The Patch

[pete_hickey]

Too much thread drift so new thread started.

And there ARE People who are doing it only because there is a "badge",. Without a doubt. But there are also people who start because of 'the badge' but are 'transformed' in the journey. These are the people we want. It does happen.
And since it is the accomplishment and not the patch that many do it for, then a mandatory time period from inception to completion or at least to the patch shouldn't matter at all should it?We (the 46er executive) have discussed this. We discussed making 46 hours of volunteer trailwork mandatory, we've discussed putting a minimum age (eg a 3 year old winter 46er wanting to break youngest record). Our magazine will not publish stories based on speed, number of climbs, etc. There is some kind of disclamier. For various reasons, that is about as far as we went.

My main gripe is that people who are in the woods for the wrong reasons, unprepared and unappretiative, are the ones who screw it up for everyone else.This happens everywhere.

Me? I took over 30 non-linear years to get my 'regular' and then another 11 years to get my winter... Then I've (so far) put in over 10 years, and close to 1000 hours doing volunteer trailwork.

[Neil]

You hear about people getting their teeth into the 46 and angrily plowing through it in the shortest time possible, missing the "point" entirely, then never hiking again. Luckily, you hear a lot more about transformations, friendships, learning, respect, wanting to give back etc.

(I began as a nature lover but was transformed by Couchie into a nature hater. I lost all my friends because I was always hiking, I learned all about black flies and spruce traps, I developed a respect for tamed wilderness and now want to give myself back to my wife and kids. :D)

[funkyfreddy]

Personally I think everyone would be better off hiking their own hikes than wasting precious time and energy worrying about why everyone else is hiking theirs. ;)

I really don't think it matters much whether people are "in the woods for the wrong reasons"...... that's a loaded phrase filled with assumptions and judgement calls, isn't it? I don't expect everyone to think exactly like I do and the reasons I have for hiking probably wouldn't work for a lot of folks just as their reasoning wouldn't work for me....... personally I don't know very many people who make a big deal out of the patches but hey, if that's what floats their boat, whatever, no sweat off my back!

As long as these "people who are in the woods for the wrong reasons" don't litter in them and try to leave no trace it's fine with me.......

[timmus]

I am relatively new in the Adirondacks Hiking World, and of course there's no patch on backpack. Yes, I started hiking the ADK 46 because I saw that green and yellow logo and I thought it look good.

At first, I imaginate myself walking around with my 46r's cap, just to show it off. Now that I have done 2/3 of the list, I realize that the patch is nothing compare to all the experiences and memories that I got from hiking those peaks. I guess it's the same for everybody, except maybe for those who did it with their eyes closed. That also include the ones who always followed leaders, without even knowing about the trails, the height of peaks and names of brooks.

Anyway, I may be naive, but each time I pass by someone who has the 46r logo visible, I immediatetly feel RESPECT for that person. Specially when they are younger than me, like Marcygirl.

[Willie]

Recently, I came across a short essay written by Josh Hinds - a motivational writer/speaker. The essay is entitled "Stop Wasting Your Time on The Wrong Mountain" and it just happens to concern the 46er patch (you'll note some inaccuracies in the essay). Here it is, and take from it what you wish:

Stop Wasting Your Time on The Wrong Mountain

I have two friends who are avid backpackers. There is a portion of New York’s Adirondack Mountains that is called the “High Peaks” region. It consists of 46 mountains with an elevation of over 4,000 feet.

The Adirondack Mountain Club gives special recognition, and a patch, to anyone who climbs all 46 mountains. My two friends decided to go for this award. It took them several years to accomplish it.

Now what you have to understand is that many of the 46 mountains have well-marked and well-used trails to their summits.

Others, however, are not marked at all. These mountains are really hard to climb because you have to “bushwhack” them using a compass and a typography map.

My friends had climbed 45 of the mountains. They one left—it was the most remote, requiring bushwhacking. A hiking trail led past the base of the mountain, but from that point they were on their own.

Early one morning they left their camp site and walked 5 miles on the hiking trail to the base of a chain of mountains. One of the mountains in this chain was the last one they needed for their “46er” patch.

When they reached the base of the mountain chain they discovered that they had left their compass and map back in camp. Rather than returning to camp (a round-trip of 10 miles), they decided to bushwhack without the compass and map.

For hours they walked uphill enduring heat, thick brush, and black flies. Finally, late in the afternoon they found themselves on the top of a mountain. They were exhausted but elated.

The elation was short-lived however. When they looked across the valley, they saw another higher mountain. They had climbed the wrong hill! It was too late that weekend to rectify their error. They had to wait another 4 months to climb the right mountain.

I think this story illustrates an important lesson. Often in life we exert tremendous effort toward some goal. But without the right “map” and “personal compass” it is easy to get “lost”. Knowing your life purpose gives you a powerful personal “map” and “compass” that ensures you are always climbing the right mountain.

[Jay H]

I have the catskills 3500 list and the winter patch but I never bothered to put them on anything, so they sit in a little zip lock bag at home. I dunno, since I hike with a lot of you folks here and on VfTT, I see a lot of patch-adorned daypacks so I'm used to them by now. I hardly notice them anymore.

I even have a Sebago-Bear Mountain patch from Harriman SP down here cause I did that end to end last year. Sitting in my zip lock bag... :)

Patch or no patch, I am friends with you all! I don't discriminate!

Jay

[Mark Schaefer]

I have done two lists, one fast (less than 1 year) and one slow (17 years). I did the Catskill 3500 fast because I was young, the mountains were close, and I had plenty of time on my hands. The Adirondack 46 was further away and life got in the way. Both were worthwhile experiences. My respect and love for the mountains grew during each. My patches currently reside in a drawer in my home office.

I have since sworn off lists mainly because I don't want to be a slave to a list of distant mountains that require me to drive more than hike. I want to climb some of those distant mountains, just not all of them.

We (the 46er executive) have discussed this. We discussed making 46 hours of volunteer trailwork mandatory, ... Tweaking the general membership rules does affect the membership rolls. The Catskill 3500 Club is unique in that it requires aspirants to climb 4 of the 35 peaks in the winter in order to become a basic member. The latest membership numbers for the Catskill 3500 Club are:
- 1601 basic memberships (35 all season peaks, plus 4 in the winter)
- 626 of these have earned their winter patch (climbing all 35 peaks in winter)
That is 39% earning the winter patch. That compares to less than 10% for the other northeast peak bagging clubs. Winter 46ers I believe run about 6%.

So have the Catskill 3500 rules discouraged 3-season hikers from joining, or has it converted some 3-season hikers into 4-season hikers? Probably both, but I would wager far more of the 4-season conversions. A trail work rule could have a similar affect on the 46ers rolls, and on the number of 46ers participating in trail work.

[pete_hickey]

A trail work rule could have a similar affect on the 46ers rolls, and on the number of 46ers participating in trail work.It may, but it would also eliminate anyone under the age of 16 from becoming a 46er (The DEC will not allow anyone under 16 to work with us) IT would also potentially eliminate Canadians--- Yes, technically, if we want to allow canadians to volunteer to work with us, we have to prove to the immigration people that we cannot find enough American volunteers. Ot would also eliminate people who have been working on it for 30-40 years, are old, and only have 1-2 peaks to go.

But more interestingly, what would it do for the 115ers. Their rule now, is that you have to climb the NE 67, plus be a member of the 46ers, and climb Slide&Hunter.

It's only speculation, since the 46ers will not make such a requirement.

Oh... and me.. as one of their trailmasters, was dead against it. I do NOT want to take crews out made up of (some) people who do not want to be there. I take people out who are out because they WANT to go out and do some work.

[Mark Schaefer]

Thanks Pete for your insight. You make a compelling case. I was not trying to advocate a 46er rule change. As we all know the 46ers are not prone to changing their membership requirements nor their peak list. My point was that rules can affect the numbers of members. And in addition they can also influence hiking behavior. The Catskill winter peak requirement has had a positive affect on the numbers who now hike in winter. No doubt it is better to leave trail work to separate Conservation Service Awards.

[stoopid]

But there are also people who start because of 'the badge' but are 'transformed' in the journey. These are the people we want. It does happen.

I resemble that remark :bang:. "Transformed" seems a little lofty, I think of it more as maturity.

I've also managed to do some trailwork, probably still a day's work shy of the 46 hours though. Will probably exceed that and some over the course of this year. I actually LIKE doing the work. Have even found that tall skinny white guys from the city can move things much larger than themselves... if they have tall, burly white guys from the country there to help lol.

[pete_hickey]

I was not trying to advocate a 46er rule change. I realise that, however, I just wanted to show what some of the implications could be. Many people don't realize it.

"Transformed" seems a little lofty, I think of it more as maturity.OK, then, how about,

"Resistance is futile. You will be Assimilated!"
Have even found that tall skinny white guys from the city can move things much larger than themselves... if they have tall, burly white guys from the country there to help I can point you to some skinny guys who can move huge things, with no assistance. Including a 110 pound little girl, who moves 800 pound rocks by herself.

[stoopid]

I can point you to some skinny guys who can move huge things, with no assistance. Including a 110 pound little girl, who moves 800 pound rocks by herself.

:D

I mentioned that because when I first heard "trailwork" I believe my response was "what the hell can some gangly guy like me do?" Well, thanks to tools and teamwork I can actually do a lot. I can also carry more than I would have imagined. Don't know if I'll ever be one of those DEC or ADK club maintenance folks, carrying 80-120lbs in various gear up mountains, but I'm certainly willing to try. ;)

After having been guilty of rushing through the 46 like a baton race, but then coming to terms with why I was out there in the first place, only to become interested in protecting what's there... I would personally be FOR a trailwork requirement in the 46r club. I completely understand why it's never going to be, but should it come down to a vote those reasons would weigh far less than the benefit from the requirement IM(not-so-humble)O.

[JimB]

I started out with my son doing the 46 thinking the patch would be great. I even left a place on my wind deflector to put my sticker. You know what? i never even sent a letter of intent to anyone. I never sent in my list to get recognized. I peruse the sites every day and wish i was climbing somewhere but the memories are worth so much more than the other things. Someday I'll get going and send in some stuff. Then I'll be a "real" 46r :) .

[Skyclimber]

I didn't know anything about the Forty Sixer Club or the patch until almost halfway through the Forty Six. All that mattered to me, was climbing the mountains, seeking the challenge/adventure and enjoying nature. It was always a personal endeavor with myself and never a new patch to add to the "collection."

[peak_bgr]

I've been through my patch addiction, I'm completely sober now. Now I climb what I want when I want, and it's generally not a "High Peak". To overcrowded most of the time, and the respect as some of you have mentioned is being lost. It's like driving in the city-I'm just waiting to get the finger for cutting someone off.

[Mavs00]

Ok since no one else will admit let me be the first.

Okay, since we are all gonna start confessions. I did the 46 and wear the subsequent patch purely as a chick magnet. You can't beleive how much attention a guy can get these days wearing one of those patches in the clubs. :bang:

:roll: Okay, perhaps not. It surley is a symbol of pride, but in the end it's really just a reminder of the transformation I've made while hiking the peaks. What I've learned about life, myself, my family and most of all, the MOUNTAINS. What a great journey it was, and continues to be.

[Hitched Hiker]

Ok since no one else will admit let me be the first. I could care less about the patches. I hike purely for the stickers on my car. (Can't believe last year I had to re-hike the 46 just because I changed cars)

Do you really get a sticker? cool.
lol! Really, why does it matter why others are hiking? We've all got our own agendas. Some have trophy addictions and others want to bath in the bliss of standing on a summit. Maybe they are there to inspire someone else who they haven't met yet. Like how all of you have inspired me. (still trying to locate a copy of Women with Altitude that isn't back ordered) I have always had respect for those who adorn the 46-R patch because it took a lot of perservering, mole skin and snacks to accomplish such a task. When you travel in the same circles of people and see this all the time, it might lose it's first appeal. But those people sweated up those Mts none the less. Bravo for them! And Bravo for those they inspire.

[Dick]

I think patches are just fine. I certainly didn't hike the 46 just for a patch, but there's certainly no stigma in wearing them. Judging from the brisk business being done at the spring 46er meeting, I'd say a lot of people agree with me! :). I have one on one of my packs, and a sticker on my car window. Almost all of the 46ers I've hiked with have the same. Chick magnet? Anyone who knows me knows I'd need a lot more than a sticker for that! ;)

Dick

[Hitched Hiker]

what are you doing that is so funny?

[Neil]

Chick magnet? When I'm done hiking my underarms are a definite chick repellent. More like a human repellent, really.

[AlpineSummit]

Yea, the babes luv 'em, you oughta see the scratch marks on my truck.
Got to say, I do carry the patch with a good feeling about it. Better than a Marlboro patch on my pack, now ain't it?

For anyone who would say that I/we climb the 46 simply for a nifty patch, I have one question: I've been carrying the 46'R patch for years, so why would I keep going up and down those same mountains?

[pete_hickey]

Yea, the babes luv 'em, you oughta see the scratch marks on my truck. Yep. Only reason I hike. A much better way of finding babes than the local bars. Only problem is, with "the patch" I get more than I can handle.
I've been carrying the 46'R patch for years, so why would I keep going up and down those same mountains?Sorry... I'm not a shrink.

BTW, here is a more rare patch actually 3 patches):

http://newmud.comm.uottawa.ca/~pete/tmp/46twpatch.jpg

Unlike the other, howeer, this one is a mud magnet..... Someday, I gotta tell the story of the woman in white climbinb Dix, while we were doing rock work.... After Len dropped that big rock in the mud puddle and sprayed mud all over her.... Lets just say that the she probably wouldn't want to see any of those patches ever again.

[TFR]

here is a more rare patch actually 3 patches

Aren't there 4 there? What's Napoleon playing with?

[pete_hickey]

Aren't there 4 there? What's Napoleon playing with?No, just three. The 1046 hour one hasn't been designed yet (there are a few who would get it), nor has the 4646 hour one (nobody there yet).

While I was taking the picture, 'tite Poule (napoléan is the one who drinks from the toilet) came along and grabbed one and wouldn't give it back, so I took another for the photo. As a trailmaster, I have a sack of the patches.... (no, I can't be bribed)

[Hitched Hiker]

a sack of patches!! You never have to hike again! I'm sure thats how that poor woman felt after she got a spa treatment along with her hike!

[pete_hickey]

a sack of patches!! You never have to hike again!You got it! See??

http://newmud.comm.uottawa.ca/~pete/tmpadk/patches.jpg

I'm working at making a virtual reality thing in my basement. I want to be able to hike and get patches without leaving the comfort of my home!

I'm sure thats how that poor woman felt after she got a spa treatment along with her hike!Uhh it wasn't you, was it? Dix, round pond trail, July 12, 1997?

[Hitched Hiker]

You got it! See??

http://newmud.comm.uottawa.ca/~pete/tmpadk/patches.jpg

I'm working at making a virtual reality thing in my basement. I want to be able to hike and get patches without leaving the comfort of my home!

Uhh it wasn't you, was it? Dix, round pond trail, July 12, 1997?

What are going to call this new adventure? I would love to start working on that patch? In the meantime can I get one of those pretty blue markers? (just kidding)

Yes it was me on Dix and I joined this forum just to hunt you down! Your mine now! No, really it wasn't me! I haven't done Dix yet. But is was a pretty funny story. I'm sure she's thought twice about trail maintance!

[pete_hickey]

Yes it was me on Dix and I joined this forum just to hunt you down! Your mine now! That's a fear which has kept me awake countless nights.

We all know how vendictive women can be. I just KNOW that she is somewhere, plotting... What is it they say about revenge being served cold?

I absoletely REFUSE to go on a hike with a woman, if that hike has a dangerous section.

I frequently have nightmeres.. There I am, on the Eagle Slide. It is kind of wet, and we're at teh trickiest part. All of the sudden, my partner truns around and says, "Remember me? July 12, 1997." Then she gives me a WHACK! and sends me sliding down.

No, really it wasn't me!yeah... Like I'd fall for that. trying to get me to think you were just kidding. Pretty good at trying to get my guard down, but I won't fall for it.

[lumberzac]

What a relief this thread is. I thought Pete found a hiking patch to help him with the cravings, so he could quit hiking. :D

[Hitched Hiker]

That's a fear which has kept me awake countless nights..

maybe they should make a patch for that! And you got it right, when you least suspect it Miss or (mrs.) July 12, 1997 will ambush you while you are working on a trail. She is going for the "i gotcha back patch"