ADK Presents Slideshow about a trip to BUHTAN

Trekking in the Himalaya Slideshow

The Chomolhari Trek

You are invited to attend a slide show of Janice Prichett’s trek in the Himalaya

Where: Eastern Mountain Sports, Stuyvesant Plaza

When: Thursday, February 7, 2008

Time: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Janice Prichett is an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast who enjoys cycling, back-packing, snow-shoeing, kayaking, and cross-country skiing. She has climbed the 46 High Peaks in the Adirondacks as well as extensive hiking throughout the Northeast. In addition to her recent trekking experience in Bhutan she has climbed the Inca trail to Machu Picchu and hiked in the Dolomites in Italy. Janice is a member of the Adirondack Mountain Club and participates in a variety of volunteer activities related to helping persons living with HIV as well as supporting research for people with Diabetes. For More information contact EMS Albany at 518-482-0088

If You Are In San Diego, CA - You can go snowshoeing and skiing!

Hi Skiers, We will try again this Sunday, Feb. 3 to ski on Mt. San Jacinto. Geoffrey Smith and I will take the tram from Palm Springs to Long Valley. http://www.pstramway.com/ The tram tickets are $21.95 + tax, $2 less for seniors, AAA, etc. I have some discount cards.

The weather forecast is for a chance of snow showers, and a high temperature near freezing. Dress warmly!

If you would rather ski in the woods than watch football, please come.

We will form two groups. The easy group will stay in Long Valley by the tram station, explore the area, and learn how to ski better. The more advanced group will ski about 5 miles, usually as far as the east face of Jean Peak. This requires back country skis with metal edges, and maybe climbing skins if the snow is icy. You have to be able to ski through the trees without running into them.

We will meet at 6AM at the Sabre Springs Marketplace Park and Ride, at the corner of Poway Rd and Sabre Springs Parkway, just east of I-15. Our normal waiting time is 15 minutes, so we will leave soon after 6:15AM. Carpools are encouraged. The Tram Parking lot is 125 miles north and east.

Please let me know if you want to come, and which group is best for you.

Mike.

ADK Needs Canoe Routes Chair for Subcommittee

VACANY – CANOE ROUTES SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR

Due to passing of Betty Lou Bailey, ADK is in need of someone to chair the Canoe Routes Subcommittee of the Conservation Committee. This Subcommittee Chair reports to the Conservation Committee Chair and monitors all issues which affect paddling. This includes monitoring and intervening in hydropower applications to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Betty Lou was a tireless advocate for New York’s rivers, and her dam licensing work helped ensure that sufficient water was released downstream to support river life and water recreation and that canoe access sites were built. Please do not feel that you that you need to have extensive knowledge of these issues. Our Committee and staff will work with you and train you. All that is required is a desire to help ADK advocate for paddling issues. If you're interested or want to discuss it further, please contact:

David Pisaneschi

Chair

ADK Conservation Committee

518-459-5969

dpisanes@nycap.rr.com

As of Sunday Jan 27th Conditions are excellent at Garnet Hill and Lapland Lakes!

LL Bean at Colonie Center offers In-Store Clinics

Mondays
Packing Your Pack (Winter Essentials): 3 p.m.
Selecting a Kayak: 7 p.m.

Tuesdays
Water Purification: 3 p.m.to
Intro to GPS: 7 p.m.

Wednesdays
Selecting Binoculars: 3 p.m.
Snowshoe Selection: 7 p.m.

Thursdays
Fly-Tying Demo: 3 p.m.
Map & Compass: 7 p.m.

Fridays
Selecting Day-Hiking Accessories: 3 p.m.
Cold-Weather Layering: 7 p.m.

Saturdays
Fly-Tying Demonstration: 11 a.m.
Snowshoe Selection: 1 p.m.
Intro to GPS: 3 p.m.
Choosing Cross-Country Skis: 5 p.m.
Selecting the Perfect Boot: 7 p.m.

Sundays
Cold-Weather Layering: 11 a.m.
Intro to GPS: 1 p.m.
Geocaching: 3 p.m.
Fly & Rod Selection: 5 p.m.

XC Ski Clinic at Five Rivers on Sunday, January 27th

EASTERN MOUNTAIN SPORTS ALBANY AREA STORES HOST

Cross Country Skiing Clinic

January 27, 2008, 10am-2pm at Five Rivers Environmental Center

The Eastern Mountain Sports store in Albany, NY is hosting a cross country ski clinic for those interested in learning more about the sport. Learn the basics of cross country skiing with demos, simple instruction and hours of fun. The clinic will be followed with hot chocolate in the visitor’s center. To reserve you skis and to pre register call EMS at 518.481.0088.

Historic Country Grove lost to Rite Aid and Walgreens

Progress toward WHAT????

Landmarks may yield to progress in North Greenbush

But in plans being weighed by North Greenbush officials, the Country Grove Inn and a historic farmhouse immediately to the south would be demolished and replaced by two competing drugstores: Rite Aid and Walgreens.

http://timesunion.com/ASPStories/Story.asp?StoryID=657159&LinkFrom=TUYT

THC WINTER 2008 ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE

Monday January 7 Judy Brandow Bike Ride
Contact Judy for Time and Place 482-4610 or hwesterh@nycap.rr.com

Sunday January 20 XC-Snowshoe Saratoga Spa Park, NY

Celebrate MLK weekend with outing, weather permitting. Must call or E-mail Jan during the week before. Jan will check conditions and on Friday call or E-mail information as to time and where we will meet in the Spa Park. Please let her know if you are interested in staying for supper, hot dogs cooked over a wood fire in warming hut.

CONTACT: Jan O'Hare 383-4766 or johare1@nycap.rr.com

LENGTH: Loops A thru G about 5 miles.

ROAD DISTANCE: Your house to the Saratoga Spa Park.

Saturday January 26 Annual Winter Festival, Grafton, NY
Join the THC at the Grafton Lakes State Park for their Annual

Winter Festival. We will snow shoe out the Spruce Bog Trail and

return on the Nimo Trail. If there is interest we will also ski one of

the better groomed ski trails. We will meet via the winter entrance

at the Maintenance Building around 10:00 am.

CONTACT: Colin Campbell 438-9629 or holesinhead@aol.com

Gayle Fountain 371-8585 or pfounta1@nycap.rr.com

LENGTH: Snow shoe = 5miles round-trip, ski run to be determined.

ROAD DISTANCE: You house to Grafton Lakes winter entrance.

Saturday January 26 Saratoga National Historic Battlefield
We will ski the 4.1 mile Wilkinson Trail at the Saratoga Battlefield, Rt. 32 in Stillwater, NY. Meet at Malta Commons 9:00 off Exit 12 of I-87

Contact: Lynn Mayack 899-6410, 518-312-0608, lmayack@msn.com

Length: 4.1 miles

Road Distance: 10 miles??

Sunday, January 27 Hike Big Indian and Doubletop in the Catskills
Joint hike with Albany and Sch’dy ADK

Hike begins at the end of Dry Brook Road near Seager. Follow Seager

Trail to the Biscuit Brook-Pine Hill Trail where we turn south toward Big Indian. After reaching the summit at 3700 feet we drop down on the trail and then bushwhack along a property line to Doubletop at 3860 feet. We then follow a ridge line back to the Seager Trail.

Meet at Rotterdam Square at 7:00 AM

CONTACT: Must Call Mary McDonald 371-1293

mmacdonald003@nycap.rr.com

LENGTH: About 9 miles and 2500 foot elevation gain.

ROAD DISTANCE:140 miles RT

Tuesday January 29 Cat Mountain, Bolton Landing, NY
We will go up the road to this small mountain overlooking Lake George, about a 2.5 mile walk. Then those who wish can ski down, if there is enough snow - or walk. Please bring appropriate winter gear - crampons, snowshoes, skis, etc. Meet at the Northway Exit

9 Park & Ride. Contact Katie for time.

CONTACT: Katie Henrikson 439-4308 or khenriks@nycap.rr.com

LENGTH: 5 miles round-trip, ascent of about 800 feet.

ROAD DISTANCE: 110 miles round-trip.

FEBRUARY
Sunday February 3 Santanoni Preserve, Newcomb, NY

We will ski to Newcomb Lake and the abandoned Great Camp there on fairly level terrain. Meet at Malta Commons 8:30 AM, off Exit 12 of I-87

Length: 9 miles round trip.

Contact: Lynn Mayack 899-6410, 518-312-0608, lmayack@msn.com

Road Distance: 100 miles, one way.

Monday February 4 Bike ride Judy Brandow

Contact Judy for Time and Place

482-4610 or hwesterh@nycap.rr.com

Thursday February 7 Cross Country Ski, TBD, NY

This will be a moderate X-C trip about 5 to 8 miles of non-groomed skiing. Depending on snow conditions (or if there is any snow), places to be considered, but not limited to, are Merck Forest, AikenWilderness, Woodford Wilderness, Grafton Lakes and Partridge Run. The trip may end up at a groomed area if those are the only places with available skiing. Please contact Lynn for time and meeting place.

CONTACT: Lynn Filarecki 674-2125.

LENGTH: Five to eight miles.

ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined by Mother Nature.

Saturday February 9 Tongue Mountain, Bolton Landing, NY

We will spot cars and hike/snowshoe the northern portion of the Tongue Mountain Range starting from the Clay Meadow trailhead and ending at the trail's northern terminus on Route 9N. Must contact Dave for meeting place and time.

CONTACT: Dave Pisaneschi 459-5969 or dpisanes@nycap.rr.com

LENGTH: 7.5 miles round-trip , ascent of about 1150 feet.

ROAD DISTANCE: Please contact Dave.

Sunday February 10 Yokum Ridge, Lenox, MA

This will be either a snowshoe or hike. We can do a nice 3.5 mile loopon the Burbank Trail with lovely woods, a lake and nice views. We canan optionally extend the trip with some side trails and/or a stop at nearbySteven's Glen. This is a hike or snowshoe as the trails are not suitable forcross-country skiing. If the snow is not adequate, I will look for an alternate location in western Massachusetts. Might stop for a snack to warm up afterthe trip. Contact Bob for time, meeting place, car-pooling and last minute changes, as determined by snow and weather conditions.CONTACT: Bob Armao 271-6512 or bob_armao@yahoo.com

LENGTH: Minimum of 3.5 miles, Burbank Trail has ascent of 540 feet.

ROAD DISTANCE: Contact Bob for info.

Monday February 11 Conservation Meeting, Little's Lake, Menands, NY

Among the issues for discussion (of the Albany ADK Chapter) will be open Space funding and acid rain legislation. They will also discuss the status of The Unit Management Plans (UMPS) along with ATV legislation. All chapter members who have an interest in conservation issues are invited and encouraged to attend. Meeting time will be at 7:00 PM.

CONTACT: Dave Pisaneschi 459-5969 or dpisanes@nycap.rr.com

ROAD DISTANCE: Your house to Little's Lake in Menands, NY

.

Wednesday February 13 Peekamoose & Table Mts., Ulster Co., NY

These are the most southeast of all the Catskill 3500 Peaks. They are

one of the highest vertical ascents in the Catskills, in very attractive woods. Meet at the Elm Avenue Park & Ride in Delmar at 7:00 am.

CONTACT: Phil Fountain 371-8585 or pfounta1@nycap.rr.com

LENGTH: 8.6 miles round-trip, ascent of 3000 feet.

ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 170 miles round-trip.

Saturday February 16 Sleeping Beauty, Lake George, NY

I was on this hike in October '07 and it was great so I want to do it again in the winter season. We will met at the Northway Exit 9 Park & Ride on Fire Road at 9:00 am.

CONTACT: Gayle Fountain 371-8585 or pfount1@nycap.rr.com

LENGTH: About 3.5 miles round-trip, ascent of about 950 feet.

ROAD DISTANCE: 120 miles round-trip.

Wednesday February 20 Garnet Hill, North Creek, NY

We will ski at Garnet Hill where there are groomed trails and a lodge to eat lunch in. There is also access to NYS wilderness trails close by.

Meet at Malta Commons, 8:30 AM, off Exit 12 of I-87 (You only need to maneuver ½ of one rotary to get back on the Northway).

Contact: Lynn Mayack 899-6410, 518-312-0608, lmayack@msn.com

Length:Up to group.

Distance: 140 miles RT.

Tuesday February 26 Garnet Hill, North River, NY

We will go cross country skiing where we can ski down and take the bus

back up to the shi shop. This is one of the finest cross country ski areas

in the East. Meet at the Northway Exit 9 Park & Ride, contact Katie for

time.

CONTACT: Katie Henrikson 439-4308 or khenriks@nycap.rr.com

LENGTH: Several trails groomed to your degree of experience.

ROAD DISTANCE: 145 miles round-trip.

Tuesday December 18 Balsam Lake Mt., Mapledale, NY

This maybe a snowshoe hike so be prepared for winter conditions.

We will hike via the Dry Brook Ridge Trail and ascend along an

unmaintained town road to the old State Fire Tower at the summit.

Please call Susan for meeting place and time.

CONTACT: Susan Roberts 766-4170.

LENGTH: 4.3 miles round-trip, ascent of 1626 feet.

ROAD DISTANCE: 145 miles round-trip.

THC Announces Taconic End to End Hike set for Saturday, May 10th, 2008

The End-to-End, a 29 mile hiking endurance challenge along the Taconic Crest Trail will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2008 as announced by the Taconic Hiking Club. A long standing upstate New York hiking event, this day-long endeavor runs along the ridge separating New York, Massachusetts and Vermont. There are views of the Catskills (on a clear day) and Mt. Greylock to the immediate east.

The one-day event rewards those successful hikers with a unique trail certificate and patch for traversing a cumulative elevation gain of 7,836 feet and a corresponding descent total of 9,470 feet. On an unimproved woods trail, the hike is only for the fit and experienced entrant.

The Taconic Hiking Club will set up a campsite on Friday, May 9, 2008 at the Berry Pond start line in the Pittsfield State Forest near Pittsfield, MA, at that time entrants will be briefed on the trail conditions. The hike itself will start on Saturday, at 5:30AM with three support sites en route and sweep parties following the hikers.

Those interested and requiring further details may contact Pam Bailey, at 39 Fane Court, Troy, NY 12182 or pambailey22@yahoo.com. There will be a ceiling enrollment of 25 for this event with entrants listed in the order their registrations are received. An alternate list will be kept for substitutes in the case of cancellations. Those who completed the event in 2006 will not be eligible in 2008. The entry fee for this endurance challenge is $25.00 per entry, with no refund after March 31, 2008.

This event, held almost every other year for over 30 years, has no rain date and will be held regardless of weather. Past events have hikers from New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine and all over New York taking part and the trail itself has “appeared” in a least two national hiking magazines.

End to End Hiking Challenge

May 10, 2008 Registration Form

Please include a non-refundable registration fee of $25.00. Checks should be made payable to the Taconic Hiking Club and mailed to Pam Bailey, 39 Fane Court, Troy, NY 12182. Any application received after March 15, 2008 will be refused. All applicants must be 18 years or older.

I, the undersigned, declare myself physically fit and able to participate in the above event. I realize that hiking events such as this are physically strenuous and hereby agree to be solely responsible for my own safety during this 29-mile hike.

I also acknowledge, agree and release the Taconic Hiking Club and any and all of its volunteers from any and all liability claims, losses and/or damages for personal injuries or death which may occur while participating in this event. I also permit these same volunteers to place my camping gear and related items in my designated car, to drive said car to the finish line and to release said volunteers from any liability claims or damages in the course of automobile traffic.

Name__________________________________________Date______________________

Address________________________________________

________________________________________

Phone _____________________________

E-mail________________________________

Emergency Contact Name & Phone____________________________________________

Signature_________________________________________________________________

Name and address of hometown newspaper for press release after the challenge

Hikers needed for the Belleayre viewshed study on Sunday, January 6th, 2007

This Sunday, January 6, the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference
will conduct a view-shed analysis to determine points in the forest
preserve from which the proposed resort would be visible. The aim is
to compel a view-shed study in the environmental impact statement the
developer must create. Brenda Holtzinger of the Trail Conference has
identified some ten trails and some off-trail areas as high priority
for Sunday's study.

If you would be interested in helping, please contact Brenda at
holzinger@nynjtc.org or via cell phone at 973-303-3538. Please let her
know if you have a GPS and/or a camera, and if you are coming alone
and would like to hike with a partner or a group.

Personal Locator Device at a reasonable price....

Spot Satellite Messenger is targeted at serious backpackers, boaters, hunters and other committed outdoor enthusiasts. The Spot is a chunky, 7-ounce personal tracker whose main purpose is to bail you out of trouble. The product — it looks like a bright orange PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) on steroids — taps into Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to determine your whereabouts. Then if you get into a pickle, Spot, at the press of a button, will transmit your longitude, latitude and a preprogrammed text or e-mail message to emergency 911 authorities and/or your loved ones. Folks can view your location on Google Maps. Alas, you have no way of knowing if your cry for help has been received.

At $170 for the device, on top of a $100 annual subscription, Spot isn't cheap. But similar "personal locator beacons," or PLBs, may cost $400 or more. Spot claims it keeps costs down because of its proprietary low-power satellite technology.

Spot is meant to work even in areas where your cellphone won't function, under various environmental extremes — at elevations of up to 21,000 feet and at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It floats and is waterproof, too, but won't do you any good if it ends up buried in snow. The device requires a clear view of the sky.

Spot can operate in virtually all of North America, Europe and Australia, and portions of South America, northern Africa and northeastern Asia, as well as thousands of miles offshore. It failed at times in the, um, wilds of Manhattan and northern New Jersey, even sitting uncovered in the stands of Giants Stadium. Tall buildings often block GPS signals

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/edwardbaig/2008-01-02-spot-tracker_N.htm?csp=15

Program at the Museum of Natural History in NYC

http://www.amnh.org/programs/specials/livinginamerica/

Rivers of Life

Three Saturdays, January 12, 19, 26

1:00 – 5:00 p.m. (12:00 – 5:00 p.m. on January 12)
Kaufmann and Linder Theaters, first floor
Free with Museum admission

In conjunction with the Museum's dazzling exhibition Water: H₂O = Life, this year's Living in America program series considers the symbolic and community values of this precious resource. Dynamic performances, discussions, films, and workshops for adults and families will highlight local, national, and international stories.

ADK Meeting and Used Gear Sale Jan 8th at 6:30pm

Tuesday January 8th is the monthly meeting of the Albany Chapter of the

Adirondack Mt. Club. Prior to the meeting, at 6:30 PM, there will be a used

gear sale. Bring your used gear to sell, and look for some bargains at our

annual sale. No education session will be held this month to make time (and

room) for the sale. We ask that sellers donate 10% of their sales to the

Chapter to help with expenses. For information call Carl Klinowski at (518)

274-8410.

After the used gear sale, at 7:30 PM, there will be a brief business meeting

followed by a program by Stuart Mesinger, Author of the book No Place I'd

Rather Be. Drawing on hikers’ entries found in Adirondack lean-to journals,

and weaving in anecdotes and commentary from his own backpacking

experiences, Stuart's book provides insight into the minds and motivations

of those who venture into the woods. No Place I'd Rather Be offers glimpses

of life on the trail, with entries that include inspiration, hilarity,

pathos, and melancholy. An avid hiker, paddler, and angler, Stuart first

discovered hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, before moving on to extended

outings on the Appalachian Trail and in the Adirondacks. He holds a degree

in geology and environmental studies from St. Lawrence University in Canton,

NY.

The used gear sale and meeting will be at West Albany Firehouse (Station

#1), 113 Sand Creek Road, Albany.

Directions to West Albany Firehouse: Take Rte. 90 to Exit 5, Everett Rd.

Take Everett Rd. (if coming from the west on 90, turn left onto Everett at

the top of the ramp. If coming from the east on 90, turn right at the top

of the ramp.) Proceed north past Exchange Street (site of former Tobin

Packing Company) and turn left onto Sand Creek Rd. Continue ½ mile to the

Firehouse on the right. Park in the rear of the building.