Adirondack Peeks Winter 2025

A toast to Gary Koch #1137WV for 100 rounds of the 46 high peaks – Photo Credit Nancie Battaglia #3543

“His name always pops up in conversations with others in the established hiking community,” Nancie Battaglia says. Dave Pawlick loves watching how he interacts with other hikers he meets along the trail: “The hikers often never learn of his accomplishments, and they always depart with a smile and a belief that they can accomplish anything.” Donna Merrill adds, “Gary seems to have six degrees of separation to every person in the Adirondacks. He stops to chat with nearly everyone he passes. The things I learn, the stories and informative advice I eavesdrop on (when I tune in), is all gold. Hiking with Gary is like hiking with an Adirondack encyclopedia. He retains minute details of history when I can barely remember what I hiked a few days ago.” For years, Gary hiked on Sundays with the SCUMBAGS, a name he coined. The group was created to compete with another group named CHUMPS. SCUMBAGS member Barb Harris points to Gary’s sense of humor and recalls a Sunday hike up Jay Mountain just before Easter. Everyone was discussing what they were planning to have for Easter

Donna Walsh #16954, Gary and Nancie Battaglia #3543 Climbing Cliff and Redfield – Photo Credit Heidi Kretser

20 | ADIRONDACK PEEKS