My interest in hiking started when i first discovered the adirondacks in upstate,NY-Lake Placid-in 2002. I climbed a tough peak on my second climb. Mount Algonquin. I enjoyed the hike. Since 2002 i have been visiting lake Placid every year. However in 2002 i met a hiker who piquue dmy interest. He told me the toughest hike in the lower 48 states was Granite's Peak located in the Beartooth Mountain range, Near Custer national Park. I would like the opportunity to climb this peak with a group of hikers. So joining Summitpost would give me a heads up and valuable information to acheive this goal. Respectfully submitted. Alan-1/15/09