At age 16, Grace made her first ascent of Mount Marcy, beginning her lifelong commitment to the Adirondack High Peaks.
On August 2, 1922, at just 16 years old, Grace Leach embarked on her first ascent of Mount Marcy, the tallest peak in New York State. This climb was far more than a personal achievement; it marked the genesis of what would become a profound and lifelong commitment to the Adirondack High Peaks. This inaugural adventure not only tested her physical abilities but also ignited a passion that would lead her to become a prominent advocate for the mountain range.