LOCALadk Magazine
Issue link: https://localadkmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1133887
26 Summer 2019 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk Earning the grid means climbing each High Peak, each month —if we do the math that's a total of 552 peaks! This is what is known as the 46er Grid, and yes people have done it—some more than once. It is a small group of people who can claim this title, 17 to date with several more who are cur- rently working on it. Does it sound crazy to you? Keene resident Joe Bogardus is a two time Gridder, and has completed the 46 hikes, 43 times. I met him, and he is defi- nitely not crazy. He has also completed single-season winter rounds of the 46 peaks for ten straight years. He hikes sim- ply because he enjoys it. Hiking is also keeping him in great shape, and has given him the opportunity to help others. Joe knows the trails ver y well, and is happy to help with advice or to answer questions regarding a certain route. Although becoming a Gridder means you do a lot of solo hiking, there are plenty of times when a potential Gridder could use some help. Joe and others have often gone out on a trail a day ahead of a friend during winter to break trail to make it easier and faster for their friend. Through hiking, Joe has met and made friends with many amazing people —peo- ple he is proud to hike with that inspire him. It was clear to me that it's not actually about the summit and the list, but about committing himself to keep going, and spending time with others who also enjoy hiking. Joe is the unofficial record keeper of Grid finishers; he shared their names with me, and some of their stories. Fred Hunt completed the grid in 1973, and is believed to be the first person to do so. The next known finisher was not un- til 2002. Alain Chevrette 'Pin Pin' is another, and he not only completed the Grid, but has also completed 100 rounds of the 46 peaks. He is a hiking legend and has been an inspiration and mentor for many. Gar y Koch completed his Grid in 2008, and has gone on to complete the 46 peaks forty-six times. He often hikes with a group of friends who call themselves the "Adirondack Geriatric Society." This group loves the out- doors, and loves to have fun, work hard, and stay active. Inge Aiken completed her Grid in 2012, and is the first woman to complete the one hundred highest Adirondack peaks in win- ter. She has also completed the 46 twenty-two times. earning The grid by Anne Brewer