Adirondack Peeks Summer 2024

a new piece of myself that I didn’t know existed. These mountains have given me a sense of confidence I have been searching for my entire life. They also have taught me countless life lessons: To the Adirondack mountains, thank you for ab sorbing the weight of my problems. I often came to you when I was not my best mentally and/or physically, and I left feeling an indescribable sense of clarity and strength. You graciously absorbed that energy and expected noth ing in return. Thank you for challenging me in the most natural of ways. Thank you for giving me the time to re flect, to grow, to cry, to breathe, to problem solve, to re joice, to gain perspective, and to be in a moment of quiet. There is nothing more peaceful than being at the summit of a mountain, away from the chaos of society, eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and taking in the refresh ing breath of alpine air. Thank you for being my cathedral, a place I can go for comfort, solitude, and sometimes a very necessary reality check. To spend a day being so intimately aware of the sun and its daylight is grounding. I've watched as it has found its way from east to west, hiding itself behind your arches after guiding me on your paths all day. I've been enveloped in the darkest of nights, blanketed by stars, and have awakened to the misty morning dawn as the sun creeps through your trees, bringing an unmistakable chill to the air that indicates the beginning of a new day. Thank you for the opportunity to disconnect from the techno logical world we live in and allow my senses to fully appre ciate and notice everything you have to offer: the sights, sounds, and smells that may otherwise go unnoticed. To the mud (if you know, you know), thank you for reminding me what it's like to be a kid again. I used to love exploring the woods and getting dirty and I am reminded of the innocence of childhood on extra muddy trails. Embrace the mud, find laughter in it; I promise it will be much easier that way. At the same time, be respectful of it; muddy trails lead to more erosion (this is a conversa tion for another day). It taught me to be conscious of the path you take in life, and to just get muddy. To the clouds, thank you for reminding me that climbing to a summit isn't always about the views. To be encompassed by a cloud is a truly centering experience. An important lesson you taught me is that sometimes what you need is right in front of you, and you may not realize it. Also, a reminder that not every day is going to be bright. There are going to be darker moments in life, but these days will eventually pass. To the weather, thank you for reminding me how quickly things can change and the importance of be ing flexible when things don't go according to plan. I've walked through essentially all seasons in a single hike. You taught me not to hold concrete expectations and to be prepared for whatever is to come. To the Adirondack 46er challenge, thank you for everything you've taught me about myself. I am in awe of these mountains, and also in awe of my own body for what it is able to endure. I have pushed myself to limits I never would have imagined I could accomplish (Saddle

Sunrise Finish on Big Slide

Allison Austin, #11458W Summiting against the Odds: My Victory over Raynaud’s, Conquering the Adirondack High Peaks in the Winter A s the wind whistled through the tall pines and the snow-covered landscape stretched as far as the eye could see, I reflected on the arduous journey that led me to this moment. It wasn't just about conquer ing the Adirondack 46 high peaks in the winter; it was about conquering myself and the limitations imposed by Raynaud's syndrome, a condition that affects the blood flow to certain parts of the body. The journey began long before I set foot on the trail. It started with a deep-rooted desire to push beyond the boundaries of my condition and prove to myself that I was not defined by it. I sought solace in research, devour ing every piece of information I could find about Rayn aud's syndrome and its impact on physical activity. Armed with knowledge, I developed a comprehensive plan to manage the challenges that lay ahead. 46er challenge. I am so excited to continue exploring the Adirondacks in new ways; yet, I am sad that this journey is over. Until we meet again, Adirondacks—I know I won't be able to stay away from you for too long. * * * back cliffs, this is a shout out to you!). This challenge has reminded me that all good things must come to an end, but there are always new adventures to come. It is so bittersweet to be on the other end of the

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