Adirondack PEEKS: Winter 2023

PEEKSAdirondack

The Magazine of the 46ers

22; (ON THE

FROZEN IN TIME Kevin Baker on Cascade Slide Falls. Read Kevin’s story on page

COVER) Allison Cascade Kozel, #3757W and Jason Christopher getting married on Whiteface in September with their friend and officiant, Chris Lepkowski and dog, Crosby.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Do you have an interest in the Adirondacks? Do you have any concerns about the Adirondacks in general? Do you feel you are a stakeholder in the Adirondacks?

Your interest might be in the most picturesque route to a summit. Your concern might be for the poor condition of a trail which could cause an injury to a hiker or rescuer and harm to the environment. Your interest might be in the best summit for a wedding. Your concern might be in how to afford classes to learn the skills to recreate safely in the Adirondacks. Your interest might be in how to get another patch. Your concern might be in trash along our roadsides. Your interest might be in the opportunities to help those aspiring to join the organization. Your concern might be the lack of bathroom facilities. Just as the differences in weather exist, so do our similarities, interests, and concerns. Our similarities are much greater than our differences.

As an organization, the Adirondack 46er’s have worked hard to keep our annual dues affordable and accessible for all, at a mere $10.00 per year. We know and understand our members concerns for the condition of the trails. We donate our time to make improvements with our all-volunteer Trail Crew and with our significant annual donations to the ADK Pro Crew. We have worked hard to create a number of opportunities for our members to give back such as our Adopt a Highway, Correspondent, Trail Crew, Trailhead Steward and

MOUNTAINTOP MATRIMONY Like the happy couple on the cover, Laurie Rankin and her husband, Tom, also got married on Whiteface—just not in a snowstorm.

Outdoor Skills Workshop as well as the opportunity to earn a new recognition patch. We know that attending classes to gain skills can be expensive. We strive to keep our Outdoor Skills Workshop fee very low. Annually, we sponsor several young people to attend Department of Environmental Conservation Camp who might otherwise not be able to afford to go.

We understand that this special place we call the Adirondacks connects us all. It connects us as families, as friends, as couples, as caregivers, as stakeholders. A stakeholder is defined as “a person with an interest or concern in something.” Do you feel you are a stakeholder in the Adirondacks? We think the answer is yes! We sincerely believe the 46er organization is a strong stakeholder in the Adirondacks. We hope you will let the 46er organization know of both your concerns and your interests as we, stakeholders who number over 14,000 since the beginning of our organization, hike forward together. ▲

—Laurie Rankin, #5525WV President, Adirondack 46ers

Laurie Rankin

Brian Sutherland

Siobhán Carney-Nesbitt

Ben Bradford, Jona Favreau

Winn Rea, Greg Sodaro

Becky Swem, Sheila Young Philip Corell

Bill Lundy

Dan Auwarter, Bill Lundy

Lee Nesbitt, Siobhán Carney-Nesbitt

Jane Meader Nye

Brian Hoody, Mary Lamb

Mark Simpson, Curt Snyder Doug Varney

Joe Ryan

Dave Freeman

Jim Houghtaling

Natalie Moore

Jessica J-M Henderson

John Casey, Phil Corell, Spencer Crispe, Jim Graham, Cindy Halpern, Carl Heilman II, Tim Hoppey, Ellen Hoppey Cabana, Eric Kuhn, Peggy MacKellar, Amy Musick, Ed Rowland, Maria Rush, Bob Wall

Adirondack PEEKS is published twice a year by the Adirondack Forty-Sixers, Inc., a non-profit organization. The magazine is free for those with paid membership dues or $7 for a single copy, $12 for one year (two copies), $23 for two years (four copies) and $34 for three years (six copies), plus sales tax. To purchase a subscription, email membership@adk46er.org

CONNECTIONS

Iremember exactly two details about my hike of Allen some 15 years ago: The black flies were awful, and I found a Nalgene water bottle in the trail. If you’ve been mad enough to hike in the High Peaks in June, you know all about the flies. And while you may not know about the water bottle, chances are, you’ve had some sort of similar encounter.

Let me explain.

The Nalgene was lime green (my tween self’s favorite color), a little beat up (it’d been dropped once or 100 times), and covered in stickers (mostly from Adirondack organizations). I found it in the grassy section heading in, and carried it all the way up and back down, but didn’t see a single soul (maybe we were the only people mad enough to be out there in June). There were no cars in the parking lot, either, so I took the bottle home with me.

After a thorough washing, the bottle came with me to Marshall later that summer, and I was drinking out of it at the intersection of Cliff and Redfield the following day when a young woman leading a group hike pointed at me. “That’s my bottle!” she exclaimed excitedly. “I lost it coming out of Allen!” Somewhat embarrassed, I tried to give it back to her, but she refused. “It’s yours now,” she said.

Though the Adirondack 46ers boast 9,000-plus active members, and thousands more hikers frequent New York’s tallest mountains every year, the High Peaks are an incredibly small world; encounters like this are quite common. Marjorie Norlund and Amy Musick had one just last year, except instead of a Nalgene, it was a miniature watermelon that brought them together (turn to page 38 for more on that), and while the meeting of High Peaks veterans (and cover stars) Jason Christopher and Allison Cascade Kozel in 2019 was long overdue, when they finally ran into one another in real life, it was well worth the wait. After serendipitously being invited to the same wedding just a week after, the couple fell in love—brought together by the mountains.

I haven’t gotten out in the High Peaks nearly as much as I’d like to in the last year and a half, but while I haven’t had any small-world trail encounters recently, I’ve had plenty of acquaintances (some of whom I didn’t realize were 46ers) reach out after seeing my photo in this very magazine. It’s been a pleasure connecting with old friends on a new topic, and with new friends on a topic I never grow tired of talking about. And while this issue unfortunately marks my last as the editor of PEEKS, I’m not going anywhere. Maybe I’ll see you on the trail.▲

—Natalie Moore, #8031 Editor, Adirondack PEEKS

LAST DANCE After this issue, PEEKS editor Natalie Moore, seen here on Jay Mountain this past fall, will pass the reins into the capable hands of a new editor, who will produce the magazine going forward.

>>THE FRONT<<

TRAIL MIX

News and More From the ADKs

GUIDING LIGHT Nearly two decades after publishing the first edition, longtime Adirondack guidebook writer Tony Goodwin has published the second edition of Ski and Snowshoe Trails in the Adirondacks, a comprehensive guide to popular and lesser-known winter routes through the High Peaks and beyond.

PROPS TO US

In November, New York voters passed Proposition 1, the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act. The passage will allow the State to make an unprecedented $4.2 billion investment into the environment by way of infrastructure projects to protect clean water and improve climate resiliency, as well as through the expansion of parks, campgrounds, and nature centers.

GAMES TIME This winter, Lake Placid and the surrounding towns will host the World University Games, the largest multi-sport collegiate athletic event in the world. Some 2,500 athletes and coaches from 600 universities in 50 countries will compete in 12 sports at 10 competition venues (including Whiteface and Mt. Van Hoevenberg) over 11 days from January12-22. This year marks 100 years since the first Games were held in Paris.

Fall photo (DICK SEDERQUIST); snowboarder (FISU); Mt. Jo (BEN BRASSEAU)

JO DIRT This fall, the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) completed phase one of a trail project on Mount Jo. The popular mountain sees some 15,000 hikers take one of two trails—the long trail and the short trail—every year, and both have been deteriorating over the last few decades. While the short trail will remain as is (ADK plans to use it as an educational tool to show how old-style trails erode over time), the long trail will be completely rerouted, with the grade never surpassing a 10 percent incline to cater to the many novice hikers who climb the mountain. The rest of the project is expected to be completed by 2023 and will serve as a model for future trail renovations throughout the Adirondack Park.

MEETING

IN THE MOUNTAINS Gear up, winter enthusiasts: The Mountaineer will host its annual Adirondack Mountainfest, featuring gear demos, clinics, tours, presentations, and happy hours in and around Keene Valley this February 10-13. Whether you’re in the market for avalanche training, a guided ski tour, or to learn mountaineering basics, there’s something for you at the 25th annual festival. Visit mountaineer.com/mountainfest for more information and to register; clinics are already filling up so be sure to reserve your spot soon. ▲

#TBT John Siau, #94 and Bob Wiley, #972 camp out at Bradley Pond Lean-to under several feet of snow in April 1955.

POEM

Adirondacks in Winter

Sunset glow on hard packed snow

Freezing, sweating

Eating new fallen snow

Hot cocoa, frozen tuna sandwiches

Fingerless wool gloves

Gaiters protecting Sorel boots

Mice running in lean-tos after dark Coyotes howling nearer than you would like

Balaclavas, icicle mustaches, frozen mascara

Sunset, darkness falls early 30-below sleeping bags

Howling wind, blow down

Comfort of tent

Coffee at crack of dawn

New fallen snow on pine trees

Snowshoes in deep snow

Frozen water, managing supplies

Animal tracks… What was that… Pine marten

ONE LONG HIKE

…Silence

Icicles hanging from trees

Snowballing under crampons Granola bars, instant oatmeal Snow-hidden trails, frozen hiking boots EMS, Merrell, REI Bushwhacking

Topographical map Reminder that “cotton kills” Compass Encompassing herd paths

Cairns

Barbara McMartin’s book

Backpack, lifeline… Fall air, gunfire, intimidation of hunters Fear of hunters…worrying when you pass one

Fantasizing about next Tubbs purchase Technical gear visions, Sherpas Gatorade Chapstick Bandannas for countless uses…

Blue Jay Day

Not to be confused with Jay Peak, the northern Vermont ski mountain known for its deep pow and glade skiing, Jay Mountain is an epic ridge hike located just south of the town of Jay in the Adirondacks. From the trailhead, it’s about 2.5 miles to the scenic overlook, which provides a great view of Whiteface’s snowcovered ski trails. You can call it quits there, or continue on along the ridge trail (keep an eye out for cairns!) to the summit, taking in sweeping views of the High Peaks all the way. The complete out-and-back hike clocks in at 8.7 miles—not bad for a sub-4,000-footer. ▲

—Natalie Moore, #8031

Ranger Rick, or Pete in our time

First aid kit

Snowshoes on hard packed snow Jon Krakauer… …Next winter trip 46 countdown

December 21 through March 21

Grace of Gortex, polypropylene glove liners

Coziness of wool

Water bottle allocation

Ski poles Numb, tingling fingers

Actually seeing the differentials of snowflakes

Bears, hanging food in trees

Blizzard, tent in ravine Grace Hudowalski, Amazing Grace! Grateful for the Adirondacks! ▲

—Maria Rush, #3210

WEST POINT A scenic overlook at the westernmost point of the Jay ridge trail looks out at Whiteface Mountain.

Table Top

By Jim Graham, #8346

On January 30, 2021, it was -13 degrees as I sat in my car in the ADK Loj parking lot. Wind chill contributed to significantly lower temperatures and dangerous conditions in the High Peaks. As I headed from my car to the Lot 1 trailhead, DEC rangers were asking hikers about their plans for the day. I overheard them trying to convince several groups that these were not the best conditions—or even safe ones—for experiencing the summit of Marcy. As I approached, a ranger’s outstretched arm and open hand slowed me down. When she asked what my plans for the day were and I replied, “Just Table Top,” she seemed relieved. She smiled and told me to enjoy my day.

Needless to say it was bitter cold, but the deep blue sky and the white snow along the Phelps trail made for a brilliant day. The frosty beards and rime ice eyebrows on the rare passersby kept everyone smiling.

Once on the Table Top summit, I did what I typically do on a High Peak summit: Took snapshots of all that I could capture until I couldn’t tolerate the cold for a second longer. Except this day, the mittens never came off; liners and mittens were not enough, and I had to get going and keep moving. As the trail dropped down into the trees I pulled out my camera for one last shot.

Although I consider my photos nothing more than snapshots, I always find myself coming back to this one. Looking clearly toward Iroquois, the crisp blue sky and the wisp of the wind pulling the snow from the shoulder of Algonquin, I always think: It’s “just Table Top.” ▲

TheLoveGreatest Story

FALL INTO PLACE While Allison Kozel and Jay Christopher considered a winter wedding, they ultimately decided to tie the knot at sunrise on the first day of fall...but Mother Nature had other plans.

Adirondack Ever Told

How a love for the High Peaks, a healthy dose of serendipity, and seven furry legs led Allison Cascade Kozel, #3757W and Jason Christopher to tie the knot in a blizzard on Whiteface.

By Natalie Moore

Photography by Jamie McGiver, Due West Photography

If rain on your wedding day means good luck, what does an unseasonably early blizzard—at an outdoor sunrise wedding on top of New York’s fifth highest peak, no less— mean? For Allison Cascade Kozel, #3757W and Jason Christopher, it was just one more sign that they were meant to be together.

The story of Allison and Jay, as he’s known to his friends, begins on Whiteface in August 2019. “We had both joined a group of fellow hikers to celebrate a friend’s 46th High Peak finish,” Allison says. Both Allison and Jay had been hiking in the Adirondacks for years (Jay, though he isn’t a registered 46er, has completed nearly seven rounds of the 46, including a single-season winter round), and had dogs who were 46ers, but had never met before. “Jackson and Crosby gravitated to each other without hesitation, and our human connection was equally as immediate and undeniable,” Allison continues. “The dogs snoozed in the mountain breeze while we shared endless hiking stories. To our surprise, only a few days later we ended up at a mutual friend’s wedding.”

By that point, Jay’s dog, Jackson, who was Instagram famous locally for the @jacksonsjourneys account Jay ran, was a “tri-paw”; he’d had his back right leg amputated earlier that spring after being diagnosed with bone cancer. A few weeks after meeting Allison, Jay said goodbye to Jackson after 13 years of adventures and 300-plus shared Adirondack summits. “Jackson passed the torch knowing Jay was in good hands (and paws) with Crosby and me by his side,” Allison says. “It became evident that Jackson had been the matchmaker all along.”

COUPLES RETREAT The happy couple hiking in Wilmington; (OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) Jay, Jackson, Crosby and Allison on the day they met in August 2019; Allison and Crosby making their way to the Whiteface summit; Allison’s flower crown was secured by two full packages of bobby pins; Jay and Allison after getting engaged on Whiteface in 2021.

Two years after meeting, Allison headed back to the summit of Whiteface, this time for an impromptu picnic with friends. Little did she know, Jay had decided to crash the party and propose—in the exact spot they met, with an emerald and diamond ring in one hand and Jackson’s ashes in the other. Needless to say, she said yes.

And thus began the wedding planning, with the summit of Whiteface being the obvious choice of location. The couple knew they wanted to do it at sunrise (“It felt most authentic to who we are as hikers,” Allison says. “We are both known for hiking at night and consider it a successful trip if we see sunrise from one summit and sunset from another summit on the same day.”). Not that there was any type of sunrise to be seen on that unseasonably snowy September morning. That’s right—that blizzard blew in on September 23. And here’s the kicker: Allison and Jay had actually been considering a winter wedding, since they both prefer winter hiking, but opted for the first day of fall because of vendor availability. Talk about meant to be.

Since Allison’s dog Crosby’s days of High Peaks–hiking are behind him and Allison and Jay’s witness was six months pregnant, they opted to drive up Whiteface for their

mountaintop nuptials, coordinating with ORDA to allow them access to the toll road before normal operating hours. They began their ascent at 5:30am, with the weather deteriorating from partly cloudy, to rain, to sleet, to snow. “We pressed on with our plans,” Allison says. “After all, we’re both very accustomed to rugged winter summit conditions…Just not normally in a wedding gown and suit!”

With Jay up ahead (the couple had driven separately), Allison strapped on a pair of MicroSpikes and ascended the stairway to heaven, two full packages of bobby pins keeping her flower crown in place in the 30-mile-an-hour-winds. “As I crested the top of the staircase, the white and gray snow-filled sky magically cast a glow of pink,” Allison says. “I saw Jay standing out on the ledge staring out and could only assume he was thinking the same thing that I was: Jackson is here with us!”

After sharing their vows and saying “I do” in threedegree temperatures and white-out conditions, they celebrated

with a bottle of Champagne and Jay’s favorite mountaintop drink: PBR. Back down below the storm clouds, they met their friends and family on a perfect autumn day overlooking the Ausable River and Whiteface for a blessing ceremony performed by a friend, and reread their vows for their 100 guests. A typical reception followed, with an Adirondack menu of venison chili, campfire trout and local veggies; hiking snack–inspired desserts, signature drinks (named after Jackson and Crosby); dancing; and a late-night campfire. The festivities continued throughout the weekend, with brunch, fly fishing, boat tours of Lake Placid and a sunset hike. As for the honeymoon? You guessed it: hiking in the High Peaks.

“The entire weekend could not have been more ‘us.’” Allison says. “Our guests have complimented us on how fun and ‘meant to be’ the weekend was. For us, it was incredibly special to have the people we love enjoy the place we love the most: the High Peaks.” ▲

LAYER UP Allison wore three pairs of base layer pants and had hand warmers in her gown and mittens when she said “I do”; (OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) the florals were by Allison’s mom, a florist, who got married on Cascade in the 1970s; Jay carried a container of Jackson’s ashes in the breast pocket of his suit and wore a pin of Jackson’s silhouette on the summit of Iroqouis; Allison wore hand-painted high top Vans depicting Crosby and Jackson to the reception; after her morning nuptials, Allison got a hair and makeup touchup and a new flower crown for the reception.

on hiking Hurricane

by tim hoppey photography by ellen hoppey cabana

Grandpa: I hiked this mountain years ago And hiked in half the time. A goatskin water bag and gorp Was all I took to climb.

Grandchild: I’ve never hiked this high before; It shouldn’t take much time. I wonder what on earth is gorp? Why bring it on the climb?

But now a walking stick is mine, A rusty knee I own. I carry many failing parts From head to anklebone.

Because he crackles as he climbs And nimble legs I own, I carry doubts but mustn’t say, “Don’t fall and break a bone.”

Her little legs must take three steps For every one of mine. We’ll start out slow and pace ourselves; It’s quite a steep incline.

His grown-up legs could use some grease And can’t keep up with mine. We’ll start out slow at least until We reach a real incline.

A rustle stirs the nearby woods— I’ll say it’s not a bear, Because a bear out foraging Would give her head a scare.

A rustle stirs the nearby woods— I’ll say it’s just a bear, Because a Bigfoot out for food Would give his heart a scare.

The boards across the beaver pond Are wet and none too wide. Like walking on a balance beam, It takes a steady stride.

The boards across the beaver pond Are wet and awful wide. Like walking on a wooden bridge, I pass him by in stride.

She bounces on the bendy boards And passes in a flash. My boots are sprung into the air And follow with a splash.

I bounce upon the bendy boards

And pass him in a flash. My sneakers spring into the air— Whatever caused that splash?

Ahead the trail begins to rise; I’ll show her how it’s done. I zigzag up the steepest parts And keep the hiking fun.

Ahead the trail begins to rise; I won’t do what he’s done. I go straight up the steepest parts— “You call this hiking fun?”

She wants a break and so we rest With views that are sublime. The gorp will give her energy, The boost she needs to climb.

I want to stop and so we rest— But what’s he mean “sublime?” The gorp gives me a sugar rush To finish up the climb.

I drink a water bottle down, But save some secretly. Because a girl cannot conserve, Her camel I will be.

I gulp a water bottle down, But save some secretly. Because a gramps won’t drink enough, His canteen I will be.

The trees give way to open rock With Giant to the south. “I go to nature to be soothed,” By chance slips from my mouth.

The trees give way to open rock With Giant to the south. “This mountain’s balder than your head,” By chance slips from my mouth.

I’m winded walking up this slab Where once I might have run. I pray we reach the summit soon, Arriving there as one.

I zigzag up the rocky slab; I’d really like to run. But I won’t leave my gramps behind; We two came here as one.

She takes my hand and hauls me up So I won’t quit the climb. Arriving there, I catch my breath And joke, “I’m in my prime.”

I take his hand and hold it tight To thank him for this climb. Not sure exactly what it means, I say, “This view’s sublime.”

We split the aches and blisters too, Go halves on Hurricane, The hiking stories swapped are done, I cherish what remains.

We split the gorp, a chocolate bar, Go halves on Hurricane, The water bottles shared are gone, I welcome what remains. ▲

HOPPEY TRAILS Tim Hoppey and his granddaughter, Mackenzie, on Hurricane Mountain.

The Trail Files

Six 46ers share their most memorable hiking adventures.

Location: Basin

Hiker: Cindy Halpern, #13510

Date: 8.29.2021

The finish of my 46er journey started by meeting Jim Wallace on August 27, 2021 at the Crandall Lean-to. We used the lean-to thanks to the generosity of 46er Kevin Bates, who had rented it.

Jim’s wife, Marj, joined us there very early the next morning. We took a side trip to Bushnell Falls, proceeded up to Slant Rock and Shorey’s Shortcut and camped the second night at Snobird. We were glad we brought hammocks; the area was very wet. A dense fog continued into the morning but lifted a couple of times revealing that we were up in the clouds and surrounded by mountains. It was breathtaking. We broke camp and went back to Shorey’s Shortcut—and I became a 46er on top of Basin at 9:35am at the age of 71. Then we descended and went up the Saddleback cliffs. I had done Saddleback July 4th weekend from the Orebed Trail, but my group had orphaned Basin. I had mentioned to Jim that though some of the group didn’t want to do the cliffs, I thought I’d like to do it. It was Jim’s idea to have me finish on Basin and do the Saddleback cliffs as a 46er. It was so exciting and fun for me!

Jim posted a Live Video from the summit of Basin. We saw the Seigarts, a couple that Jim was friends with, twice on the trip and at least one other person that Jim knew on the trail. As we walked back out to the Garden, I was flabbergasted that someone said congratulations. He had seen the post on Facebook and he recognized me. Jim’s enthusiasm is contagious. Before I finished on Basin, he kept telling people we met on the trail that I was 71 and was going to finish on Basin. Then, on the way out, he told people what I had done. It’s not surprising that we met people that Jim and Marj knew on the trail—they’re the famous Wallaces!

I can’t thank Jim and Marj enough for the trips they guided me on last year. They taught me valuable rock scrambling and hiking techniques that were essential for me to finish. They encouraged me every step of the way and literally had my back! There is really no way to describe the companionship and camaraderie of the Wallaces on our campouts—especially the last one. There was a lot of hard physical work for me but the fun was priceless! ▲

FINISH LINE (FROM TOP) Cindy Halpern in the Crandall Lean-to the night before her 46er finish; with Jim and Marj Wallace; hammock camping; (OPPOSITE) coming up the Saddleback cliffs.

Giant/Rocky Peak Col

Hiker: Phil Corell, #224W

Date: May 1970

My life was made richer by knowing the late Jim “Beetle” Bailey, a former 46er president and my summer camp counselor, hiking companion on many early adventures, and good friend in later life. “Beetle,” a nickname he picked up at camp, loved old maps and guidebooks. He was an explorer at heart, always looking for forgotten routes and recreating historical adventures. His wife, Anne, and many Algonquin Chapter/ADK members, were often “subjected” to his forays into the wilderness in search of long-forgotten roads and paths.

It was May of 1970 and the exceptional winter had left a huge snow pack that was slow to melt in the High Peaks. John Konowitz (another Pok-O counselor) and I were in our second year of teaching, always eager to participate in a new challenge, and naïve companions for Jim’s next adventure. Jim was an accomplished skier while John and I were inexperienced beginners.

I received the call with Jim’s proposal: Leave on the North trail to Giant off route 9N, cross-country ski up to Owl’s Head Lookout, travel on to high banks, leave the Red trail and bushwack to the Giant-Rocky col, climb Rocky, and return...Looking at a map, it was possibly reasonable! We readily agreed, fools that we were. Now, looking back, the whole plan was basically insane, but when you’re 23 years old, common sense and logic don’t always apply. And, of course, Jim being older and wiser would never suggest anything unreasonable... or so we thought. In retrospect, a 13-14 mile round-trip using unfamiliar equipment on mixed and changing terrain proved to be a little more challenging than anticipated.

It was a beautiful, sunny day but we quickly realized the climb up to Owl’s Head Lookout, which had sparse snow at the beginning, was well beyond our abilities. Off came the skis to be picked up later. We had snowshoes, but little else in terms of gear. Neither of us had a day pack; stray items were stuffed in the outer pockets and I think I had a wineskin of water (at least I think it was water). I don’t remember what we brought to eat, but it wasn’t much. As we got warm hiking, we took our jackets off, tied the sleeves, and slung them across our shoulders. We could have been the cover photo for DEC Hiker Rescue magazine (still yet to be published).

Beetle did well on skis and we left the trail at high banks to drop into the valley and then up into the col. Jim moderated his descent by skiing the side hill back and forth to maintain control. There was a lot of waiting on his part as we slogged along more slowly on our snowshoes. The day dragged

ROCKY HORROR (RIGHT) Jim “Beetle” Bailey and Phil Corell; (ABOVE) scenes from Jim, Phil and John’s ill-fated attempt at Rocky Peak Ridge from Route 9N.

as the pitch into the col increased and we could at least keep up with Jim. By the time we got to the col it was 5pm and we were exhausted. Two things were obvious. One: There was no way we were going to climb Rocky. And two: There was no way we were going to trace our route back to high banks and down to the car.

Always the explorer, Jim was ready with Plan B—down the Dipper Brook drainage to Route 73, hitch hike to a phone, and call Anne to pick us up and drive around to our cars! Simple...It sounded manageable coming out of Beetle’s mouth, but none of us had ever been down Dipper Brook, the drainage from the Giant-Rocky col. The good part was it’s all downhill. The bad part was there’s a waterfall toward the bottom that needed to be negotiated. We were starting to cramp a bit from dehydration and exertion. Back then, the woods were mainly open after dropping the first quarter mile or so out of the col. With room to maneuver, Beetle was in his glory, skiing from one side of the stream up the opposite bank and then down and back over to the other side to control his speed.

It’s been 52 years and I can’t remember how we handled the waterfall section or if we turned off before and slabbed down to the existing trailhead. But, as planned and with fading light, we found Route 73 and Jim hitched a ride to a phone and Anne picked us up. I can say that I’ve never recreated that trip nor would I recommend it to anyone. But, as always, it made for many great stories through the years.

Historically, I have used the Dipper Brook option as a bailout rather than the re-climb of Giant and slog down the Ridge Trail, although the Ridge Trail views are well worth the trip. For those who have never visited little Dipper Pond nestled near the brook, it’s a beautifully remote location. Later exploration revealed that 10 minutes below the pond, where the ridge on the right comes down to meet the stream, hikers can leave the brook, work around the base of the ridge, miss the waterfall and then slab down to the right to the initial trailhead. The Dipper Brook valley has become more densely wooded each passing year, making this option considerably more difficult. This route may not be advisable for the inexperienced and may become more time consuming than reclimbing Giant.

Jim always sought a new adventure—such as building an igloo with the wind-packed snow on Lake Champlain, carrying an ice cream maker and supplies into Scotts Clearing to use ice from the Indian Pass ice caves to make ice cream, climbing “Couchie” from Rondeau’s Camp, or exploring Railroad Notch on skis. He was always the innovator and explorer, creating unforgettable memories for all who joined and experiences to reflect on through the years. ▲

Location: Johns Brook

Hiker: Bob Wall, #583 Date: Mid-1970s

It was sometime in the mid-1970s that six of us occupied the Howard Lean-to just upstream on Johns Brook from the ranger’s cabin. It was mid-October and we had returned to the lean-to after the day’s foray into the High Peaks. After supper it was dark and we were enjoying a fire when a couple appeared in the light of the fire. The woman had an arm over the man’s shoulder and he an arm around her waist. She had injured her ankle and was in pain. They were very glad to find us there as it had been slow going before reaching that point without a flashlight. Dean, one of the six, was an active ski patroller and was accustomed to dealing with emergencies. He got an Ace bandage from his pack and wrapped up her ankle. As the couple were resting, he took his axe into the woods and returned with sapling from which he made a walking stick. They were not equipped to spend the night and decided to try to make their way out to the Garden where they had left their car. Bill gave them a flashlight to light their way, with a request that they leave it on the hood of our car when they were finished with it. We wished them well and they were off into the night. When we hiked out to the Garden the next morning there was no sign of the flashlight. After that we just forgot about it.

A couple of years later, we were on the fire road packing into the Blueberry Lean-to to do some hiking in the Seward Range. A DEC pickup truck with a couple of rangers came along and stopped to chat. Dean had attended the ranger school in Wanakena and had worked for the DEC for a few years. One of the rangers in the truck had been Dean’s boss when he worked for the DEC. They talked about old times for while. And then it got interesting. The six of us were all wearing black berets. I had been on a business trip to the Basque region of Spain and noticed most of the men wore black berets. I thought that they would make good hiking hats as they could be folded and stuffed into a pocket when not needed, so I bought six of them. After a while, Dean’s friend asked if we were in the Howard Lean-to the night of the incident described above. We said that we were there and remembered it well. It turns out that after the couple left the Howard Lean-to, they had stopped at the ranger’s cabin. They apparently asked him for assistance and since Dean had already done about all anybody could do for them short of carrying the woman out, he told them that considering that it was not a life-threatening situation, there was nothing more that he could do for them.

The couple had safely reached the Garden that night and later had complained to the DEC that the ranger had refused to help them. The DEC takes such charges seriously and investigated. The ranger, of course, gave his side of the story and told the DEC that six guys with black berets were in the Howard Lean-to that night and if they ever ran into them that they could corroborate his story. Through serendipity on the fire road, the DEC had run into us. It was nice to learn that we had prevented the ranger from getting a black mark on his record. The black berets were good for more than keeping our heads warm. ▲

Location: High Peaks Wilderness

Hiker: John Casey, #5535W

Date: 2015–2021

Imet Kevin when he was 8 years old when his dad brought his car in for service at the dealership I worked at. Kevin was very shy and didn’t talk much. I became good friends with his dad, Ken, as I was the only person he’d let work on his Acuras and Nissan 300ZX. When Kevin was 12, his dad passed away. At his wake, I asked Kevin’s mom if it would be OK if I took Kevin out to do fun guy things. Dawn said, “Sure, why not?”

Kevin is very high-functioning autistic. I started out taking him to baseball and hockey games to get to know one another better, most times with my whole family. He really enjoyed our time together. Then we started doing simple nature preserve hikes, which he really took a liking to. The next step was smaller mountains with fire towers. It was then that I found out about Kevin’s fear of heights. It took a while for him to get up the tower. Once in the cab his eyes lit up and he said, “WOW, this is AWESOME!!”

So, I thought, “How can I get him over this fear?” The rock climbing gym was the key.

It was slow going at the start, and he would only go up as far as his comfort level would allow. After a couple of weeks he finally felt comfortable and Thursday nights became our regular guys’ night out. The next step was outdoor rock climbing, which he was very nervous about. After a few times out at Crane Mountain, his comfort level increased and he scampered up like a spider. Kevin’s love for outdoor adventures was increasing. I showed Kevin a few pictures of an ice climbing trip, and he said he wanted to give that a try. So we went to the Plotterkill Nature Preserve, being it’s a 20 minute ride from my house and the ice is very beginner friendly. He aced it! He especially liked going in the ice cave behind the waterfall.

One day Kevin asked what the symbol on my hat was for. “Well, it’s the Adirondack 46ers symbol,” I said. I explained the 46ers to him and he, of course, asked, “Can I do that?” Well, I couldn’t see why not. I told him it wouldn’t be easy, but that didn’t matter to him. So, in August of 2015 we began our journey. I picked a nice, clear day for our first Adirondack High Peaks: Cascade and Porter. The views were amazing and Kevin was hooked.

We tried to go out once a month. There were good

days and tough days—tough days meaning me trying to keep up with him. Kevin never seems to tire, except for when he’s finally sitting in the car. Then he’s out like a light. One day I took him shopping at L.L. Bean for real hiking clothes and on the way back to the car he put his arm around my shoulder and said, ‘Thanks, Dad.” Well, that hit me like a tractor trailer doing 90mph and I totally lost it. I told him I could never replace his dad, but I would be his best friend.

My most memorable hike was on a very cold and windy Halloween in 2020. We set off for Haystack, Basin and Saddleback. I wanted to get to the cliffs before dark, which we barely did. At the base of the cliffs Kevin got nervous, and them without a rope. After about 15 minutes of explaining that he’d done much worse and could handle this, I managed to calm him down and stayed at his feet to give him a sense of security. We reached the summit and with a smile on his face, he said that was his best hike ever.

Next was Redfield, #41, on a warm-ish March day. While crossing Flowed Lands, Kevin found the only soft spot and fell through up to his knees. That didn’t faze him in the least. Just an “oh well.” We stopped at a leanto to get him into dry socks and off we went.

Kevin’s last three peaks would have to wait, as he moved to Anchorage, AK in early 2021. We set up a date for his final three peaks to finish what we had started. August 28 was Gray and Skylight from the Loj for our friend Willie Colon’s finish.

On August 29 at 9am we kayaked across Lake Placid to Whiteface Landing and at 1:45pm Kevin became an Adirondack 46er on Whiteface Mountain. The paddle back was something: A nice 20mph breeze in our face and every ChrisCraft and Elco putting up ocean-like waves. It took us three hours to get back to the boat launch, but Kevin didn’t want the day to end. He sat just off the launch soaking in the day. I am honored to be a part of all of Kevin’s adventures and to be his best friend and mentor. Can’t wait to have some adventures with Kevin in Alaska. ▲

THREE MUSKETEERS Willie Colon, John Casey and Kevin Baker celebrating Kevin’s 46er finish on Whiteface on August 29, 2021.

Location: Basin

Hiker: Ed Rowland, #1892

Date: 1972

It all happened 50 years ago in the Adirondacks. The summer of 1972 saw us get lost and found climbing Macomb and save two lives on successive days in August in the JBL area. The ’70s were truly a different time and in some ways the Adirondacks were a different place.

Growing up, I had the privilege of hiking and climbing in the Adirondacks with BSA Troop 28 from Lawrence Township, NJ and summited most of the 46 on our annual oneweek trips, completing the rest with scouting friends on our own. When we first learned of the Adirondack 46ers, there were less than 1,000 members. Several of us plotted finishing before the 1,000 mark, but settled for finishes starting with #1312.

The 1970s lacked most of today’s equipment. There was no GPS nor wireless communication. We drank directly from the streams with no (yet-to-be-invented) filters. Lighterweight, wicking clothing didn’t exist, and we sometimes wore blue jeans or parachute pants from the local Army/Navy surplus store. Lighter-weight nylon tents were cutting edge and packs had an outside frame. We didn’t have water-proof matches and there were no headlamps.

Macomb Misadventure Equipment, or lack thereof, played a key role in Troop 28’s misadventure on Macomb in June 1972. We were camping at the Slide Brook Lean-to as the remnants of Hurricane Agnes dumped rain on the region. Nevertheless, 10 of us scouts led by a young assistant scoutmaster opted to climb Macomb, presumably an easy up-and-down. It wasn’t.

While most of the scouts elected to stay in camp, the small group followed Slide Brook, connecting with the Macomb Slide when the rain arrived. The summit was socked in, and everyone found the driest spot available for lunch in small groups.

Suddenly, two hikers came out of the mist. When asked if they would like a short break, they had a oneword answer, “no.” Before disappearing, they did,

however, recommend that we descend via the slide even though it would be slow going. We only later realized that we had met Patrick Griffen and Chris Beattie on day two of attempting to set a new Fastest Known Time (FKT) for completing the 46— five days. At that time, the record stood at seven days. Their story has been well-chronicled as, tragically, one of the two hikers had an unknown heart condition that proved fatal two days after completing 36 of the 46 peaks. His hiking partner had been forced to drop out due to a leg injury that same day. Comparatively, we were certainly the fortunate ones on Macomb. Given the continuous rain, our leader decided to save the slide for the descent. We went down the ridge to the right, but without the slide as a landmark, we slipped too far and in the misty rain, went down the wrong side of the mountain. Later, there were claims that metal in the mountain impacted compass readings.

Eventually, we came to a flatter area covered in heavy brush. Soaked, we stopped to review our situation. Were we off course...Should we double back up the hill? We pushed on. Notably, this was not an ordinary group—among the 10 boys, there were four future 46ers, five future Eagle Scouts, a rescue squad captain and an Air Force pilot. In a confusing, true bushwhack, without GPS or All Trails to guide us, we erred. Lesson learned: In bad weather, anyone can make orienteering mistakes. Anyone. To make matters even more “interesting,” we had also walked beyond the limits of the standard

SCOUTS OUT Boy Scout Troop 28 from New Jersey on the trail.

map of the day.

Our luck then changed for the better. The continued descent brought us to a flat section within a large, ravine-like area and a fairly obvious herd trail. The trail led along the bank of a significant stream to what might be considered a poacher’s cabin. It was a little eerie. There was an outdated, two-year-old calendar, place settings at table, a stack of firewood and exactly the right number of bunks.

As we settled in, our leader and three scouts continued along the trail by the stream to see if it led to civilization, given the well outfitted cabin. The trail grew wider and then abruptly stopped. Our leader and one scout thought the trail continued on the opposite bank. The stream—really a small river, with the rain runoff—was not fordable, so they swam across. The other scouts waited at that point for an hour and, assuming that the two had indeed found a way out, returned to the poacher cabin.

The two swimmers had indeed found a sizable trail on the opposite bank and were able to comfortably hike side by side. Soon, they hit a paved road with telephone poles labeled with identification numbers. They reasoned that if they followed the numbers in descending order, they would move closer to civilization. That was indeed the case, and they came upon a paved road. Soon, a car with two middle-aged locals8 appeared and they flagged them down.

By this point it was after dark. The couple drove the two to the nearest state police HQ, one exit down on the Northway. The police quickly connected with park rangers. The rangers sat with our two hikers and numerous topo maps, and became fairly certain they knew where we were. Given we were sheltered, the decision was made to begin the search in the

morning.

Back at the cabin, the group pooled what little food we had. Thankfully, we had dry matches and quickly got a fire going, fixing the exhaust piping so we weren’t smoked out. Everyone dried out and enjoyed a surprisingly comfortable night of sleep.

Although wireless reception is even spotty today, it is usually available at altitude. In 1972, however, there was only one way to communicate: in person. The scouts at the Slide Brook base camp were only notified of what had happened when the rangers drove the two hikers to the trailhead and they ran to the lean-to to inform them. They quickly ran back out to assist with the rangers’ search party. The combined team worked its way back up the stream, working with singular periodic shouts, given the echo.

At the cabin, the decision had been made to wait until noon and then climb back up Macomb, leaving a detailed written note. That didn’t happen. Long before noon, a crisply uniformed ranger arrived at the cabin. We all struck out along the stream and then crossed at a ford, covering four or five miles in two hours or so. We met the impressive search/rescue base camp that had been formed in case we weren’t found.

The happy ending culminated in an all-you-can-eat burger and hot dog fest at Frontier Town. We made a good dent in the Troop’s budget.

August Life-saving

Imagine a group of 50-60 Boy Scouts getting dropped off at SLIDE HUSTLE (FROM LEFT) Troop 28 on a later ascent of Macomb Slide; Tom Armington and Ed Rowland in 1971; (OPPOSITE) Ed Rowland (front row wearing the Ohio State T-shirt) with the troop on Mount Marcy.

the Garden on a late July Saturday and there being enough parking spots for everyone. That was the case in 1972, the troop’s sixth annual Adirondack adventure, this one to the John’s Brook Lodge area for the week.

Troop 28’s summer Adirondack adventures had a set pattern. We would arrive at a trailhead on a Saturday and hike into a base camp. Sunday through Tuesday would include climbs and/or destination hikes such as impressive waterfalls. Mid-week, we would hike out for resupply and lunch before reloading the Chuck Wagon with dehydrated food boxes. We were also able to leave dirty clothes and pick up clean clothes packed in the few cars that were in the lot for the week. “Dirty” would not aptly describe some of our gear.

On Wednesday, August 2, the troop had already returned to base camp having summited Saddleback and Basin that day. In the late afternoon/early evening, the JBL team suddenly appeared at our campsite, interrupting our evening meal prep in dramatic fashion.

An 8-year-old girl from Long Island who was staying at JBL was suffering from apparent food poisoning so serious that she could not walk. Time was critical. JBL had notified first responders as there was a landline from JBL out to Keene Valley, but there was no way to transport her swiftly. The only solution: Troop 28. A tag team of five senior scouts and adult leaders were selected to carry the stretcher more than 3.5 miles to the nearest road. To make matters worse, the weather changed. The day had threatened rain but it had held off until evening. Most of the trip was done in a downpour and by switching carrying duties on the fly. The team made the journey and return trip, arriving back at camp before midnight, exhausted but satisfied they had made a difference. Two team members were the same two individuals who had successfully gotten out to civilization in the June Macomb adventure.

Occasionally, lightning does strike twice in the same place. The bad weather continued into the following day and the troop enjoyed a “down day.” In the late afternoon, around a campfire, reflecting on the previous day’s emergency, the JBL team once again came up to the camp with another medical emergency. This time, a 10-year-old boy was suffering from apparent acute appendicitis. Troop 28 formed another five-man tag team, including the same two from the infamous Macomb hike, and the scoutmaster assigned himself to the crew this time. It wasn’t raining, although the trails remained slick. On this trip

out, one of the JBL hut boys was part of the stretcher team. The group was able to move faster since he knew the trail so well and was able to guide the relay team when and where it was safer to move at a better clip. Once again, a child was successfully carried over the 3.5-mile trail to the ambulances waiting at the trailhead, and the team dragged themselves back to camp that evening.

Both children were transported to the Plattsburgh Hospital and made full recoveries. Troop 28 marched down the well-worn trail to the Garden on Sunday. A lifetime of memories and clean clothes were waiting at the trailhead.

Large hiking groups like those of Troop 28 would not be allowed in the Adirondacks today. The challenges are obvious: lines of cars at key trailheads are simply overwhelming. I support mitigating efforts such as limiting group sizes. In the early ’70s, I vividly remember a “conversation” between one of the early 46er leaders and our scoutmaster about how many of us were in the JBL area essentially taking most of the good tent sites. The conversation was beyond heated.

Still, there are two sides to the story. Overcrowding and trail erosion are real problems. However, the legacy of Troop 28 from a half-century ago years ago is stellar. There are an impressive number of Eagles, scoutmasters, 46ers and military service veterans. We always left a campsite cleaner than we found it, carrying garbage many miles. We left firewood for the next campers. We were and are responsible visitors who cherish the Adirondack mountains.

Founded in 1919, Troop 28 is more than 100 years old. At its peak in the mid-70s, it numbered 120 scouts. Troop members from the ’70s continued the Adirondack tradition. ▲

Location: Basin

Hiker: Peggy MacKellar, #2857WV

Date: January 24, 2015

Our group of three women and three men started out bright and early from the Garden at 7am. We were fortunate to be able to walk all the way to Bushnell Falls in boots, giving our snowshoes a ride. Believe me, they got quite a workout later! We stopped at the JBL Warming Hut and greeted my friends, who were the winter hosts. We asked them to have some hot water ready later in the afternoon for our walk out.

Chicken Coop Brook is a tributary that branches off Johns Brook where Bushnell Falls Lean-to #2 used to be. We noticed ski tracks coming down the brook, but wondered why there was a very large hole in the ice of Johns Brook. It seemed to indicate that the skier may have fallen through. Fortunately, we were able to cross safely and continue up the trail about a quarter-mile before the bushwhacking started. It seemed like it would be easier to stay on the packed trail a while longer while we gained elevation rather than break trail up Chicken Coop Brook. After about half a mile, we donned our snowshoes and took a hard left off the main trail to head to the brook...and the big adventure began!

Steve led the way most of the route, finding and trailbreaking through the woods to the brook, with Chris and me close behind. Others in the group floundered along behind as we tried to pack a nice route for them over blowdown and through tight spots in the forest. It was a good thing Steve and I had both been up this route a few times—otherwise, I think the group would have thought we were nuts. We kept reassuring them that, yes, this really was the correct way! When we got to the brook, the going was much easier and we followed the ski tracks all the way to the slide that came down from the cliffs on Saddleback. The ski tracks helped us find a route around the debris field caused by Hurricane Irene at the base of the Basin slide. We took a nice break there, taking photos and having snacks. At that point, the skier had gone up the newer slide that headed more directly for Basin, but Steve and I decided to follow the slide going up towards Saddleback since that was the route we were familiar with. Breaking trail up the steep slide was quite a challenge and we switched off who led so no one got too tired. The views were pretty good, although the wind was blowing the light snow around a bit. When the slide got too steep, we entered the thick forest on the right side of the slide and continued to labor up through the trees, searching for the main trail on the Great Range. About two hours from Bushnell Falls, we were thrilled to be hiking on the packed main Range trail.

After another break we headed up and over

the steep shoulder of Basin, dropped down slightly, and then made our way up to the rocky summit. Chris was very happy since he ‘needed’ Basin for his Winter 46 and it had eluded him for some time. Pete was happy, since he always wants to hike peaks any way that’s not the usual way. Beth also needed Basin for her Winter 46 and Brenda had never been there before, even in summer. What a trooper she was, trusting Steve and me to get the group to the summit of a peak with real trails, when we had decided not to use the real trail. Steve and I were happy because we always are when we are on a mountain in winter.

Everyone enjoyed the sunshine and sat around having lunch for more than 20 minutes. Some of us wanted to climb Haystack as well, so we headed down the back side of Basin rather than retracing our steps. I thought the .7-mile hike down to Shorey Shortcut Trail would take about 20 minutes with us enjoying lots of sliding on the seats of our pants. However, there was no fun sliding to be had due to thick ice on almost all the steep sections. We slowly and meticulously picked our way down, sometimes changing to full crampons, sometimes taking our snowshoes off to climb down a ladder, putting snowshoes back on because there was deep snow on most of the route. The descent took us an hour. By that point it was 3pm and we knew Haystack would have to wait for another day. We didn’t want to risk coming off Haystack by headlamp in case there were icy conditions there as well. Up Shorey Shortcut trail we went, got some great views and photos of where we had been and did get some nice sliding on the way down to Slant Rock. Once we were there, it was just a long walk out. We stopped and got water at the warming hut and were back at the Garden by 7:30pm, tired

The Books

After two unforgettable summers spent hiking with her dad, 4-year-old Thea McElwaine became the youngest person ever to stand atop all of the Adirondacks’ highest peaks.

By Natalie Moore

On paper, Thea McElwaine’s 46er journey seems unremarkable: She started on Cascade, fell in love with the High Peaks and vowed to hike them all, finishing about a year and a half later on Marcy, having saved the best (or at least biggest) for last. The difference between Thea and the thousands of others who’ve completed the same impressive feat? Well, Thea did it all before her fifth birthday, making her the youngest 46er finisher in the club’s 75-year history.

“We never set out to be the first or the youngest,” Thea’s dad, Colt, says, “but we did put in a lot of effort to minimize risk, maximize enjoyment, and set the record for most smiles per mile!” And while breaking the record for the youngest 46er was never part of the plan, this past summer Thea did just that, inheriting the crown from Maebh Nesbitt, who also finished at the age of 4, but had been a few months older than Thea when she finished back in 2019.

How, exactly, did Colt and Thea tackle the High Peaks, many of which take even experienced hikers many hours to complete? Well, they made weekends out of each excursion— even those hikes that most people do in a day trip. Big Slide, for example, the duo made into a backpacking trip: They hiked 2.9 miles to Howard lean-to, slept, hiked four miles up and down the peak, slept, and then walked the 2.9 miles back to the Garden on day three. “That was our perfect recipe,” Colt wrote in a Facebook post after Thea became a 46er. “The twoand three-night trips meant we were doing more than just climbing the peaks—we were living in the woods.

The summits were the highlights, of course, but the afternoon river swims and evening campsite camaraderie were just as important in making trips successful.”

When it came time to tackle the Saddleback cliffs, Colt opted to go down them instead of up them, bringing five pounds of rope on the trip so that Thea could repel down. When she landed on the trail below, Thea asked “Can I go again?” to which Colt replied “Sorry, pal. Mom only signed off on one drop-your-daughter-off-a-cliff today.”

Speaking of mom, she and Thea’s little brother met the father-daughter duo at Marcy Dam after Thea’s 46er finish to celebrate with a homemade 46er cake before hiking out by the light of headlamps.

According to Colt, Thea’s favorite part of her 46er journey was the undivided attention she got from her dad when the two were hiking in the woods. Colt’s favorite part? “It’s so hard to summarize the entire journey into a single high or low point,” he says. “That said, no individual peak or view could top the joy it brought me to just be out there with my little girl and watch her grow into this strong, confident person who believes she can do anything.” ▲

BOSTON POPS Thea McElwaine and her father, Colt, began their 46er journey when they were living in Ithaca, and ended it when they were living in Boston.

Years of Camp Forestcraft

By Eric Kuhn, #351

Camp Forestcraft is a small summer youth camp on the Upper Saranac Lake which for 75 years has provided a platform for climbing the 46 High Peaks and for personal development. As of the summer of 2022, Forestcraft has produced 102 46ers.

In 1948, Dr. Ted Blackmar purchased a large but rather rundown Adirondack camp on Upper Saranac Lake. As a boy, Ted and his family would spend vacations on Lake Clear. He was immediately drawn to the canoeing, hiking, and the deep richness of the Adirondack wilderness. Sometime during his teenage or college years at Hamilton, Ted got the idea that he wanted to run a summer camp for boys that focused on outdoor leadership. Presumably, this was because he wanted to share his love of the Adirondacks with others.

With some financing help from family and friends, he bought Dixie Pines Camp, changed the name to Camp Forestcraft, and started operating a small summer camp for boys.

From its inception until now, Forestcraft has used the climbing of the 46 High Peaks to educate, develop, and support young people. Ted recognized that the challenges of climbing the 46, at least for some, could be important life lessons. Again, wanting to share his passion for the Adirondacks and the High Peaks with others, Ted created a program that provided the same opportunities and learnings that he was afforded as a teen. Campers learned how to read maps, how to orient back in the days of true “trail-less” peaks, and how to be good stewards of the Adirondacks. The importance of

1960s

1970s

1980s

leaving campsites better than we found them was something we heard often, followed religiously, and that we felt was key to the Forestcraft way. For many Forestcraft alumni, the woodcraft learned as teenage campers and the challenge of successfully climbing the 46 peaks, have shaped our lives.

In 1957, Ted Blackmar, #126 and Haynes Kelly, #127 became the first folk from Forestcraft to climb the 46 peaks. Over the last 64 years, another 100 names—fathers, mothers, spouses, sisters-in-law, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters and many friends of Forestcraft—have been added to the honorary 46er paddles (once you complete the 46, your name is etched on a canoe paddle).

Ted passed away in the early 2000s, but the proud tradition of climbing the 46 peaks continues today. Camp Forestcraft is still in operation under the direction of Dan and Amy Musick, #8356 and #12597, respectively. While Forestcraft Expeditions did not operate in 2020 or 2021 due to Covid, it was up and running in 2022 and is now gearing up for 2023. More information on the program can be found at forestcraftcamp.org/ expeditions ▲

2010s

Last issue, in our annual Boulder Report about the previous year’s 46er finishing class, John Sasso, #7130W wrote about the experience of Marjorie Norlund, #13313. In the summer of 2020, Marjorie ran into a woman on the summit of Redfield who had just finished her 46 and was celebrating by cracking open a whole watermelon that she’d carried to the top of the peak. The following year, on Marjorie’s final hike of her 46—Sawteeth—she, serendipitously, ran into the woman again. After reading about the encounter in PEEKS, Amy “The Watermelon Lady” Musick reached out to tell the story of why the heck she was carrying a full watermelon in her pack.

My husband, daughter and I run a small hiking/backpacking/canoeing summer camp in the High Peaks area called Forestcraft Expeditions, which was started by Ted Blackmar in 1948. Our family took over the camp operations in 2010 when Lily was just a baby. We just completed our 11th summer in 2022 (it would have been the 13th had Covid not hit). When we started running the camp, we immediately heard about the watermelon tradition. We are unclear exactly when it started, but pictures exist from the 1970s and ’80s. You will notice that over the years, the watermelons have gotten a lot smaller! We get many comments from past campers on our Facebook page like, “Where are the REAL watermelons?” As we all know, hiking in the High Peaks has changed a lot over the decades. In the past, the final 46er hikes were usually day trips. Now they are planted somewhere during a 4-5 day expedition where watermelons—and/or the leftover rinds—have to fit in packs and bear canisters! We usually have to search many stores before finding watermelons that work. After a Forestcraft community member has completed their 46, their name goes on one of the paddles that are kept in the camp dining room. This past summer, we reached 102 names on the paddles—a great way to celebrate Forestcraft’s 75th anniversary! ▲

ONE IN A MELON Forestcraft campers with watermelons on High Peaks summits through the years; (OPPOSITE) Amy Musick, a.k.a. “The Watermelon Lady” has run Camp Forestcraft with her husband and daughter since 2010.

>>46ER 411<<

IN THE PACK

Meet 6 New 46er Volunteers

Carla Denn, #12655, WFA Reimbursement Chair

I’m excited to help the 46ers as WFA reimbursement chair. I believe this training gives several benefits to both individuals and our outdoor community as a whole. A person who is trained to recognize and treat common outdoors injuries and illness makes them and their group selfsufficient when one cannot quickly get to treatment facilities, and may also provide confidence to render aid to a stranger in need. An increased knowledge base builds leadership abilities, increases competence, and improves confidence in the outdoors for an individual or group, which I believe all contribute to making the outdoors a safer, more comfortable and more inclusive place. I am thankful to the 46ers organization for working to reduce financial barriers of entry and sharing the existence of this important training.

Felicia Neahr, #9331,

Nominating Committee Member

I was honored to be asked to join the 46ers nominating committee. As a group, we do great work, and I’m always excited to hear about the stewardship activities and trailwork that the club has either completed or helped to fund. In my opinion, the nominating committee is the place to help choose new directors to carry on that important work. Becoming a 46er is one of my proudest accomplishments, and giving back to the organization and to the mountains is one way to show my appreciation for all that they have taught me.

Brian Sutherland, #6759W, Vice President

Having my breath taken away by the beauty of the Adirondacks and having been welcomed into its hiking communities has changed the course of my life, values and priorities. Every day here leaves me feeling renewed, humbled, wiser, and blessed. The High Peaks have become a home away from home. A few years ago, while serving as a director of the Adirondack 46ers, I witnessed first-hand the art of the possible, again and again. Many hands, abundant know-how, and great spirit make the organization what it is today. Moreover, the 46ers have long been committed to the (huge) challenge of protecting this precious, vulnerable environment, and educating countless hikers and visitors regarding responsible, sustainable use of the wilderness. This cause seems more important than ever. Count me in.

Dan Auwarter, #7934, OSW Co-chair

I’ve been involved in outdoor leadership for many years with many organizations. Collaborations like the Outdoor Skills Workshop are some of the best ways to bring like-minded people together and use the power of collective sharing to teach, learn and grow. Most importantly, I think committing to outdoor leadership means committing to stewardship on many levels, both for the outdoor world and for others. The 46ers are committed to that concept of stewardship and I’m happy to be contributing to that goal.

Winn Rea, #9903V, Director

Sheila Young, #2994V, Director

I understand how supporting the 46ers can make a difference, not only by helping fellow travelers, but also supporting the preservation/ conservation of our wild places. As I’m beginning to age out of trail work, I feel I can best support the 46ers’ mission through trailhead stewardship and internal leadership. I treasure the personal responses I received from Grace, my last note from her written in my trail journal at the annual meeting and her 90th birthday celebration in ’96. I am a semi-retired guide, really only offering outdoor and safety classes and shuttles, and traveling the High Peaks solo on slow, weekday jaunts. I want to help others capture the joy of communicating with nature. Trailhead stewarding helps me share enthusiasm with any travelers, whether they’re 46ers, aspiring 46ers, or one-time users.

For me, being in the mountains helps me recognize my place in the cycles of nature. It took us 23 years to hike all 46 Adirondack High Peaks—a by-product of restorative time spent in the woods. I wanted to give back to the mountains and help other people enjoy them as I do, so I was excited about volunteering with the trailhead steward program when it started five years ago. I think person-to-person conversation is one of the most effective ways to share information so people can safely enjoy the outdoors while minimizing impacts on wild spaces. I sought out further training in Leave No Trace principles so I could help trailhead stewards learn to weave outdoor ethics into their conversations with hikers. That service led to an invitation to serve on the 46ers’ board of directors, an opportunity for which I am grateful. As a director I will be able to combine my love of the mountains, teaching, and encouraging new hikers. The all-volunteer 46ers organization is in a unique position to inspire more than 13,000 outdoor enthusiasts, as well as community members all over the Adirondacks, to volunteer and give back to these mountains we love. ▲

VOLUNTEER

Patch Work >>46ER 411<<

Would you like to earn a new patch? We are guessing that the answer is YES! This one is easy and rewarding to earn and comes with several options to choose from. Our new V patch, or volunteer recognition patch, can be earned by participating in 46er volunteer activities of your choice for 146 hours. You can choose from Trail Work, Trailhead Stewarding, Adopt a Highway, Correspondents, Herd Path Maintenance, Outdoors Skills Workshop, or any combination of them. The 46ers realize that your time is very valuable. Volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization. Here is a list of those that have volunteered 146 hours or more through the end of 2021. ▲

—Mark Simpson, #6038V

NUMBER NAME 2967 ALAN BENJAMIN 2824 BARBARA HARRIS 2234 BARBARA REEVES-ELLINGTON 10175 BEN BRADFORD 2308 BILL EMBLER 3874 BILL JOHNSON 3310 BILL LUNDY 7310 BILL WASILAUSKI 7442 BOB HARVEY 8406 BOB HUNTER 4410W BRIAN HOODY 7668W BRIAN SIKORA 1396 C. PETER FISH 1171 CHAI-KYOU MALLINSON CHARLENE THOMAS 5566 CHRIS SEKELLICK 1453 CHRISTIAN G BEHR 1454 CHRISTIAN M BEHR 3875W CONNIE MORRISON 4608 CURT SNYDER 2306 DAVE DRESSER 2252 DAVID BIRDSALL 4621 DAVID DIETRICH

3018 DAVID HUDDA 1801 DAVID LANCE 7948 DENISE MCQUADE 2882W DENNIS CRISPO 244W DON McMULLEN 3019 DONALD KINNEAR 1367 DONNA JEAN COLE 7346 DOUG HAMILTON 2710 DOUG MORSE 6468W DOUG VARNEY 507 ED KETCHLEDGE 5713 ED KING 4385 ED NEVEU 2841 EDWARD DAMM

EILEEN VAN DUYNE 1751 ELLEN SOMERS 1564 ERNEST FRIEDOW 7097 FRAN SHUMWAY 2019 FRANCIS STUNZI 2651 GEORGE SLOAN 2615 GERHARD WEBER 1108 GORDON SHAW 1248 GREGORY SODARO 2148 JANE O'CONNELL

3824

JEAN-RENE HICKEY 3020 JERRY HERMAN 4156 JIM BARNSHAW 3815 JIM COYNE 1791 JIM Jr. KOBAK 2233 JOAN ROBERTSON 3342W JOE BOGARDUS 3787 JOE RYAN 2151 JOE URBANCZYK 2497 JOHN GRANT 7940 JOHN J WILEY 7130 JOHN SASSO 1455 JUNE BEHR 6037 KATHLEEN MURRAY 3021 KATHY HERMAN 1661 KEN RYBA 3332 LARRY HOKIRK 2491 LARRY NEWMAN 5525W LAURIE RANKIN 5931W LEE NESBITT 2541 LEN GRUBBS 7137 LESLIE FINE 1789 LEWIS HALL 2684 LOIS WELLS 3530 MARILEE URBANCZYK 2842 MARK HUDSON 4260 MARK LOWELL 6038 MARK SIMPSON 2024 MARK TURNER 6736W MARY LAMB 2214 MARY LOU RECOR 4373 MATT E CLARK 5628 MATTHEW KULAS 4667 MELISSA EAGAN 1822 MICHAEL A BROMBERG 2711 MICHAEL BUSH 6117 MICHELE MCCALL 1738 MIKE DOUGLASS 7311 MIKE MCEANEY 4832 MIKE R MCGILL 2355 NANCY ALLEN 1286 NANCY GUCKER BIRDSALL 2685 NAT WELLS

2564 NEIL PARKER 3533 PAM KEIDA 5109 PAT DESBIENS 9936W PAUL GEBHARD 2857 PEG MACKELLER 3202 PETE HICKEY 224W PHIL CORELL 2007 RAY HELD 7306W REBECCA SWEM 782 RICHARD MALLINSON RICHARD REEVES-ELLINGTON 1483 ROBERT HELENEK 4223 ROBERT RINKOFF 4277 ROBERT TOMLINSON 487 RON KONOWITZ 3393W SAM EDDY 566W SHARP SWAN 2994 SHEILA YOUNG 5679 SHELLY STILES 3534 SHERRI MARTIN 5930W SIOBHAN CARNEY-NESBITT 2726W SONNY MARTINEAU 4543 STAN BISCHOPING 7098 STEVE SHUMWAY 1802 SUZANNE LANCE 3712 TERRY PETERS 10486 THOMAS CARUSO 2732 THOMAS PINKERTON 8633W TIMOTHY DOMINY 616 TIMOTHY TEFFT 2248 TODD EARL 1682 TOM ARMSTRONG 7138 TOM FINE 1452 TOM LEE 5444W TOM RANKIN 8789 VICTORIA CHALLINGSWORTH VICTORIA URBANCZYK 4104 WALTER JOHNSON 3495 WANDA DAVENPORT 2542W WENDE GRUBBS 1316 WILLARD REED 3093 WILLIAM WEBB 9903 WINN REA

The Adirondack Forty-Sixers, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose members have climbed the 46 major peaks of New York’s Adirondack Mountains. As volunteers we are dedicated to environmental protection, to education for proper usage of wilderness areas, to participation in New York State Department of Environmental Conservation-approved trail projects, and to the support of initiatives within the Adirondack High Peaks region by organizations with similar goals that enhance our objectives.

accepted trail hardening methods in the High Peaks. This is a lot of hard work, but should provide stability for a new trail for many years with limited movement and...MUD.

On the annual Women Only Weekend (WOW), we did more bridge work at the north end of the Hoffman Notch Trail. It was great to see the ‘as new’ conditions of last year’s bridges! The work this year was a mile further south. We removed trees, mud and organic matter from under an existing wilderness bridge, and the large trees were pulled out by a block and tackle set. Water can now flow under the bridge! We also constructed a new 15-foot wilderness bridge and installed a 35-foot railing to a third wilderness bridge. The second day, we worked on the Dix Range trail from Elk Lake and did drainage clearing and trail hardening. The weekend event was made special by a Saturday night dinner provided by retired trailmaster Pete Hickey.

Very few people are aware of an old road between 28N and Blue Ridge Road in Newcomb. It’s called the Roosevelt Truck trail and about halfway down it are two accessible campsites. Due to non-use and time having it’s way, the road and campsites became overgrown. We received a request from the foresters to clean the campsites and excelled on this project, even removing all blowdown in the drainages on the road and cleaning the area around the main gate. These campsites are very nice now— ready for use! The second day of this Newcomb weekend, we removed blowdown (almost 80 trees needed to be cut out of the trail!) and did tons of side cutting on the trail between Lake Harris Campground and Newcomb Lake Road (Camp Santanoni). The trail was considered in non-use by the campground, but now is a wonderful, fun, easy-to-navigate trail! Pete Hickey again provided dinner on Saturday.

By the end of the year, we will have spent a total of six workdays on Calamity Brook trail, a multi-year project. Anyone hiking the trail can now easily see the half-mile stretch that has been hardened. We’ve also started replacing a bridge that has a broken stringer and leans heavily to one side. Twelve of us carried two new stringers that were estimated at 900 pounds from a few hundred feet in the woods in preparation of the build next year.

Crew sizes were up from last year, with our largest crew being 27 strong! Regardless of your size, strength, age or ability, there is always something you can do on the trail crew. ▲

FALL MEETING

President’s Update

The 2022 Fall Meeting was held at Schroon Lake Central School on September 24. It was a beautiful fall day, so the Board of Directors met outside in front of the school. Our new outreach banners were on display. Our evening meal, catered by Frontiertown Gateway was plentiful and delicious and held inside in the cafeteria. At the meeting the following items were highlighted:

Trailhead Steward Program

As of the date of the meeting our all volunteer, well-trained stewards had interacted with more than 12,000 people at the Cascade Trailhead and the Meadows Lane sites! Providing information on preparedness, LNT principles, the hikeSafe hiker responsibility code, and demonstrations on leaving no trace makes this a program that has a huge impact!

Adopt a Highway

Our litter pick up crew had done six outings prior to this meeting but two more occurred after the meeting making for a total of 42 miles cleared in 2022. This makes a big difference in the local Adirondack communities that we live in and visit often.

Outdoor Skills Workshop

While OSW had to be cancelled in 2022, the dates for 2023 were announced: May 5, 6 and 7.

Correspondents

Our correspondents work all year, mentoring aspiring 46ers! With more than 100 volunteer correspondents, we look forward to hearing from you!

Following the meeting, a vespers service was held and a presentation by the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation was done by Jen Denny. ▲

—Laurie Rankin, #5525WV

—Trailmasters Brian Hoody, Doug Varney Curt Snyder, Mary Lamb and Mark Simpson

GOOD STEWARDS Francis Willis (left) and Joe Ryan of the Trailhead Steward Program.

>>46ER 411<<

LEAVE NO TRACE

Class Is in Session

If you had asked me even a few years ago if I would enjoy teaching, my answer would have likely been an astounding “no.” Fast forward to November 18, and three of the 46er Leave No Trace master educators were gathering together to hold two Leave No Trace (LNT) awareness courses for the junior and senior classes at Adirondack Educational Center in Saranac Lake. The trio of Winn Rea, Lisa Crandall, and me had never been in the same room together at one time, but through email, phone calls, texts, and Zoom meetings, we were able to put together what we felt would be a full schedule of activities and lesson plans everyone would enjoy.

Although we had already taught short LNT awareness courses at our 46er trailhead steward classes, this one was very different. We were teaching outside of our own volunteer group. A tad bit nervous but feeling prepared, we started our day with the senior class. Following a brief intro and an explanation of the LNT seven principles, Winn asked the students to consider statements like “When I go into the woods I always check the weather” and “when I encounter mud on the trail I always walk through it.” Winn had previously set up four chairs with the words “always,” “often,” “sometimes” and “never.” The students, their teacher, Blue (the class pup), Lisa, and I all participated as Winn read the statements and had us hurry to the appropriate chair for our answer.

For the next activity, Lisa and I had packed for a (imaginary) hike to the summit of Mount Marcy in midNovember to demonstrate LNT principle #1: Plan Ahead and Prepare. We laid out all of our supplies (but no headlamp) and asked, “Will we make it?” “Will the items in our pack ensure our safety?” “Will these items ensure that we will leave no trace?” This activity provided us the opportunity to talk about the importance of a light source, proper footwear, repackaging our foods to ensure we limit micro-trash, and the all-important need for proper poop preparedness.

Poop preparedness? It was time to get up, get moving and get more steps in while we discussed principle #3: Dispose of Waste Properly. Lisa grabbed her poop kit and said, “Let’s go outside!” We all bundled up and gathered in a circle, Lisa held up her poop kit and asked the class, “How far away from the trail or water sources should you be if you are out in the woods and the spirit of nature moves you?” The students started yelling out answers. “Six inches!” “Six feet!” “I don’t know!” Lisa then told them the LNT standard measurement for proper distance is 200 feet. The students immediately started back with, “What?” “No way!” “That’s a lot.” Lisa drew a line in the snow and said “Show me 200 feet!” while instructing them to walk what they felt was a proper 200-foot distance. When

WITHOUT A TRACE Ben Bradford, Winn Rea and Lisa Cradall taught the 46ers’ first Leave No Trace awareness courses in November.

the students stopped, Lisa was prepared with 200 feet of pre-measured paracord and measured out the distance. Lisa gathered the students together to discuss the “why” and how proper disposal ensures that we will keep the wilderness wild.

Next up, Winn introduced the students to a very helpful tool they all had “on hand” to ensure that they provide ample space between themselves and wildlife. “That’s right, I even checked when you all came in and found that you have two of these tools!” Winn said. “Your thumbs!” She placed a small stuffed bunny toy on the snow and told the class how, by holding their thumb upright, fully extending their arm and closing one eye, they can tell they are the proper distance away when the animal is fully covered by their thumb and no longer visible. “How about something larger?” Winn asked as she and I unfurled an image of a fawn. The students backed up a lot while still holding their thumbs out until the fawn was covered. Then, since the students were far away, Winn yelled, “But what about an even larger animal?!” as we unfurled a life size image of an Adirondack black bear. The students quickly retreated much further away until they had the bear covered. Before returning indoors

IN MEMORIAM

We Remember

Bob Adams, #4151

John Lecky, #4150

Winnie Lamb, #367 Danielle Papa, #9561 Floyd Moore, #93 John F. Moynihan, #4538 Frank Traver, #2314 Betty Wadsworth, #1341 Richard B. Mallinson, #782W Joan Robertson, #2233 ▲

Winn took the opportunity to discuss with the students the importance of leaving wildlife alone and asked what signs an animal may give us to tell us we are too close for comfort. Of course, the students answered cheekily: “When it bites you!”

Our day moved on to two more indoor activities that covered all seven principles of LNT and ways to apply those principles to our everyday lives, even when not on the trails.

When 46er Joe Ryan suggested we teach the class, I tried to think of ways to sit this one out, but I’m definitely glad I didn’t. Joe is the organization’s trailhead steward coordinator and driving force behind the 46er Leave No Trace master educator team’s existence. We all owe a great deal of gratitude to him for all that he does for the 46ers and the community.

If you asked me today if I enjoy teaching, the answer would certainly be a resounding “yes!” I’m proud to work with the greatest group of volunteers, and play a part in the 46ers’ mission: to protect and foster the natural resources within and preserve the wilderness character of the Adirondack Park. ▲

—Ben Bradford, #10175V

Danielle Papa

Winnie Lamb

>>46er 411<<

CAMPERSHIP

Camp Rocks

Did you know that part of your 46er dues help send six children* that live inside the Blue Line to DEC Camp for one week every year? We work with school counselors who help identify students that show an interest. While at camp, campers have a chance to try new skills, including archery, canoeing, fishing, birding, and hiking, developing a life-long love of the outdoors in the process. This is just another way the 46ers give back to the mountains and their communities.

*A fifth camper, Jaylynn, went to Pack Forest and had a wonderful time (no photo available). One student was unable to register and another student was sponsored, but unable to attend because the camp closed early for the season. We look forward sponsoring them and six others next year. ▲

—Lisa Crandall, #11554V Mary Lamb, #6736WV

Nick | Pack Forest

“This was a spectacular experience for me and the other campers. I am very thankful and glad the sponsorship exists. I was recommended to come back next year as a volunteer for the camp.”

“It was really fun. I made new friends. I learned a lot about the Catskills, conservation and the forest.”

“It was a new experience for me. I learned how to make fire, build shelter and find trails. My favorite thing was making new friends.”

Judah | Debruce

“My favorite part was hiking a mountain and camping for the night. Going down the mountain at high speed was a challenge, but a lot of fun!”

Linnea | Debruce

Ruth | Rushford

>>LAST LOOK<<

SHADOW REALM

Photograph by Carl Heilman II

IN SPECTRE Celebrated Adirondack photographer Carl Heilman II has witnessed the phenomenon known as brocken spectre—the shadow of an observer cast on a cloud or mist—before, but his shadow usually extends from his feet into the clouds, greatly elongating his likeness. On this particular wintry Wednesday morning on Cascade, however, his shadow was the exact proportions of his body—a ghost of himself floating just out of reach. See more of Carl’s work on Instagram at @carlheilman2. ▲

Houghtaling - ADK 46ers

Membership Coordinator

P.O. Box 22

Middle Grove, NY 12850

Address Service Requested

CRISPE AIR A winter scene captured by Spencer Crispe, #7785 on a hike of Marcy, Haystack, Basin, and Saddleback.

Jim