Peaks

The Peak Sketches provided here are part of the Trust’s public outreach and education mission. One of the unique elements of the cultural heritage of mountain climbing in the Adirondacks is the emphasis early climbers, particularly the 46ers of Troy, placed on “knowing the mountains,” knowing the story of each high peak, the famous figures associated with the summit, the origin of the name, and who made the first ascent. That focus on history and cultural heritage had its genesis in Grace and her encyclopedic knowledge of the subject, which she regaled climbers with for more than 60 years. The early resources used by climbers are largely out of print, and there is a diverse library of resources that has developed in the last century.

Here, approximating the style Grace used when talking about her mountains, we will pull as much of that bibliography as we can and provide entertaining and informative essays about each of the 47 high peaks (including Mac Naughton), adding to the collection over the course of the next 2 years, updating the materials from time to time, until a full complement of sketches is available in a format that will not go out of print.

We hope you will stop back from time to time and see what we have put together for your enjoyment. And when you are out on a climb, be sure you know the history of the mountain that is allowing your visit.