An Alternative to Peakbagging

[MattC]

This is something I read about recently-Adirondack Quest, which is sponsored by the Genesse Valley chapter of ADK. Info is here:

http://www.gvc-adk.org/outings/extended/quest/qsthome.php

You receive a patch for 50 trips to a variety of different Wilderness and Wild Forest areas, regardless whether you're hikin', paddlin', birdin', whatever. I know many peakbaggers give as one rationale the fact that the list brings them to a variety of places. This Quest is another spin on that idea.

I was thinking a while back about how it would be interesting to make at least one visit to each of the Wilderness and Wild Forest areas in the NYS Forest Preserve, both Adirondacks and Catskills. Then I read about the Quest in a letter in the last issue of Adirondac and realized the idea has been out there for a while.

Obviously, there are many in our community who don't need a patch, list, "challenge", etc. to motivate them to explore, but I just thought this was a nice idea for those of us who find fun in lists. It also maybe has potential to spread usage around the Park, rather than clustering people around the 46 High Peaks. For my part, I'm sure that I'll continue to go to the High Peaks a great deal after completing the 46, but I also want to make it a point to hit lots of other places as well.

Matt

[Boreal Chickadee]

Thanks for the reminder about this Matt. Last fall I went through the form and what do you know....we'd done all the areas! Did I send it in? Nope! Have I sent in to the 46ers to start the paperwork for that? Nope! But at least we're not finished on that (of course I'll never be finshed hiking- just drag my dead body off the trail).

[MattC]

Thanks for the reminder about this Matt. Last fall I went through the form and what do you know....we'd done all the areas! Did I send it in? Nope! Have I sent in to the 46ers to start the paperwork for that? Nope! But at least we're not finished on that (of course I'll never be finshed hiking- just drag my dead body off the trail).

Well, there you go-I think that just proves the point that it's not about the official recognition as much as it's about just exploring a variety of places because it's a good idea to do so.

Matt

[Kevin]

It's a great idea and a rather attractive patch too.

I'll have to sit down sometime and see just how many trips I've had into the various regions. If I had to guess, I probably come close to qualifying.

[Boreal Chickadee]

I agree Matt.

Although I had been to the Adirondacks since I was three years old I didn't start to seriously pursue more areas of the park until about 15 years ago. I'd been in the west-central region and done a lot in the eastern region because of my family's house but on my own I started with "50 Hikes In The Adirondacks" by McMartin. It's such a good book to give you an excellent picture of how diverse the Adirondack region really is. I love the High Peaks but if you don't explore the rest of the park you really have a myopic view of what the Adirondack Park really is.

Once a person feels comfortable enough timewise to take a few hours away from hiking I think you will get a whole new appreciation for this area by also exploring its culture, the museums, local events, town happenings, local newspapers, music etc. There are some excellent books on the history of lumbering, mining etc that add to your appreciation of this region.

And don't forget the waters of the mountains. I get torn every year whether to go in the woods or on the water. I grew up following my father around fishing in the Adirondacks with very little hiking for hiking's sake. Gosh, I just need another lifetime!