High Peaks: A History of Hiking the Adirondacks from Noah to Neoprene

by Tim Rowland

The unique geological history of the Adirondacks can be found in a pebble. So discovers humorist and outdoorsman Tim Rowland as he chronicles the evolution of hiking in the howling wilderness of the High Peaks. From nineteenth-century guides' "random scoots" to Melville Dewey's "Adirondaks Loj" to today's technologically enhanced weekenders, Rowland, who has climbed the forty-six himself, incorporates personal anecdotes and laugh-out-loud wit to capture the appeal and beauty of this beloved region, all the while reminding us of the importance of keeping these stunning mountains, and their attendant "neat rocks," "Forever Wild."

Genres: History

128 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2008

Reviews

[Kirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book over the summer and dug in.

But I couldn’t finish it at the time.

I have a love/hate relationship with the Adirondacks.

I hike the peaks, but I’m predominantly goal-oriented. I don’t fuck around at the top for long. I like to get in, take a few pictures, and get out. I grew up in the foothills my entire life, so the scenery is beautiful but common to me.

I grew up in a small town outside the range of tourism, so we were working poor. Today property values are going up in the outer areas of the Adirondacks. Folks come in thinking they’re going to become one with nature while simultaneously highlighting the “under-appreciated” culture of rural America. Adorning their walls with kitschy-ass oil paintings of loons and covering their sofas with Amish quilts while they seek out the best local butcher to turn the deer they “harvested” into steaks. No different than some yuppies moving into one of the gentrified outer boroughs of NYC , throwing a Banksy painting on the wall, and thinking themselves purveyors of the local culture. Get the fuck out of here 🙄

As for the peaks, I enjoy the wilderness. I enjoy the challenge. Due to my upbringing, I have a hard time with many of the hikers, adorned with $2,000 of gear, boots worth more than everything on my person, hiking at a leisurely pace because they are staying at a nearby hotel and probably got bussed in to the trailhead or close to it.

I’m shocked by the prices in the stores that sell gear.

I’m disenchanted by the stories about the peaks any hiker you talk to feels compelled to regale you with.

It all feels like middle class bullshit.

There were portions of this book that felt like that too. The history of these mountains is just one long and painful tale of gentrification, filled with rich assholes who thought themselves rugged individualists, but were actually just a bunch of bitches who tried to cart all of the modern conveniences of urban life with them. The Adirondacks are cast as this untamable wilderness, but eventually the rich got their way.

It is too much to get into in depth here. There are issues of access, class barriers (both money and time), etc. that really leave a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to the Adirondacks. The book just reminded me of a lot of that, and made me realize that I’ll end up being one of the guys that tries to usher in the next generation via pointless mountaintop stories about pseudo eccentric rich turds while wearing my $750 boots. I’ll probably have a fucking Amish quilt and a whittling knife I’ll never use in my backpack too, and I hate my future self already for it.

[Timothy Riley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rowland gives a quick survey of the Adirondacks from the 18th century to modern day. It is really a history of how the ADK's have been viewed over time from suspicion and terror to hiking obsession. The good news is that the mountains have largely stayed undeveloped even if their visitation rates have sky rocketed then plummeted. I would like to know how many people hike Mt. Marcy these days. When I was hiking on weekend days there was a constant stream of people up whatever mountain. But once I went on a weekday I would go hours without seeing another person. Sometimes it was relaxing other times a bit worrying. "what if I fell right here and can't get up?" or "What if I lose the trail and wander off?"
I was disappointed to not read anything in here about John Brown's plans on settling free blacks in the mid 19th century. From visiting his homestead he was successful and handing out parcels of land but it obviously failed in the long run, just like pretty much every endeavor in the mountains. It should've been covered because many of the other old, mysterious men of those mountains got large sections. I guess it is a story left to be told.....

[Nicholas Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book. As someone who has always wanted to know more about the history of the region, especially about figures like Verplanck Colvin or Orson Phelps, this was a treat. The author is also funny and I loved his personal anecdotes. If you are interested in the history of outdoor recreation and settlement of the Adirondacks, you will enjoy this. Brief but all quality.

[Capt-john · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be a wonderful resource for a short history of the "ADAKS"( short for the Adirondack Mountain area). I have to give Mr. Roland full credit for the time & research involved for this book. He sounds very passionate about his time spent in the area & its' history.Well Done!!!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and informative. The only downside was that it made me sad that I was reading about hiking, instead of actually hiking.

[Maeleah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Rowland has a wonderful sense of humor, both in the way he tells the stories of the High Peaks, as well as the captions for the historical photos. An absolute delight to read, one to savor bits at a time; read and re-read.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book. I enjoyed the information and the history of hiking in the Adirondacks. The book was written well.