Adirondack peak photos

A 46er is not something you can buy or join, it’s something you become

To become a 46er you must ascend and descend the 46 high peaks in the Adirondack Mountains. These are all peaks above 4,000 feet in elevation based on the original surveys. Yes, there are more peaks above 4,000 feet, but to be a “46” peak it must be more than ¾ of a mile from another peak. It is also true that with modern survey technology it was found that four of the original 46 peaks are actually below 4,000, but they are still considered “46er peaks.”

Measurements aside, becoming a 46er is no doubt a triumph of the body and mind. It is also representative of the love one has for the Adirondack region’s natural beauty. We recently interviewed NYFalls.com community member Jim Weeks (AKA: Backpacker) after learning about his 46er achievement.

Adirondack 46er - hiking advice

What was the first Adirondack peak you ascended?

“My first peak was Algonquin Peak. I enjoy hiking and talked my brother-in-law into joining me. Algonquin is the 2nd tallest peak at 5,114 ft. I had no intentions at this time to become a 46er. I just went out for a hike. The second time I climbed Algonquin was with a group of scouts before we went to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. My current hiking partner joined me on this hike and wanted to do Marcy at some point just to say he’s been at the top of New York. So we invited another friend to join us on our Marcy climb and it was then that the three of us decided to work on becoming 46ers.”

What was the most difficult peak?

“Most people would expect this answer to be one of the long distance peaks or a trail-less one. My most difficult peak was Phelps Mt. (4,161 ft). Phelps is actually a close and relatively easy peak; I’ve done Phelps twice and both times were in the winter. The first time I had the wrong type of snowshoes thus making it hard to walk; I ended up bare booting it, which is tough in deep snow. The second time we did Phelps in conjunction with Tabletop (4,427 ft), and I didn’t keep my furnace stoked and ran low on steam (didn’t eat enough).”

Have you ever found yourself in a less than comfortable situation?

“No, because I know when to call it quits and head back. I remember three hikes we turned back on without summiting due to weather or time. When you’re in the high peaks, area roads are far and few and your cell phone won’t work, so you have to have a level head and know when to turn around. On one trip my hiking partner got dehydrated and a little delirious which made for an uneasy day but we made it.”

What was the most memorable peak for you?

“I would have to say doing the lower range trail which includes: Lower Wolfjaw (4,175 ft), Upper Wolfjaw (4,185 ft), Armstrong (4,400 ft), and Gothics (4,736 ft), then coming out over Pyramid (4515 ft) for a total of 13 miles round trip. The day started wet with showers, but by the time we got to the ridge, the weather broke, the sun came out, the wind was mild and the temperature was nice for hiking. I believe this was our first encounter with log ladders too. The views from Gothics are amazing – not to mention you’re standing within the heart of the Adirondacks.”

What essentials do you always carry?

“My daypack is always ready. I just add food and clothing for the weather and I’m off. In a gallon Ziploc bag I have: duck tape, magnesium fire starter, hand warmers, emergency blanket, dried mincemeat, band-aids, Benadryl, aspirin, matches, instant coffee, TP (toilet paper). In the pack I have: headlamp, water filter, tripod, compass, 2 – 1 liter water bottles, knit hat, warm shirt, gloves, 1 pair of socks, map, candy, jerky, bread product, high energy high calorie food, and a Swiss army knife in my pocket.”

What steps do you take to prepare for the more difficult climbs?

“Every climb/hike is different or unique; in the ‘Dacks I would consider a long peak 17 plus miles round trip as difficult. If I know there will be open rocks to climb (slide) I’ll carry a small piece of rope. I do a lot of walking and stair climbing to keep my legs knees and ankles in shape, when doing stairs I’ll skip one or two at a time to simulate the climbing effect over rocks. While hiking the most important thing to do is keep you furnace fueled. I see so many people struggling, tired, and worn out towards the end of a hike that it’s hard to believe. I’m out there to enjoy the day, the climb, the people, and the view if I get one, I don’t want to be burned out and sore by the end of the day, that’s why I eat and drink continuously while I’m hiking.”

wedge book photo by Jim Weeks

When you reach the top, do you have any traditions or rituals?

“No I don’t have any traditions or rituals. When we summit depending on the plan, weather, and distance, we’ll sit and eat, take in the views, take some pictures or move on to the next peak or head down and out.”

What’s the best photo opportunity you’ve come across?

“The best photo shots would be in the winter, you have to remember to correct for the snow but you can get the best distance and depth of field with winter shots. The biggest problem any other time is the haze; I’ve had hikes that I’ve taken less than 10 pictures due to the haze.

I would have to say the best photos I’ve taken were from the Cascade and Porter hike when it was minus 28. The sky was the deepest blue I had ever seen. We could see the Green Mountains in Vermont clearly.”

Jim Weeks - Adironack 46er

Now that you are a 46er, what’s next?

“I’ve seen a lot of interesting sights while working on the 46. There are many smaller peaks, lakes, ponds, and waterfalls to visit or revisit. There is a book called “The other 54” which are other peaks in the Adirondacks. I may try some of them. I would like to help friends finish their 46. My hiking partner and I have been talking about Mt. Washington and the Presidential Range in New Hampshire. I’ve also thought about the Vermont Long Trail which is 270 miles in length and traverses many peaks in Vermont. At over six million acres in the Adirondacks I’m sure I can find things to do and see. The Catskills has a Club called “Catskill 3500 Club” which is climbing on foot all 35 peaks over 3,500 feet. There’s also a Fire Tower challenge which includes fire towers from the Catskills and Dacks.”

About Jim

Jim Weeks was born in Elmira, NY and moved to East Smithfield, Pennsylvania after the flood of 1972. After graduating from high school he served in the US Navy for six years. Jim has been in the maintenance field since the military and now works as a maintenance technician for a fast-growing bottling company. Now situated in Oriskany Falls, NY, he is happily married to his wife Donna and has two children (Matthew and Amber). Jim is semi-active in Boy Scouts, and was a Cub Scout leader and an officer for the local rod and gun club. He has traveled to Montana, Iowa, Colorado, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Virginia and New Mexico either hunting, hiking or backpacking. Jim also makes the best damned jerky I have ever had.

The 46 Peaks

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Rank
Name
Elevation (ft)
1Mt. Marcy5344
2Algonquin Peak5114
3Mt. Haystack4960
4Mt. Skylight4926
5Whiteface Mtn.4867
6Dix Mtn.4857
7Gray Peak4840
8Iroquois Peak4840
9Basin Mtn.4827
10Gothics4736
11Mt. Colden4714
12Giant Mtn.4627
13Nippletop4620
14Santanoni Peak4607
15Mt. Redfield4606
16Wright Peak4580
17Saddleback Mtn.4515
18Panther Peak4442
19Tabletop Mtn.4427
20Rocky Peak Ridge4420
21Macomb Mtn.4405
22Armstrong Mtn.4400
23Hough Peak4400
24Seward Mtn.4361
25Mt. Marshall4360
26Allen Mtn.4340
26Big Slide Mtn.4240
28Esther Mtn.4240
29Upper Wolfjaw4185
30Lower Wolfjaw4175
31Street Mtn.4166
32Phelps Mtn.4161
33Mt. Donaldson4140
34Seymour Mtn.4120
35Sawteeth4100
36Cascade Mtn.4098
37South Dix4060
38Porter Mtn.4059
39Mt. Colvin4057
40Mt. Emmons4040
41Dial Mtn.4020
42East Dix4012
43Blake3960
44Cliff Mtn.3960
45Nye Mtn.3895
46Couchsachraga Peak3820
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