Upcoming Events. Mayanne and Greg Charon (ADK at large) on the Appalachian Trail. Foothills Chapter Meeting 7PM at the Gloversville Senior Center

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Upcoming Events. Mayanne and Greg Charon (ADK at large) on the Appalachian Trail. Foothills Chapter Meeting 7PM at the Gloversville Senior Center"

Ariel Patrick
5 years ago
Views:

the Appalachian Trail April 9 Foothills Chapter Meeting 7PM at the Gloversville Senior Center Fred (ADK 46er)

1 Footprints Newsletter of the Adirondack Mountain Club Foothills Chapter Volume 4, Issue 3 March 2014 Upcoming Events March 12 Foothills Chapter Meeting 7PM at the Gloversville Senior Center Mayanne and Greg Charon (ADK at large) on the Appalachian Trail April 9 Foothills Chapter Meeting 7PM at the Gloversville Senior Center Fred (ADK 46er) Director of Landis Arboretum is speaking about trees May 14 Foothills Chapter Meeting 7PM at the Gloversville Senior Center ~ 1 ~

2 Sounds from the Chair by Jody Rothmeyer Remember when we were children, wanting to go play in the snow all day. One thing that we, as children, didn t understand was Hypothermia. Hypothermia: a condition in which the body's core temperature drops below that required for normal metabolism and body functions. Now, we all know about hypothermia and some of the causes but at the same time, we all can be susceptible to the sings and systems. They could sneak up on us and before we knew what happened, it may be too late. With the temperatures as low as they have been, not to mention the amount of snow, it wouldn t take much to succumb to the effects. Here are some of the symptoms of Hypothermia: Mild Shivering a physiological response to preserve heat. Mental confusion Moderate Shivering becomes more violent Muscle mis-coordination becomes apparent. Movements are slow and labored, accompanied by a stumbling pace and mild confusion. The subject becomes pale. Lips, ears, fingers and toes may become blue. Sever As the temperature decreases, further physiological systems falter and heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure all decrease. Difficulty in speaking, sluggish thinking, and amnesia start to appear; inability to use hands and stumbling is also usually present. Below 30 C (86 F), the exposed skin becomes blue and puffy, muscle coordination becomes very poor, walking becomes almost impossible, and the person exhibits incoherent/irrational behavior including terminal burrowing (see below) or even a stupor. So, as you are out on the trails and in the woods, keep an eye out for everyone you may come in contact with. You may be able to help someone that may be in the beginnings of hypothermia. Next newsletter will have the Management of the different severities of hypothermia. Happy hiking and be safe. ~ 2 ~

the elusive parking lot and trailhead for Stewart Creek. After two futile excursions we decided it must no longer exist, and a map consultation showed access via the Cod Pond trailhead.

3 Tracking the Foothillers Stewart Creek Flow and North Bend via the Oregon Trail Sat., Feb. 1 Leader: Gail Livingston Although this hike was not advertised as a practical approach to improving speed and technique donning and removing snowshoes, this was the case as we searched in vain for the elusive parking lot and trailhead for Stewart Creek. After two futile excursions we decided it must no longer exist, and a map consultation showed access via the Cod Pond trailhead. The third time was the charm. As we hiked we were amazed at the number of snowshoe hare tracks, and we pondered over who left the straight line tracks down the middle of our trail. A gray fox? Then there were the delicate tracks of a white-footed mouse or vole going from his hole in the ground to the base of a tree, his little tail mark drag a helpful clue to his identity. Unfortunately the small waterfall described in the guide was frozen and snow covered, but a little farther on as we looked out from a bridge the channel of moving water under the naturally patterned ice was attractive and audible. We crossed the frozen swamp to rejoin the snowmobile trail on the other side. The mature pines were impressive as we continued to North Bend where we enjoyed our lunch at the foot of the long bridge. On the way back we saw successive bare patches with what looked like tooth slashes across ascending a tree, and guessed it to be the work of a porcupine. We made excellent time on the return trip leaving Arlo plenty of time for his nap before his evening engagement. Thanks go to the following participants for their patience and forbearance: Kathy DeGuilio, Arlo Klinetob and Kathy Schlotzhauer. ~ 3 ~

Little Cathead Mt., snowshoe Wed. Jan. 29, 2014 Leader; K. Ann Miles. Participants; A. Bowman Klinetob, N. Louise Buckley, N. Hall Mack, J. Jean MacLauchlin, G. Edmond Wilcox, B. Broman, L.

We trekked part way around Woods Lake on the new NP trail. Once we got past the inlet stream at the north east corner of the lake we left the trail and headed to the summit.

4 Little Cathead Mt., snowshoe Wed. Jan. 29, 2014 Leader; K. Ann Miles. Participants; A. Bowman Klinetob, N. Louise Buckley, N. Hall Mack, J. Jean MacLauchlin, G. Edmond Wilcox, B. Broman, L. Carol Christensen Most of us woke up to temperature of minus 15 degrees. Blessedly by the time we hit the trail it had warmed to 4 degrees and was sunny. We trekked part way around Woods Lake on the new NP trail. Once we got past the inlet stream at the north east corner of the lake we left the trail and headed to the summit. Nate and Arlo kept us on the compass bearing. There were some really steep sections and it certainly seemed like more than a half mile from the trail to the summit. We had some fun guessing each other s middle name as we climbed. There is a big clearing below the summit where we paused to take in the view and compose our group picture. We didn t linger over our summit lunches. On our descent when we reached the NP trail, rather than following that back around the lake, we dropped down to the lake and crossed the lake. Here the wind was brisk making us feel like true Arctic adventurers. By the time we reached the cars the temperature had climbed to balmy double digits. A superlative winter outing. ~ 4 ~

5 Outings Schedule March 2014 Hike/Snowshoe Rogers Mt & Buckhorn Lake Friday, February 21, 2014 Leader(s): Kathy Miles Rated: C+ Information: This small mountain in Piseco has limited views but it s a fun climb with some steep sections. We will climb the western side and descend the south side then hike around Buckhorn Lake. In the past we have seen signs of beaver, otters, herons and osprey on the back side of Buckhorn Lake. We will come out on the NP trail. About 5 miles Round trip with more than half of the distance bushwhack. Plan to help break trail if needed. Notice: This hike is open to the first three friendly trail dogs whose humans contact the leader to sign them up and who can handle winter conditions. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Kathy Miles (kdmiles@frontier.com ) Pack Demonstration Forest Saturday March 1, 2014 Leader(s): Gail Livingston Rated: B Information: The Pack Demonstration Forest in Warrensburg is a 2500 acre environmental forest donated to SUNY by Charles Lathrop Pack. Most of the hike is on forest roads with the exception of a 1 mile self-guided nature trail, the highlight of which is the Grandmother Tree which has been growing since the 1600's. There are some wonderful old growth hemlock and pines as well as an esker. Our 4 mile loop will take us around the 85 acre Pack Forest Lake, plus a side trip up Ben Wood Mountain for some nice views from an open ledge. Total distance about 6 miles with 400 feet of elevation. This will probably be a snowshoe hike, depending on conditions. Contact leader more information. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Gail Livingston (pepperjack@frontiernet.net or ) Little Oxbarn Lake hike/snowshoe Wednesday, March 5, 2014 Leader(s): Kathy Miles Rated: C+ Information: We re off to another of Fulton County s back-country lakes. We will start at the trailhead at the end of Pinnacle Rd. (1550 ft.) and begin on the trail to County Line Lake. We will leave the trail and take the old road to the remains of the old sawmill (1900 ft.) Now we will climb a flank of Pigeon Mt. to its southern shoulder (2620 ft.) then drop to Little Oxbarn Lake (2420 ft.) Much of this is on trail or old road but the last stretch to the lake is a bushwhack. Participants should be able to take a turn breaking trail if conditions warrant it. Round trip distance 6.5 miles. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Kathy Miles (kdmiles@frontier.com ) ~ 5 ~

6 Rockwood Lake Thursday, March 20, 2014 Leader(s): Sharon Getman Rated: C- Information: Join me for a shortly hike or snowshoe on a wide trail to the lake. Only 1-2 miles total. Leaders pace is slow. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Sharon Getman (gogimpygo@yahoo.com ) Distance: 20+ mile loop More details will be provided at monthly meetings and in upcoming newsletters. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Brenda Hammons (penguins2b@yahoo.com or ) & Shawn Neese (sneese1@roadrunner.com or Hike part of the new NP trail re-route from Woods Lake Tuesday, April 22, 2014 Leader(s): Rated: C+ Information: We will start at Woods Lake and take the new re-route of the Northville-Placid trail as far as the bridge over the Grant Lake outlet stream and then turn around. The new trail is nicely laid out through beautiful open woods. We will cross two new bridges before our turnaround spot. There may be wet areas. 6.5+miles RT. Contact leader to sign up. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Kathy Miles (kdmiles@frontier.com ) HIKERS RATING Trip Ratings EFFORT LEVEL A+ VERY STRENUOUS ELEVATION GAIN (FEET) MILES TIME (HOURS) 4, A STRENUOUS 3, B+ MODERATELY STRENUOUS 2, B MODERATE 1, C+ FAIRLY EASY 1, C EASY UNDER 1,000 UNDER 5 UNDER 5 These are general guidelines. Not all trips will fit exactly into one of these categories. Address questions to outing leader. SPRING TRAIL MAINTENANCE - SAVE THE DATE May (Friday - Monday) Leader(s): Shawn Neese & Brenda Hammons Rating: A+ Information: Adopted section of Northville-Placid Trail, South Lake Lean-to, West Canada Creek Lean-to, Sampson Lake Lean-to ~ 6 ~

7 Foothills Membership, Dec A Hearty Welcome to New Members: Last Month s Rejoining Members: Last Month s Renewing Members: Trisa Bills Bill & Roseann Dorn James Gambino Sr. & Kathleen Sumner Jeffrey Gardiner William & Karen Tuman Traci Voorhees & Becky Anderson Foothills Membership: 156 Foothills total chapter share for the month of Dec: $96.00 Wanted: Trips/Trip Leaders Wanted The outings program of ADK Chapters is a principal means by which members and their guests learn about, enjoy and become proficient in outdoor recreational activities. Our chapter has 29 trip leaders and has about 4-5 trips per month. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for trips please let me know. There may be a trip leader who would be able to do it. If anyone who is not a trip leader is interested in becoming a trip leader, please contact Scott Hammons at: adk_foothills_outings@yahoo.com or Rockwood State Forest Blog Paul Kalac, Foothills member, continues to update a blog on the latest conditions and trail reports for Rockwood State Forest. Members and all outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to visit t.com for local trail conditions and maps. Anyone can post the latest ski and snowshoe conditions to the site if they would like. ~ 7 ~

8 The Chapter is looking for someone to take over the newsletter. If you are interested please contact jody Rothmeyer at com New Member Information: Newsletters are sent via to all members with an on file. If you are not receiving the newsletter through , or if you know someone who isn t, please send a current, legable address to Jody Rothmeyer at rojo12547@yahoo.com. If you are unable to open a PDF attachment, the newsletter is available through the ADK website (adk.org) by following the links for Chapters, Foothills, and then newsletter. A hard copy of the newsletter is mailed every other month (next mailing is July) to all members who have requested a hard copy as well as to those members without an on file. If any new members would like a hard copy sent, please send request to rojo12547@yahoo.com. Monthly meetings are held the 2 nd Wednesday of each month at 7pm at the Gloversville Senior Citizen Center, 53 Church St., Gloversville, NY. A raffle is held at each monthly meeting to support refreshments, equipment purchases, and a general use fund as applicable. Committee membership: New members are encouraged to become active members of the Foothills Chapter by participating on one of the various committees. Please contact anyone from the executive committee if you would like to participate. ~ 8 ~

9 Foothills-ADK Chapter Adirondack Club Executive Committee: Chairperson: Jody Rothmeyer Vice-Chairperson: Arlo Klinetob Board Director: Walt Lane Membership: Barbette Rothmeyer Treasurer: Jean Griffin Secretary: Karen Burke Outings Chair: Scott Hammons Education Chair: Michael Divak Conservation Co-Chairs: Shawn Neese Brenda Hammons Newsletter: Chapter Photographer: Greg Maklae ~ 9 ~

10 Foothills ADK Chapter Minutes for February 12, 2014 Jody called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. Chair Reports The Secretary s minutes from the last meeting were read and accepted without corrections or additions. Arlo, Vice Chair, spoke briefly about the map and compass course he attended at Healthlink. He handed out information on a recommended book, by Cody Lundin, 98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive. He also gave us a list of sources for buying topo maps. Scott, Outings Chair, said the new trip forms are coming and it s still okay to submit outings for approval after the newsletter comes out. Brenda, Conservation Chair, reminded us of the Spring Trail Maintenance weekend, coming up in May and also that the dates for the Fall Trail maintenance will be September 4 th, 5 th and 6 th. A trail maintenance trip for Jockeybush Trail, which was approved for our adoption, will be June 28 and 29, led by Jody. Walt, Board Member, said the Governor has signed off on the plans for the newly acquired Adirondack Land and was hoping someone would lead an outing, now that we can legally go there. Old Business Jody said to keep in mind that National Trails Days will be in our area this year, based in Northville, and that volunteers will be needed. The dates are June 7 th and 8 th. The head of the subcommittee will be speaking to us about what we can do to help. New Business A new section of the NP trail, near the Benson Road, is now marked and ready for use. We will be deciding whether to adopt part, none or all of this new section in the near future. This will be decided by membership vote and information for voting will be in the newsletter. There will be an opening ceremony for the section as part of the National Trails Days event. Jody is planning a walk-through hike on August 23 rd. Herb won the 50/50 raffle. Adjournment was at 7:30 pm. Respectfully submitted Karen Burke, Secretary ~ 10 ~

11 (The following is a schedule of trips that I will be offering throughout the summer as well as some of the scheduled events for the club. If you would like to add to this list by offering a trip, or other information, feel free to contact me. If it is a trip that you are offering, the information must first go through Scott Hammons to be approved.) APRIL 5 Trails Committee meeting MAY 3-4 Team 5-1 Annual Training Spring NPT Trail Maintenance (hike) 25 Gull & Spectacle Lake (hike) (Schroon Lake area) 31 Big Alderbed Trail (hike) JUNE 6-8 National Trails Day (Northville) JBL Trails weekend (John s Brook Lodge) 21 Rich Lake (kayak trip) (Newcomb) 28 Jockeybush Lake Trail maintenance (hike) (possible overnighter) JULY 4 Severence Hill night (hike) 6 Belfrey Mtn fire tower (hike) (Schroon Lake area) 12 Trails Committee meeting 13 Pharaoh Lake (Schroon Lake area) (hike) Northville Arts & Crafts show (booth, volunteers needed) 26 Glasgow Mill/Hillabrant Lake (hike) AUGUST 2 Cascade & Porter Mt. (hike) 9-10 Chase Lake (overnight hike) ~ 11 ~

12 AUGUST 17 Goose Pond (Schroon Lake area) (hike) 23 New Section of the NPT (thru hike) 31 Buck Mt. (Lake George) (hike) SEPTEMBER 4-7 Fall NPT Trail Maintenance (hike) 14 Mount Gilligan and Split Rock Falls (hike & swim) Murphy Lake (overnight hike) Ragnar race (volunteers needed) 28 Belfry Mtn. fire tower (Schroon Lake area) (hike) OCTOBER 12 Severence Hill (hike) (Schroon Lake area) 18 Falls Trails Day 19 Trails Committee meeting ~ 12 ~

Footprints. Foothills Chapter. Upcoming Events. Newsletter of the Adirondack Mountain Club ~ 1 ~ Volume 4, Issue 7 July 2014

Footprints. Foothills Chapter. Upcoming Events. Newsletter of the Adirondack Mountain Club ~ 1 ~ Volume 4, Issue 7 July 2014 Footprints Newsletter of the Adirondack Mountain Club Foothills Chapter Volume 4, Issue 7 July 2014 Upcoming Events July 9 July 12 July 18-20 August Sept. 10 Chapter meeting Gloversville Senior Center