An Adirondack institution for adventurers
Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
Sitting at the base of the Adirondack Mountains, in New York State’s Keene Valley, The Mountaineer has been equipping hikers, ice climbers, anglers, backcountry skiers and adventure enthusiasts since 1975. It was opened by two families from Greenwich, Connecticut, in search of a more intrepid life, and today the attitude remains: “We respect our role as the last point of contact before people head off into the wilderness,” says current custodian Charlie Wise.
Designed by co-founder Sid Miller with locally sourced hemlock and spruce, the store is “all bold lines and angles, with steep pitched roofs that can handle the snow load”, says Wise, who took over the store in 2018, having been a long-term customer. Inside, a woodburning stove sets the scene for a buffet of international outerwear – from Patagonia’s reclaimed fleece zip-ups ($169) to Positron Pro Down jackets by UK maker Rab ($430) and base layers by Norway’s Norrøna (tights, $149). “We love brands that have a sustainable philosophy or component, as well as great design and technical chops,” says Wise. Technical kit includes Black Diamond’s ultra-lightweight Vapor helmet ($139.95) in energetic shades of Blizzard and Octane and footwear that promises to be fit for Everest: the G2 Evo boot ($999).
Wise describes the shop as a two-storey “candy store for gearheads”, containing more than 10,000 different items. He especially prides himself on the knowledge of his staff, “all of whom are experts in a particular discipline”, he says. “Our trail-shoe expert led a group up Denali [North America’s highest peak] this summer, and our ski guy is a Dynafit expert who knows the best backcountry boots.” Staff recently outfitted a long-standing client for an Everest expedition, supplying the complete layering and insulation system, crampons, axes and boots. The only condition? “That a summit photo be taken with The Mountaineer bandana,” says Wise. The photo now hangs on the wall.
The store also serves as a community hub, hosting clinics run by local guides on topics such as wilderness first aid, ice climbing and avalanche awareness. Annual events including Adirondack International Mountainfest and the Great Adirondack Trail Run benefit local non-profits and charities.
“I like to say we catch people at a good time when they are in a good headspace, ready to get into something,” says Wise. “We want to amplify that excitement. Time outdoors is so essential to our happiness.” The hundreds of customer photographs – spanning the peaks of India to the pistes of France – prove they do just that.
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