Adirondack Peeks Summer 2024

Cascade, September 12, 2020

horn . . . hmmm, was I a little short on details here? You have mastered every scramble so far, so I knew if you got there, you would overcome the challenge. If by chance my name was uttered in a string of expletives, I’m good with that.” Emotions overwhelm me as I reread my trail re ports and communications with Jack. These written re cords, like diary entries, bring me back to the beloved hikes with Larry and allow me to relive some of the most rewarding days of my life, our relationship, and our 46er pursuit. I recall being so excited to share our experiences with Jack, and even more excited to get his response. I was able to share the journey off trail with someone who “gets” the life-affirming and life-altering 46er journey, as Grace so accurately described it. As Jack once wrote, “Those who have experienced the process truly ‘get it’ [while] others, try as they might, simply fail to envision the enormity of the circumstances we are fortunate enough to encounter. . . . Pictures and stories only go so far and to many they are merely postcards, a nice view with no rela tionship to what one goes through in order to obtain such vistas. Even harder are the ones that have no views! It is hard to understand why one would choose to put them selves out there to climb them. It is truly in the journey in which the passion is born.” Jack also “got” me because

Truly one of the best parts of being a correspon dent and a Summit Steward is the pure joy in ex periencing those moments of wonder, pride, joy, exhaustion, and celebration either vicariously in words or in person the first time someone climbs their first high peak or their first time on a new peak. I do not take those moments lightly and hope to continue to be a cheerleader, compan ion, mentor, and friend of all who have come to love these mountains. Very early on, I realized Jack is much more than a friend to all of us who love the mountains; he is a friend to the mountains he loves so much. Much of his time is dedicated to volunteering and giving back through efforts such as the Correspondent Program, Summit Stewarding, the ADK High Peaks Foundation, trail restoration, fund raising, and so much more. Jack always encouraged me to think about giving back to the mountains. In the latter part of my journey, Jack’s encouragement became much more specific, and he urged me to consider becoming a correspondent. The decision to become a correspondent was not easy for me because being a correspondent is an immense responsibility, but Jack’s endorsement was

Jack once wrote, “Those who have experienced the process truly ‘get it’ [while] others, try as they might, simply fail to envision the enormity of the circumstances we are fortunate enough to encounter.”

of his investment in getting to know who I was on and off the mountain. As Grace envisioned, personal com munication between people who share a common passion builds a support structure for others in their 46er journey and allows friendships

to develop beyond the mountains. Jack’s unyielding sup port and encouragement showed through in every com munication. Jack said,

very powerful and affirming. If he believed I could do it, I knew I could, because I trusted him. I am also reminded that, like during the 46er journey, Jack has done a stellar job of modeling the role and preparing me for this new adventure. I will lean into my lived experience and what

20 | ADIRONDACK PEEKS