Conversely, I hope that these blog posts have in some small way, demonstrated good techniques and respect for these mountains, such as the all-important ‘Leave No Trace’ principle, hiking on approved DEC foot trails only, hiking in properly-sized groups, use of bear-resistant food canisters, use of latrines and proper waste disposal and more. When hiking, we leave nothing but footprints behind, and even pick up trash we may have encountered along our journey. Anyone who hikes with our group also wear snowshoes in the winter, instead of post-holing and ruining the trail for others following us. We never hike in spring, when melting snow and heavy rains and mud wreak havoc on the trails and lead to lots of erosion. There’s likely more we can do, no doubt, I’m not saying we’re perfect. We just hope that all who visit this amazing area (and all such trails, really), shows it the respect it deserves, by not littering, burying your waste off-trail, leaving no trace, doing your research and therefore being prepared properly for your adventures and being respectful also to other hikers. Oh, and don’t forget to have fun out there, too, obviously.
One last note on the subject: since becoming a 46er in 2013, I have certainly repeated several of the 46 again, in helping friends you see on these pages to complete their own 46er journeys. But many of those guys have finished now, and I’m finding the desire to seek out new hikes that I’ve never done before, to new areas that I’ve never seen, or maybe areas I may have been to, but from a different trailhead or viewpoint. I’m also enjoying visiting other, smaller hikes that aren’t necessarily 46er peaks, but still offer that amazing view from the top, or scenic wonder. My long-winded point is that there’s so much to hike in the Adirondacks, and my focus has been so narrowly aimed at the 46 until I finished that quest. I now have expanded my view, and realize that there’s so much more that I want to see and do up there. If you’re finished with your 46, then perhaps you’ll begin to appreciate some of the many other wonderful, scenic options that the Adirondacks have to offer, like I have. Keep checking back here every once in a while, for a new adventure. Maybe it’ll open your eyes to something other than the (wonderful) 46, and perhaps lighten the load on the 46 highest peaks and trails that service them, just a little bit. If you’ve read this far, THANKS!
