Project-100 is a fund-raising project put on by the ADK High Peaks Foundation. I am a founding member The Foundation and will attempt to summit each of the peaks from the ADK Hundred Highest list between December 21, 2017 and March 21, 2018. It is noteworthy that approximately 40 of the peaks are untrailed. However, if I haven’t finished by that date I will continue until the list is complete.

Tracking. As with Project 46 and Project Full Deck, two previous fund-raisers, I will be carrying a tracking device (Spot device) which will allow people to follow my progress on any given hike in real time.

Training and research. This began formally on June 21st, 6 months before December 21st. I have been using the training regime recommended in the excellent book, Training for the New Alpinism. Prior to this book’s publication I read how-to-train books from the world of ultra running and triathlon and extrapolated the information to hiking. Training for the New Alpinism is perfectly adapted to uphill athletics and endurance hiking projects. Much of the training and research overlap as I gather information about winter routes to off-trail peaks by bushwhacking them.

Reaching out. I have contacted many people for information but Spencer Morrissey and Tom Haskins stand out as extremely knowledgeable and helpful people with regards to the trailless peaks from the list.

Social connection. The ADKHP Foundation has always thrived on and nurtured a strong social connection and this project will be no exception. Our goal is to involve as many people as possible as hiking partners and through the magic of on-line participation. This blog will serve as home base for on-going progress and related information. All social media sites, such as the ADKHP Forum and Facebook, will point to it.

Fund Raising. Raising funds for the Foundation is the purpose of P-100 and this will be handled through the Foundation’s website. Donors may contribute using Paypal by clicking on the donate button here on the blog’s main page or through the website itself. Donations can also be made by mailing a check or in person as cash donations. Donations by American citizens are tax deductible.

Strategy and modus operandi. Tom Haskins says, “always do the hardest peaks that the conditions will allow for. On a multi-peak hike do the hardest one first”. I’ll be following that advice as I hike in 3-day bursts, Friday to Sunday. If necessary I can hike on Mondays or even Wednesday. 13 weeks at 3 days a week comes out to 39 hiking days. I have made a tentative grouping of peaks that works out to 40 days of hiking. Of course it is highly unlikely that the weather and snow conditions will allow me to run through the groupings exactly as I have listed them. I am pretty sure I’ll be hiking on some Mondays and Wednesdays. If the snow comes late this winter I’ll be aiming for the tougher bushwhacks right off the bat. (ie. Sawtooths, Sentinels). But, if the snow comes early and there is a lot of it I’ll start with the trailed peaks and wait for consolidation of the snow pack prior to tackling the trailless peaks.

Pictures. Pictures of each day’s hike will be posted on-line as quickly as possible.