February-April 2016 Algonquin Chapter ADK Mountain Topics

Volume 45 Issue 1 February-April 2016

ADK CARESConservation

Advocacy Recreation Education Stewardship

Membership Information

ADK Website, Algonquin Chapter

Go to:http://www.adk.org/

page.php?pname=algonquin-chapter

Chapter meetings are held at the Old Clinton County Courthouse meeting room (2nd floor). Use handicap entry.

Friday, April 8 • 7pm

Friends of Eagle Island Carol Jackman, who is a board member of the Friends of Eagle Island and a member of the Adirondack Mountain Club Tri Lakes Chapter, and Henry “Buz “ Graves, Jr., the great-grand son of the original donor of Eagle Island to the Girl Scouts in 1937, will share the history of Eagle Island and discuss the goals of their organization.

The Friends of Eagle Island is a nonprofit organization which purchased Eagle Island and a former Girl Scout Camp on Upper Saranac Lake. When former employees and those who had attended the camp heard that the 32 acre property belonging to the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Council was going to be sold, they formed the Friends of Eagle Island and, with the help of an anonymous donor, they raised $2,450,00 to purchase the property.

The Eagle Island Great Camp was built in 1903 by Levi Parsons Morton, a former governor of New York and vice president. Its buildings were designed by William L. Coulter who designed many Adirondack Great Camps. Eagle Island and its buildings served as a Girl Scout Camp from 1938 to 2008.

To preserve the buildings, the Friends of Eagle Island have joined forces with Adirondack Architectural Heritage and Historic Saranac Lake. The camp was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 and was named a National Historic Landmark in 2004.

Friday, February 12 • 7pmProgram: “Cuba on the Cusp” PhotographsPresented by Penny CluteSince retiring as a Plattsburgh City Judge in early 2012, Penny has enjoyed nurturing her “inner artist.” She visited Cuba with a small photography group in January last year, that same week the first State Department delegation came for talks on a new relationship. Join us for a short trip to Havana and Trinidad, Cuba!

Friday, March 11 • 7pmProgram: Walking Tour of South West England on the Jurassic Coast TrailPresented by Ray and Lola Johnson This area is a World Heritage Site and the trail covers 96 miles along the English Channel Coast. Along the Jurassic Coast one can view 180 million years of geo-logical history.

Fri, February 12th Chapter Meeting, 7pmFri, March 11th Chapter Meeting, 7pmTue, April 5th, 6pm Outings meeting at Plattsburgh Public Library, First Floor Smart Room. 6:45 p.m for general meeting.Fri, April 8th Chapter Meeting, 7pm

Chapter Schedule See this page for more info.

Chapter Meetings

Mountain Topics Algonquin Chapter ADK February-April 2016

Surprise ! Surprise!, as Gomer Pyle might say. Who would believe that the first appreciable snowfall would be on December 29th? That’s OK, we now can make up for lost time on the trails. I’m sure El Niño will let us have a good snow cover for the rest of the win-ter. Cold weather aficionados celebrate! We recently visited our daughter and took her three legged dog for a run at an Albany country club. They graciously allow dogs to run on their fairways in winter, as good golfing weather departs for the season. Skee-

ter Boy, a German short haired pointer mix, had his right leg amputated in October. He caught on to the three legged gate quickly. It was so good to see him run, like always, taking in the sites, sounds and, of course, the smells of nature along the way. From a distance, as you watch him romp, you cannot tell he lost a leg. I swear I see a smile on that dogs face as he runs back to us. It’s like he is saying, “Isn’t this great! As we turn away from our canine family, we look to the many outings provided by our club, the Town of Plattsburgh, and others in the area. Check them out and see what you may like to do. Come to our meetings. As always, before our meetings begin, Alix Heuston books varied, informative, and entertaining guest presenters that you are sure to enjoy. You just might learn a thing or two you didn’t know before. Eat your hearts out, snow birds, you missed our 60 degree Christmas Eve. I guess we shouldn’t gloat, after all, it should have been cold and snowy. Enjoy the winter outings while they are available. Spring is just around the corner.

See you in the great outdoors! Phil Erickson

A note from the chair:

Cadyville, NY Jason Leclair

Champlain, NY Erin Conner

Peru, NY Terry and Lisa Aubin

Plattsburgh, NY Daniel Freitas

Chris BukerWest Chazy, NY

Dan JerryWestport, NY

Nancy Sczesnak Williston, VT Laura Meyer

Welcome New Members

Saturday, February 13 11am-3pm

Please plan to help with the Rotary-CVPH Winter Fun Fest in February. Will have a table for PR and we will assist with cross country skiing and snow-shoeing. Always a fun time and a wonderful opportunity for ADK to share our skills with the community.

If you would like to receive ADK Today, an occasional compendium of news of interest to members of the ADK Club, just send an email to adktoday@adk.org. It is distributed free and no names are shared.

Thank you to those who have selected to receive Mountain Topics via email!

Deadline for the next issue of Mountain Topics is April 15, 2016. Email information to Editor, Kimberly Smith at algonquinadk@gmail.com.

Submit outings to Jim King at jking8213@charter.net.

Check Sports Shorts in the Press Republican for additional outings or attend a Chapter Meeting. You may receive email updates by signing up with Nancy Olsen at any time. All outings are open to the public, at no cost. For more trips and outings of other chapters, go to www.adk.org

facebook.com/adkplattsburgh Post your favorite winter trek! We want to hear about it!

GPS 101February 6, 2016 (Lake Placid)

Introduction to Backcountry SnowshoeingFebruary 7, 2016

Adirondack Landscape Photography WorkshopFebruary 20, 2016

Map & Compass FundamentalsMarch 20, 2016

Wilderness First AidMarch 26-27, 2016

Wilderness Medical Associates Open RecertificationApril 1-3, 2016

ADK Skills WorkshopsRegistration: 518-523-3441

*Visit adk.org (under EDUCATION) for member discounts and more details.

February-April 2016 Algonquin Chapter ADK Mountain Topics

EVERY WEDNESDAY

January through April Walk About Town with Lynn Valenti. Meet at 3 p.m. on the steps of City Hall, downtown Plattsburgh for a one hour walk around city neighborhoods. No need to call ahead. Leashed dogs welcome.

EVERY THURSDAY

Mid-February through March Free Cabin Fever programs at the Lake Champlain Basin Center on the Grand Isle, 54 West Shore Road, ¼ mi. N. of the Cumberland Head ferry land-ing. Programs at 6:30 p.m. at the Gordon Center House. Check the web-site for details. Tea, coffee, and deli-cious desserts. For questions contact: Nancy Olsen, 561-0189.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6

Back-County Ski trek near Poke-O. Strenuous. Leader: David Thomas-Train, 576-4592.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13

Annual Sunrise Rotary Winter Carnival Fun Fest. 11am–3 pm at CVPH campus. Snow or no snow, most events will go on! All activities are free and ADK will have an indoor information table. Contact Nancy Olsen to help with skiing, snowshoeing, or PR at an indoor information table, 561-0189.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13

Chili Fest at the New Land Trust. Hot soups and chili at Noon. Family fun for all, snowshoeing and X-C skiing. Bring food to share. All welcome! Bonfire in the afternoon.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19

X-C Skiing at Paul Smiths College Visitors’ Interpretive Center (VIC). Leader: Alix Heuston, 561-7660.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20

X-C Ski to Weller Pond, conditions permitting, i.e. frozen lakes. 8 mi. RT. Moderate. Bring lunch and beverage. Leader: Anne Bailey, 563-5794. Option for an alternative trip. Call leader.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27

X-C at the New Land Trust. All abilities, shelter. Bring lunch and beverage. Leader: Alix Heuston, 561-7660.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29

Celebrate Leap Day! Downhill Skiing at Titus Mountain. Trail fee. Leader: Claire Velsey, 236-6646.

SATURDAY, MARCH 5

X-Ski Clinton State Forest. Moderate difficulty, slow and easy pace. Not for beginners. We will search and identify tracks and other animal signs. Bring lunch, warm drink. Leader: Nancy Olsen, 561-0189. Call by 3/3.

Algonquin Chapter Outing ScheduleAll outings and meetings are open to the public, unless otherwise noted. We thank our trip leaders and encourage other members to lead outings. Some outings are listed from other chapters. Be sure to check in with those trip leaders well in advance. Contact Vice-Chair Alix Heuston, 561-7660, or Outings Chair Jim King, 310-1164, if you would like to add an outing.

Classification of Outings: EASY: max distance of 8 miles and altitude gain of 1200 feet; MODERATE: max distance of up to 12 miles and/or altitude gain of 1200 to 2200 feet; ADVANCED: max distance of up to 15 miles and/or altitude gain of 2200 to 3500 feet; DIFFICULT: exceeds 15 miles and/or altitude gain of over 3500 feet.

Winter 2016

SATURDAY, MARCH 12

X-C Ski Outing. Moderate to strenuous. Destination TBA. Leader: Mark Malchoff, 578-2841.

SATURDAY, MARCH 19

X-C Wilderness Ski Traverse. New Land Trust to the True Brook Road. Strenuous. Bring lunch and beverage. Leader: Anne Bailey, 563-5794.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23

Full moon howling on X-C Ski or Snowshoe. Also known as the “Sap” moon. Easy! Head lamp needed. Bring a stick for the campfire! Leader: Marilyn Smith, 561-3167.

SATURDAY, APRIL 9

North Country Squares annual Pancake Breakfast at Sangers’ Sugar House, Ingraham, NY (off Rt 9 north). Enjoy all you can eat, pancakes, sausages, fresh maple syrup. Walk afterwards. Must wear boots. Easy. Leader: Nancy Olsen, 561-0189.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23

Where Oh Where is Henry? Mystery hike with Lynn Valenti. Easy. Bring an O’Henry candy bar, plus Lunch and beverage, 562-0553.

SATURDAY, APRIL 30

Explore two CATS trails in Essex County: The DaCy Meadow Farm Trail, and the Wildway Overlook. Bring lunch and beverage. Moderate. Leader: Claire Velsey, 236- 6646.

Mountain Topics Algonquin Chapter ADK February-April 2016

NONPROFITU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPlattsburgh, NY 12901

Permit #70

BOD meeting: December 5, 2015 in Lake George, NY

1. The book “Archangels” will be published in March; all proceeds to go to ADK.

2. An updated website is being created for ADK with a Club Wide Calendar. Chapters will be able to post their events.

3. Operations: Revenues are up, expenses are more than budget, but due to a strong U.S. dollar in Europe, total ops is in the blue.

4. ADK, DEC and others are trying to get the East MacIntyres as a part of the High Peaks Wilderness. With the Casey Brook Tract between the Ausable Club and Boreas Pond tracts previously purchased, it will add 45,000 acres to the 200,000 acre High Peaks. A Portage is planned for access to Boreas Pond to fight invasive species.

5. Essex Chain of Lakes: Snowmobilers are now asked to have a different route in the northern section, which skirts the DEC’s own regulations, the area of the new trail can’t be allowed, but DEC says due to previous use prior to such regulations, it can allow such use. ADK is looking into this.

6. No oil tank car storage on the line to the mine, the company plans to take rock from it for road construction.

7. The Recreation Working Group (they help set up and run events for ADK) needs hosts for the 2017 and later seasonal events as well as new members for their group.

ADK Board of Directors Reportby Steve Baker

2016 ADK Club Workshopshttp://www.adk.org/page.php?pname=workshops

Algonquin Chapter Leadership 2016

ELECTED

Chair Phil Erickson (518) 569-5527

Vice-Chair Alix Heuston (518) 561-7660

Secretary Mark DuBrey (518) 846-7514

Treasurer Kay Washbourne (518) 563-2387

Director Steve Baker (518) 834-5414

1st Alt Ray Johnson (518) 846-8234

2nd Alt Mark DuBrey (518) 846-7514

APPOINTED

Membership Marilyn Smith (518) 561-3167

Program Alix Heuston (518) 561-7660

Conservation Jim Bailey (518) 563-5794

Publicity Alix Heuston (518) 561-7660

Archives (Open)

Outings Jim King (518) 310-1164

Editor Kimberly Smith (315) 813-4407

All inquires can be emailed to: algonquinadk@gmail.com

Algonquin ChapterAdirondack Mountain Club57 Cogan Ave.Plattsburgh, NY 12901