ADK's SUMMIT STEWARD PROGRAMSummit Steward Logo

Since 1990, the High Peaks Summit Steward program has been maintained through a partnership between the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK), the Adirondack Nature Conservancy and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The primary focus of the Summit Stewards is to educate visitors about the alpine plant communities that exist on only 16 of the highest peaks.

Many of the arctic plant species are rare or endangered that manage to eke out a living on these New York summits and are susceptible to foot traffic. Summit stewards also keep track of the number of hiker visits. Above tree line, summit stewards define the trail by erecting rock cairns and rock walls and painting blazes. During the peak hiking season (mid-June through Labor Day Weekend), summit stewards provide full time coverage on Mount Marcy and Algonquin. Summit Stewards spend time talking to hikers on other Adirondack High Peak summits such as Mount Colden and Wright Peak.


Hiker approaching the summit of Wright Peak

Summit stewards have made over 227,000 visitor contacts since 1990. The number of contacts has dropped slightly over the last few years, but education is still vital for responsible recreation. Volunteers can expand coverage and help carry out special projects. (Interested? See below.)

Funding for the Summit Steward Program has been made possible in part through the generosity of the 46er Conservation Trust and the Department of Environmental Conservation. Other contributing donors are the Forty Sixers, Campmor, The Mountaineer of Keene Valley and Vasque.

2008 Summit Stewards

 

Above, a hiker approaching the summit of Wright Peak in the Adirondack High Peaks Region. At right, 2008 Summit Stewards (l-r) Eric Hawes, Seth Jones, Aaron Sirtoli and Chief Steward Brendan Wiltse. Below, an ADK summit steward educates a youth group.

                                                          

 

 

Summit Steward educating youth group

Interested in becoming a Summit Steward? Click here for the job posting or here for an application.

For more information on the Summit Steward Program, call 518-523-3480 or click here.

Check out the new edition of the Adirondack Alpine Summits Field Guide by Nancy Slack and Allison Bell.

Find out about other ADK volunteer opportunities.