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Upstate New York

The climbing turns completely to slick-rock.

With each slick-rock surmount the view gets better and better.

I'm feeling really whipped now but I keep up the pace. Now, in full view, the mountaintop is vigorously coaxing me onward and upward.

I finally reach what is called the Arctic Alpine Plant Zone. The plants are delicate here so I must stay on the trail.

All the evergreens I encounter at this level are stunted and are no larger than a garden-variety Christmas tree.