Adirondack Peeks Summer 2025

Absolute madness, like the inspiration I felt seeing my father David (#13596) and friends Nick Clark (#13597) and Eugene Przychodny (#13598) finish on Allen on September 10, 2021. We crossed the Opalescent in the pitch-dark that morning and spent a full 16 hours on trail, half of them in mist. It was one of the longest and greatest days of my life. Absolute madness, like visualizing my own finish for years, and getting goosebumps every time. Absolute madness, like celebrating my finish on Big Slide. The first thing I did at the summit was cry like a baby, as I was simply overcome with joy, relief, gratitude, and a sweeping view of many of the peaks I had climbed.

a peak bagging goal I had no idea existed. Furthermore, little did I know I was going to change so much over this period. Never would I have imagined all that would take place in my life over those 8 years. A fourth child was born in 2017, a new job and the decision to go back to school for a teacher’s degree in 2018, a worldwide crazy pandemic in 2020, and personal issues and family crises following those rough crazy years with so much more going on with family and friends. Now that the 46 are “in,” I am ready tackle on new adventures, not in a peak-bagging mode, but more as a wish to embrace every opportunity with arms wide open and a heart ready to receive and give. I sure hope that I have acquired a certain wisdom over the years, the ADKs only adding some depth to my drifting thoughts as I walked the famous Adirondack Mile. But without a doubt, this park has helped me heal mentally. As I now approach my forties, I am ready to tackle the rest of my life.

Phillipe Naud, #15547, said: Every time you step on the trail, you are a new person. Every step is taken in a present state of mind, but each one is getting you further and further away from the person you were when you initially started this journey. It’s a way of taking care of yourself and a way of evolving into a better version of yourself as nature can only help you set your spirit free of the stress of our fast 24/7 daily routines. The Adirondacks are special: like other places further from society, you get to find yourself, but the Adirondacks are truly a treasure of peace and forever wild. Some people have taken years to reach their 46th peak in the Adirondacks; others only a few weeks. No matter how long it took you, the park has a way of engraving its soul and beauty in your heart. You can leave the trails behind, mountains aren’t going anywhere, but you carry in your mind the unique hills of the High Peaks and the majestic wild preserved environment. Almost 8 years have gone by since I initially started this adventure. At the time, I only went on a quick hike with a friend who wanted to show me this awesome spot he had discovered. Little did I know 8 years would pass to reach From L to R: Frank Mulvihill, #14366; Nick Clark, #13597; Kevin’s father, David Manieri, #13596; Kevin; and Eugene Przychodny, #13598

The Loeb-Hammons family started camping and hiking when their kids were very young, initially hiking in their home state of Pennsylvania, and then expanding to Vermont and New Hampshire. In 2018, they decided to take a trip to the Adirondacks and reserved a campsite near the Adirondack Loj. At the time, Sam Hammons was 9, and Hannah Hammons was 11. Their first hike was Mt. Joe, and after a great hike, the family was ready for a bigger challenge. Mom, Emily Loeb, and dad, Lee Hammons, chatted with another hiker who recommended giving Phelps a try. Clouds were building as they made the turn off the Van Ho trail, and, just as they hit the summit, the skies opened up and there was rain and lightning everywhere. Emily and Lee had to work their parenting magic to get the kids to shelter and eventually back to the car. With the kids still shaken up, Mom and Dad brought them into the High Peaks Information Center for some hot chocolate. Sam noticed the patch for Phelps, and that quickly led to him asking, “Can we do all 46?” Phillipe celebrated his accomplishment with his children and a special cake. From L to R: Aby-Jeanne (10), Dalie Ève (12), Phillipe, Alfred (6), and Lunaelle (15)

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