The Feline Wall, about ¼ mile into Panther Gorge on Mt. Marcy, sometimes hosts a thin ice smear down its center line. It seems reliable in that it forms every year. The caveat is that it is thickest at the top where the water feeding it seeps from the krummholz. Sun heats the dark underlying stone and often delaminates the bottom portion. Whether it is bonded to the anorthosite when one visits, is a persistent wildcard.

My first visit to this area with friends/local climbers Adam Crofoot and Allison Rooney. The cliff is roughly 4 miles from the trailhead with a 1/4 mile bushwhack that I consider moderate. The geometry of the overhangs and slab of this 1/4 mile long cliff is astounding. Our climb was the first ascent of Adam's route, Dishin' it Out (rate 5.10b). It follows a huge overhanging corner for 100' to a slot at the top. Views include the lake to the south and the small pond below.

The Adirondacks' unique geology of new mountains, old rock have weathered beautiful exposures of anorthosite perfect for climbing! A Sunday well spent climbing the classic 3 pitch climb, "Pete's Farewell". I've always driven by and seen climbers on this route and it was cool to finally be up there myself. Not to mention, the views from 200ft up!

Eleven hours of hiking and climbing makes for a fantastic day. Welcome to technical climbing on Gothics' South Face. This is the Original Route circa 1800s rated 5.4.

Photos - Video - Text at: http://forums.adkhighpeaks.com/showthread.php?t=27695

Full account: http://forums.adkhighpeaks.com/showthread.php?t=27630
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsAj039YGMM

The photos are from a 2013 ice climb up Gothics' East Face aka Rainbow Slide. The route we (Anthony Seidita and I) 'put up' is called Gothic Revival and rated NEI2. The line leads within 150' of the summit proper, but beware of a long bushwhack below and short and brutal bushwhack above.
http://forums.adkhighpeaks.com/showthread.php?t=20716

See www.mackenziefamily.com/46/46r.html for other slides and climbs.

Some days are memorable because of the challenges we experience. Perhaps it’s the harsh conditions or something internal we’re battling. Other days are simply perfect. Our climb last Sunday was the latter. Weather was around 10 degrees, skies were cobalt blue and the conditions on the great face of Giant Mountain offered plenty of ice (up to WI3). The sunset we witnessed surpassed any I’ve seen—better than Mallory Square in Key West, better than the beaches of FL (and they can be good).

This new route on Panther Gorge's first free-standing pillar was "put up" the same day as the NUN encounter..."Wreck of the Lichen Fitzgerald". This 40' route follows a slightly overhanging crack (crux) on this tower on Mt. Haystack's flank in the mouth of the gorge (north end). Full text and pics at: http://www.adkhighpeaks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25818

Photos are of the route, pillar & Adam Crofoot (local Keene Valley climber). What a day we had!

FULL REPORT, PHOTOS AND VIDEO AT: http://www.adkhighpeaks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25818

Friend, Adam Crofoot and I walked down to Keene Valley and arrived at his house at 9:30 p.m. after logging 20 miles over 16.5 hours. Ah, if it had just been a hike, I might not have felt as weary, but we’d logged a full day of backcountry climbing and I knew I’d feel the effects over the following couple days. That, however, is the end of the story.