Adirondack Peeks Summer 2024

when I meet with people who have just ascended that same mountain for their very first 46er. I love to share the experience and the value inherent in becoming a member of the Adirondack 46ers with that 1er. I try to keep that lev el of enthusiasm as the organization has provided a con duit through which questions are asked and answered, trust and relationships grow, and long-term friendships develop. Donna was in fact the perfect correspondee, if there is such a thing, on many levels. Early on in our cor respondence there was the typical feeling-out process of this medium. I have found there are certain aspects that can help in the beginning when trying to build a relation ship based on trust. I believe that to be effective the pro cess requires three layers. The ability to build rapport, to establish credibility, and supply information specifically geared to that individual. That was easy with Donna. Start ing correspondence in late September, as we did, offers some unique challenges. Not only did we cover the ba sics such as the importance of picking a guide book and map but also all the questions she had (and there were plenty), which is a wonderful thing. One of our first cor respondences (from Donna) was around Giant and Rocky Peak Ridge. It went like this: What can you tell me about this climb (or any other that would combine Giant) for an in and out climb? Where is the best trailhead? Time of departure during the week? I am also looking for recommendations for other climbs that are par ticularly marvelous for October. I am sure they all are but am hoping you might have some favorites to share. We would be looking for a combo climb if possible. So, in that first exchange, a lot of information was gained about my new aspiring 46er. Also, so many op portunities to ask more questions of her and offer sugges tions about routes, gear, clothing, prior experience hiking

Jack Coleman, Giant

Jack has taught me, whether I am on the trail or support ing a new hiker. Being a part of the Correspondent Program yields much more than successfully hiking 46 peaks. As Jack keenly pointed out, “friendships grown out of the pursuit of becoming 46ers tend to be lifelong in my experience.” It is comforting to know that I can reach out to my mentor and friend at any point to pick his brain with hiking ques tions, seek advice on how to best support a correspon dent, share “Donna and Larry’s latest hiking adventures,” or to simply check in and catch up on life. He Said . . . I would like to start off with a quote credited to Major League baseball player and son of the Yankee Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, Dale Berra. Yogi was quite famous for what is now referred to as Yogi-isms. Quips such as “nobody goes there anymore, it’s too crowded,” or, “It ain’t over till it’s over,” and so many more. When asked about his famous father, Dale Berra said, “You can’t compare me to my father, our similarities are different.” So in that vein I will try to accurately compare how the familiar relations between Dale and Yogi are in fact very much like the re lationship between a correspondent and an aspiring 46er. We climb together, sepa rately. Like so many others, my 46er jour

Conquered the Saddleback Cliffs, June 4, 2022

ney began on Cascade Mountain in 2005, and to this day I vividly recall that feeling of being both awestruck and exhausted. Fortunately, I have been able to relive that experience vicariously many times over

SUMMER 2024 | 21