Adirondack Peeks Winter 2025

WET PILLOWS AND INSPIRING PEOPLE – THE 46ER OUTDOOR SKILLS WORKSHOP Brittany Sternberg T here was a moment this weekend when I thought about giving up. We had just learned that the hike up Mount Jo was canceled due to the severe weather,

and though some of our cook group decided to brave the rain and take a wet stroll around Heart Lake, my husband, Eric, kindly agreed to return to the campsite with me. This is because, though we had dropped a significant amount of money on gear at EMS before heading out to the 46ers Outdoor Skills Workshop, I still felt deeply unprepared to be soaked. I was especially coveting a pair of gaiters as I was already on my third pair of socks in less than 24 hours. When we popped our heads into our tents, I realized that there was a leak right above my pillow, and everything in the tent had now acquired a dampness that was going to make the rest of the stay rather uncomfortable. It was at that moment when I thought, “What am I even doing here?” All the other attendees are so much more dedicated and tough! They’ve got their 46 well underway and have interesting stories to tell about their adventures. Me, on the other hand, well… I’m a nerd. That November, I started a new job as the design and production manager at the Adirondack Mountain Club. This new job entails graphic design work (which I know how to do) and layout of publications like maps and guidebooks (which I didn’t know how to do). Before coming to work at ADK, I’m not even sure I had opened a map for fear of not being able to fold it up again properly. So, in a desperate attempt to get better at my job, I decided to hike the 46 high peaks. This decision was made last December, so I thought I might start my training with a nice ski. Unfortunately, my lack of preparation almost led to a life-threatening circumstance (but that’s a different story). It

was then that I discovered the 46ers workshop and quickly signed up. But now I worried that perhaps I was in over my head. Brittany Sternberg and Eric Sternberg

Inside the teaching yurt - drying out due to both the shelter and the hot air from Bill Lundy – Photo credit - Francis Farge

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