The Adirondack 46ers is a group of people who have completed the hiking and peakbagging challenge to hike all 46 high peaks above 4,000 ft. elevation in the Adirondacks of New York. This organization is the first example of a peakbagging challenge. The challenge was first completed by brothers Bob Marshall and George Marshall with their friend Herbert Clark on June 10, 1925. As of 2020, there are over 13,000 46ers registered, with the number rapidly increasing each year. Though first completed in 1925, the official organization was not established until 1936 by Ernest R. Ryder and Edward L. Hudowalski, then called “The Forty Sixers of Troy”. The organization was officially incorporated by the state of New York in 1948. Finishers are awarded a patch and a membership to the club.
Winter 46ers
A variation exists of this challenge for those who are able to climb each of the 46 peaks between December 21 and March 21. Climbing the peaks in the winter requires a more robust skillset as deep snow, ice, strong winds and below 0 temperatures create physical and logistical challenges. Basic mountaineering gear is often required to complete this challenge.
Notable 46ers
Grace Hudawolski was the first female and ninth overall 46er, and co-founded the organization with her husband. She served as the organization’s historian for 50 years, writing letters to finishers. In 2014, ten years after her death, East Dix was renamed Grace Peak in her honor.
