The 601er

In some circles the term “peak-bagger” is disparaged, the belief being that checking summits off a list in record time distracts from appreciating the natural world. But there are folks out there, like Erik Schlimmer, whose brains are wired to systematically experience the great outdoors while still marveling at every detail.

“I’m a methodical person,” says the 45-year-old, who calls Rensselaer, near Albany, home when he’s not in the Adirondacks. “It’s just my personality.