Photo: National Geographic
Over 350 St. Lawrence University students descended upon the Adirondack State Park and ascended last Friday all 46 of Adirondack Park’s famous high peaks. For the 33rd consecutive year your very own Phriendly Neighborhood Outing Club organized and executed one of SLU’s most esteemed and advertised traditions with style and zest.
The first attempt at Peak Weekend was pioneered in April 1982 by then Outdoor Club president Willie Janeway, but only succeeded half a year later in the fall of 1982.
Since then SLU students have successfully summited all 46 Adirondack High Peaks each over 4,000 feet one weekend during the fall semester.
This year was no exception, and the long running tradition has evolved with the Park’s environmental and safety practices.
Adirondack Ranger Jim Giglinto briefed the student hikers on the Park’s hiking regulations as well as trail preservation and Leave No Trace etiquette. This briefing worked well as OC president Brendan Collins ‘16 cited this years Peak Weekend as the most prepared and most efficient peak bagging adventure to date.
Friday was beautiful, and Saturday was gorgeous. OC member Wyatt Peterson ‘17 woke up to a “crispy cold cloudless blue day” that progressively got warmer as he and Greenhouse member Kealey Viglielmo ‘17 led five first years up Allen Mountain (4347 ft.). This 18 mile overnight hike is known for steep trails and scenic views of the surrounding high peaks area.
At the same time Ian “senior or junior depending on whom he’s with” Ford was tackling the Santanoni Range with co leader and DUB member Maria Leech ’18 and 4 other participants. The Santanoni range includes 3 high peaks: Couchsacharaga, Panther Peak, and Santanoni Peak.
As most groups were heading back to SLU for a well deserved Java show, OC member Isa Caliandro ‘18 and Caitlin Kelly ‘16 were leading 6 other participants on Peak Weekend’s longest trip: the Seward Range.
This 28 mile overnight hike brought the group up four mountains on unmarked herd trails. Isa’s favorite part of the day was in the early hours of Saturday morning. “Just before sunrise we saw beautiful fog lakes below us as we climbed up Seymour.” The group managed to make it out of the park by 9pm after an impressive 15-hour day! Caliandro is the youngest member of the OC and successfully led the hardest hike without a hitch.
The Adirondack LOJ was jam-packed with both student and local hikers psyched about the perfect fall hiking weather. These crowds pose a dilemma for the SLU outdoor community and the Adirondack State Park.
While public interest in the outdoors is usually seen as positive, crowds in State Parks have been shown to alter the behavior of wildlife, cause soil erosion, and decrease the overall atmosphere of wild places.
If SLU and the Outing Club want to continue a sustainable and enjoyable Peak Weekend it is imperative to exhibit excellent low impact practices in the future. This year should served as an example for future Peak Weekends, and hopefully this unique event will continue for years to come.