Hiking Guide to Colvin, Blake, Nippletop, and Dial | Adirondack High Peaks

[@bradstreet6467]

Love this format.

[@jimhartlageart5665]

I've been watching your videos since you first started posting way back when, stuff that you have since taken down, stuff that you then transitioned to as you started taking a more serious approach while highlighting safety, preparedness, and leave no trace principles. I was certainly happy to see you return to making ADK videos and I think this new format does an excellent job of showing/preparing hikers for what they may encounter on this trail - - I hope that you continue to showcase many other hikes in this manner. Having said all of that, I do miss some of the goofy/funny bits you used to work into your videos - - everyone needs a good chuckle every now and then. Please also consider that humor combined with expert knowledge (two characteristics you posses) can make for very effective educational content.

[@mikestevenson4101]

I really enjoyed the format, very detailed along with a visual makes this a top notch video. Including the intersections is a HUGE benefit to hikers. Thanks for your efforts!

[@joanlajara3939]

Soo great to see your hiking videos again! Really do like the new format, like all the info helps a great deal!Your cinematography? Is as usual awesome! Great hiking guide you put out with your book also! I don’t get how some people can say anything negative about how you guys hike or how you prepare! Keep it going! Thanks!

[@ervinslens]

This is amazing man, views are simply unmatched here! Brilliant cinematic work!

[@Happenchance99]

I really like this new "hiking guide" style video. Very helpful.

[@catherinebelanger1693]

I love the new format :) I find the information super helpful but also just an enjoyable video to watch. Thanks for putting all this info out on here!

[@soaroutdoors]

Gill Brook is one of the more beautiful trails in the High Peaks. Great guide and video. Hike On!!

[@kevinshpunt5731]

I was in awe of the size of the brook trout in gill brook

[@bluefoxhiking]

your content was always suburb. Your hikes were always the best of the ADK. Your persona now fits your hiking prowess. Don't give up what made you unique, embrace your growth. I'm seeing the Man of the Mountains. Well done.

[@dawnmills1757]

Love this!! It is a great format for aspiring 46ers!!

[@jpguitar34]

I'm digging this new style of video, very informative, would love more in this style. I hiked Colvin and Blake this past Saturday, that hike back up Colvin from Blake is soul crushing at times. We did it in off and on rain, no bueno.

[@dwruckstheeast]

That's the loop I still need to check off!! Thanks, Dale.

[@matthewgriffin827]

I like the new format. My buddy and I started hiking the High Peaks a couple years ago, we live in Ohio and found your videos to be inspirational. We're looking for a couple of peaks to do this Fall and will have to consider one of these pair. Thanks.

[@Snitchols]

I love that col between Colvin and Blake.

[@KhurshidsChannel]

Wow!! Very beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Like 👍

[@DerekGHikes]

Excellent guide video!

[@markhoover]

that was great

[@Jinoda]

I really enjoyed this format, I'd love to see more, with at least one way up each of the high peaks and even some of the lower peaks (lesser known mountains, LP9, etc). Can always count on your production value to set your videos apart as well. Please do more!

[@db.mc2]

Thank you Jonathan 👊🏻👍🏻God Bless 🙏🏻 my friend 🫶🏻Appreciate you!

[@gigih.2169]

I'm working my way toward the high peaks! Getting my LG 12st done this summer. And as a New Yorker, have to say it. Stewart's is the best!!

[@galvagno71]

I was just in Placid yesterday. Was hoping to run into you.

[@dfred3662]

Nice job!

[@FelineFinesse4]

A unique perspective of James on video vs just listening to his voice 😂😂

[@nick__in__nature]

Great video! Heading up to the High Peaks next week and doing some research...super informative and well-filmed! Out of curiosity what are you shooting with/editing with if you don't mind sharing? Thanks!

[@TheGreatBigMove]

Boots > Crocs is maybe the best feeling of all time

[@uncleandy8818]

When did you hike this?

[@JonathanZaharek]

Last year 😭

[@adventureaheadphoto]

New style thoughts: Good: -Better prepares people to do it themselves -heavier use of voiceover feels somewhat more cinematic than a simple vlog -Cool to see you actually slow down and enjoy the views as opposed to just doing crazy ultras Bad: -Less of a storyline/entertainment factor than your tradition vlog style videos. Overall, I like it. I hope you continue your vlog style faster paced hikes and bushwhacks as well, but I think that having a series of guide videos like this for each set of peaks could be valuable for sure. Throw them into a playlist as you get more of them?

[@mattbrinckerhoff685]

I was thinking of doing this hike this weekend, do you think it is smart with the forecasted 2-3 inches of rain, any drier hikes you recommend?

[@JonathanZaharek]

@@mattbrinckerhoff685 hey Matt, Friday is looking very terrible, but Saturday is looking crystal clear! So as long as you can deal with really wet trails and lots of mud, Saturday’s weather is looking really good. In terms of dryer, you’re not gonna find anything dry after the rain. So I would just make sure you have a pair of gaitors!

[@mattbrinckerhoff685]

Thanks for the advice, I ended up missing the trail to bear den, and went straight to Colvin, the conditions were great the entire way

[@lasulax]

psst...@12:45 that isnt bear den, thats the Noonmark shoulder where the wildfire was and young birch is. Otherwise, great video.

[@JonathanZaharek]

OK so to clarify. I actually know this. Seriously. I recorded this section and accidentally placed it at the wrong area in the video and might’ve left out a period because I know for a fact that the burn zone is in fact the Noonmark shoulder. If you hear what I said “immediately after dial, you will descend and climb up to Bear den”. So I was referring to the previous section where I was on Bear Den. The actual bear den, and not the Noonmark shoulder. So this was just an accident with how I piece everything together. Thank you for catching that. It’s kind of embarrassing.

[@meljane8339]

In terms of the trail conservation, I agree, things change drastically. Sometimes it is just appearance and some times not. You guys are lucky with wintertime being an opportunity to recover small, but defined paths, and allow human-fabricated pseudo-"deer trails" to grow back. ...And, that Is something that needs no less than annual work. I like [the idea of] survey tape for its seasonal durability, visibility, and potential non-invasiveness. ... ...[Even the idea of the occurrence of] wildfires where you are scares me. ...

[@fresh3dprints728]

Supposed to walk through the mud, not around it. Also; talk about overpacking? Sheesh.

[@JonathanZaharek]

Congrats on the negative comment.

[@fresh3dprints728]

@@JonathanZaharek congrats on taking constructive criticism poorly due to your ego

[@JonathanZaharek]

@@fresh3dprints728 then how about word it constructively next time? It sounded very demeaning. There was not one instance in this video where we walked around the mud. If anything, we stepped on obstacles over the mud which is completely acceptable. We clearly walked directly through it in most shots. And also, you blaming James for overpacking is petty. If he wants to bring more than he should, then why blame someone for being a little overprepared? I barely had anything in my backpack. that’s the only backpack James owns. Just because it’s big doesn’t mean he’s overpacking.

[@joanlajara3939]

This guy needs to go for a walk in the woods, maybe he’ll be less negative 😆