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, in the U.S. state of New York. They are often referred to just as 46ers. As of 2024, there were over 16,000 registered forty-sixers. The organization primarily supports efforts to maintain the Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness, and encourages aspiring members through a correspondents program.
History Origins
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 above sea level was considered, and those with at least of vertical rise on all sides or separated from the next closest summit by 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 , they later climbed the four 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 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 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 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 days of trekking. + 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 Table Top 4427 20 Rocky Peak Ridge 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 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 As of November 2024, there were over 16,000 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 wrote personal letters to aspiring members—a tradition continued to this day.
The 46ers are dedicated to the preservation 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.
Winter 46ers 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.
References
External links Adirondack 46ers