November 2015–January 2016 Algonquin Chapter ADK Mountain Topics

Fri, November 6th Chapter Meeting, 7pm

Fri, December 4th Holiday Potluck

Tue, January 5th Outings Meeting for Feb-March outings, 6pm Executive Committee Meeting, 6:45pm, Held at Plattsburgh Library Fri, January 8th Chapter Meeting, 7pm

Volume 44 Issue 4 November ‘15–January ‘16

Chapter Schedule

Holiday PotluckFriday, December 4th at 5:30pmClinton County Fairgrounds, Conservation Building. Bring a dish or dessert to share, beverages provided. Laurie Southwick, teacher and advisor to the Outdoor Education Experience Program at NCCS for Grade 6, and Rob Garrand, the district superintendent of NCCS, will be our guests at our December Potluck Supper. They will discuss their program and its mission.

Friday, November 6th at 7pmProgram: Bunny and Bob Adler, presenting a program on the Galapagos Islands.

In 2008, Bunny and Bob took a trip to the Galapagos Islands with National Geographic. They spent ten days exploring the islands by boat and then flew to the Amazon Basin where they stayed at Kapawi Lodge. Bunny and Bob spent five days exploring the Amazon hiking, paddling and swimming in the Amazon River.

While in the Amazon, they had the unique experience of being introduced to the Aschuar Indian Tribe who were only discovered in the 1960’s.

Friday, January 8th at 7pmProgram: Dr. Nina Schoch, a wildlife veterinarian, presenting a program on loons.Dr. Schoch’s organization, the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, is part of a larger organization, the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) based in Ray Brook, New York and Portland, Maine.

The goals of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation are to study the Common Loon to try to identify conservation threats that impact the fresh-water aquatic ecosystems in New York’s Adirondack Park, inform and inspire adults and young people to understand the history of the Common Loon and to minimize human-related threats which might affect wildlife populations and the environment.

New York State’s 6 million acre Adirondack Park’s lakes and ponds provide important breeding hab-itats for loons during the summer months and therefore offers BRI’s Adirondack Center for Loon Con-servation a perfect platform for the study and protection of the Com-mon Loon and their environment.

See this page for more info.

Chapter MeetingsAll Chapter meetings are held at the Old Clinton County Courthouse meeting room unless otherwise noted.

Banff Mountain Film FestivalMonday, January 25, 2016 at 7:30pmHeld at Giltz Auditorium in Hawkins Hall at SUNY Plattsburgh, $8 general admission.

For the past 28 years, The Banff Mountain Film Festival has been celebrating the spirit of adventure and the mountain environment.

Each November, the world’s best films on mountain themes draw an international audience to the town of Banff, Canada. The festival now attracts audiences of more than 8,000 people to an event that sees over 260 films submitted from 29 countries.

For more information, visit: www.banffcentre.ca/mountainculture/tour/

Mountain Topics Algonquin Chapter ADK November 2015–January 2016

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 January 15, 2016. Email information to Editor, Kimberly Smith at algonquinadk@gmail.com.

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

NEW MEMBERS

Plattsburgh, NY Kellie A. Porter Julie Woodley

Rouses Point, NY James Dodd

REJOINED

Plattsburgh, NY Jocelyne and John LaVigne

Ann and Tim King

Welcome Members

Check out our latest schedule of outings and events on Facebook.

Here we go again, another Mountain Topics and new season has arrived. I recall as a child how slooooww time

seemed to go, “Are we there yet?”, “How many days til Christmas?” Today I am in a bobsled careening down a hill to the end of the year. Now I say, “Where did the time go?” Sorry, I digressed a bit. Anyway, here we are in late fall, early winter. Many outings are planned. Our regular group of cross country skiers are primed and ready. If you need a less stren-uous or shorter hike, X-C ski, or snowshoe trek, the Saranac Land Trust has some mild trails that will still get your heart pumping in the fresh air.

As we get into winter, ice can be a problem. Tai Chi has taught me to “mind your feet.” In order to help avoid falls when walk-ing, don’t think about what you’re having for dinner, “mind your feet”, be aware and step carefully.

To those of you who are heading to Florida this winter, too bad for you. We will be enjoying cold, crisp days hiking X-C skiing, snow shoeing and watching it snow and trying to keep warm. While we are on our outings, along with hot soup, be sure to PAC a MAC , as the apples are great this year.

In closing, those of you who are going to brave winter here, check out our outings along with Town of Plattsburgh and others for fun trips. Come to our meetings. As usual Alix Heuston arranges great presentations by knowledgeable and entertaining folks just prior to our meetings. You will enjoy!

So until next time, see you in the great outdoors.

PS: I am a novice here, but I want to commend those long term members who continue to do the lion’s share of work needed to keep things going for the club. Their leadership is legendary at this point. Thanks to all of you.

Phil Erickson

A note from the chair:

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

Saturday, February 21, 2016 11amPlease 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 snowshoeing. Always a fun time and a wonderful opportunity for ADK to share our skills with the community.

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

November 2015–January 2016 Algonquin Chapter ADK Mountain Topics

SUN, NOVEMBER 1

Walk the trails at Point au Roche. Enjoy a Chili Supper afterwards. Easy. Leader: Lynn Valenti, 562-0553.

THU, NOVEMBER 12

Walk the Silver Lake Bog in memory of Joan Clark. Look for flora and fauna and clean the boardwalk. Easy. Leader: Nancy Olsen, 561-0189.

FRI, NOVEMBER 13

Hike Gilligan Mt. in New Russia. Easy, nice views. Leader: Anne Bailey, 563-5794.

TUE, NOVEMBER 24

“Pick up Sticks,” Clinton State Forest. Easy, slow pace. Leader: Nancy Olsen, 561-0189.

Hockey Game, Celebrate the opening of the hockey season! Lady Cardinal hockey game vs. Castleton College, 7 pm. at Stafford Ice Arena. Wear red. No fee. Lady Cards are the Div III 2014 and 2015 National Champions. Leader: Nancy Olsen, 561 -0189.

SAT, NOVEMBER 28

Walk off your Thanksgiving dinner and enjoy the trails of the New Land Trust. Find the Hobbit House. Easy. Leader: Anne Bailey, 563-5794.

FRI, DECEMBER 4

Holiday Potluck, Clinton County Fairgrounds, Conservation Building, 5:30 p.m. Bring a dish or dessert to share, beverages provided.

SAT, DECEMBER 12

Clinton State Forest, “Pick up Sticks.” Easy, slow pace. Leader: Nancy Olsen, 561-0189.

TUE, DECEMBER 15

Enjoy a day of downhill skiing at Titus Mountain in Malone. All abilities, equipment rental available. Leader: Claire Velsey, 236-6646.

FRI, JANUARY 1

Happy New Year! Usher in 2016 with a walk at Point au Roche. Easy. Leader: Nancy Olsen, 561-0189.

FRI, JANUARY 15

X-C ski at Dewey Mt., Saranac Lake. Trail Fee, warm-up shelter, all abilities. Leader: Anne Bailey, 563-5794.

SAT, JANUARY 16

X-C Ski or snowshoe (depending on conditions), Clinton State Forest. Slow pace, look for animal signs. Leader: Nancy Olsen, 561-0189.

MON, JANUARY 18

Martin Luther King Day. X-C Ski to Marcy Dam via South Meadows. Leader: Claire Velsey, 236-6646.

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 2015

Thanks to our volunteer leaders!

Stay up-to-date!Contact Nancy Olsen at olsen@northnet.org to receive Algonquin

Chapter e-bulletin updates.

SAT, JANUARY 23

X-C ski to the Lower Ausable Lake, St. Huberts. Moderate. Leader: Alix Heuston, 561-7660.

WED, JANUARY 27

X-C Ski, Explore the trails at Point au Roche. Easy. Leader: Phil Erikson, 569-5527.

SAT, JANUARY 30

X-C ski to Whiteface Landing. Moder-ate. Leader: Anne Bailey, 563-5794.

Coming... Walks About Town with Lynn Valenti in January.

SAT, FEBRUARY 6

Back Country Ski Exploration on old roads West of Poke-O. Strenuous. Leader: TBA

FRI, FEBRUARY 12

Chapter meeting, Old County Court-house, 7 pm. Program: Take a trip South to Cuba with Penny Clute.

SAT, FEBRUARY 13

Chili Fest at the New Land Trust.

Mountain Topics Algonquin Chapter ADK November 2015–January 2016

Algonquin Chapter Leadership 2015

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 Ann Robbins (518) 563-0919

1st Alt Steve Baker (518) 834-5414

2nd Alt Ray Johnson (518) 846-8234

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

NONPROFITU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPlattsburgh, NY 12901

Permit #70

BOD meeting: September 26, 2015 in Lake George, NY1. Young members Coordinator is Sallie Gandons, she will now have four staff which

will be paid out of the remainder of previously approved money (Dec. 2014). If a chapter wants to start a Young Members group, she can arrange to meet with the chapter Executive Committee during a regular chapter executive meeting.

2. Finance: Some changes were made to the cash flow sheet: this will save a large amount of money.

3. Grow ADK FUND will be changing from TD Bank to Glens Falls for deposits and related transaction.

4. Marketing & Development: The club was left a property on 28N, about 2 1/2 acres water access and will sell it with restrictions. The club’s liability insurance premium has been reduced 6% due to our better safety record compared to other large groups.

5. OPS: DEC will not replace the Duck Hole dam if it fails. North Country Science trail (Black River forest) will begin building connecting trails to existing trails.

6. Membership is down 6% School outreach: 2015–16 Grant Splitter grant for expan-sion of the number of schools provided access to programs. 2017 Fall Trails Day will also be the date for the College Day at the Loj. Since 1990, Summit Stewards have made contact with over 400,000 hikers. Labor Day weekend they spoke with 5,000 hikers. The 1st reprint of the new Northville Placid Trail map has sold out (5,000). A new guide will be out in 2016. There were 2 weddings catered by the Loj. The Loj campsites will be expanded in 2016. Membership is down 1%. Development is up 6% for the year. The annual appeals letters will be spread out in the future, nothing was sent out earlier in the year due to a vacancy.

ADK Board of Directors Reportby Steve Baker

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