The Adirondack Forty-Sixers are an organization of hikers who have climbed all forty-six of the traditionally recognized High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains. They are often referred to just as 46ers. As of 2021, there were nearly 14,000 registered forty-sixers. The organization primarily supports efforts to maintain the Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness, and encourages aspiring members through a correspondents program.

History

edit
 
Bouquet Valley in the Adirondacks' by William Trost Richards, 1863

Origins

edit

The first 46ers were brothers Robert and George Marshall, along with their guide and family friend Herbert Clark. The Marshalls spent much of their childhood in the Adirondacks, obsessing over the collection of Verplanck Colvin maps owned by their father, Louis Marshall. They devised criteria for the high peaks they would climb—every summit rising over 4,000 feet (1,219 m) above sea level was considered, and those with at least 300 feet (91.4 m) of vertical rise on all sides or separated from the next closest summit by 0.75 mile (1.2 km) were added to their list. They chose forty-two summits, and climbed them all between 1918 and 1924. While they initially planned to climb only the summits above 4,000 feet (1,200 m), they later climbed the four 4,000 foot (1,200 m) mountains as well on the suggestion of friends.

At the time that they undertook this goal, there were no trails up many of the peaks. This made summiting all forty-six a particularly formidable accomplishment. The trio first climbed Whiteface Mountain on August 1, 1918, and finished the 46 with Mount Emmons on June 10, 1925. One of the peaks, Mount Marshall in the MacIntyre Range has since been named in honor of Robert, and Herbert Brook (the most popular approach up Marshall) was named after their guide Herbert Clark.

Founding

edit

As an organization, the Adirondack Forty-Sixers dates back to 1936. Ernest R. Ryder and Edward L. Hudowalski formed a social club originally known as the Troy Forty-Sixers for people who had successfully climbed all 46 of the Adirondack high peaks on the Marshalls' list. The club later expanded its membership, and was formally incorporated by the State of New York as the Adirondack Forty-Sixers in 1948.

Grace Hudowalski

edit

In 1937, Grace Hudowalski became the ninth person and first woman to climb all 46 of the Adirondack High Peaks. In 2014, the mountain formerly known as East Dix was renamed Grace Peak after her due to this accomplishment. She would later go on to become the matriarch of the 46ers family, serving as club historian for over sixty years until she retired at age 90 in 1996. In May 2013, Summit Pictures, LLC and director Fred Schoewbel released "The mountains Will Wait for You"—a documentary narrated by Johnny Cash celebrating the life of Grace Hudowalski.

The Traditional 46 Peaks

edit

Although many peaks that were pathless in the days of Marshall brothers now have well-traveled trails, tackling the 46 High Peaks remains a considerable challenge. Steep technical terrain is perhaps the greatest hurdle, as switchbacks are scarce. Fitness and sure footing are paramount when confronting the 46. Additionally, many peaks are tucked away miles from any trailhead, requiring climbers to find campgrounds or lean-to's to break up the trip. Ambitious day-hikers can also tackle these inaccessible peaks with alpine starts (before the sun rises) and long, long days of hiking.

List of Peaks and Elevations
Rank Mountain Elevation (feet)
1 Marcy 5344
2 Algonquin 5114
3 Haystack 4960
4 Skylight 4926
5 Whiteface 4867
6 Dix 4857
7 Gray 4840
8 Iroquois Peak 4840
9 Basin 4827
10 Gothics 4736
11 Colden 4714
12 Giant 4627
13 Nippletop 4620
14 Santanoni 4607
15 Redfield 4606
16 Wright Peak 4580
17 Saddleback 4515
18 Panther 4442
19 TabletTop 4427
20 Rocky Peak 4420
21 Macomb 4405
22 Armstrong 4400
23 Hough 4400
24 Seward 4361
25 Marshall 4360
26 Allen 4340
27 Big Slide 4240
28 Esther 4240
29 Upper Wolf Jaw 4185
30 Lower Wolf Jaw 4175
31 Street 4166
32 Phelps 4161
33 Donaldson 4140
34 Seymour 4120
35 Sawteeth 4100
36 Cascade 4098
37 South Dix 4060
38 Porter 4059
39 Colvin 4057
40 Emmons 4040
41 Dial 4020
42 Grace Peak 4012
43 Blake Peak 3960
44 Cliff 3960
45 Nye 3895
46 Couchsachraga 3820

Exceptions and Exclusions

edit

Although later geographical surveys revealed that four of the peaks (Blake, Cliff, Nye, and Couchsachraga) were actually below four thousand feet in elevation, they remain a part of the list out of tradition. Additionally, it was discovered that another mountain, MacNaughton, had been overlooked and remains excluded from the list. Although rising to almost exactly four thousand feet, MacNaughton is not a requirement for aspiring Forty-Sixers.

Membership and Activity

edit

As of December 2021, there were nearly fourteen thousand registered Forty-Sixers. Members are asked to pay dues in order to fund the club's activities. These include an annual outdoor skills workshop, trail maintenance and stewardship programs, and a "correspondents program" inspired by Grace Hudowalski. In the early days of the 46ers, she took the time to write personal letters to aspiring members—a tradition continued to this day.

The 46ers are dedicated to the preservation of the natural beauty and accessibility of Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness. They host trail maintenance events for registered members, as well as a trailhead steward program:

"The 46ers collaborated with the ADK and DEC to establish the 46er Trailhead Steward Program. On weekends throughout the summer, 46er volunteers greet hikers at the Cascade trailhead and share information on DEC rules and regulations, “leave no trace” principles, and provide safety and preparedness suggestions."

In general, the 46ers today gear their attention towards giving back to the wilderness they've spent so much time in.

Winter 46ers

edit

Some 46ers re-climb all the peaks in winter, and are awarded the "Winter 46er" distinction (the winter 46 season is considered to be from December 21 to March 21). This is a very difficult task due to the severity of winters in the Adirondacks. Some peaks, such as Gothics, can require some technical climbing skill when covered with snow and ice. Upon completion of the winter 46, 46ers are entitled to wear the "Winter 46-R" rocker patch. As of September 1, 2020, there were 934 Winter 46ers.