Jim Weeks – Adirondack Forty-Sixer

“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.”

“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).”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”