great range route overview

2/01: we attempted to ski the traverse in winter and failed.
2/02: we attempted to slog the traverse in winter and failed.
9/02: we did the thing in a day in fall and pledged to never speak of it again.

*     *     *     

Route Maps are contained in the dropdown below (note the image sizes - maps are large):

*     *     *     

click the image below for a full-size map (513k).

the traverse is almost entirely above 4000 feet.

skiing the traverse is a very dumb idea.

the great range traverse:
ranking
by height
(adk range)		 mountain elevation
approach Roostercomb to Hedgehog 3369
30 Lower Wolfjaw 4175
29 Upper Wolfjaw 4185
22 Armstrong 4400
10 Gothics 4736
17 Saddleback 4515
9 Basin 4827
col Little Haystack  
3 Haystack (variation) 4960
1 Marcy 5344

route notes:
note the haystack variation. it is also possible to carry over haystack and cross panther gorge, summit skylight (if very motivated), then carry over marcy from the south. see notes below.

route length:

  • the traverse with the haystack variation is approximately 11.5 miles to the summit of Marcy.
  • the above traverse with the panther gorge and/or skylight variations is approximately 13 miles, but does add an extra element of commitment since the route goes outside the high peaks triangle. we must carry back over marcy if this route is taken.
  • the walk or ski out is approximately six miles long to adk loj over very casual terrain.
  • round trip mileage is between 18-20 linear miles, depending on route selection.

logisitics:
on our first attempt, we were shooting for, but got nowhere near, the following (on our second attempt we did a little better):

  • day one: begin and skin to armstrong/gothics col, bivy.
  • day two: climb over and descend gothics, then get up and down saddleback and basin. drop off packs and dig camp at phelps junction. run up and tag haystack. sleep well.
  • day three: climb marcy, then ski out the van hoevenburg trail to marcy dam. from the dam, ski the truck trail out to south meadows. (requires two cars or a helpful, recruited ride - the latter not wholly likely.)

bivy sites:
camping above 4000 feet is permitted in the daks between dec. 15 and april 30. i would recommend two to three days to complete the route with two likely bivies. certainly one bivy will take place on the great range trail (on the ridge). several bivy spots exist on the ridge in various cols between peaks.

recommended sites follow:

  • day one bivy: cols between armstrong and gothics or gothics and basin.
  • day two bivy: various spots between basin, little haystack and the phelps trail to marcy. on the panther gorge variation there is a good spot at four corners between skylight and marcy.
  • day two bivy alternate: if you make very good time and top out on marcy early, there are numerous very nice spots to bivy on the walk or ski out if necessary.

bivy icons are included on the fullsize west overview map.

  • = ideal bivies
  • = possible/emergency bivies

it's a very good idea to have a third day built in for weather, etc.

committment:
once on the ridge proper, bailing is gets more complicated after lower wolfjaw. the point of no return is the col between gothics and saddleback. there is one escape route here and one before, at lower wolfjaw. i can only see this being a concern in bad weather or very poor snow conditions. the ridge biv(ies) can be exposed and it's a good idea to limit your time on the ridge to one and a half days if possible. the most difficult extended section is armstrong to basin.

there are two long, steep descents that in bad or icy conditions may require a rappel for safety. for more info, check the route profiles and maps and read the trail descriptions in the ADK High Peaks guidebook. you'll notice that the book strongly recommends against trying the traverse in winter.

*     *     *     

Route Maps are contained in the dropdown below (note the image sizes - maps are large):

*     *     *     

<<to route profiles>>

contents last updated: 03/27/07