Site by Kevin B. MacKenzie, 
46-R #5430W

Cover Pics:
Deb MacKenzie,
Rich McKenna,Neil Luckhurst

Updated: 1-5-12 

Check Out
Adirondack Life's February 2012 issue for "The White Album: Your Favorite Peaks in Winter"

Adirondac Magazine's February 2012 issue for "Winter Summits, Blue Skies:
A February Trek of
Gray, Skylight, and Marcy"

New Winter Reports: 
Algonquin NE Face Bushwhack & Gothics True North Bushwhack (see Slides and Bushwhacks Page)


Welcome to a celebration of God’s rugged wilderness known as the Adirondacks. This site is dedicated to descriptive narratives of backcountry bushwhacks - slide explorations, winter outings, on-trail photography and various hiking resources.   

Many notable trips make up the whole of my hiking journey/learning curve.  Duration, mileage, routes, terrain, intense weather conditions and the like define some as particularly epic.  My trail-name emerged during one such hike in August of 2004.  Rich McKenna, a long time hiking partner and I took a day-trek over the high peaks of Seymour, Seward, Donaldson & Emmons...during a narrow weather window between the remnants of Tropical Storm Bonnie and the oncoming remnants of Hurricane Charley.  The day began from a trailhead that was underwater and continued for 16 hours through mostly knee-deep mud.  By the day’s end under cover of darkness, a rich layer of Adirondack mud (composed of soil, water and quite possibly epoxy) adhered to my body.  The trail name, “MudRat”, stuck as well.

Many seasons and hikes have passed since then.  Each reiterates the fact that the journey, whether on a path in the woods or in life, contains the most valuable memories and lessons.  The final goal, whatever it may be, is just a catalyst that compels us to motion.  Enjoy each moment, the companionship, the tranquility and the wilderness with its minutiae and vistas.  May your ambition for the goal allow you to be a student of the journey…

Please feel free to email me by clicking "MudRat" in the header pic.

Hurricane Irene traveled up the east coast causing extensive damage en route.  It reached the Adirondacks as a tropical storm on August 28, 2011 and dumped unprecedented amounts of rain in a short period of time causing historic flooding in many communities.  Small brooks and rivers tore building to pieces, moved or inundated residences, destroyed or filled streets with trees and silt, disabled bridges…you get the idea.  Dozens of new slides formed in the High Peaks changing the face of the landscape for years to come. Recent updates to trail conditions may be viewed HERE. Phil Brown's article on "Quantifying Irene" adds some perspective as well. We are in the process of recovery.  Please respect the communities and their residents and keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.