What is 46 Peak Weekend?
46 Peak Wekend is HOC's biggest event of the year. Started in 1995 by Outing Club Officers Brett Straten ('96), Erik Jacobsen ('97), Ned Stankus ('96) and John Slack ('96), the goal of 46 Peak Weekend is to get as many people from the Hamilton College community on top of the 46 highest peaks in the Adirondack Mountains (over 4,000 ft.).
The event happens over a 3 day period in the fall (either late Septmeber or early October). Some trips leave on Friday, others Saturday and some even go up for just a Sunday day hike. Our hope is that, at some point in the weekend all of the 46 peaks, over 4,000 ft., will be climbed my someone from the Hamilton College Community.
Trips come is every shape and size, from short easy day hikes, to hardcore overnights, and everything in between. Whoever you are, HOC can match you up with just the right trip.
The biggest advantage of 46 Peak Weekend for you is that all the planning is done for you. All you need to do is show up ready to hike. The other big advantage of participating in 46 Peak weekend is the chance to take part in this truley unique event; that gets students, faculty members, as well as staff involved and working together to reach a common goal.
Useful Information
Welcome to 46 Peak Weekend (Adobe Acrobat version)
Group Information Form (Adobe Acrobat version)
List of all the trips for 46 Peak Weekend
List of Trips (Adobe Acrobat Version)
46 Peaks Emergency Procedures (Adobe Acrobat version)
46 Peaks Gear Checklist (Adobe Acrobat version)
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read some of these files - download it free
A Brief History of Peaks Weekend
1995 - First Ever Hamilton Outing Club 46 Peak Weekend
Our first attempt in 1995 was a wash out. Bad weather prevented many groups
from summiting and we only reached the tops of 20 plus peaks.
1996 - Learning the Ropes
The second annual Peak Weekend was much improved and fair weather allowed us
to summit 28 Peaks.
1997 - Getting by with a little help from our friends
The third annual Peak Weekend, in 1997, aided by Andrew Jillings, bested all
previous attempts with 36 Peaks summited.
1998 - Best year yet (ever?)!!
In 1998 the Outing Club gathered its strongest group of climbers yet.
By the end of the weekend 38 of the 46 had seen members of the Hamilton community
reach their summits.
1999 - First ever cancelation of 46 Peak Weekend
In 1999 the remains of Hurricane Floyd hit Upstate NY hard, and washed out the
High Peak region. All trips were canceled due to the risk of mudslides
and erosion. Click here for more information about the
cancelation.
2000 - Lessons Learned
After the previous years cancelation, HOC leadership wasn't ready to face the
logistical nightmare that is 46 Peak Weekend. Despite their best attmepts, this
year saw only limited success, having only 18 Peaks summited. Transportation
(or a lack there-of proved to be the downfall of the weekend. Click
here for more info.
2001 - Getting in right?
Although not the most succesful attempt to date, this was a huge imporvement
over the previous years attmept. Leadership and organization was strong, as
was participation. A few key no-shows stopped us from getting all 46, but a
great year for 46 Peak Weekend. 34 Peaks were climbed in all. Click
here for more info.