Adirondack Ascent

03/04/2026

The Adirondack summer hiking season is built right now.

The goals you set.
The miles you train.
The mountains you decide to go after.

Whether it is starting a challenge, finishing one, or exploring peaks you have not been to yet, a little planning goes a long way.

Adirondack Ascent offers private and small group guided hikes to help you reach your summer goals in the mountains.

(Photo: Rochelle Casey and Court Hamilton descending the south side trail of Seward Mountain Summer 2025)

03/03/2026

I’m honored to share that my first article about my journey in the Adirondacks has officially been published.

The mountains have shaped me in more ways than I can count. What started as a personal goal to pursue becoming a 46er journey turned into something much deeper. Lessons in preparation. Humility. Strategy. Trust. Growth that only comes when you step into the woods and carry everything you need on your back.

To have that journey put into words and shared feels incredibly meaningful.

Adirondack Ascent was built from these experiences. From early mornings at trailheads. From hard climbs. From the quiet confidence that comes when someone realizes they are stronger than they thought.

I am grateful for the mountains.
I am grateful for every client who trusts me to guide them.
And I am grateful for the opportunity to share the story behind it all.

Here’s to continuing the climb.

~Jess
Adirondack Ascent

Jessica heck shares her experience becoming more confident in the backcountry and trusting herself on the way to becoming a 46er.

02/24/2026

There is a different quality to the mountains midweek.

Less noise.
More focus.
Better decisions.

This winter and spring, Adirondack Ascent is offering curated weekday hiking experiences designed for hikers who value skill, strategy, and intentional growth.

Two options are available:

Private Guiding
A fully customized mountain day built around your goals, pace, and progression.

Limited Small Group Experiences
Thoughtfully capped groups for those who want refinement, not chaos.

These weekday hikes emphasize:
• Winter systems and layering strategy
• Technical movement in snow
• Intelligent shoulder-season trail selection
• Sustainable endurance development

This is not volume hiking.
It is progression.

Weekday mountain time is limited by design.

If you are interested in a private experience or a small-group placement, please send a direct message or visit the booking link to inquire.

Elevate your season.

02/22/2026

There are officially 26 days of calendar winter left!!

Yes. I’m counting. ❄️

And here’s something a lot of people don’t realize…

A bunch of Adirondack hiking challenges have winter versions of the challenge.

That means between the designated winter dates, when you hike the listed mountains, you can earn a winter-specific patch. Same mountains. Very different experience. Very different bragging rights.

Winter hiking hits different.
Quieter trails.
Bigger effort.
More layers.
More snacks. Always more snacks.

And listen, I know the High Peaks get all the hype, but it does NOT have to be a High Peak to be a challenge, or wildly rewarding. (Though that is awesome in its own right!)

Some of the smaller mountains in winter will humble you real quick. Snow changes everything. Distance feels longer. Elevation feels steeper. Confidence grows faster.

Maybe this is the year you try a winter fire tower.
Maybe it’s a winter Fulton Chain Trifecta.
Maybe the winter Tupper Triad.
Maybe it’s your first snowshoes-on, spikes-crunching summit.

Winter patches are earned, not given.
And there is something deeply satisfying about that.

If you’ve been looking for a nudge, this is it!

Who’s chasing a winter patch before spring hits?

02/20/2026

I made my first backpacking trip this last summer, and I went all in.

Colvin and Blake.

I hiked in solo and camped at the second site along Gill Brook for two nights, which was absolutely the move. Saving the miles on the front and back end made summit day feel strong instead of rushed.

Dinner on Indian Head with those unreal views. Fell asleep to the sound of waterfalls. If that’s not Adirondack magic, I don’t know what is.

Blake had been built up in my head as a BEAST. And yes, it’s a grind. But what no one really talks about is the backside of Colvin. That section is spicy. Steep, rugged, the kind of terrain that keeps you focused and humble real quick.

It was a hard climb. The kind where you earn every step. And getting both summits in one day felt so good.

Night two, I hung out in a waterfall, ate a mountain meal, and just sat in the quiet. No noise. No rush. Just that deep woods stillness that resets something in you.

Backpacking forces you to slow down. To carry what you need. To trust your legs. To stay present.

This was the first backtrip of many in 2025. All of the training, research, and trip planning paid off to make some of the most memorable moments of my life.

Adirondack Ascent is about building up to days like this. Step by step. Trail by trail. And sometimes…spicy ridge by spicy ridge.

02/19/2026

Cobble Lookout was a game-changer for me.

I went from a self-proclaimed “indoor girl” to fully feral in the best way.

I just knew I wanted to explore more.

That was the first trail that changed hiking for me forever.

It wasn’t the longest. It wasn’t the hardest. But something clicked. I remember stepping out onto that open rock and seeing the High Peaks stretched out in front of me. The kind of view that makes you stop mid-sentence. The kind that rearranges something inside you.

That was the moment hiking stopped being a dreaded outdoor activity and started being something deeper.

A practice.
A challenge.
A way to meet myself.

If you’re looking for an easier hike that you can enjoy in any season, this is a great option. Just make sure you have the proper gear for the time of year.

02/19/2026

For my veteran friends 💙

REMINDER!!!!! 🇺🇸 FREE LUNCH FOR VETERANS 🇺🇸
Homeward Bound Adirondacks is proud to partner with Noon Mark Diner to host a complimentary lunch for our veterans and one guest! As a small token of appreciation for your service, we invite you to join us for great food, camaraderie, and community.

📅 Saturday, February 21st
⏰ 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍 1770 NY-73 Scenic, Keene Valley, NY

Veterans must present a valid Veteran ID (VA Card, Driver’s License with Veteran Indicator, DD-214, Veteran ID, Military ID, or Retiree ID). This event is made possible through the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project and the New York State Dwyer Coalition. We hope to see you there — and please help us spread the word! 🇺🇸❤️

02/18/2026

If you don’t know where to start exploring the mountains, the Adirondack and Catskill Fire Tower Challenges are such a solid place to begin. (Bonus, you can earn patch swag, too!)

These challenges give you a built-in adventure list. Different trails. Different terrain. Different towns. You end up seeing parts of the parks you might never have chosen on your own.

It turns hiking into a mission. A reason to go somewhere new on a random Saturday. A reason to drive that extra hour. A reason to push a little farther.

And honestly… who doesn’t love finding a fire tower in the middle of the woods on top of a mountain?

There’s something about climbing those last metal steps, feeling the wind hit, and getting that 360° view over endless forest. It feels old school. Historic. Earned.

These challenges are a great way to build confidence, explore new areas, and keep the momentum going if you’re someone who enjoys chasing goals.... and patches!

Pick a peak. Find a tower. Start climbing.

(Pictures: My finish of the Adirondack Fire Towers, which included the 5 towers in the Catskills. I added the bonus 6th tower, Upper Esopus, which completed the Catskill challenge.)

For more information, see the comments for the websites to the challenges.

02/17/2026

Not sure where to start in the Adirondacks?

Start with a challenge.

One of the best ways to explore the mountains is by joining a mountain challenge like the Lake Placid 9'er, the Saranac Lake 6er, Tupper Lake Triad, Adirondack Fire Tower Challenge, or the Lake George 12ster. These challenges give you structure, direction, and a clear goal. Instead of wondering which trail to pick or if you are “ready,” you have a path laid out in front of you.

A challenge turns random hikes into a bigger adventure. Each summit builds confidence. Each trail teaches you something new about navigation, terrain, weather, and yourself. You start recognizing trail junctions, understanding elevation gain, and packing smarter. You grow without even realizing it.

It is also a powerful way to stay motivated. Checking off peaks feels good. Tracking progress keeps you consistent. And being part of a larger hiking community makes it even more rewarding.

You do not have to be an expert to begin. You just have to begin.

If you have been curious about the Adirondacks but feel overwhelmed by where to start, a mountain challenge might be your doorway in.

Adirondack Ascent is here to help you take that first step.

(Photo: Court Hamilton celebrating his Lake Placid 9'er finish on Catamount 2025)

02/17/2026

I’ve been sitting with the news of the 21 year old woman who died near the summit of Mount Marcy last week.

My heart is with her family and friends. A day that likely began with excitement and intention ended in unimaginable grief. There are no words that make that easier.

The mountains are beautiful. They are also indifferent.

Marcy is iconic. It is well-traveled. It is on so many bucket lists. But above treeline, especially in winter conditions, terrain changes fast. Wind strips heat. Ice hides under powder. A single slip can put you somewhere you cannot easily self rescue from.

And when something goes wrong out there, help is not minutes away. It can be hours. Sometimes longer. Weather can ground helicopters. Rangers cover vast terrain. The wilderness does not operate on urgency.

This is not about fear. It is about respect.

Preparation matters.
Layers matter.
Traction matters.
Navigation matters.
Letting someone know your plan matters.
Knowing when to turn around matters.

Accidents happen. Not because someone is reckless. Not because someone is foolish. But because wilderness is dynamic and unforgiving.

If anything, this is a reminder to all of us who love being out there. Respect the mountain. Over prepare. Take the extra layer. Bring the traction. Slow down. Hire support if you need it.

Holding her family in my thoughts. And holding close the reminder that every time we step into the backcountry, we carry responsibility for ourselves and for each other.

https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/search-and-rescue/hiker-21-dies-near-summit-of-mount-marcy-after-slip/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQAH6tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETIzZ3BVcnNTNGdPajFaUXl0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuvaZTcfnW8j2Kg8yOKoFNIaRe84JIFIryt4pVKaSm2BluLYKEYJJgLr7Ag__aem_UnGM5S8ttffKnWRvxACXPg

A 21-year-old hiker from New Jersey died near Mount Marcy's summit Thursday after calling 911 to report slipping off trail. Rangers rescued the hiker's dog.

02/17/2026

Heeeeey allll! It’s been quiet over here for a while.

That wasn’t by accident.

I took time to step back. To regroup. To turn inward. To ask myself what I actually wanted this work to feel like and who it was truly for.

The answer never changed.

The mountains are still the medicine.
People still belong out there.
And sometimes, we need a steady hand to help us take the next step.

Adirondack Ascent is alive and well. Inclusive guiding. Real support. No ego. No pressure to be fast or impressive. Just honest movement, fresh air, and the kind of confidence that only comes from doing hard things on purpose.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to get back outside, this is it.

I’m ready to guide again. Let's hit the trails together in 2026!

02/19/2025

I wish I had more words, but at the moment I don’t.

We have a couple group hikes this weekend.

One for our friend Patrick Bourcy to celebrate his 6th year of sobriety Saturday. And Sunday, Blue Firetower.

If you are looking to get out, send me a message and I will give you details.

All are welcome. 💙

3712 likes, 25 comments. “I will never understand how someone can put money above this.”