Can I become an ADK 46R in just two weeks?

[akafuzzjones]

I hadn't hiked in years but got back into the sport in 2007. The first hike was to Sandwich in the White Mountains. I didn't know what an official 4,000 footer was and I had never heard of these lists maintained by the AMC and the ADK. What I learned that day was that Sandwich, despite being "nearly" 4,000 feet (various reports put it between 3,960 - 3,980 feet) it wouldn't count for these lists.

"Tell me more about these lists" I said. They did. I was hooked. The following week I climbed my first 4,000 footer (Jefferson) and haven't looked back since.

My initial goal was to finish the White Mountain 48 in 12 months - before my annual WMNF Parking Sticker expired. While somewhat arbitrary, it seemed reasonable. As time went by I figured "why stop at the White Mountains" so I added the remaining 4,000 footers in New England (14 in ME & 5 in VT) and expanded my quest to finish the New England 67 in the same amount of time.

I, along with my girlfriend who was also on that Sandwich hike way back in 2007, finished the New England 67 according to plan in 2008. Shortly after finishing, I was talking with her and some good friends about what my next set of hiking goals would be. The fact that my accomplishment started in one year (2007) and ended in another (2008) got me thinking about doing all 67 again, but this time do them all in one calendar year - 2009.

Something happened during that conversation that I still can't explain - the New England 67 in 2009 somehow grew to be the Northeast 115 in 2009. As I thought more about this I started to realize that I may have gone out on a limb when you consider I only have about 50 days during the year on which I can hike. There was no turning back, because instead of just "thinking" about the Northeast 115 in 2009 I "verbalized" it. To everyone. Sometimes you have to keep your thoughts to yourself until you have a chance to think things through.

So I sat down with my calendar and my maps, looking at peaks and plotting out routes. I can do these peaks on this weekend and those peaks on that weekend. If I shift this to then that gives me another day or two of hiking so I can add some peaks to the calendar. Now to the question posed in the title of this post - can I become and ADK 46R in just two weeks?

I hope so since that is all the time I have in which to do it. I am going to take two weeks of vacation this summer - during week #1 (July 18-25) I plan to do day hikes and hit about 18 of the peaks that lie along the outer edges of the High Peaks Region. Very likely doable - took a fives days off last year and hit 12 of the New England 4,000 footers while covering nearly 100 miles. It is week #2 (August 15-22) that has me scratching my head a bit - the plan is to start on a Saturday at Keene Valley with a week's worth of food and head out to Blake Peak (hitting Dial, Nippletop, and Colvin along the way) and then start zig-zagging (actually more like going in circles) through the peaks in the central High Peaks Region, until standing atop Marcy the following Saturday.

Am I crazy? Has anyone who has tried this before share their expereinces with me? Any ideas or insight is welcome and will be very much appreciated. I am glad that I learned about this site and am excited to start reading through the various reports - there is a similar site for all things New England (Views from the Top) that has been an invaluable resource for me.

[tcd]

In theory, you can become a 46er in 3 1/2 days (the current record). But that would require you to already know every trail and path like the back of your hand, and be in world class trail running condition.

If you are VERY fit, and have a good plan, it's quite reasonable to become a 46er in two weeks.

Rather than backpacking, it would be faster to do big dayhike loops for most of them, and stay in an inn or B&B. You'll travel much faster with a light pack, and you'll be better rested and fed each morning. I would do blocks of 3 or 4 hard days, and then a rest day.

Check in with Jan Wellford at The Mountaineer shop in Keene Valley (the current record holder) for some ideas on routes. Here's the thread describing his trip through the 46:

http://www.adkhighpeaks.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=6186

TCD

[randomscooter]

Can the 46 high peaks be climbed in 2 weeks? Clearly yes. One member of this forum has done them in under 90 hours. Can you do it? Well, it does sound as if you're in good shape. So the answer to your question is... probably.

The biggest challenge, and a big part of the fun, will be doing the research so that you can relatively quickly find the starts to the herd paths for the "summits with no trails". Expanding from that is organizing an efficient sequence of peaks, mixing easy and hard days so your body can handle several days back to back, etc. There are people here who would be happy to help you with that. I'd be one of them.

Just to get things rolling, I would strongly recommend that you NOT do any overnighters. Keep the load on your back nice and light by leaving the overnight stuff back at the trailhead, or better still, find a bed to sleep in for at least part of the journey.

[Rik]

Originally Posted by randomscooter

or better still, find a bed to sleep in for at least part of the journey.

Know any place available those weeks?

When I saw the title my first thought was, "why rush?" but you explained your reasoning well enough. I'm more into taking my time but to each his own. I pretty much agree with the responses above. Take out the map and run some of your days by this group and I'm sure you will get some good suggestions to save time and energy. Sounds fun, keep us posted on your plans.

[Cory D]

Some have done the 46 in less than 14 days without using a car or bike, so yeah, it's possible, for us cheaters.

[JoeCedar]

Here is a link to a report from last summer when I did the 46 peaks in 14 day hikes over a total of 30 days. My original plan was for 11 day hikes, but a knee injury made me spread it out a little at the end. Looking at my combinations of peaks and routes should give you some ideas of how to group the mountains, while trying to minimize the mileage and vertical ascent. For me the totals were about 71500 feet ascent and 215 miles. I think you will find these totals comparable overall to the 48 NH 4000 footers list. Since you have already done them, do you think you could climb the NH list in two weeks?

Besides the difficulty of the hikes, something else which could interfere with your plans is the weather. I had good weather last summer and the ability in 30 total days to avoid rain/cold/wind for the most part. This could add significantly to your hiking times and misery, especially if you don't plan to take rest days.

Good luck!

[akafuzzjones]

OK, its only been a couple of hours since I posted my original message and I have already gotten some great insights and advice - thanks so much.

Originally Posted by tcd

In theory, you can become a 46er in 3 1/2 days (the current record). But that would require you to already know every trail and path like the back of your hand, and be in world class trail running condition.

TCD - 3 1/2 days? That ain't happening here. I don't run in perfect conditions, even if the entire run is going to be downhill. I did read your write-up on Jan's amazing feat and plan to study the worksheet with all of the trails, peaks, and times.

Originally Posted by randomscooter

The biggest challenge, and a big part of the fun, will be doing the research so that you can relatively quickly find the starts to the herd paths for the "summits with no trails". Expanding from that is organizing an efficient sequence of peaks, mixing easy and hard days so your body can handle several days back to back, etc. There are people here who would be happy to help you with that. I'd be one of them.

randomscooter - I agree. I have spent more time looking at my ADK maps over the past couple of weeks then I care to remember. Trying to figure out the most efficient way to get from Point A to Point B with the least amount of effort. At some point in the future I will definitely want to slow down and enjoy the scenery of the High Peaks Region, but I will save that for my next round. Thanks for your offer, I will likely propose some ideas after reading through the posts that I have already learned about.

Originally Posted by JoeCedar

Here is a link to a report from last summer when I did the 46 peaks in 14 day hikes over a total of 30 days. My original plan was for 11 day hikes, but a knee injury made me spread it out a little at the end. Looking at my combinations of peaks and routes should give you some ideas of how to group the mountains, while trying to minimize the mileage and vertical ascent. For me the totals were about 71500 feet ascent and 215 miles. I think you will find these totals comparable overall to the 48 NH 4000 footers list. Since you have already done them, do you think you could climb the NH list in two weeks?

Besides the difficulty of the hikes, something else which could interfere with your plans is the weather. I had good weather last summer and the ability in 30 total days to avoid rain/cold/wind for the most part. This could add significantly to your hiking times and misery, especially if you don't plan to take rest days.

JoeCedar - Congratulations on your accomplishment! I will have to look over your post about your trip and may shoot you a question or two. I am prepared to do whatever it takes to appease the hiking gods so that they give me good weather. The trip I mentioned (12 of the 4K peaks / 100 miles) had about 26,000 of elevation gain (we started with Washington and finished - just short - of Katahdin) so I feel OK about the gain and distance. However, one of the 20 mile days had pouring rain from the time we woke up to the time we got back to the trailhead. Not fun.

Thanks to all who have chimed in - I look forward to "talking" with you more as I work through the details.

[jwellford]

You've definitely come to the right place for advice! I can think of at least five forum members who have spent a ton of time thinking about very similar questions to yours, and three of them have already replied (I'm sure there are several more who are just as qualified).

I should think you'll be able to climb all the high peaks in two weeks without too much trouble as long as you are able to hike every day (no injuries or rest days). I'll second the "don't bother camping" advice--the Adirondacks really lend themselves to day hikes because of their bunched-up nature and the fact that you're rarely very far from the trailhead.

There's a lot more to say but it's time for bed. This will be a fun discussion!

[TFR]

Originally Posted by akafuzzjones

Thanks to all who have chimed in - I look forward to "talking" with you more as I work through the details.

Let's just say that Joe Cedar is the oldest person to chime in so far!

[ADK88]

Originally Posted by jwellford

You've definitely come to the right place for advice! I can think of at least five forum members who have spent a ton of time thinking about very similar questions to yours, and three of them have already replied (I'm sure there are several more who are just as qualified).

I should think you'll be able to climb all the high peaks in two weeks without too much trouble as long as you are able to hike every day (no injuries or rest days). I'll second the "don't bother camping" advice--the Adirondacks really lend themselves to day hikes because of their bunched-up nature and the fact that you're rarely very far from the trailhead.

There's a lot more to say but it's time for bed. This will be a fun discussion!

Just so you know, akafuzzjones, this is the guy who holds the record at 3 1/2 days! So methinks he knows what he's talking about.