Overcoming Life's Challenges: A Father's Fight Against Cancer

I think it is important to first let you know what a 46er is if you don’t know. There are 46 high peaks in the Adirondack State Park in NY. These are the highest peaks in NY. Below is a list of them along with their elevations at the summits and the mountains I have climbed.

Why do I want to do this? As you will see throughout this site the Adk, has always held a special place in my heart. To achieve something like becoming a 46 is something that will become a great accomplishment because it is a challenge that shows so many of the amazing features of what the Adk park has to offer. In addition there is so many times that you can go out on the hike and completely just disconnect from the world. I love the feeling of disconnecting.

On this page I will be recounting my experiences climbing, sharing pictures of the adventures and checking off the mountains as I continue to venture on towards my goal.

Some important things to remember when hiking:

• Bring food and water
• Map out where you are hiking first
• Share your route with a family or friend when heading out
• If hiking alone check in and out with someone going on the mountain
• Have first aid kit, flashlight, and layers of clothes
• Don’t rush the hike go at a pace you can comfortably
• Have a plan. Watch you time and ensure you turn around when you need to so you can make it down safely
• Research your hike to ensure you aren’t taking on more than your capable of.

Peak Name	Elevation (Ft)	Date Climbed/Anticipated
Mt. Marcy	5344
Algonquin Peak	5114	23 August 2025
Mt. Haystack	4960
Mt. Skylight	4926
Whiteface Mountain	4867
Dix Mountain	4857
Gray Peak	4840
Iroquois Peak	4840
Basin Mountain	4827
Gothics	4736
Mount Colden	4714
Giant Mountain	4627
Nippletop	4620
Santanoni Peak	4607
Mount Redfield	4606
Wright Peak	4580
Saddleback Mountain	4515
Panther Peak	4442
Table top Mountain	4427
Rocky Peak Ridge	4405
Macomb Mountain	4400
Armstrong Mountain	4400
Hough Mountain	4361
Seward Mountain	4361
Mount Marshall	4360
Allen Mountain	4340
Big Slide	4240	I once climbed but have no record so will reclimb
Esther Mountain	4240
Upper Wolfjaw	4185
Lower Wolfjaw	4175
Street Mountain	4166
Phelps Mountain	4161
Donaldson Mountain	4140
Seymour Mountain	4120
Sawteeth	4100
Cascasde Mountain	4098	20 October 2024
South Dix	4060
Porter Mountain	4059	I once climbed but have no record so will reclimb
Mount Colvin	4057
Mount Emmons	4040
Dial Mountain	4020
Grace Peak	4012
Blake Peak	3960
Cliff Mountain	3960
Nye Mountain	3895
Couchsachraga Peak	3820

It has been many years since I have hiked in the Adk. This being my first trip back I decide to do an “easier” mountain. Cascade is a hike I have completed several times and one I would normally do in conjunction with Porter. I went into this hike sticking to cascade as it was my first hike back and I didn’t want to open up a search area if I had gotten into trouble. I didn’t anticipate getting into trouble but I wanted to be a smart hiker.

I typically hike alone which isn’t always the safest thing to do. The only precautions I can take is to plan the hike for busier days on the trails so I’m not alone on the mountain. Call a friend or family member and let them know when I am going on the mountain and coming off the mountain. Let that family member know my route of travel so people know where to search for me at if needed.

The hike started out very pleasant and typically. I it was a chillier day so I layered appropriately. I did pack plenty of layers to add and take off as needed along with nutrition so I could keep going throughout the hike.

The hike was very peaceful and I had some amazing views throughout. As I approached the top the wind really started to pick up and it started to rain some. There was a marked temperature difference between the summit and the base. I didn’t spend much time at the top as it was very cold.

Something that always amazes me each hike is how much the mountains change year to year. This hike wasn’t like I remember it. While I have been on this peak in sometime there were areas that just seemed different.

Algonquin was a peak that I had attempted before and I failed to summit because I wasn’t in the physical shape I needed to be. So this hike was a redemption hike of mine. To be honest other than the trail being wet from large amounts of rain prior to the hike I really couldn’t have asked for a better day. As you’ll see in the pictures the summit was beautiful.

The hike started out early and in the dark. I was hiking for the first hour with a head lamp on and a flashlight. To be honest I shouldn’t have probably done this hike as I was about 2 or 3 weeks post op from gallbladder surgery. It didn’t feel like it impacted me at the time greatly though.

There were a lot of fellow hikers on the trail this day. It was nice seeing them and interacting with them throughout the hike. A lot of people hiking with dogs, and smaller children really was nice seeing families out there.

I went to this hike being a little more bold with the hike not knowing if was going to add on Wright and Iroquois mountains. I really wanted to push a little harder but the eye on the prize was focusing on Algonquin as that was the one that I turned around on last hike.

Upon getting to the turn off for Wright watching the clock I decided I didn’t have enough time in the day to do more than Algonquin so the call was made.

Algonquin is a challenging hike as there are a lot of rock scrambles and places that you are stepping from rock to rock. The pictures enclosed really doesn’t do it justice. Some of these areas were fairly step.

There are a lot of great lookout points on this hike with amazing views.

The peak features a bald summit with 360 degree views. It is by far one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.

More hikes to follow as they are completed.