Following a tradition that was established in 1995 by the officer corps of that year, the Outing Club sent out trips to conquer the 46 Adirondack High Peaks last weekend. The Adirondack Forest Preserve is 2.6 million acres of state land and only a stone’s throw from campus. The 46 mountains of the High Peaks all stand at 4,000 or more feet in elevation by the original survey, and each offers a unique charm.
Along with bagging these peaks, the Outing Club prioritizes engaging the Hamilton community and exposing people to the beauty of the Adirondacks. This year 120 students went on 17 student-led trips into the High Peaks. These trips ranged in intensity and duration. Day trips departed from campus on both Saturday and Sunday, and overnight trips embarked Friday and Saturday. However, none of this would have been possible without the effort of the Outing Club’s officers, who worked tirelessly organizing itineraries, food, gear, and transportation for each trip.
With changing leaves and crisp air, the intrepid Hamilton students managed to summit 36 out of the 46 peaks. Although the club was unable to accomplish its goal of all the peaks, the spirit of tradition and the event prevailed. “Summiting all 46 peaks is never our main priority during this weekend; we consider it a success every year regardless of how many students we got on how many peaks because the most important thing is to reach out to the community and create more appreciation of nature,” said Sarah Stigberg ’20, one of the Outing Club’s officers.
