road conditions.

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