"Today is your day, your mountain is waiting, so get on your way. " - Dr. Seuss

Barring any crisis at work, sickness or accidental dismemberment, I'll be heading down to New York state this weekend for a hiking trip. Every year, my friends and I take part in this masochistic tradition where we:

1. Spend ridiculous amounts of money on gear at Mountain Equipment Co-op
2. Drive 3-4 hours in the dark through upstate New York to a little motel in Lake Placid
3. Attempt to hike 9-10 hours up a mountain the next morning, typically in rain or snow
4. Trudge our way back to our hotel room and hose off the mud, snow and whatever else is smeared on our aforementioned gear
5. Stagger back to Ottawa with our egos bruised after being defeated by yet another mountain
6. Brag to our friends about the awesomeness of it

This year, we're planning on conquering Algonquin Peak, one of the few peaks in the Adirondacks to go over 5000ft. I'm pretty excited about the trip this year, since the weather forecast doesn't call for any snow or rain. Also, the fall colours should be near peak, so there should be some spectacular views once we get above the treeline. And unlike the past two years, we'll have a decent chance at making it to the summit. Boo yah.

Another thing I'm looking forward to is our motel, the Schulte Lodge. From the looks of it, it's awfully quaint with a faux-little-German town look. When I called, I spoke with a very gracious innkeeper who had a thick German accent. After making our reservation, she excitedly told me about their Oktoberfest events that would occur this weekend. She was so excited that I didn't have the heart to tell her that we were all Asian. You see, after one beer, we would simply turn red and go all giggly. Somehow I don't think we'll get the most out of Oktoberfest.

Lastly, one of my friends (who coincidentally shares my name) pointed out that whenever we go on these trips, we always learn a lesson. And we usually learn it the hard way. So to finish off this entry, here's what we've learned so far:

Wool socks make the world go round. Seriously. I trudged through mud and snow in light hikers. The water just soaked right through, and it got really chilly as we reached the top. The only reason my feet stayed warm was the nice reliable pair of wool socks I wore.

Breathable fabrics are your friends Getting wet through precipitation or sweat is unpleasant if you're walking for just a few minutes. It can be really nasty on a multi-hour hike with the risk of chaffing or even hypothermia. Dressing properly with breathable fabrics is important for comfort, and in more extreme conditions, safety.

A frozen water line is not funny. Some of us used the water bladder hydration systems that use a rubber water line to deliver water. Unfortunately, water can easily freeze in the tube in cold conditions. Always clear the line by blowing on the tube before continuing on the hike. That will prevent the water from freezing and blocking your tube.

Proper Footwear. Nice dry, warm and comfy feet make a big difference. Or so people say. I got a new pair of boots this year to test this theory. No more 10 hour hiking trips through snow with just a pair of sneakers.

MacDonald's Big Breakfast Deluxe. This available-in-America-only breakfast is 1070 calories of pure processed goodness. I normally don't like McDonald's, but this really hits the spot before a long hike. If you want the most calories in an affordable breakfast, this is it.


I'll fill you in on our adventures when we get back, and hopefully we'll have some good stories to tell.