Youngest 1st 46

**adkdremn** · 05-14-2005, 10:06 PM

I backpacked my daughter up Algonquin when she was 18 months. I guess that doesn't really count though, but it was a great experience for us. She obviously doesn't remember, but enjoys looking at the pictures (she's 5 now). We passed, or were passed, by people on the way who didn't think we'd make it, and when we saw them on the top they took pictures to show people who wouldn't believe them. She hasn't done one on her own yet, but I'm looking forward to her hopefully wanting to do it.

**Skyclimber** · 05-15-2005, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by percious

Just sitting around thinking about the Dax again...

What is the youngest anyone has summited a 46er? I know there was a set of twins who hold the record...

Colden's little legs get stronger every day.

-percious

The youngest were twins Phelps and Frederick Turner at the age of five in 1983. Others were six, nine, ten years old, before that.

The youngest Winter was ten year old Johnathon Esper. Until his twin brothers, Josiah and Brecken at the age of five beat his record.

**adkdremn** · 05-15-2005, 08:04 AM

Colden could beat that for sure Percious.

I'd say a four year old with a good sense of determination could make one of the easier ones. Last year when my daughter was four she did a 4 mile round trip hike in Vermont with no help, but there wasn't much climbing involved, some ups and downs, but not much like a high peak. She did Mt. Jo too without help. It's funny, cause when me and her mom are close by she want's help, so we left her with her uncle who inspired her to make it with no help.

**Skyclimber** · 05-15-2005, 08:20 AM

Now am I understanding the question correctly? You are asking the youngest to become a 46er? Because that is how I answered.

Or are you asking the youngest just to summit one ADK 4000' footer High Peak Mountain? As for that answer I don't believe they ever kept a record of that.

**adkdremn** · 05-15-2005, 09:11 AM

Skyclimber-
Did they do all 46 as 5 year olds or were they younger when they did some of the peaks? Just curious. To be considered a 46er you have to do all under your own power, am I correct? That is a pretty impressive accomplishment for a 5 year old. I would think though that they don't quite grasp the magnitude of their accomplishments at that age. Do you know if later in life they did another round to fully appreciate becoming a 46er? It's almost like one of those domineering sports parents who push their kids so hard just to live vicariously through them or brag about their own kids accomlishments. Sky you probablly know them and can tell me otherwise. In no way am I trying to knock these people or downplay their kids accomplishment. I know Mavs kids have done it, and from what I've read about them they truely appreciate the mountains and what they've done. They're at a good age for this stuff, and I can only hope my two kids grow up to become the little mountaineers that Mavs kids are.

**redhawk** · 05-15-2005, 09:41 AM

46 trips of "Are we there yet?"

I think I'd need a pound of Excederin

**Skyclimber** · 05-15-2005, 10:07 AM

Originally posted by adkdremn

Skyclimber-
Did they do all 46 as 5 year olds or were they younger when they did some of the peaks? Just curious. To be considered a 46er you have to do all under your own power, am I correct? That is a pretty impressive accomplishment for a 5 year old. I would think though that they don't quite grasp the magnitude of their accomplishments at that age. Do you know if later in life they did another round to fully appreciate becoming a 46er? It's almost like one of those domineering sports parents who push their kids so hard just to live vicariously through them or brag about their own kids accomlishments. Sky you probablly know them and can tell me otherwise. In no way am I trying to knock these people or downplay their kids accomplishment. I know Mavs kids have done it, and from what I've read about them they truely appreciate the mountains and what they've done. They're at a good age for this stuff, and I can only hope my two kids grow up to become the little mountaineers that Mavs kids are.

To become a Forty-Sixer, yes, you must have to walk every step yourself, not being carried to the summits. It would be like hiking up Whiteface and riding down the Highway otherwise. Doing only half a climb.

According to " Of The Summits of the Forests" The Turner Twins started in 1981 which would of made them three years old. They went on to become Winter Forty-Sixers on March 17, 1996. So yes these two continued to climb. I even met them on our Colvin and Blake Winter ascents as they were doing them as well.

As far as the Espers, I will place No Comment. No Comment on the fact it is "hear say." But, But.
I will say with them there was a tremendous amount of bragging. No Comment.

Yes the appreciation of the Mountains and Trails should follow. In some cases I think maybe not. I will admit my girls finished them at 10 and 12. I believe they have appreciation for the Adirondacks. They know of their Accomplishments. My oldest now 24 even wrote it down on a Resume for College in which they were impressed. On another note, they did not continue to climb afterwards, only occasionally. Although my oldest now does climb and hike smaller peaks and areas. So it's still in her. My youngest I would have to take her to Marcy every Summer after for several years as that was her favorite Mountain. Now that she is grown, she hasn't seen Marcy in several years. My girls climbed the Forty-Six for personal family reasons. They however weren't forced, only encouraged.

**Skyclimber** · 05-15-2005, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by redhawk

46 trips of "Are we there yet?"

I think I'd need a pound of Excederin

Boy did we hear enough of that.
A pound of Excederin wasn't enough.

**Kevin** · 05-15-2005, 10:37 AM

While on Algonquin last year there was a mother with her 6 and 8 year old children (boy and girl). They didn't seem to grasp the idea of not walking on the fragile vegetation, and almost seemed shy of walking on bare rock. I'd make sure the child knows why we do certain things, if they understand they are less likely to hurt something or themselves.

I think it's great to see if your kid likes to climb. Just don't be too disappointed if they want to stay home and play video games instead.

**adkdremn** · 05-15-2005, 02:31 PM

Originally posted by Kevin

I think it's great to see if your kid likes to climb. Just don't be too disappointed if they want to stay home and play video games instead.

Very well put.

**Mavs00** · 05-15-2005, 09:20 PM

My kids were 11 & 13 when they finished the 46 high peaks. While this cannot be verified for sure, My son, at the age of 14, is the youngest to have ever summited Stewart (Sentinal Range), and Lost Pond Peak. And do you know what that means.........................

Absolutly NOTHING. Its about the moutains, not the people. I'm sorry Kevin, I respectfully DISAGREE, IF:

Originally posted by Kevin

I think it's great to see if your kid likes to climb. Just don't be too disappointed if they want to stay home and play video games instead.

If that's True, then you ain't doing it right

**Kevin** · 05-15-2005, 11:16 PM

Originally posted by Mavs00

If that's True, then you ain't doing it right

Well, I know you're kinda kidding - but there are people out there who expect their kids to be miniature versions of themselves. Genetics has a way of randomizing things just enough such that a banker may have a social worker for a son, etc. It was my way of reminding us adults that kids become who they are, not what we wish for them to be.

I know and love/respect a bunch of people who think I'm insane because I go hiking. Being outdoors just isn't their cup o' tea. I can understand that, wasn't too long ago I thought the same thing.

Your children have a lifetime of wilderness appreciation ahead of them. With any luck they'll be the next generation of stewards. It's great seeing so many young folks "getting it". At 30 I learn so much about myself in each hike, can only imagine how impactful it must be on an adolescent.

**Mavs00** · 05-15-2005, 11:25 PM

Originally posted by Kevin

Well, I know you're kinda kidding..........

You must know me to well.......... You make good sense in your post. Kids are moldable in certain ways, but you certainly must respect the individual nature of each one.

**Neil** · 05-16-2005, 06:40 AM

Dominic was 3 and his brother 5 when they first summited Cascade. We told them the tree roots were pipes carrying candies to the summit and we had chocolate bars to be eaten only on the summit. We did Pitchoff the next day. We took them because we loved the outdoors and wanted it to be a family thing. We also did canoe trips (one with all 3 boys including one in diapers).
Today (13 years later) only Dominic is an avid hiker. The youngest, who has done a few mountains, says he hates hiking but has done a few peaks like Cascade, Hurricane, Round. He plays hockey so that puts a serious crimp in our hiking. The oldest did Sawteeth and Marcy with me last year but has too much other stuff going on his life to do much hiking. He finds there is too much hiking below tree line in the Dacks (vs. the Rockies).

Of all my 3 kids it's Dominic who would sit on the couch all day and play video games. So, they've all had the pretty much the same exposure but it's only Dominic, the video game boy, who loves to hike. At the age he's at though he may decide overnight that he dosn't feel like going hiking anymore.

Mavs00 may have been kidding about the "aint doin' it right" remark but I'm sure there's some truth in that.