The Hamilton Outing Club or HOC (pronounced "hawk") is the largest student run organization at Hamilton. The Outing Club was founded in the fall of 1946, with John Adams '49 as its first president. The goals of the club then were much the same as they are now. The club ran hiking climbing and canoeing trips in the fall and spring, and skiing in the winter

In its second year HOC introduced what was, and still is, its most popular activity, skiing. Oringinally downhill skiing, HOC now supplies the College Community with XC-Skiing each winter. In 1948 the Club assissted in the construction of a ski-run on the college's very own ski slope (records do not indicate where this was, or what became of it).

HOC has taken on many forms through the years, starting and stalling with the enthusiasm and interest of new generations of students. With the increasing outdoor interest of the student body, the club has thrived in recent years.

The Clubs largest event, 46 Peak Weekend, started in 1995, continues to draw strong participation each year, making it one of the largest school events of the year.

The club sponsors fall, winter and spring break trips as well as shorter and more local weekend trips. The club also sponsers on campus events such as sled racing during Feb-Fest, and the Banff Mountain Film Festival.

46 Peak Weekend was started at Hamilton College in 1995 by Outing Club Officers Brett Straten ('96), Erik Jacobsen ('97), Ned Stankus ('96) and John Slack ('96).  The objective of 46 Peak Weekend is to get at least one person from the Hamilton College community on top of each the 46 highest peaks in the Adirondack Mountains (over 4,000 ft.) in a single weekend. The Outing Club's goal is to get students, faculty members, as well as staff involved in the hike.  The hike is designed to get the entire Hamilton community working together to reach a common goal. 

The 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.  The second annual Peak Weekend was much improved and fair weather allowed us to summit 28 Peaks.  The third annual Peak Weekend, in 1997, aided by Andrew Jillings, bested all previous attempts with 36 Peaks summited.  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.