Interview With 46er Legend Ditt Dittmar – Video

While cold rain forced the club-sponsored tribute to Herb Clark to be held indoors instead of at the St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Saranac Lake, the wet weather did not dampen the spirits of those who attended. More than 100 people gathered at the Cantwell Room of the Saranac Lake Free Library on May 26th to honor Herb Clark, 46er #1. Many of the men paid homage to Clark by dressing in his standard hiking attire—a long sleeve shirt and tie.

Forty-Sixer President Sally Hoy (#2924W) welcomed all those attending, including a large number of Herb Clark’s descendants, as well as Roger Marshall, son of George Marshall (46er #2). Peggy McKeller (#2857W) led the group in the singing of “The Forty-Sixer Song,” and Suzanne Lance (#1802W) presented an historical overview on Herb Clark’s life and his hiking adventures with Bob (46er #3) and George Marshall in their quest to be the first to climb all the 46 High Peaks. Tony Solomon (#3626W) recently retired Chair of the Historian’s Office, presented each of Herb Clark’s grandchildren with a replica of the club’s climbing Certificate of Accomplishment. Several family members recounted their personal remembrances of Herb and his wife Mary Jane.

Following the ceremony a number of hearty souls braved the wind and rain to go to the cemetery to see the memorial stone that the 46ers purchased to honor Herb Clark’s designation as 46er #1.

Delivered at the Fall 2014 annual meeting as part of Vespers

What do we know of the tradition of holding a Vespers service at the 46er spring and fall annual meetings? To start at the beginning, what is Vespers? I am sometimes asked this question and the answer is simple. Vespers is an evening worship service. Many, probably most of you, know that Vespers became a Forty-Sixers tradition because of our roots in the 1930s in a Sunday School Class in the Grace Methodist Church in Troy, New York.

Grace Hudowalski, Forty-Sixer #9, told me some years ago that Vespers became our tradition because many members had only Sundays for climbing. Being church-centered folks, it never would have occurred to them to omit worship. When they worshipped around a lean-to campfire after a challenging and satisfying day in the High Peaks they were experiencing Vespers in the original strictest sense of evening worship.

However, it seems that the Forty-Sixers of Troy and later the Forty-Sixers used the term Vespers to worship at other times as well. For example, when the Forty-Sixers celebrated the 100th anniversary of Esther McComb’s ascent of the mountain named for her, a dawn service was a natural part of things. The meditation given by Clarence Craver stressed themes that we still hear in nearly every Vespers message: It’s not only about getting to the top, but about the knowledge, satisfaction, and inspiration gained from the climbing experience.

When they finished arm-in-arm on Dix Mountain, Grace’s husband, Ed Hudowalski, 46er #6, and Rev. Ernest Ryder, Grace Methodist’s pastor, 46er #7, offered a prayer of praise and thanks for their accomplishment. Perhaps we could call this one of the first formal, albeit brief, instances of Forty-Sixers’ worship.

Of course, there have always been many instances of personal worship in the mountains. Church-going and non-church-going members alike still breathe prayers for safety, experience feelings of gratitude for success, and regard the beautiful sights with awesome appreciation of Creation’s mountain wonders. Not everyone would consider these various emotions to be prayer, nor is it necessary to label them as such, but many of us do regard them that way.

When Grace Hudowalski found the going on a climb to be particularly tough, she sang a Christian hymn from her Sunday School roots,

“It is Better Farther On” Hark! I hear Hope sweetly singing
Softly in an undertone,
Singing as if God had taught her,
“It is better farther on.”
Night and day I hear her singing—
Singing while I sit alone,
Singing so my heart may hear it,
“It is better farther on.”

The earliest Vespers services of the Forty-Sixers of Troy would most probably have resembled the Christian-based services at their church. In the years since, Vespers messages have been given by Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant clergy, though the vast majority are given by laypeople, many with no particular formal religion. The Forty-Sixers perpetuated many of the Vespers traditions by retaining the practices of singing hymns while adding special mountain-related songs; reading Psalms while adding other inspired readings related to the climbing experience; and delivering a message, but one particularly relevant to the sense of spirituality we find in the mountains. Our traditional service still finds room for the moving hymn, “How Great Thou Art”, as well as the songs written by Forty-Sixers Rev. Ryder and Orra Phelps. It is only natural that we each express hope and appreciation in our own ways.

The In Memoriam, where we pause for a moment of silence to remember those 46ers who have passed away since our last meeting, would not, of course, have been a part of the early services, but it has become an integral feature today. “Taps” is most undeniably an evening worship component. It reminds many people of their camp days. It remains a fitting closing for each Vespers service.

The content of Vespers has gradually become more and more ecumenical, drawing on secular sources and other faith traditions beyond just Christian. Take note of the African and Native American contributions to tonight’s service.

Worship, including Vespers is one of the oldest Forty-Sixers traditions. The tradition could not have survived if the need for change had not been accommodated over the years, as climbers of all backgrounds have joined the ranks of the Forty-Sixers. But its roots remain the same—the desire to commune with the Creator and/or the Creation, which definitely includes ourselves. Regardless of the direction Vespers may take in the future, no doubt we will always find ways to fulfill this fundamental need of the spirit.

Download entire message in PDF here.

East Dix officially has been renamed “Grace Peak” in honor of Grace Hudowalski (#9), long-time historian for the 46ers and the first woman to climb the 46 High Peaks. The United States Board of Geographic Names (USBGN) has approved the petition submitted by the Forty-Sixers to rename East Dix “Grace Peak.” The name designation was approved on June 12, 2014, at the monthly meeting of the USBGN.

The decision by the USBGN brings to a successful conclusion the campaign that the 46ers began in the early 2000s to name a high peak after Grace. In response to the approval Douglas Arnold (#4693W), who has led the naming effort on behalf of the Forty-Sixers for the past twelve years said: “Everyone has a mentor – a coach, parent or grandparent, friend, or teacher – who influences the outcome of their life. These angels are remembered but rarely honored.

Grace Hudowalski was a mentor to thousands of people as she shared her enthusiasm for the Adirondacks with everyone. The naming of Grace Peak is a tribute, not only to the lives she touched, but to all of those angels who make a positive impact on our lives.” Sally Hoy (#2924W), President of the Adirondack Forty-Sixers added, “How fitting to honor a woman whose love of the Adirondacks has had far-reaching effects, not only in eco-tourism but in promoting protection of this amazing resource.”

The Forty-Sixers chose East Dix as an appropriate mountain for renaming because it did not have a unique name. Its appellation is a reference to its proximity to Dix Mountain (named for John A. Dix, New York Secretary of State, 1833-1839), the highest peak in the Dix Mountain Wilderness. Robert Marshall (#3) gave East Dix its associative name so it would not be a “nameless mountain.” In his book Peaks and People of the Adirondacks (1927), Russell M. L. Carson noted that the most interesting fact about East Dix (and its neighbor South Dix) is that “their names are not important enough to be retained and that they can be given distinctive titles, when the right occasion comes, without violation of old-established names.” With the naming of Grace Peak, the “right occasion” has come, and the mountain now has its own, permanent designation.

The naming effort has received widespread support from recreational groups, individuals, local governments, and state agencies. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the following groups and individuals for their support that helped to make the naming of Grace Peak a reality:

– Adirondack Mountain Club, and a number of its regional chapters;
– Adirondack Mountain Club Executive Director Neil Woodworth;
– The Town of North Hudson and Supervisor Ronald Moore;
– The County of Essex Board of Supervisors and Chair Randall Douglas;
– Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens and Region 5 Director Robert Stegemann;
– NYS Committee on Geographic Names;
– Assemblyman Daniel G. Stec (114th district);
– Fred Schwoebel , producer/director of the documentary The Mountains Will Wait for You;
– The Glens Falls Rotary Club;
– Catskill 3500 Club;
– New York Folklore Society;
– Dozens of individuals who wrote letters of support and who have referred to East Dix as “Grace Peak” for the past 12 years.

For additional information on Grace Hudowalski and the Grace Peak renaming project see: gracepeak.info

“Ditt” Dittmar is best known for his many contributions to the Adirondack High Peaks. He was instrumental in the formation of the Adirondack Forty-Sixers and served as its only Treasurer for 53 years. Additionally he was active with the Adirondack Mountain Club and was remembered for his many fund raising efforts. He and his family produced hundreds of picnic tables in their home for sale and use at the Loj. “Ditt” was also recognized for his work with the Adirondack Council, Boy Scouts of America and was a founding staff member of the 46er Outdoor Skills Workshop.

A meticulous organizer and efficient leader, “Ditt” possessed a wealth of knowledge and history. He took numerous trips to the camp of Noah John Rondeau and established a great relationship with the “Hermit of Cold River.” His stories of the “early years” of the high peaks fascinated all who had the opportunity to listen. At his passing a 46er member expressed the sentiments of many members who worked with “Ditt” through the years. “’Ditt’” was such a well respected officer for so many years who, with his unmistakable humor sprinkled such a fine attitude into his professional administrative contributions. The shared experiences on the trails and his outstanding leadership capabilities will remain unforgettable attributes.