The path to personal transformation often leads us through unexpected terrain. For Rodney Carpentier, that terrain was literal—35 rugged peaks spread across New York’s majestic Catskill Mountains. What began as a challenging outdoor adventure evolved into a six-year journey of resilience that would ultimately inspire his career as a mystery novelist.
Photos Courtesy of Rodney Carpentier
Rodney’s journey to the Catskills began after a stint in California and finding his footing in law enforcement back in New York. With his wife, he embarked on conquering the Catskills 3500 Challenge—climbing all 35 peaks above 3,500 feet elevation in the Catskill Mountain range. The challenge requires hikers to not only summit all peaks but also to revisit four specific mountains during winter months. For someone who started hiking in his police patrol boots with minimal equipment, this was no small undertaking.
The early adventures were grueling. Rodney often found himself trailing behind his more athletic wife, questioning his abilities and wondering why he’d committed to such a physically demanding challenge. “My first couple of hikes I did in my patrol boots because I didn’t have hiking boots,” he recalls, highlighting how unprepared he initially was. Yet something kept pulling him back to those mountains, weekend after weekend, season after season.
What makes Rodney’s story particularly compelling is how the Catskills became his sanctuary during personal and professional turbulence. His six-year mountain quest was bookended by profound loss—his mother passed away near the beginning of the challenge, and his father shortly after its completion. During this same period, he weathered career stresses in law enforcement and navigated what he describes as a “mid-marriage crisis.” The mountains provided consistency, accomplishment, and moments of genuine connection during these difficult times.
With each summit conquered, Rodney and his wife developed rituals that enriched their experience. They would celebrate completed hikes with visits to local restaurants and breweries in charming Catskill towns. What began as physically exhausting challenges gradually became more manageable as they gained experience, acquired proper equipment, and learned the terrain. The transformation was remarkable—from struggling with two mountains in a day to confidently tackling three or four.
Perhaps most fascinating is how this physical journey ultimately sparked creative inspiration. In 2022, during a quiet overnight shift in law enforcement, Rodney had an epiphany about a mystery novel set in the Catskills. Drawing from his intimate knowledge of the mountains and his law enforcement background, he crafted “Our Lady of the Overlook,” the first in a trilogy of mystery novels set in the same peaks he’d spent years exploring.
The novel features characters inspired by fellow officers and settings drawn directly from his adventures. The mountains themselves became almost a character in his writing—unpredictable, beautiful, and sometimes dangerous. Rodney’s experience demonstrates how deeply adventure can shape our creative expression, providing both inspiration and authentic detail that resonates with readers. 
Now with two books published and a third in progress, Rodney has discovered a second act that combines his professional expertise with his passion for the Catskills. He and his wife have even purchased property in the mountains, bringing their journey full circle. What began as a physical challenge has evolved into a creative endeavor that allows him to share these beloved landscapes with readers around the world.
Rodney’s journey reminds us that adventures don’t just change us physically—they transform how we see the world and what we believe is possible. As he puts it, “Life should be an adventure… if you’re not trying to do something new or something different or something better, that’s what makes life worth doing.” His story demonstrates that sometimes the most valuable summit isn’t the mountain peak itself, but the perspective it gives us and the stories it inspires us to tell.
To learn more about Rodney and get a copy of his book visit www.rlcarpentierwriter.com.
