Adirondack Peeks Winter 2023

completing them all? SL: No real strategy. We did, however, make use of the huts and the shuttle system in the Whites as much as possible. It was a wonderful way to climb multiple mountains in one trip. SR: What was your biggest challenge? SL: The biggest challenge was just the drive over to New Hampshire and Maine from the Albany, NY, area. SR: Any advice for others who are thinking about doing them? SL: I would say, if you have the time, just do it. The scenery is beautiful, and there is much less mud on the trails— at least that was the case 30 years ago. SR: How did the other Northeast 115 mountains compare to the Adirondacks? SL: People who have done the 115 all say that the Adirondack trails are the wildest and hardest. The trails in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine tend to have more switchbacks and less mud. And the trailheads are closer to the peaks so the approaches to the summits are not as long as many are in the Adirondacks. There are some exceptions of course. SR: Of the Northeast 115, other than the high peaks, did you have a favorite climb and why? SL: I really enjoyed the Presidential and Franconia Ranges—mostly because they offer long ridge walks above tree line, which the Adirondacks don’t have. We have some open summits, but not much exposed ridge walking. The open ridges in the Whites are spectacular. Just make sure the weather forecast is for sunny skies and light winds. George and I were on the Franconia Ridge when the remains of Hurricane Bob blew through in 1991. Not an experience we would like to repeat. SR: A friend gave me the book Where You’ll Find Me by Ty Gagne, which is

Suzanne and George on Kathadin, 1993

quest to become a 46er so much. It was such a rewarding experience that we felt it was now time to get our hands dirty, literally, to help maintain the trails that we walked on. My husband, George, joined in while he was still working on the 46. We were “regulars” on the trail work crews for several years, accumulating enough hours to receive the 546-hour patch. As special as finishing the 46 was, I think the time we spent doing trail maintenance was even better. The Behr family—Chris G. #1453V, and June #1455V, and their son Chris M. #1454V—were the trail masters at that time. They were so friendly and welcoming and just encouraged those who came out to do what they could. There was always something to do that matched a person’s skill level and abilities. We laughed and joked a lot, we always got dirty, and we had a great sense of accomplishment at the day’s end. And the next time we walked on the trail that we had worked on there was such a sense of pride to see the improvement. SR: You became a winter 46er in 2007. What inspired you to climb these giants in the winter? SL: I climbed a couple of the easier high peaks during the winter just

to try to keep the hiking muscles in shape and I enjoyed it. I had no intention of becoming a Winter 46er. I couldn’t fathom climbing Redfield, or Allen, or Couchie, or the Sewards in the winter. But then some of our hiking friends were working on their Winter 46 so George and I joined them on a few hikes. Then before we knew it, we had done 30 peaks and we just kept going. We never would have finished if it hadn’t been for the support and encouragement of those we hiked with. Winter can be more of a challenge for a lot of reasons, but on a clear, crisp day, with snow-covered tree limbs glistening in the sun, it’s magical. And if the trail happens to be broken it can be easier than hiking in the summer. After the muddy, wet, bug-infested trails of the past summer season, I can’t wait for it to snow. SR: What inspired you to become a Northeast 111-er? SL: After George finished his 46 in 1989, we just wanted to continue hiking, so we decided to start working on the 111, now the 115. Plus, we found that it was a great way to explore places where we had never been before. SR: Did you have a strategy for

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