New gold standard for Adirondack 46: Appleton's book essential for high-peak hunters

For hunters tackling New York’s Adirondack 46—the tradition of climbing all 46 peaks believed to top 4,000 feet—James Appleton’s book The Adirondack 46: 18 Hikes is framed as an essential guide. The route-focused approach connects summits into 18 thoughtfully designed hikes rather than treating each peak as isolated. Appleton links the challenge to rugged Adirondack terrain: steep ascents, harsh descents, ladders on exposed rock, thick mud, fast-changing weather, and navigation needs in remote areas. He notes Pennsylvania hunters often face “dramatic elevation gain,” with many trails running 800–1,200 feet per mile.