Super Marcy #1
by Luke Bucciarelli, Advanced Section Camper
Super Marcy – Every 5 years Super Marcy is offered. It is a trip that celebrates camp’s 100 years of tradition by having campers walk from camp to the top of Marcy in just 4 days. The ten of us were
the first in five years to attempt the 75 mile trip. 6:30 a.m. came and we all dragged ourselves out of our beds and up to the dining hall for a breakfast of cold cereal. The mood at breakfast was a
mixture of excitement, anticipation and anxiety. After dividing the food and group gear up, we left the junior ball field with everyone’s support and cheer. After a minor backpack incident we pressed
on. We turned at the flagged dirt road and headed into logging country. We then came to a road and headed up it. We ate lunch at a stream in the Jay range, just before we started our five-mile climb
through Bluff mountain pass. At last we reached the top of the pass and started down into the town of Jay. We were all glad to see Dot Madden’s house. A nice old woman was kind enough to let us
use her basement as a campsite. Miriam and Sharpe made us a delicious meal of couscous and chicken and after watching some TV we all went to bed. The next day started at 6:30. We had the one and only
Spam for breakfast along with oatmeal. We started our six mile road walk to Wilmington. We came to a hill which seemed to end right up ahead but it went on and on and on. Some reached the top and
were very tired, others, like Miriam, looked as though it was a warm up. We then made our way down the hill into town where we had sodas at “The Little Super Market.” It started to rain heavily on us
but we pressed on to the reservoir. Josh left us, due to a doctor’s appointment and he would rejoin us tomorrow. We now had to full-pack up and over Whiteface. Going up MarbleMountain was steep
and chafing was bad for many. We ate lunch on top of LookoutMountain then made our way over to our final ascent to the top of Whiteface. We had cheeseburgers on top and saw Courtney Haynes who will lead
the girls’ Super Marcy. Her and Miriam talked for awhile about how hard core we were. After awhile of trying to find the trail we made our way down the longest and steepest 2.5 miles ever. We were
all very tired and very glad to see the lean-to. After dinner we all went to sleep. The next day we packed out one mile to Whiteface Landing and took a nice boat ride across Lake Placid and into the town
of Lake Placid. One of the highlights of the trip had to be walking through Placid dirty and with full packs. We ate breakfast at the downtown Diner and ordered the Adirondack Special. Then we
walked out of Lake Placid and down ADK Loj Road, which was really, really long. The last day we hiked up Marcy, the biggest mountain in New York. After celebrating we hiked down the other side and got
picked up at the Garden. It was an awesome trip.
Super Marcy #2
by Caleb Balderston, Advanced Section Camper
Weary-eyed campers wandered up the hill to the call of the bugle; we were already infected by a sense of urgency that went on to define the trip. In our eyes we were doing something merely difficult – but in
the eyes of the rest of those people there on that chilly morning of August 3rd, we were doing more. To them we were embarking on something of a historical journey dating back 75 years – and in
that belief of theirs, we found strength.
So, emotions aside, we headed down Reber Road, leaving behind the well-wishers on the Junior Ball Field. We walked silently, all pondering what measures we were going to be put to mentally and physically, and
more importantly convincing ourselves to follow through with whatever those measures may be.
A flagged trail awaited – the mysterious JayRange loomed ahead – and down came the rain. Huge drops, relentless in their flights, pounded on our sweat-saturated bodies. A refreshing rain it was, and relief
from the pesky deer flies in particular, but it ended abruptly, and we found ourselves still there, in Jay, walking.
We finally stumbled out of the dirt roads and into Jay. We shifted our eyes almost immediately to Wilmington. We went up and up and up Route 86 – we could see the top of the hill but what an elusive
sight it was. The hill that never ended finally did, however, and we found ourselves in Wilmington in well – a while after we left Jay. 30 miles, 10 hours 55 minutes of walking – try it
sometime. We set up camp by the reservoir and the Whiteface trailhead and hit the sack – very exhausted.
After an emotion-filled first day, we woke up sore to say the least. Nevertheless we kept on moving thankful for the dirt trails in comparison to the asphalt that to some degree had ruined our morale the day
before… MarbleMountain finished that job with a bang. Shin splints were hurting more than ever, and more than just one were dealing with the old in-woods-indigestion issues. Anyway, up Whiteface we
went, a pack on both front and back as the case presented itself. We made the summit without too much difficulty, and headed for Lake Placid down the other side in time for a delayed boat ride due to a few rolled
ankles.
Pizza at Mister Mike’s eased the pain considerably in Placid, but at that time we also lost one of our own. Damien made the decision with us in mind, and for that we had to be grateful. (He went on to finish his
Super Marcy with the MacCready girls)
Up out of Lake Placid and then up the ADK Loj road – feet were certainly beginning to get a little wear and tear. Duct tape was now being employed at every stop, and the breaks continued to increase in
length. Seeing Phil and Sharpe’s group at ADK was certainly refreshing, and we packed it in for night #2.
Day 3 in a nutshell – forecasted storms, eggs and sausage, walking, Marcy Dam, walking, IndianFalls, walking, Marcy by 11, walking, Slant Rock, walking, BushnellFalls, walking, Johns Brook Lodge, more than walking,
Garden, walking, KeeneValley and River Mede Farm. Seriously though, the day flew by, as did the storm infected clouds. It was a beautiful day, and another day we plowed right through. We had finished
Super Marcy as most know it; we were going home.
Day 4 – we all knew this was it – most back at camp thought we needed another night but we had said ‘nope’ from the beginning. So, over the shoulder of Baxter we went. Then it was 9N time. Wow –
every car that went by had ‘AT CAMP IN MINUTES’ written on its bumper, but we had to resist. We were proving something to ourselves first and foremost, and to others second.
Anyway, Elizabethtown was upon us and before we knew it Ray Woods Road – a dirt road! Asphalt will never look the same, let me tell you. We reached our crossroads, and headed straight for Poko. It
was official; there was not going to be another night in the woods. We hit Reber and kept going – that’s what this whole thing was about: we kept going. We were all in pain, but we kept going, we
persevered. We found the pillars right where we left them, right where they left them 75 years ago as well. We were home.
I learned something on this hike – for the first time in a long time I learned a real life lesson in the woods, and have you all know it from this point foreword: no matter what you set out to do, IT’S ALL MENTAL.
Super Marcy #3
by Alexandra Disney, Elizabeth Disney, C.I.T. Campers
It was 6:40 in the morning. Courtney strolled in through the doors in her nightgown and furry hunting hat. We were already awake as the excitement of Super Marcy loomed about us.
We ate breakfast in silence, too tired and nervous to talk. Our departure time came quickly, and we headed out onto the Junior Ball field. As we walked through the aisle of boys, the thrill of our adventure had begun.
We were greeted by the girls as we passed MacCready along Reber Road. After tears were shed, we continued on.
We reached the flagged road that led us to the “mysterious” Jay Range. Thirty bathroom breaks later, due to the DeFanti’s small bladders, the town of Jay was in sight.
We got to the Madden’s house and were soon greeted by Kelly, Katherine, and Damien. We were heartbroken by Damien’s pain, but delighted by the pizza and Dew. After watching the classic movie When Harry Met Sally, we went to bed.
Day two began with the long walk to Wilmington. We stopped for food and blisters, and kept on walking towards Whiteface. The hike up MarbleMountain was steep. Sweat poured off of our bodies. We ate lunch, tree
climbed, and went on our way up Whiteface.
As we neared the summit, we saw Skippy with his infamous camera. We rested for a little while at the top. Some slept, others ate, and some lubed up with Vasoline. Eventually, we took the long hike to the lean-to.
After amazing mac and cheese, we bundled up for the chilly night.
The long-awaited third day started with a windy boat ride. At the docks, Kenny, Eryn, Cecilia, Maggie, and Damien awaited us. Our morale heightened by this great surprise.
We ate a huge breakfast and the Downtown Diner. Then, Damien joined us in our trek as we headed towards Adirondak Loj.
We reached the lodge a little before two and waited for our food to be dropped off. It began to rain as we set up the tents and make dinner. We ate beef stew and dove into our tents for a cold, short sleep.
Day four began with oatmeal, McDrews, and hot chocolate. At seven we began our hike up Mount Marcy. After many rounds of twenty questions, we reached Marcy Dam. The trail got steeper as we headed towards the summit.
It got colder and colder as we gained elevation. We finally saw the big rock at the top. A rush of happiness, excitement, and accomplishment overcame us.
After a quick picture with our sheet, we raced down off the top for fear of hypothermia. Then we had a long lunch at Slant Rock.
After a lot of talking about Strazza, we finally reached John’s Brook Lodge- only 3.5 miles left to go, then half of a mile. We sprinted to the Garden and completed our journey. Our goal was accomplished and the
four day adventure was sadly over.
Eryn pulled into the Garden with the lovely blue van and a ton of food. We all piled in and realized how much we appreciated automobiles.
This amazing experience meant a lot to each one of us, much of which we can’t put down on paper. Our goal was to have everyone complete the trip. Not only did we do this but we gained another person along the way.
We would like to congratulate the other Super Marcy trips and we’d also like to thank Kenny for all he did to make the trips successful.
Super Marcy #4
by David Durant, Trip Leader
Willsboro, NY, August 9 - At approximately 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 7th, the first All Intermediate Super Marcy in 75 years reached the highest point in New York
State some 20 hours ahead of schedule amidst hail, sleet, and yes; snow. Pausing only long enough for the Trip Leaders to hand out emergency cold weather gear and snap a quick digital photo as evidence of
their successful ascent, the group then executed a hasty about face and retreated to tree cover and lower, warmer, elevations in the face of mother nature’s relentless onslaught.
Their respect for the harsh and unpredictable Adirondack climate was quickly rewarded as the clouds broke; revealing jagged green and gray peaks in every direction, and a rainbow appeared in the sky over Little
Marcy, giving heart to the exhausted climbers. By 5:00 they had taken shelter under the alpine canopy at the junction with the Brooks trail (1.2 mi. from the Summit, 7.9 from the Garden parking lot) and were
busy refueling on trail mix, candy bars, and pepperoni while warming numb little fingers on steaming pots of hot chocolate.
The arduous expedition finally ended five hours later when the group was met by the Assistant Headmaster of Camp Pok-o-Moonshine, Kenneth Herz, Program Director Chris Durlacher and a warm, cozy van at the Garden
Trailhead in Keene Valley, the last portion of the trip having been made with LED headlamps after the pounding, icy rain had given way to darkness during their determined full-pack descent.
Despite, or perhaps in part because of, the adverse conditions, morale remained at an exceptionally high level until the very end, and the van ride back to camp (which incidentally proved fatal for one unlucky
porcupine) passed quickly with sleepy reminiscing about the trip past.
* * * * *
The idea for a modern All Intermediate Super Marcy was born one chilly May morning as Sharp Swan, the Director of Pok-o-MacCready Camps, an Adirondack Historian and Super Marcy veteran himself, and David Durant, the
2004 Intermediate Section Head stood chatting in the MacCready parking lot. Sharpe remarked that prior to the late 1920s Camp-to-Marcy treks often included members of the youngest sections in camp, and Durant
immediately suggested an attempt at bringing back this lost piece of camp tradition.
To Sharpe’s credit, it should be noted that he was immediately supportive of the idea, and at no point expressed open doubts about the feasibility of taking a group of 10-12 year olds 78 miles in four days over
logging roads, trails, and highways.
Others found the idea to be slightly fantastic, and due to these ambient doubts Durant felt pressure to maximize the group’s chances of success in every way possible.
Philosophically stripping the historical march down to its bare essentials -- a long haul to, and climb of, Mount Marcy -- a route was plotted that contravened tradition and bypassed Whiteface. Food and
equipment drops were planned in the town of Jay (20-25 mi. from Camp) and at South Meadows (7.2 from the Summit). Furthermore, the potential group was subjected to a series of rigorous training hikes both
locally around camp and in the high peaks. The ultimate roster included Chris Takara, age 10, Nick Edwards, age 11, Lucas Schaffer, age 11 (the third member of his family to successfully complete a Super
Marcy), and Patrick Martahus, age 12, a new three-week camper, as well as Calvin LeSueur, age 15, the expedition’s C.I.T. and, for all intents and purposes, Assistant Trip Leader. Three counselors were given
the honor of accompanying these young men in their attempt. Dr. Matthew Leto, age 31, of Manhattan brought medical and nutritional expertise, while Rock Climbing Specialist Drew Seitz, age 24, of Morgantown,
West Va. added wilderness know-how and happily shouldered massive loads of gear and food. The official Trip Leader was David Durant, age 23, originally from New Hope, PA., ADK 46r #4095, a long time camper,
counselor, and Section Head, but in the event all important decisions were made by Counselor consensus and then put to the group for its approval.
* * * * *
“Super Marcy #4,” as the group was known for planning purposes, left Camp Pok-o-Moonshine at a jog at 7:10AM Thursday, August 5th. They were sent off with the traditional standing ovation from
their fellow campers and counselors on the Junior Ball Field, and met a few minutes later by some select representatives of Camp MacCready who took time out from their day to line a portion of Reber Rd.
The first day, which they had feared would be the toughest, turned out to be the easiest. With bellies full of cold cereal and leftover corn bread the members of the youngest Super Marcy group in generations
made their first 2.5 mi. in 44 minutes, an encouraging time, and turned right on a flagged dirt road which lead through the Reber hinterland to the town of Lewis. Members of the group took down the bright
orange flags (which had been left by Super Marcy #1 three days before) as they went, and festooned their packs and bodies with the ribbons. The prevalent feel that first day was similar to that of a circus on
the move. Campers made jokes and funny faces; counselors remembered trips past. Lunch was an exotic array of organic foods courtesy of Dr. Leto. Fresh mozarella and Vermont tomatoes with amino-acid
spray on seven-grain bread with a bit of tuna sprinkled on top for added protein was one favorite; there were many others.
At the apex of Bluff Pass the group pondered bagging the seldom climbed peak itself, but wisely decided to save their energies for the coming days. Descending through thorns, tall grasses, and Alder trees
toward the town of Jay, preliminary plans were made for a potential first ever Winter Super Marcy using telemark skis and snow shoes. Despite a sharp, nagging pain in Seitz’s foot from a recent sojourn in
the Dix Wilderness Area, and incipient blisters on Dr. Leto’s “city feet” the boys all made great time through the western half of the Jay Wilderness Primitive Area, reaching the junction of Routes 86 and 9N
at 3:50 PM.
Arriving at the house of Dot and Joe Madden, long time friends of Camp, shortly thereafter, they were thrilled to hear that they had made better time than both Sharpe’s own Senior/Advanced Section trip and the All
MacReady trip the day before. (It should be noted that the MacCready women did stop at Jay Rapids to rest and wade.)
As it turned out, the Trip Leaders needn’t have feared an exhausted group. After making camp in Joe and Dot’s basement the four intermediates played a rousing game of foosball until they were banished to the
yard to throw a Frisbee instead.
The second day brought a considerable amount of adversity. Both Leto and Seitz were in pain, having exacerbated their injuries with the previous day’s miles. LeSueur had to wrap both knees in ace
bandages and later give one up for young Martahus, who was suffering from a slight hyperextension of his left knee. From the get-go ominous thunderheads churned above, and the sharp summit of Whiteface
dominated the skyline with its sinister aspect. The weather report claimed 37°in Saranac Lake and a chance of snow at higher elevations.
Durant set the ambitious goal of 2:30:00 to the town of Wilmington. The group made it in 1:59:46. As a reward they ate a hearty breakfast at Rosalia’s Diner, complementing the health food of the day
before with fried eggs and potatoes, French toast and pancakes, crisp bacon and thick sausages. Despite the leisurely meal, and the bone-chilling rain that followed, the group made it to their intended camp
site at Copper’s Pond at 1:00PM. Correctly assessing the situation, they decided unanimously to push on towards South Meadows. Spending the rest of they day huddled under tarps would like as not have
destroyed the group’s exceptional morale. As it happened they were able to reach their third night’s camp site on the second day, positioning them for an early summit attempt. En route they met up
with Senior Section Head Josh Bornt on his day off in the shadows of the Olympic Ski Jumps, discovered that the cell phone they had carried so many miles in case of emergency was actually broken, and, finally,
realized that the 30 or so miles they walked that day denoted the out limits of the group’s endurance. Exhausted but satisfied with their effort, the group set up camp quickly and crawled hand over blistered
foot into their sleeping bags.
The final day began with an exceptionally late 7:30AM wake up which was something of a reward for the stellar performance of the day before. Amidst unseasonably cold early morning temperatures and cloying mist
Durant fired up both of the group’s stoves and served up a hearty breakfast of cocoa flavored oatmeal and canned beef stew which had gone uneaten the night before. The young hikers discovered that, like
pregnancy, walking 50 miles in two days can do funny things to one’s appetite, and the salty concoction (with hot sauce added to taste), really hit the spot. As Durant cooked, Seitz, Leto, and LeSueur led
the group in breaking camp, and by 10:00 they were ready for the sprint to Marcy Dam, where they ate again in order to maintain their energy, and topped off their water reserves.
From the Dam up to Indian Falls on the shoulder of Marcy the pace dropped off slightly as the strain of three days on the move with full packs began to show. Directly after a pause for a “temp break” to take
off polar fleece layers the rain recommenced and another break was required to put on rain jackets. Each time it was a little more difficult to shoulder those massive packs. The group was forced to lunch
at the falls despite the ever falling temperatures and persistent precipitation. Worried about hypothermia, the Trip Leaders kept everyone on their feet, and in constant motion, even as they assembled bagel
sandwiches with numb fingers and ate as fast as they could. The short leg from the Falls to the Brooks trail junction dragged, and the Trip Leaders shouted out encouraging statistics:
“Sixty-eight miles down! Ten to go!” And so on and so forth.
At the junction the group switched over to daypacks and their summit push began. Near the top, it began to feel like an Everest attempt. Rain turned to sleet which turned to snow, and every step into the
wind was a struggle. The last 100 feet were conquered by sheer will power alone, and the eight reached the summit shouting the camp song at the top of their lungs, even as the wind ripped the words out of
their mouths and carried them over Elk Lake, and away.
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