Route: Adirondack 46 High Peaks (NY)

Description: There are 46 mountains that comprise the list of the Adirondack 46 High Peaks. These mountains make up 46 of the 48 mountains included on the list of New York 4,000 Footers. The mountains are spread out across the Adirondack Mountain range in the northern part of New York state: they span as far north as Esther Mountain, as far east as Rocky Peak, as far south as Macomb Mountain, and as far west as Mount Emmons. Writing a straightforward route description is not possible because there are multiple variations of the route, and within those variations, the route is “open”. Please see the “route variation” and “support style” sections for more information.

In general, the Adirondacks and the White Mountains of New Hampshire are considered to have the most difficult terrain on the east coast, and some of the most difficult terrain in the country. All variations of the Adirondack High Peaks FKT hit the most iconic parts of the Adirondacks, including parts of the Great Range and the Dix Range. The trails in the Adirondacks are steep and rocky, and switchbacks are few and far between.

Status: The “standard” and “thru-hike” variations of the Adirondack High Peaks are the #10 Ranked Northeast Region FKT. The winter variation of this route is not included in that #5 ranking. It is best practice to  announce your attempt in advance, track your attempt diligently (GPS upload), and live-track your attempt if possible.  

The Adirondack High Peaks FKT  has a history of one Fastest Known Time of the Year Award:

• 2020: Alyssa Godesky, #4 Female (supported) (tie)

Support Style: Both supported and unsupported styles on the Adirondack High Peaks have significant history. Traditionally, (though not always), the “standard” route variation has been raced in a supported fashion, which involves driving between trailheads. The “thru-hike” variation of the route involves linking up all of the mountains in a continuous footpath, and it has generally (though not always) been raced in an unsupported fashion.

Route History: 

Hikers have endeavored to summit all of the high peaks in the Adirondacks for decades. Thousands of people have completed the challenge, and most take years to do so. The history of speed efforts on the 46 date back to the early 2000s when Ted Keizer established a time in 2002. The same year, it was reported that the 46 peaks had been done as a thru-hike with some resupply drops in 10+d in 2002 by Ed Bunk and Jim Kobak. Originally, speed routes on the High Peaks were timed trailhead to last summit and took advantage of private land to achieve better times. Over the years there has been a lively discussion about style and the use of private land. The most recent record, (held by Ryan Atkins as of August 2024), was completed without the use of private land and was timed trailhead to trailhead, which is a style agreed upon by other Adirondack High Peaks record holders. Future record attempts should adhere to this style.

Media Coverage: 

1. Alyssa Godesky and Sarah Keyes raced head-to-head on this route (though took different routes) in 2020, which was covered in Trail Runner Mag
2. Alyssa Godesky and Sarah Keyes raced head-to-head on this route was also covered in the FKT podcast 
3. Michael Jock and Lukas Wear’s 2019 team unsupported FKT was covered in Backpacker  

Route Variations/Rules: The Adirondack High Peaks FKT  is unique in that there is no set route. Any route may be taken as long as it fits the following criteria for the respective route variations. For the self-powered variation, a route must connect all 46 mountains in a continuous footpath, starting and ending at established trailheads. For the standard variation, cars may be taken between trailheads, but an athlete may not ride in a vehicle up any mountains or use any other mechanical means to ascend the mountains (e.g. chairlifts).

All FKT attempts must strive to avoid use of private land that is not widely available to the public. Private land that is widely available to the public is defined as land that is frequently used by hikers outside of FKT attempts and does not require seeking permission from the land owner (for example, certain established trailheads may technically be on private land, but they are widely available to the public). 

Starting in 2019, timing for all FKT attempts on the Adirondack High Peaks begins at the first trailhead and ends at the last trailhead, not the last summit. Finally, there are winter variations for this route, which are defined as efforts that take place in their entirety between the winter solstice and spring equinox.

 Wikipedia has a nice description.

The ADK46-R Club has recorded thousands of people who have completed them all.

The GPX provided here are those from Ryan Atkins FKT.