Ellen Rathbone: Thoughts on Flies and Death

Last night at chorus practice a fellow tenor and I got to discussing flies and death. The conversation started off normally enough, with her asking me how the flies were in Newcomb. I allowed as how the blackflies were still around, but not terribly problematic, the mosquitoes were quite numerous and taking over my house, and the deerflies were holding their own. Mostly, however, I told her of how the large black “house” flies were filling up my kitchen window and buzzing around the house until all hours of the night.

From here the conversation turned to her childhood. She told me of how her father had deer hanging in the cellar at all times of the year so the family could eat. Sometimes in summer the meat would start to get rather ripe. And then the flies arrived: they would line the doors, crawl on the tables. For a small child, they could be quite terrifying.

This got me thinking of how, in the summer, the flies in my kitchen can also be rather revolting, for I’ve seen their presence marked not only by their large furry bodies buzzing in windows, around lamps, and against the ceiling, but also in the eggs they lay on the cat’s uneaten wet food, and even in the container of kitchen scraps that haven’t made it out to the compost pile.

Flies, especially certain species, have a phenomenal talent for finding rotting flesh (be it cat food, roadkill, or a person who has slipped silently into that still night after turning in the evening before). And it doesn’t take long. A couple years ago another friend brought me a “freshly dead” young mink she had found by the lake. “It’s only been dead for a few hours,” she said, so I took it to prepare as a study skin. I was leery of doing so, for the idea of cutting into a body filled with maggots was not appealing. From the outside, the animal seemed to be as “clean” as she stated, but once I got to work, I discovered the mouth and anus filled with eggs – the flies had already descended.

For over 2000 years the idea of spontaneous generation held sway in the world. This theory was based on the apparent fact that life could suddenly occur where previously it was absent. For example, a dirty shirt wadded up in a corner with some grains would suddenly produce mice. Likewise, meat left out on a table would one day be full of maggots. It wasn’t until the mid-1600s that an Italian scientist, Francesco Redi, questioned this concept. Using the scientific method, he began testing his new theory, that flies sprang from eggs laid by other flies, rather than just instantaneously appearing in decaying meat.

Today, of course, we are all familiar with the idea of flies invading the deceased. This is why in modern society most of us have our bodies pumped full of preservatives (three to four gallons) before we are placed in our hermetically sealed subterranean vaults for all eternity. The idea of the worms (maggots) crawling in and out (whether to play pinochle or not) is bound to give the still-living the creeps. Still, it is a natural process and one for which we should all be grateful, for if it weren’t for the free janitorial services of various flies and beetles, not to mention carrion eaters like vultures, ravens and eagles, our world would be a much smellier and more-disease ridden place.

Flies are attracted to the gasses that are created when decomposition begins, which can sometimes be within seconds of death. The first to arrive are often blow flies, which have been known to descend even before death takes place. It was in the late-1800s that Jean Pierre Megnin began to determine a “post-mortem clock” based on which insects (their eggs and/or larvae) were present on a corpse. He spent the next 30 years studying what has now become the science of forensic entomology, a topic with which many of us are now familiar thanks to television series such as CSI.

I, for one, am grateful that these flies (and other carrion eaters) are around. Without their services, we’d be buried to our eyebrows in the bodies of every living thing that ever inhabited this planet, from dinosaurs to daisies. Well, in truth, if decomposers didn’t exist, I doubt life would have continued on this planet, for soon all the resources would’ve been consumed and nothing would have replaced them.

Recycling, that’s really what it’s all about. I used to make this speech to school groups back in the ‘90s when recycling was big. I don’t know how much impact it made on the minds of all the second and fourth graders who heard it, but to me it made quite an image for my imagination. I wanted to stress to the kids that recycling was important, whether it was cans and bottles in their homes, or the bodies of animals and plants in the woods. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. In the end, we must all return to the earth. This planet only has a finite amount of material upon it, and if things are not recycled, returned to their basic components to be reused in the future, well, life simply won’t be able to continue.

When the times comes for me to shuffle off this mortal coil, I hope to have what is now called a “green burial.” There are only a few places that have been legally approved for this, but I think it is well worth considering. Our bodies are wrapped in a natural fiber cloth, maybe placed in a simple wooden box, and then placed directly in the ground. No embalming, no $10,000 casket made of mahogany or some other valuable wood, no metal vault. Just slip me into the earth and plant a tree above me. My body will then nourish the earth, and provide life to other living things. This way we can continue to “live,” rather than being suspended in an artificial limbo. I cannot think of any greater tribute for a life well spent.

In the meantime, while I still find them highly annoying, I am willing to give flies a little more leeway in my life. Sure, I will swat those that insist on being pests, but in their rightful places, flies are important and I’m grateful they are there. That said, I do monitor the cat’s food a little more diligently - a plate full of writhing maggots is enough to turn the appetite of even the piggiest of cats.

Photo: A carrion beetle burying a dead mole. Ellen Rathbone.

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To The Top: Biking The Whiteface Memorial Highway

File this one under, "What took so long?"

The Olympic Regional Development Authority, which operates Whiteface Mountain, will let bicyclists ride the Whiteface Memorial Highway, a 5-mile auto road, to the summit for a $5 fee during its summer operations.

Extreme cyclists have always plied their leg strength against Whiteface's 3,500-foot climb from Wilmington (2,300 feet from the toll booth). But bicycles have never been allowed on the road when the toll booth was open during the summer -- they had to sneak in before or after hours.

Why? Turns out the culprit was an old DEC memo that prohibited non-motorized transportation on the road, said ORDA spokesman Jon Lundin. "We just kind of abided by that," he said. "There hasn't been a demand until recently."

These days, more and more people are taking bikes to the Adirondacks, as witnessed by Whiteface's mountain-bike activities at the ski center, a nearby mountain biking area called the Flume Trail system and the debate about turning railroad tracks into rail-trails happening a few miles away.

Finally, someone at ORDA thought to ask the DEC to rethink the memo. Turns out, now it's OK.

So, if you want to ride during the day -- and get to visit the summit house -- it's $5 per cycle. Helmets are required (but you'd be a fool to go screaming down that hill without one anyway). Whiteface is the state's fifth-highest peak at 4,867 feet.

Cheapskates who just want to ride to the top can still ride around the gate before or after hours for free.

For those who like thrill, challenge and lactic burn of hill-climbing, Whiteface is only one of a handful of mountains in the Northeast that allow cycling to the top. Mt. Washington in New Hampshire (6,288) and Mt. Mansfield (4,393) and Mt. Equinox (3,850) in Vermont do not let cyclists on their roads, except during a yearly race held on those peaks.

In Massachusetts, cyclists are allowed to ride up the road to Mt. Greylock, the state's highest peak, but the elevation is not nearly as high as these more significant peaks. Further to the northeast, Ascutney, Okemo and Burke mountains in Vermont all allow bikes to the top (but with pitches significantly steeper than Whiteface's 8-percent grade).

Photo courtesy of ORDA.

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Tupper Lake Woodsmen’s Days, July 10-11

The Tupper Lake Woodsmen’s Days, which has grown from a small local one-day affair to a large two-event attracting thousands of visitors, will be celebrating its 29th year this July 11th and 12th. The event features lumberjack and lady jack events, heavy equipment contests, the Adirondacks’ largest horse-pull, chain saw carvings, and a wide range of games and contests for geared toward the entire family.

The festivities kick off Friday evening and the public is invited to join with woodsmen, heavy equipment operators and representatives of the woods industry at the event's annual banquet - this year being held at the Park Restaurant on Park Street in Tupper Lake, beginning at 6 p.m.

Woodsmen’s Days will kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday morning with what organizers are calling "one of the largest parades ever staged in the North Country." "The miles long procession, featuring well over 50 entries of floats, marching bands and logging equipment, will wind its way through the business district en route to the municipal park where the thrilling events take place," according to a press notice.

Contestants (lumberjacks and lady jacks) from around the United States and Canada, will chop, saw, roll and maneuver heavy logs in a number of contests beginning at noon. The events that day will include open and modified chain sawing (four classes), cross-cut and buck-saw matches, log rolling, axe throwing, human log skidding, tree felling and horizontal log chop.

Last year Dave Engasser of Cortland and Julie Miller of Branchport were crowned 2009 Lumberjack of the Year and 2009 Lumberjill of the Year.

Outside the park staging area, as well as the lakefront area, various vendors and heavy equipment dealers will be on display. Games and contests, as well as a varied menu of food and refreshments will also be offered both days.

That afternoon, at 1 p.m. in the heavy equipment area, heavy equipment operators from around the northeast will face off in the popular loading competition.

A highlight of the evening will begin at 7 p.m. when youngsters compete in their own games. At 7:30 p.m., the men and women to take over the area to team up in various competitions including the tug-of-war and greased pole climb.

At noon Sunday, the Adirondacks’ largest horse pull will compete for nearly $4,000 in prizes in the heavy and lightweight horse pull divisions; skidding and truck driving competitions will begin at 1 pm. Last year Jon Duhaime emerged as the 2009 Heavy Equipment Operator of the Year.

For more information or a reservation for Friday's banquet contact the Woodsmen’s Association at (518) 359-9444 or online at http://www.woodsmendays.com/.

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Adirondack Family Activities with Diane Chase: Lake Placid Horse Show

By Diane Chase, Adirondack Family Activities

Watching the Lake Placid Horse Show may be intimidating for anyone without a background in Show Jumping but don't let inexperience allow a wonderful event to pass by. (My horse experiences consist of trail rides on only the oldest and most gentle animals.) For a dollar you can take a walking tour and learn the ins and outs of jumping. The Lake Placid Horse Show Association offers weekday in-depth visits behind the scenes of the grounds. The tour meets in the vendor section of the horse grounds.

I sit watching the Amateur-Owner Jumper section while waiting for the guided "behind the scene" walking tour to start. My children ask me what was going on and I readily admit I am not prepared for the onslaught of questions. (If you are not familiar with the scoring system either print out the online Spectator Guide or purchase the 90-page souvenir program onsite for $3.00.)

In Show Jumping each horse and rider needs to clear 15-20 obstacles within the set time. My son starts looking for clean rounds and faults. He notices when the horse is penalized four points for each fault: refusing to jump an obstacle, a knock-down or exceeding the time. He starts asking more questions, but our tour is about to start and I am able to shift the responsibility to our guide.

We are shown around a tent city that has been erected for these two events. Portable stalls have been decorated with the owner’s or farm’s colors. We look for the beginning of a trophy wall where ribbons have been proudly displayed, a splash of color amongst the beige tents. A visit to the traveling veterinary, large animal ambulance and farrier are the highlights for my children. One whispers for me to ask if we could have a demonstration of a horse being hung from the ambulance sling. I am sure a collective shiver went up the spine of all competitors. No, but we can see the farrier shoe a horse.

This modern blacksmith is an important part of the competitor’s pit crew. Each horse is different; therefore each shoe is custom fit. Gone is hand-forged iron, replaced by electric tools contained in the back of a pick-up.

Our tour ends and we have gleaned enough information to watch the next event. My son recognizes the name of a farm we had seen on the tour. We stick around to see if they will add more ribbons to their wall.

The Lake Placid Horse Show ends July 4th with a smooth transition to the I Love New York Horse Show July 6 – 11. Show hours are from 8:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $2.00 weekdays and $5.00 on the weekend. Children under 12 are free. Admission is free if you take the free Lake Placid Trolley. The guided walking tour is $1.00/person on Wednesday-Friday at 11:30 AM. For more information please call the Lake Placid Horse Show Association at 523-9625. All events take place a the Lake Placid Horse Show Grounds at 5514 Cascade Road.


photo and content © Diane Chase, Adirondack Family Activities ™. Diane is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities Guidebook Series including the recent released Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks Your Guide to Over 300 Activities for Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, Keene, Jay and Wilmington areas (with GPS coordinates) This is the first book of a four-book series of Adirondack Family Activities. The next three editions will cover Plattsburgh to Ticonderoga, Long Lake to Old Forge and Newcomb to Lake George. 

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Chris Morris: Fall 2010 Election Preview

We're a little more than two months out from the September primary elections, so it's a good time to take stock on what we'll be dealing with this fall.

Statewide, the governor's race is sure to capture most of the headlines, although early polling indicates Democrat Andrew Cuomo will be our next governor.

Former Long Island Congressman Rick Lazio is the front-runner for the Republicans, and then there's Carl Paladino, who's picked up some tea party support and hopes to challenge Lazio come September.

And Mr. Paladino has already added a little sizzle and spice to what has so far been a ho-hum gubernatorial race. For starters, some of the first press the Buffalo-area mogul received followed leaked emails that featured racist material and images of bestiality. That's one way to kick off a campaign with a bang.

Then, last week, Paladino set his sights on New York Governor David Paterson. During a meeting with voters and some members of the press, including Jude Seymour of the Watertown Daily Times, Paladino called the governor a "drug addict."

Seymour recorded the meeting, and you can watch it here.

The comments were downplayed by Paterson and his staff, perhaps because Paterson isn't running for reelection and has more important things to worry about at the moment (see: NY's ongoing budget mess).

In fact, Paladino's comments about Paterson seem to have caught the ear of voters who were unfamiliar with him. Judging from subsequent interviews, it doesn't appear that Paladino will back off in the near future.

Howie Hawkins is running for governor as the Green Party's candidate. Hawkins' has a history of activism that dates back to the 1960s; in 2005, he ran for mayor of the city of Syracuse on the Green Party Line. He also ran for the U.S. Senate in 2006, during which he campaigned to end the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

There's tons more about Hawkins at his website.

There's a fourth person in the mix, but whether or not he'll end up in a primary battle with Cuomo is hard to say. Charles Barron is a New York City councilman who says he's running for governor because there' s a lack of diversity on the ticket this year.

Barron is referring to the fact that most of the gubernatorial candidates are white men. He says he'll run on the newly-formed New York Freedom Democratic Party line.

In the Adirondack region, it's the two Congressional elections that are sure to dominate headlines here on out. Democratic Representative Bill Owens faces a potential three-way race in the 23rd Congressional District, as Republican businessman Matt Doheny and Conservative accountant Doug Hoffman gear up for a September primary.

Doheny has stated he'll bow out of the race if he loses the primary. Hoffman, on the other hand, says he'll forge ahead on the Conservative line if he fails to lock up the Republican line.

The wrangling in the 23rd district begs the question: does a three-way race guarantee a second Owens victory?

In an interview with North Country Public Radio, Siena Research Institute pollster Steven Greenberg told Jonathan Brown there's some concern with the conservative block of voters that a split ticket will end in Owens winning again. Conversely, on the liberal side, voters may be prematurely raising their glasses in victory.

I asked Upstate New York Tea Party (UNYTEA) chairman Mark Barie about the "third party" issue. Here's what he told me:

"It's a question on both sides of the political aisle now," he said. "Hoffman has the Conservative Party endorsement, Doheny has the Independence Party's support. Continuing in the race on a third party line, for either candidate, is very difficult."

Barie also said that Doheny is "no Dede Scozzafava." I took that to mean he's a more cut and dry Republican candidate than the North Country Assemblywoman -- who ended up throwing her support behind Owens just days before the election.

The 20th Congressional District election will be easier to follow. Republican Chris Gibson will challenge incumbent Democrat Scott Murphy, who won the seat last year in a special election to replace U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

There's also the two U.S. Senate races, as Gillibrand and Charles Schumer both battle to keep their seats. It should be a good ride, and I'll do my best here to keep you updated on developments as they occur.

If you like politics, buckle up. This fall should be fun.

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Summer Ski Jumping Season Begins in Lake PLacid

A tradition that dates back to the beginning of the 20th century will continue Saturday, July 3, when ski jumpers take to the Olympic Jumping Complex for the beginning of the summer ski jumping season.

Summer ski jumping actually began on snow when blocks of ice were removed from area lakes and stored until needed for the competitions. This ice was brought to the jumps and crushed into the hill. Crews laboriously spread this “snow” along the length of the site to allow the event to occur.

In the late-1980s artificial surfaces, introduced in Europe for summer training, made their way to Lake Placid. Now the in-run, where the jumpers gain speed, is made of porcelain tile troughs, while the landing hill is a synthetic surface layered like a thatched roof. When the in-run and the landing hill are watered, the result is a winter replica of speeds and jumping distance.

The July 3 winner will have a leg up on the 2010 Art Devlin Cup chase. This is a season-long series that includes the July 3 event, the Flaming Leaves meet in October and the Masters Ski Jump in December. The day begins at 1 p.m. with the first of two official rounds.

Admission is $15 for adults, $9 for juniors and seniors and includes a chairlift ride and an elevator ride to the top of the 120-meter ski jump. Food and drinks are offered by ORDA’s concessionaire.

Admission into this event is included when purchasing an Olympic Sites Passportwhich provides purchasers access to each of ORDA’s Olympic venues for $29. They are sold at the ORDA Store on Main Street in Lake Placid and all ticket offices. For more information about the Olympic Sites Passport can be found online.

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Wilderness on the Raquette River:Should Motorboats Be Banned?

Ah, the ideal Adirondack day: sunny, mild, few people, no bugs. These circumstances aligned the other day when I paddled from Axton Landing to Raquette Falls.

The six-mile trip up the Raquette River is one of the more popular flatwater paddles in the Adirondacks. (Click here for a description and photos.) Meandering upriver, you see lovely silver maples overhanging grassy banks, kingfishers darting across the water, common mergansers with their young in train, inlets that lead to hidden marshes.

And buoys. Lots of red and green buoys. I didn’t count them all (it was too nice a day to be bothered with that), but there must be more than a dozen between Axton and the falls.

The buoys serve as a reminder that the Raquette is open to motorboat traffic. This is the case even though the river forms the western boundary of the High Peaks Wilderness, where all motorized use is prohibited.

A few years ago, the historian Philip Terrie argued in the Adirondack Explorer that the motors should be banned from this part of the Raquette. The presence of powerboats and jet-skis, he wrote, “barbarously violates an otherwise idyllic stream.”

Terrie’s argument will carry more weight if and when the state purchases Follensby Park from the Adirondack Nature Conservancy. The 14,600-acre tract lies across the river from the High Peaks Wilderness. When the Nature Conservancy bought the property in 2008, environmental activists suggested that it eventually should be added to the High Peaks Wilderness or constitute its own Wilderness Area. If this happens, this stretch of the Raquette will lie within Wilderness—a circumstance that would argue for, and perhaps compel, a prohibition on motors.

Doubtless, local officials would fight such a move. After the conservancy bought the land, Tupper Lake Mayor Mickey Desmarais said residents would be outraged if the state tries to ban motors. “That’ll be a battle,” he told the Explorer. “It’s another right you’re taking away.”

If, as expected, the state buys Follensby, we’re sure to see a debate on two related questions: Should the property be classified as Wilderness or Wild Forest (the latter would permit some motorized use)? And should the Raquette be motor-free?

The arguments for banning motorboats on the Raquette are (1) it is a wild, remote area where noisy, polluting motors are out of place and (2) there is a need in the Adirondacks for more “quiet waters” where paddlers can enjoy nature in peace.

As a paddler, I am in favor of more quiet waters. As a journalist, I understand there are two sides to every story. And I’d like to hear them both.

Should motorboats be banned on this part of the Raquette River? Weigh in.

Photo by Phil Brown: Buoy on the Raquette River.

Phil Brown is the editor of the Adirondack Explorer newsmagazine.

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Local Power and Energy History: Windmill Déjà Vu

Scores of gigantic wind turbines in the Adirondacks’ northeastern and southwestern foothills are a startling site amidst historically bucolic scenery. The landscape appears “citified,” with structures nearly 40 stories high where the largest buildings rarely top 3 stories. It is a dramatic change, and a far cry from simpler days when family farms were prevalent.

Few realize that in those “simpler days” of dairy farms, windmills were actually quite common across the region. Of course, the windmills once dotting the North Country’s landscape were nothing like today’s behemoths, which stand nearly 400 feet high from the ground to the tip of a skyward-pointing blade. And, the windmills of old weren’t always efficient machines.

Wind technology took a tremendous leap forward in the 1850s thanks to Daniel Halladay, a Connecticut machinist. Halladay’s windmill not only pumped water, but automatically turned to face into the wind as it changed directions. Almost as important, he devised a way to control the speed of the blades (windmills are prone to destruction from within when operating at high rpm levels). Halladay established the US Wind Engine & Pump Company, setting up shop in Illinois. From the start, the business flourished.

Though his sales were focused on the country’s expansion westward, New York State was also experiencing dramatic growth, particularly in the remote northern Adirondack foothills, where pioneers faced a harsh climate and difficult living conditions. Halladay’s invention eventually helped turn some of those weather negatives into positives by taking advantage of wind patterns across upper New York State.

In 1874, the railroad was expanding north from Whitehall towards Plattsburgh. Since steam engines require water, the line generally followed the shore of Lake Champlain. Tanks were constructed along the route where the rails neared the lakeshore. Steam pumps or windmills were used to fill the feeder tanks, which had a capacity of 33,000 gallons each.

As settlers moved north on both sides of the Adirondacks, windmill technology crept northward with them. Farming was necessary for survival, and the enormous workload was eased by mechanical devices like windmills. The description of one man’s operation about 18 miles south of Lowville was typical of the times: “ … a beautiful farm of 280 acres, milks 35 cows, and is a model farm. House, barns, windmill pump, all systematically arranged.”

In situations like that, windmills often filled tanks placed on the upper floor of a barn. The water was then gravity-fed to the livestock below, and piped to other locations as needed. The machine was also used to grind various grains. Early models were mounted on wooden frames, but many fell victim to the very power they were trying to harness, toppling before raging windstorms. Eventually, steel frames supported most windmills.

Wind power wasn’t just for individual homes and farms. In July 1879, H. H. Babcock & Sons of Watertown was hired to install a windmill at 1000 Islands State Park. Water was drawn from the St. Lawrence River to large tanks near the dining hall, and from there was conducted to the various cottages by galvanized iron pipe.

And at Hermon, a contract for $6,595.00 was signed with Daniel Halladay’s company to install a new waterworks system. Included were a wooden tank of 50,000-gallon capacity, a windmill with a wheel diameter of 20 feet, and more than a mile of piping. The frost-proof tank was 24 feet in diameter, 16 feet high, and 3 inches thick. It sat on a trestle 20 feet high, while the windmill stood on a trestle 80 feet high.

Many hotels, including the Whitney House in Norwood and the Turin House in Turin, used windmills to power their water systems. At Chazy, windmills pumped water from the quarries; at Port Henry, they filled water tanks for the trains; and at Saranac Lake, they fed the water supply of the Adirondack Sanitarium.

In 1889, George Baltz of Watertown handled the Halladay display at the Jefferson County Fair, demonstrating that windmills furnished cheaper power than steam engines and could run a feed mill, a circular saw for cutting wood, or pump water.

Though Halladay’s products were widely known, he did have competitors. Some added their own modifications, and some were “copycats.” And they weren’t all products from afar. In 1882, an advertisement touted a windmill “warranted to take care of itself in high winds, equal to the best western mills, and is sold for half the money. It is manufactured at Potsdam.” It featured a self-regulator, and appeared to be based on Halladay’s own successful model.

In the late 1890s, most of the windmills in the Ticonderoga and Lake George area were products of the Perkins Windmill Company, which had already installed more than 50 units across the lake in Vermont. Though windmills in the Midwest were primarily for irrigation, most of those in the North Country supplied water to homes, businesses, and farm animals.

Wind power did face competition from other sources. Gasoline engines became more and more common, offering a reliable alternative. However, they were expensive, noisy, and costly to run. An operator had to be present to start and stop a gas engine, while windmills employed a system of floats to start and stop filling the tanks automatically. A once-a-week oiling was the only required maintenance. The biggest problem at the time was that gas engines ran when you wanted them to, but windmills depended on the weather.

The giant turbines we see in northern New York today are not a new idea. In a peek at the future, Charles Brush of Cleveland, Ohio demonstrated in 1888 the first use of a large windmill to generate electricity. As early as 1895, observers noted that windmills were “destined to be much used for storing electricity. We predict an immense future for the windmill industry.”

In 1910, a farm in America’s Midwest employed windmills to charge a bank of batteries. Wind power provided electricity to light the farm and operate the equipment, and when the wind didn’t blow, the farm ran on battery power for a few days.

By 1925, wind turbines had been used to run refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, and power tools. And in 1926, the NYS Fair urged farmers to purchase windmills, using a 12-foot-high model to show the benefits they might enjoy. It was an enticing glimpse at the potential of electricity. Ironically, the popularity of windmills soon became their undoing.

Though they were a wonderful source of cheap power, the main problem was intermittent operation. When the wind didn’t blow, the tools didn’t go. Battery storage systems were only good for brief periods, and people wanted power WHEN they wanted it. Soon, another overriding factor arose—the growing need for huge amounts of electricity.

By the late 1930s and 1940s, constantly flowing electricity was the goal, relegating wind power to the background of the energy battle. It was still used, and advancements were pursued, but success was limited. One notable effort was the huge Smith-Putnam windmill installed atop Grandpa’s Knob near Castleton and Rutland, Vermont, in 1941.

Though less than half the size of today’s models, it was still large, featuring a 16-ton, 175-foot steel rotor that turned at 28 RPM. Occasional use ended abruptly in 1945 when metal fatigue caused the blade to snap, hurling a huge section 1000 feet down the mountain.

In the North Country, windmills have returned after a long hiatus. They stand ten times taller than their predecessors, and now pump electricity instead of water. Where potato, hop, and dairy farms once dominated, the wind farms of today stand above all others.

Photo Top: Windmills 400 feet tall at Churubusco (and another under construction in the foreground).

Photo Middle Right: Typical use of windmill to fill railroad water tanks.

Photo Middle Left: Halladay windmills were offered by George Baltz of Watertown.

Photo Bottom: Advertisement for Halladay’s company.

Lawrence Gooley has authored eight books and several articles on the North Country's past. He and his partner, Jill McKee, founded Bloated Toe Enterprises in 2004 and have recently begun to expand their services and publishing work. For information on book publishing, visit Bloated Toe Publishing.

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VIC Commentary: Vital Service, No One's Responsibility

I went to the ceremony this week that formally announced plans for a smooth transition of the Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) in Newcomb from the Adirondack Park Agency to the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

It was a great relief to learn that APA, SUNY and the Town of Newcomb had been planning for this transfer of responsibilities even before the Governor’s budget announced plans to close both VICs in 2011. The fate of Paul Smith’s VIC remains very much up in the air, despite a long-held awareness that interpreting the Adirondack environment is a vitally important job and service that should be available to anybody throughout the Adirondacks at low or no cost.

The tragedy of the commons holds that all parts of the environment that we share in common is everybody’s to use, perhaps to exploit, and nobody’s to care for. The resource seems abundant, someone is responsible, it just isn’t me. The failure to systematically make the incredibly diverse and exciting natural and cultural history of the Adirondacks accessible to more Adirondackers and visitors to the Park is one of those tragedies.

Interpreting what is in a Park, and how it came to be there, and how it relates to people’s lives is a fundamental mission of the National Park Service, but not of any one agency in the Adirondack Park. It is said that not systematically offering to interpret a place to which so many are drawn, like the Adirondacks, is akin to inviting someone into your own home, and then abruptly disappearing. How many families have come and left the Park without ever encountering an Adirondack expert, in whatever field, who is also well versed in this form of public communication? Well over ten million people visit the Park each year. Less than one percent may seek out or casually encounter someone who can deepen their awareness, understanding and knowledge of Adirondack wildlife, Forest Preserve, unique architecture, or cultural history. This failure to reach more people with expert interpretation remains one of the greatest gaps in the continuing maturation and overall performance of the Adirondack Park.

The building and opening of the NYS APA’s VICs at Paul Smith’s and Newcomb in the late 1980s were expected to be the catalyst for the development of a well distributed and coordinated network of interpretive services across the Park. The Commission on the Adirondacks in the 21st century made the “development of a comprehensive interpretive system for the Adirondack Park” one of the core functions of a proposed Adirondack Park Service (see the Commission’s Technical Report Vol. 1, #11 by Thomas L. Cobb, one of the Commission’s staff). Once built, in the 1990s the APA finally selected Adirondack Discovery as its nonprofit partner or arm of the VICs. Discovery featured expert presentations, coupled with field trips covering a wide range of Adirondack subjects, and convened these programs in town halls and libraries throughout the region, thus expanding the reach of the two VICs at very low cost since all expertise and service delivery were volunteered. Discovery’s founder, Joan Payne of Inlet, said at a 1987 conference called Envisioning an Interpretive Future for the Adirondack Park (see Cobb), “the trick in this whole field of interpretation is to bring together people who are receptive and eager to learn with people whose love of the place and all of its components just overflows.” She and Discovery did this very well for 25 years. I was just one of hundreds of people she invited to speak to local audiences throughout the summer months. In my case, I spoke about the Park’s conservation history that dated to the 19th century, and tried to relate that history to current events and threats. These talks and walks introduced me to some great towns and villages, people filled with curiosity and local knowledge, and opportunities for enlisting them in our cause of protecting the Adirondack Park.

Adirondack Discovery has ended its work, Joan died in 2009, and the VICs are threatened with closure. We can be grateful that the Newcomb VIC will in 2011 be under new management which has a similar commitment to “educational resources for both students and visitors so that they can learn about the wonders of ecology in the Adirondacks” (SUNY ESF President Neil Murphy). I walked Newcomb’s Peninsula Trail after the ceremony, feeling the freshness of discovery that I felt in 1990, gratitude for all the staff and volunteers who for 20 years have devoted themselves to enriching the lives of visitors, and the hope that anybody who comes here in future years will be guaranteed the chance to meet a naturalist who can help them gain fresh insights, and rekindle their love of and commitment to this Park that is so unique on planet earth.

Hopefully, Paul Smith’s College and other partners will help maintain and extend the services of the Paul Smith’s VIC. Meanwhile, The Wild Center, Adirondack Museum, Adirondack Architectural Heritage, Adirondack Mountain Club, Adirondack Explorer, and many other diverse institutions are doing wonderful interpretive work. The stubborn questions still remain: who is coordinating and marketing all of those efforts? Who is ensuring that visitors and residents alike receive a schedule of all their program offerings? This continued failure to guarantee a Park-wide system of interpretive services is a gap we all share in common, and a problem nobody has the clear responsibility to solve. As Tom Cobb wrote for the Commission, “the future of education and interpretation in the Adirondack Park hinges on the acceptance of this role as an integral part of park operation and management.”

Photo: From the Peninsula Trail, Rich Lake, Newcomb VIC

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New Director for SUNY Cortland's Raquette Lake Camps

Officials at SUNY Cortland have announced a new director for the school's Center for Environmental and Outdoor Education which oversees outdoor and environmental education facilities including the operations at three historic camps on Raquette Lake.

Robert L. Rubendall, who has spent 30 years overseeing environmental and experiential education at institutions in New England and Wisconsin, was named the director of outdoor education at SUNY Cortland on June 1 replacing Jack Sheltmire, who will retire on June 30.

Created in 1991, the Center for Environmental and Outdoor Education includes: the Outdoor Education Center, encompassing Camp Huntington (formerly Camp Pine Knot), Antlers (a former resort), and Kirby Camp (a part of Camp Pine Knot believed to have been built for William West Durant's mistress). All three are located on Raquette Lake about 155 miles northeast of the Cortland campus. The Center also operates the Brauer Education Center near Albany and the Hoxie Gorge Nature Preserve south of the campus in Cortland County.

Residing at Camp Huntington, Rubendall will make periodic visits to the other facilities. He is responsible for scheduling facilities usage, overseeing lodging operations, managing five budgets, supervising five staff members, marketing and promoting the facilities, engaging in fundraising activities and arranging for some maintenance tasks. He will work with the New York State Parks and Recreation and Historical Preservation Office and the National Parks Service to ensure that the upkeep, maintenance and renovation of the Camp Huntington facility are consistent with its historical landmark designation, according to Cortland officials.

Rubendall of Rindge, N.H., most recently served as director of the Boston University Sargent Center in Peterborough, N.H., from 1995 until 2009.

Photo: Guide boat in front of Antlers, approximately 1902. Library of Congress photo.

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Adirondack Museum Calls For Quilts

Do you have an exceptional bed quilt or pieced wall hanging that was made in, inspired by, or depicts the Adirondack region?

The Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake is seeking quilts for "The Second Annual Great Adirondack Quilt Show" to be held from September 14 to October 17, 2010. The show will be part of the museum's Fabric and Fiber Arts Festival and will complement the exhibit "Common Threads: 150 Years of Adirondack Quilts and Comforters."

There will be two divisions in the show. Historic quilts (those made before 1970) can be of any theme or technique, but must have been made in the Adirondacks. Modern quilts (those made after 1970) should have a visible connection to the Adirondack region.


An eligible quilt might depict an Adirondack scene in appliqué or be composed of pieced blocks chosen because the pattern is reminiscent of the region - "Pine Tree," Wild Goose Chase," or "North Star," for example.

A "People's Choice" award will be presented to one quilt in each division.

Although the show will not be juried, applicants must complete a registration form prior to September 11, 2010. A statement by the maker is required to complete the application process. For additional information or to receive an application, please contact Hallie Bond via email at hebond@adkmuseum.org , by telephone at (518) 352-7311, ext. 105, or through the postal service at P.O. Box 99, Blue Mountain Lake, NY, 12812.

Photo: Winner of the "Best in Show" award at the quilt show held as part of the Adirondack Museum's Fabric and Fiber Arts Festival on September 19, 2009. The quilt is "Poppies" and was made by Betty deHaas Walp of Johnsburg, New York, in 2006.

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APA Extends Comment Period For Jessup River UMP

The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) has extended the public comment period for the Jessup River Wild Forest Unit Management Plan (UMP) amendment. The APA will continue to accept public comments on Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (APSLMP) compliance for the Jessup River Wild Forest unit management plan (UMP) amendment until August 2, 2010. A proposed final UMP amendment was completed by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). It was subject to a series of public meetings and public input. The Agency will accept public comments on the proposals contained in the UMP amendment until 12:00 PM on August 2, 2010.

This amendment addresses changes to the Jessup River Wild Forest snowmobile trail system. Proposals are in accordance with DEC and APA adopted snowmobile trail guidance and the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan. Jointly adopted guidance established a “community connector” snowmobile trail class. Community connector trails can be 9-feet in width which is one foot wider than previously allowed under DEC snowmobile trail maintenance policy. The new guidance also calls for the elimination of trails that lead onto ice-covered water bodies and dead-end trails while promoting snowmobile trails near the periphery of Wild Forest units.

The Jessup River Wild Forest lies in the south-central Adirondack Park. It sits entirely within Hamilton County in the Towns of Arietta, Wells, Indian Lake, Lake Pleasant and the Village of Speculator. The DEC estimates the size of the planning area at 47,350 acres. The area includes Snowy Mountain, the highest peak in the southern Adirondacks – elevation 3,899 feet, more than 24 ponds and lakes – the largest being Fawn Lake and approximately 73 miles of rivers including parts of the Cedar, Indian, Jessup, Miami and Sacandaga rivers.

The UMP amendment is available for viewing or downloading from the Adirondack Park Agency website.

All written comments pertaining to State Land Master Plan compliance should be addressed to:

Richard Weber, Assistant Director, Planning
Planning Division, Adirondack Park Agency
P.O. Box 99
Ray Brook, NY 12977

Or e-mail: apa_slmp@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

The Adirondack Park Agency Board is currently scheduled to consider a compliance determination on the Jessup River Wild Forest UMP amendment at the August 12 and 13 Agency meeting. Any written comments received by 12:00 PM on August 2, 2010 will become part of the public record. Written comments received after 12:00 PM on August 2, 2010, will be provided to Agency Board members on meeting day but will not be part of the Agency meeting materials mailed to the members or posted on the APA website.

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Weibrecht's Bronze Medal on Display in Lake Placid

The Lake Placid 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Museum has added another piece to its collection of artifacts from last February’s 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada, Andrew Weibrecht’s men’s Super-G bronze medal.

“The medal was turned over for display and for safe keeping between appearances,” noted museum curator Liz Defazio. “It’s so nice for these athletes to have a place where they can share their accomplishments with others… sort of their home away from home.”

Weibrecht’s bronze medal helped spark the U.S. alpine ski team to a record eight medals in Vancouver. Overall, the U.S. Olympic squad celebrated its best Olympics ever, claiming the overall medal count with 37.

Nicknamed the “Warhorse” on the international alpine ski tour, Weibrecht began skiing at the age of five at Whiteface Mountain and began racing with the New York Ski Educational Foundation (NYSEF) program by the time he was 10. He had only been on the World Cup circuit since 2006 and Vancouver was his first Olympic Winter Games.

There are quite a number of artifacts on display in the museum from the 2010 winter games donated by several of the 12 area athletes who competed, as well as coaches and officials. The artifacts include race gear, Opening Ceremony clothing, official U.S. Olympic team clothing, event tickets, programs and pins.

Lake Placid’s 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Museum features the largest collection of winter Olympic artifacts outside the International Olympic Committee’s museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. Some of the artifacts include the first Winter Olympic medal awarded, gold in 1924 in Chamonix, France, to Lake Placid native and speedskater Charles Jewtraw, equipment worn by U.S. goalie Jim Craig during the 1980 winter games, parade clothing from the 1932 winter games, athletes participation medals and Olympic medals from every winter Olympics.

Admission to the museum is $6 for adults and $4 for juniors and seniors. Admission is also included when purchasing an Olympic Sites Passport. The Passport gives visitors access to each of ORDA’s Olympic venues—from Whiteface Mountain to the Olympic Sports Complex and everything in between. Sold for $29 at the ORDA Store and all of our ticket offices, the Passport saves you time, money, and gets you into the venues at a good value. For more information about the Olympic Sites Passport, log on to http://www.whiteface.com/summer/plan/passport.php.

Photo: Andrew Weibrecht's Super-G Bronze Medal. Courtesy 1932 and 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Museum, Lake Placid, NY.

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Cedar Waxwings: Silk-Tailed Birds of the Cedars

Every day for the last three weeks or so, the air has been filled with the thin, high pitched calls of cedar waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum). Highly social birds, they flock together year round as they forage for food in their favorite haunts. Lately these haunts have been the yards and lawns around town, where daily I see their heads popping up from the grassy carpets, peering at me with their beady eyes while they assess whether my presence is threatening or not.

From the first time I saw a cedar waxwing, I fell in love with it. Its feathers are so sleek that they blend together to form a whole, making the bird look like something made of silk or satin. In fact, the name Bombycilla was coined in an attempt to reflect this: silk-tailed. Add to the fine-textured caramel-colored body a jaunty crest, a black mask, a yellow stripe on the tail and wings tipped with “red sealing wax”, and you have one dapper bird.

I recently found a deceased waxwing on the side of the road and had the chance to examine it in great detail. Those bits of red on the wings really do look like someone dripped sealing wax on the ends of the feathers. In truth, however, each red “thing” is merely a flattened extension of the feather’s shaft. It is quite stiff and does feel waxy.

People have speculated for many years the reason(s) for these decorations, and in the 1980s a theory was put forth that the birds use them to assess each other for potential mates. Apparently the number of “droplets” reflects the age of the bird: more droplets means greater age. It seems that the birds select mates who share the same number of droplets as they sport, thus mating with individuals that are the same age. It seems as good a theory as any.

Several years ago, I had a friend who had a parakeet. She had to be sure to provide the bird with red or orange foods to keep its color optimum, otherwise it faded to a pale yellow. Likewise, flamingoes that don’t eat enough shrimp start to loose their pink coloration. The same seems to hold true with the waxwings. Back in the 1960s birds started to show up in the northeast with orange-colored wax droplets instead of red, and orange tips on their tails instead of yellow. It turns out that this color change coincided with the introduction of non-native honeysuckles. The red wax droplets are colored by the presence of certain carotenoid pigments found in the birds’ regular food. The birds eating the foreign fruits consumed different carotneoids and ended up with differently colored feather tips.

Cedar waxwings are one of the most serious fruit-eating birds we have. Most of the year they dine on fruits: cherries, serviceberries, winterberries, dogwood berries, hawthorns, mountain ash, et al (note that all these fruits are red). These small fruits are inhaled whole and digested with such rapidity that the seeds pass right through the birds’ digestive tracts. When fruits are ripe, the flocks sweep in, take a seat on a convenient branch and start gulping them down, although sometimes they will hover mid-air and pluck the fruits. A tree or shrub can be stripped clean in a day or two, and then the flock moves on.

A classic waxwing behavior, and one every bird photographer has captured, is the passing of a fruit from bird to bird. Sometimes this is done between members of the flock, until one bird decides to eat it. Other times it is done as part of a courtship ritual, where the male presents the female with a fruit. She in turn takes it and hops away, contemplating the gift. If she is impressed, she hops back and gives the fruit back to him. This little ritual repeats until the female decides to eat the fruit (or not). Apparently fruit consumption is equivalent to accepting an engagement ring. Shortly thereafter, nest building begins.

By the time late spring and early summer roll around, however, there are few, if any fruits, left for the birds to eat. When this happens, these birds don’t starve and fade away, they have a back up plan. They change their diet to insects. And just as they eat fruit like there is no tomorrow, so, too, do they gorge on insects. This can be quite the boon when insect pests are around, for a flock can go through an insect population like wildfire through a drought-stricken forest. I’d be willing to bet that this is what all those waxwings on the lawns have been doing for the last few weeks: hunting down insects to fill their bottomless bellies. Sadly, this single-minded behavior can get them in trouble, for flocks foraging along roadsides can get run down by passing cars and trucks, like the waxwing I found yesterday.

If you find yourself walking along a forest edge, or a grassy field near a woodlot, keep your eyes and ears open for waxwings. You are bound to hear them, and when you do, it is only a matter of glancing around before you find the source of their distinctive sound.

Photo Courtesy Wikipedia.

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Venison and Potato Chips: Native Foodways Lecture

During the nineteenth century, a number of Adirondack Indians marketed their skill as hunters, guides, basket makers, doctors, and cooks.

On Monday, July 5, 2010 Dr. Marge Bruchac will offer a program entitled "Venison and Potato Chips: Native Foodways in the Adirondacks" at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. Bruchac will focus attention on what might be a lesser-known Native skill - cooking.

The first offering of the season for the museum's Monday Evening Lecture series, the presentation will be held in the Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. There is no charge for museum members. Admission is $5.00 for non-members.

Nineteenth century white tourists paid good money to purchase wild game from Native people, to hunt in their territories, to buy medicines and remedies, and to eat in restaurants or lodgings where Indians held sway in the kitchen.

Dr. Bruchac will highlight stories of individuals such as Pete Francis, notorious for hunting wild game and creating French cuisine; George Speck and Katie Wicks, both cooks at Moon's Lake House and co-inventors of the potato chip; and Emma Camp Mead, proprietress of the Adirondack House, Indian Lake, N.Y., known for setting an exceptionally fine table.

Bruchac contends that these people, and others like them, actively purveyed and shaped the appetite for uniquely American foods steeped in Indigenous foodways.

The Adirondack Museum celebrates food, drink, and the pleasures of eating in the Adirondack Park this year with a new exhibition, "Let's Eat! Adirondack Food Traditions." The exhibit includes a 1915 photograph of Emma Mead as well as her hand-written recipes for "Green Tomato Pickles" and "Cranberry Puffs."

Marge Bruchac, PhD, is a preeminent Abenaki historian. A scholar, performer, and historical consultant on the Abenaki and other Northeastern native peoples, Bruchac lectures and performs widely for schools, museums, and historical societies. Her 2006 book for children about the French and Indian War, Malian's Song, was selected as an Editor's Choice by The New York Times and was the winner of the American Folklore Society's Aesop Award.

Photo: Dr. Marge Bruchac

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Warren County Sheriff Compiling Office's History

In 1958, at the urging of Sheriff Carl McCoy, Warren County’s Board of Supervisors established a marine division within the Sheriff’s department, one of the first local marine patrols in New York State. The supervisors appropriated $5,661 to pay pay the salaries of deputies and to purchase one boat, a 23 foot Lyman utility, for patrolling Lake George.

A photo of that boat being driven by McCoy, reproduced here, will hang on the wall of Warren County’s new Public Safety building, along with other photos documenting the history of the Warren County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff Bud York has launched a drive to assemble and display material associated with the Sheriff’s department, which will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2013.

“I’ve always belonged to law enforcement agencies that valued their history, and the history of the Warren County Sheriff’s Department deserves to be preserved,” said York.

In 1911, York said, Undersheriff Mac R. Smith compiled photographs of the Sheriffs who had had served during the department’s first century.

“Those photos were hung on the walls of the Sheriffs Office in the court house in Lake George, where they remained until Warren County moved to the new municipal center in Queensbury,” York said.

After that, York said, the photos were stored in boxes. County historian John Austin located them and made them available to the Sheriff’s office, which reproduced them. They now hang in the new Public Safety building.

“Among them are Bert Lamb, a relative of Bolton Supervisor Ron Conover’s wife Kathy, Fred Smith, who founded F.R. Smith and Sons and Carl McCoy, the uncle of Lake George Supervisor Frank McCoy,” York said at a press conference to announce the project earlier this week.

Frank McCoy attended the press conference, as did Bill Carboy, the son of Sheriff Bill Carboy, and former Sheriff Fred Lamy.

Because of the number of relatives of former Sheriffs still living in the area, York hopes that the public can help find photos of Sheriffs who are not represented on the wall.

Those former Sheriffs are: Henry Spencer, Jospeh Teft, Artemus Aldrich, James Thurman, Dudley Farin, James Cameron, Luther Brown, King Allen, Stephen Starbuck, Gideon Towsley, William Clothier, Edgar Baker, Truman Thomas and Robert Lilly.

Anyone with any information about any of these Sheriffs should contact Sheriff York at 743-2518.

Photo: Warren County Sheriff's Department

For more news from Lake George, subscribe to the Lake George Mirror

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This Week's Adirondack Web Highlights

• WNBZ / Adirondack Almanack: Adk Conditions Online
• Watershed Post: Dying Bats Sue Salazar
• Albany Project: NY-23 - They Just Can't Help Themselves
• ADKCAP: Sustainability of Woody Biomass
• eNature: The Bird Call Challenge [Game]
• Quick Printing: 'Finch is in the House!' Paper Contest
• Franklin County Historian: Verplanck Colvin Humor
• Fishing Out Loud: NY Bass Federation Tourney
• YouTube: Nightmare On Elm St House Destroyed!!

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Northern Forest Canoe Trail Event Has 740-Mile Goal

The Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2010, and is hosting an international paddling challenge as part of its anniversary festivities.

On Saturday, July 24, kayakers and canoeists paddling on any waterway of the 740-mile trail can contribute to "740 Miles in One Day," with the goal to paddle the total mileage of the trail between sunrise and 5:00 p.m. on that day. Pre-registration for the free event is open at the event website.

"This event is a great excuse for families or a group of friends to get out on a lake, river or pond along the Trail and be a part of our fun anniversary celebration weekend," said NFCT Executive Director Kate Williams.

Jen Lamphere running the Saranac by Mike PrescottMiles will be counted per person, not per boat, so you don't have to be a serious paddler to have a big impact. A canoe with three people making a 5-mile trip will translate to 15 miles toward the goal. Participating paddlers will report their mileage to the designated email address 740@northernforestcanoetrail.org or by calling or texting 802-279-8302. Photos and videos of paddler's experiences can be uploaded on the event website.

Visit northernforestcanoetrail.org/ to see the 13 mapped sections of the water trail in New York, Vermont, southern Québec, New Hampshire and Maine. Choose a portion of the trail close to home or take a road trip to a far off destination. People paddling from Vermont into Canada or from Canada into Vermont should have a passport to show at border patrol stations.

The "740 Miles in One Day" event is part of NFCT's 10th Anniversary Paddler's Rendezvous taking place July 24-25 in Rangeley, Maine. There will be a hosted paddle station set up on Haley Pond in Rangeley from noon to 4:00 p.m. on the 24th to give anniversary celebrants an easy way to contribute to the 740-mile goal.

The total miles paddled will be announced during a Saturday evening anniversary party and dinner at Saddleback Maine resort.

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This Week's Top Adirondack News Stories

• McChrystal Firing Has Local Connection
• Earthquake in Quebec Rattles Locally
• ORDA Fears Facilities Closures
• Essex Co. Seeks Horace Nye Buyers
• Criminal Complaints For Ausable Paddlers
• Little Votes Against Keeping Moriah Open
• Essex Co. Approves Sales Tax Increase
• White Pine Problems Weather Related?
• Townsend Leaves APA With ‘Mixed Feelings’
• Nightmare On Elm St House Threatened

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Current Conditions in the Adirondack Park (June 24)

This announcement is for general use - local conditions may vary and are subject to change. For complete Adirondack Park camping, hiking, and outdoor recreation conditions see the DEC's webpage. A DEC map of the Adirondack Park can also be found online [pdf].

Fire Danger: Low
Be sure campfires are out by drowning them with water. Stir to make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Stir the remains, add more water, and stir again. If you do not have water, use dirt not duff. Do not bury coals as they can smolder and break out into fire later.





Weather
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Saturday: Scattered showers, then thunderstorms likely, a high near 67.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.

Biting Insects
"Bug Season" has begun in the Adirondacks so Black Flies, Mosquitos, Deer Flies and/or Midges will be present. To minimize the nuisance wear light colored clothing, pack a head net and use an insect repellent.

Firewood Ban
Due to the possibilty of spreading invasive species that could devastate northern New York forests (such as Emerald Ash Borer, Hemlock Wooly Adeljid and Asian Longhorn Beetle), DEC prohibits moving untreated firewood more than 50 miles from its source. Forest Rangers have begun ticketing violators of this firewood ban. More details and frequently asked questions at the DEC website.

General Backcountry Conditions

Wilderness conditions can change suddenly. Hikers and campers should check up-to-date forecasts before entering the backcountry as conditions at higher elevations will likely be more severe. All users should bring flashlight, first aid kit, map and compass, extra food, plenty of water and clothing. Be prepared to spend an unplanned night in the woods and always inform others of your itinerary.

Rainy Weather: Due to significant recent rainfalls, trails have mud and/or puddles in many locations. Hikers are advised to wear appropriate footwear and to stay on the trail - hike through muddy areas and puddles to avoid widening the trails or creating "herd paths" around those areas. The rains have also raised the water levels of many streams - particularly during and immediately following storm events - low water crossings may not be accessible.

Blowdowns: Due to recent storms and high winds blowdown may be found on trails, particularly infrequently used side trails. Blowdown may be heavy enough in some places to impede travel.

Bear-Resistant Canisters: The use of bear-resistant canisters is required for overnight users in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness between April 1 and November 30. All food, toiletries and garbage must be stored in bear resistant canisters; DEC encourages the use of bear-resistant canisters throughout the Adirondacks.

Local Conditions

The Raquette River Boat Launch on state Route 3 outside Tupper Lake has reopened, although the floating docks are not expected to be installed until mid-July. The canoe and kayak launch area is not yet open but paddlers can launch at the ramp until that area reopens as well.

New York State Free Fishing Days are this weekend. No license is required to fish the state’s waters on Saturday and Sunday. DEC's other fishing rules and regulations remain in effect.

Santanoni Historic Preserve: Part of the stone bridge on the Newcomb Lake Road to Camp Santanoni has collapsed in recent rains. Hikers and bikers can still pass, but horse trailers can not. DEC is working with the Town of Newcomb to repair the bridge, in the meantime use caution when crossing the bridge.

Moose River Plains Wild Forest: The main Moose River Plains Road (Limekiln Lake-Cedar River Road) is open. DEC, the Town of Inlet, and the Town of Indian Lake have partnered to make repairs to roads and campsites along the road. Gates to side roads, including Rock Dam Road, Indian Lake Road, and Otter Brook Road, remain shut and the roads closed to motor vehicle traffic at this time.

Lake George Wild Forest / Hudson River Recreation Area: Funding reductions have required that several gates and roads remain closed to motor vehicle traffic. These include Dacy Clearing Road, Lily Pond Road, Jabe Pond Road, Gay Pond Road, Buttermilk Road Extension and Scofield Flats Road.

Rock Climbing Route Closures: Peregrine falcon nesting activity has closed a number of Adirondack climbing routes including The Nose on the Main Face of Poke-o-moonshine Mountain, the Upper Washbowl on Giant Mountain, and Moss Cliff in the Wilmington Notch. A complete list of closed routes can be found online.

St. Regis Canoe Area: The carry between Long Pond and Nellie Pond has a lot of blowdown. Also beavers have flooded a section of trail about half way between the ponds. A significant amount of bushwhacking will be needed to get through the carry, so be prepared for a real wilderness experience.

St. Regis Canoe Area: DEC and Student Conservation Association crews will be working throughout the summer to move 8 campsites, close 23 campsites and create 21 new campsites. An online map of the St. Regis Canoe Area depicts the campsites that are being moved, closed or created. Please help protect this work by respecting closure signs. Work will occur during the week, and only on one or two campsites at a time.

Chimney Mountain / Eagle Cave: DEC is investigating the presence of white-nose syndrome in bats in Eagle Cave near Chimney Mountain. Until further notice Eagle Cave is closed to all public access.

Opalescent River Bridges Washed Out: The Opalescent River Bridge on the East River Trail is out. The cable bridge over the Opalescent River on the Hanging Spear Falls trail has also been washed out. The crossing will be impassable during high water.

High Peaks/Big Slide Ladder: The ladder up the final pitch of Big Slide has been removed.

High Peaks/VanHovenburg Trail: The High Water Bridge has reopened.

Caulkins Brook Truck Trail/Horse Trail: Much of the blowdown on the Caulkins Brook Truck Trail/Horse Trail between the Calkins Brook lean-tos and Shattuck Clearing has been removed. The trail is open for hikers but remains impassable to horses and wagons. DEC crews continue to work to open the trail.

Calamity Dam Lean-to: Calamity Lean-to #1, the lean-to closest to the old Calamity Dam in the Flowed Lands, has been dismantled and removed.

Mt. Adams Fire Tower: The cab of the Mt. Adams Fire Tower was heavily damaged by windstorms. The fire tower is closed to public access until DEC can make repairs to the structure.

Upper Works - Preston Ponds Washouts: Two foot bridges on the trail between Upper Works and Preston Pond were washed out by an ice jam. One bridge was located 1/3 mile northwest of the new lean-to on Henderson Lake. The second bridge was located several tenths of a mile further northwest. The streams can be crossed by rock hopping. Crossings may be difficult during periods of high water.

Duck Hole: The bridge across the dam has been removed due to its deteriorating condition. A low water crossing (ford) has been marked below the dam near the lean-to site. This crossing will not be possible during periods of high water.

Northville-Placid Trail: Beaver activity has blocked a section between Plumley Point and Shattuck Clearing. Hikers can use a well used, but unmarked, 1/4 mile reroute around the flooded portion of the trail.

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Forecast provided by the National Weather Service; warnings and announcements drawn from NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

The new DEC Trails Supporter Patch is now available for $5 at all outlets where sporting licenses are sold, on-line and via telephone at 1-866-933-2257. Patch proceeds will help maintain and enhance non-motorized trails throughout New York State.

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SUNY ESF Will Take Over Newcomb VIC

Officials from the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) announced today that on July 1, 2010, the APA will transfer ownership of the state-owned buildings and equipment of the Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) in Newcomb to SUNY-ESF. The College will then begin a transitional period with the goal to manage future Newcomb VIC programs, according to a press release.

SUNY-ESF has announced its intention to integrate operations of its Adirondack Ecological Center and the Northern Forest Institute. SUNY-ESF President Cornelius B. Murphy, Jr., said the agreement supports the work of the college’s Adirondack Ecological Center, which is located on the Newcomb property. “This new initiative extends the mission of the AEC, with additional educational resources for both students and visitors so they can learn about the wonders of ecology in the Adirondacks,” Murphy said.

APA staff are expected to provide traditional VIC programming in consultation with SUNY-ESF at the Newcomb facility during the transitional period. Staff will provide interpretive services for the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9am till 5pm. The public will continue to have access to the trail network and exhibit rooms. During this time period, APA staff will also assist SUNY-ESF in the identification of programming needs that meet the college’s goals.

The agreement will include the transfer of all state-owned buildings on the 236 acre Newcomb site. The 6,000-square-foot main public assembly building with its 150-seat multiple purpose room, 700-square-foot exhibit room and staff offices as well as an adjacent 2,500-square-foot garage and classroom building will be surrendered to SUNY-ESF.

After December 31, 2010 programming needs in reference to staffing, hours of operations, public visitation, special programs inclusive of groups and schools, off site programs and outreach will be directly managed and funded by SUNY-ESF.

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Lake Placid Celebrates Olympic Day Saturday

The Lake Placid Olympic Training Center and the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) will be hosting Olympic Day, on Saturday, June 26, from 1-3 p.m. at the Olympic Training Center.

The free event gives families and youngsters the chance to try Olympic sports such as bobsled and biathlon. Participants can even try luge on the fully refrigerated start ramps inside USA Luge’s headquarters. Visitors can also watch freestyle athletes train on trampolines and there will be autograph sessions with luge, bobsled, skeleton, biathlon, ski jumping and freestyle athletes.

Guests will also be given the chance to win great raffle prizes including dinner with an Olympian at the Olympic Training Center and enjoy great games and ice cream. There will also be live music performed by U.S. biathlete and two-time Olympian Lowell Bailey.

Those who participate in Olympic Day will also receive ORDA coupons good for 50% off a Lake Placid bobsled ride, 50% off admission to the Olympic Jumping Complex and 50% off the Be a Biathlete.

During last February’s Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada, 12 area athletes competed for the United States. Lake Placid’s Mark Grimmette, a five-time Olympian in doubles’ luge, was the team’s flag bearer during the Opening Ceremonies, while Andrew Weibrecht, also of Lake Placid, won a bronze medal in the men’s Super-G. Vermontville’s Bill Demong claimed silver in the Nordic combined team event and gold in the large hill Nordic combined event. Overall, the U.S. Olympic squad celebrated its best Olympics ever, claiming the overall medal count with 37.

Olympic Day is an international event celebrating and promoting the participation in sport by men, women and children from all walks of life in all corners of the world. It is a worldwide commemoration of Baron Pierre de Coubertin’s June 23, 1894, convening the first International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting at the Sorbonne in Paris, and the founding of the Modern Olympic Games. National Olympic Committees (NOCs) throughout the world will also participate in the international celebration, with each Olympic Committee sending Olympic Day greetings to participating nations and to further the Olympic spirit and movement.

For more information about Olympic Day, visit teamusa.org, or whitefacelakeplacid.com.

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New Invasive Identified in Lake George Watershed

An invasive terrestrial plant, Mycelis muralis, commonly known as wall lettuce, has been identified growing alongside 9N near Dunham’s Bay in Lake George, according to the Lake George Association. Wall lettuce is one of several newer species that was placed on a watch list earlier this spring by the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program. This is the first time that the plant has been known to exist within the Lake George Watershed, although it has likely been growing for a few years without having been identified. Citizens are asked to contact the LGA if they believe this plant may be growing on their property, so that the organization can assess the spread of its growth.

Wall lettuce is a slender herb with a smooth 3- foot stem that exudes a milky juice when broken. Leaves grow primarily near the base of the plant. The leaves are 2½ to 7 inches long and 1 to 3 inches wide. They are smooth with broad, terminal segments and earlike, clasping flanges at the leaf base. Tiny yellow flowers, with 5 strap-shaped petals, form rounded shapes at the very top of the plant. The plant dies back after flowering, and can act as either an annual or biennial.

Due to a lack of natural predators, diseases and parasites, invasive species like wall lettuce can quickly become pervasive. When they do, these species can negatively impact the ecological balance of Lake George by out-competing native plants for light, nutrients, and space. Plants like purple loosestrife and common reed can alter hydrological processes, and can change drainage patterns, soil water holding capacity, and resistance to erosion.

The LGA ‘s Director or Education, Emily DeBolt, first noticed this new plant when she was working on a native landscaping project near Dunham’s Bay last year. The odd yellow flower was growing just off of Rt. 9L. She shared pictures of the plant with Dan Spada with the Adirondack Park Agency (APA), but at first they were unable to confirm the plant’s identity.

Still suspicious, Ms. DeBolt photographed a larger plot of the plant this past Friday and sent the photos to Mr. Spada again. This time Dan determined that the plant was in fact wall lettuce; Steve Young, the head botanist with New York State’s Natural Heritage Program, confirmed the identification. Jim Sears, who also lives near Dunham’s Bay, attended the LGA’s native plant workshop this past Saturday, and brought photographs of a yellow weed he has been struggling to remove on his property, explaining that it spread rapidly this year, and has been present for several years. Ms. DeBolt identified this plant as wall lettuce as well.

“Purple loosestrife, phragmites, shrubby honeysuckle, and Japanese knotweed are invasive species that have been targeted for management activities in the Adirondacks for several years now,” said Ms. DeBolt. “We already have more than our share of Oriental bittersweet, burning bush, and Japanese barberry around Lake George – but wall lettuce is one that I was not familiar with,” she said. “Additional newer species that are we need to be on the lookout for as they start to make inroads into Adirondacks are swallowwort, yellow iris, Japanese stiltgrass, flowering rush, and lesser celandine. We need to keep our eyes out for these as well,” she said.

Photo: Wall lettuce (Mycelis Muralis) now growing off of Rt. 9L near Dunham’s Bay in Lake George. Property owners who believe that this plant is growing on their land are asked to contact the LGA at 668-3558 or info@lakegeorgeassociation.org.

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Ausable and Boquet River Associations Hosting Native Plant Sales

The Ausable and Boquet River Associations (AsRA and BRASS) will host native plant sales offering gardeners a selection of plants native to northern NY and the Adirondacks. A Master Gardener will also be present to offer gardening advice.

BRASS will host a sale tomorrow, on Friday, June 25 from 9-1pm at the Elizabethtown Farmer’s Market located on Hand Avenue. AsRA will host a sale this Sunday, June 27 from 9-2pm at the Keene Valley Farmer's Market located at Marcy Field.

The plant sales will encourage gardeners to use native plants to help prevent further introductions of invasives into our watersheds. Both the Boquet and Ausable watersheds have invasive plants such as Purple loosestrife, Japanese knotweed and Garlic mustard. Invasive plants crowd out native species, reduce biodiversity, and once established, are extremely difficult to control.

The Ausable and Boquet River Associations are nonprofit watershed groups that work cooperatively with landowners, municipalities, and government agencies to preserve the natural, scenic, and recreation resources of the High Peaks Watersheds. The plants are from Fiddlehead Creek Nursery in Hartford, NY, a small family farm that specializes in native perennials, shrubs, and trees. The nursery will donate a percentage of plant sale proceeds to BRASS and AsRA to support their invasive education and management efforts. For additional information, contact AsRA at 873-3752 or BRASS at 963-4710.

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DEC Region 5 Forest Ranger Report (May-June)

What follows is the May and June Forest Ranger Activity Report for DEC Region 5, which includes most of the Adirondack region. These reports are issued periodically by the DEC and printed here at the Almanack in their entirety. They are organized by county, and date. You can read previous Forest Ranger Reports here.


Essex County

Town of Jay, Hurricane Mountain Primitive Area

On Saturday, April 24, 2010, at approximately 3:54 pm, State Police Dispatch received a call reporting a hiker on the Lost Pond side of Weston Mountain who was vomiting, had a severe headache and was unable to walk. Joe Demer, 23 of Amsterdam, NY, was hiking with a group of friends and reportedly had had nothing to eat or drink all day. DEC Forest Rangers responded and requested assistance from State Police Aviation and BackCountry Medical. When forest rangers located Mr. Demer and his party they provided him water and energy food. His condition improved and forest rangers cancelled the aviation and backcountry medical assistance. Eventually, Mr. Demer’s condition improved enough for him to walk. Forest rangers escorted him and his party out to the trailhead. Mr. Demer refused further medical treatment and was released to his friends at 8:00 pm. DEC Forest Rangers remind hikers to carry and consume plenty of food and water while hiking.

Town of North Elba, High Peaks Wilderness

On Sunday, May 23, 2010, at approximately 7:27 pm, DEC Dispatch Center in Ray Brook received a call from the Adirondack Loj, reporting a 60 year old male from Canada whose eye had been impaled by a tree branch. The man had been hiking on MacNaughton Mountain with two other people when the accident occurred. DEC Forest Rangers responded and met the group on the trail. Forest rangers escorted the injured man and his party to their vehicle. He refused any medical attention and was released to his friends at 11:00 pm. DEC Forest Rangers remind hikers to always carry a first aid kit.

Town of North Elba, Saranac Lakes Wild Forest

On Monday, May 24, 2010 at approximately 5:29pm, DEC Dispatch Center in Ray Brook received a call from a lost hiker near Scarface Mountain. Ashley Pinkowski, 24, of Plattsburgh, NY had climbed the mountain and attempted to return using a different trail. She hiked for 20 minutes before realizing she was lost. DEC Forest Rangers responded and, using her cell phone coordinates as provided by DEC Dispatchers, quickly located Ms. Pinkowski. Forest rangers escorted her out of the woods by 7:30 pm. DEC Forest Rangers remind hikers to carry a map and compass and know how to use them.

Town of Keene, High Peaks Wilderness Area

On Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at approximately 6:30 pm, DEC Dispatch Center in Ray Brook received a call from the Adirondack Loj requesting assistance for an 18 year old male who was having a seizure. Scott O’Rourae, 18, of West Harrison, NY was part of a group of youths with the “Walk About Program” hiking near the Johns Book Lodge, when the he experienced a seizure. He was reported to be breathing, alert and conscious but unable to walk. At 8:30pm DEC Forest Rangers were flown into the Johns Brook Lodge by NYS State Police Aviation Unit helicopter. Forest rangers retrieved Mr. O’Rourae and he was flown to Marcy Field. At 8:34 pm he was transferred to Keene Valley Volunteer Fire Department ambulance and transported to Elizabethtown Community Hospital. The seizure may have been caused by dehydration. DEC Forest Rangers remind hikers to carry and consume plenty of water while hiking.

Town of Wilmington, McKenzie Mountain Wilderness

On Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at approximately 9:59 pm, DEC Dispatch Center in Ray Brook received a call from angler reporting a member of his fishing group was missing. Three men had been fly fishing on the West Branch of the Ausable River, and upon returning to their vehicle were unable to locate Roland Pavlick, 37, hometown unknown. The two friends searched for Mr. Pavlick to no avail before seeking assistance. NYS State Police were notified to have patrols look for Mr. Pavlick along the road. DEC Forest Rangers responded and searched the area until 2:50 am without locating the lost angler. Plans were made to resume search efforts at 6:00 am with additional forest rangers. At 6:38 am Thursday, forest rangers located Mr. Pavlick at the fishing access site. He had spent the night in the woods, and was wet and tired but otherwise in good condition. He stated that he did not hear any of the calls from searchers the previous night. DEC Forest Rangers reminds members all groups to stay in contact with each other at all times.

Town of North Elba, High Peaks Wilderness (previously reported on 6/1)

On Sunday, May 30, 2010, at approximately 2:50 pm, DEC Dispatch Center in Ray Brook received a call from the husband of Isabella Kicior, 28, of East Rutherford, NJ, reporting that his wife had injured her ankle while hiking on the VanHovenberg Trail between Marcy Dam and Indian Falls. Three DEC Forest Rangers responded to the incident and carried Ms. Kicior down to Marcy Dam. She was transported by a forest ranger vehicle on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail to the South Meadow Road. A Lake Placid Rescue Squad Ambulance transported her from there to the Adirondack Medical Center in Lake Placid. DEC Forest Rangers remind hikers that accidents can happen, be prepared and know how to contact emergency responders. The DEC Forest Ranger emergency contact number is 518-891-0235.

Town of Newcomb, High Peaks Wilderness (previously reported on 6/1)

On Sunday, May 30, 2010, at approximately 11 pm, DEC Dispatch Center in Ray Brook received a call from the wife of Randy Freeman, 57, hometown unknown, reporting that they had been hiking Mt. Marshall and became separated. She was concern because Mr. Freeman had minor health issues. A DEC Forest Ranger was dispatch and encountered Mr. Freeman just before midnight near the Upper Works Trailhead in satisfactory condition. DEC Forest Rangers remind hikers to stay together while hiking trails.

Town of North Elba, High Peaks Wilderness Area

On Monday, June 7, 2010, at approximately 4:25 pm, DEC Dispatch Center in Ray Brook received a call reporting that a member of a hiking party in the High Peaks was very pale and dizzy. Drew Carlton, 20, reportedly had been drinking water but had not eaten all day. DEC Forest Rangers and the Marcy Dam Interior Caretaker responded and met up with the hiking party. Mr. Carlton was provided food and water, and then escorted back to the Adirondack Loj. At 8:23pm, he was evaluated by Emergency Medical Technician and released at his own request. DEC Forest Rangers remind hikers to carry and consume plenty of food and water while hiking.

Town of Ticonderoga, Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness Area

On Monday, June 21, 2010, at approximately 6:25 pm, staff at the DEC Putnam Pond Campground requested assistance in locating a camper who had gone missing while hiking with other campers. A 17 year old female, hometown unknown, was part of a group hiking to Grizzle Ocean in the Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness Area. The group returned to the campground hoping she was there, but did not locate her. She was reported her missing to campground staff. DEC Forest Rangers responded and began searching the extensive trail system in this wilderness area. At 7:30 pm, the young lady was located, returned to the campground and reunited with the rest of her group. DEC Forest Rangers remind hikers to stay together while hiking trails. Assign a “sweeper” who brings up the rear of the group and makes sure nobody falls behind. Stop at trail intersections and other locations to be sure everyone is present before continuing on.

Warren County

Town of Thurman, Wilcox Lake Wild Forest

On Sunday, June 13, 2010, at approximately 10:25 pm, DEC Dispatch Center in Ray Brook received a call reporting a group overdue from a fishing trip to Cod Pond. The caller also stated that he had checked the Cod Pond trailhead and did not see the group’s vehicle. Chad D. Manzer, 36, Wyndham Jackson, 44, and six males ranging in ages from 4 to 16, all of Amsterdam, NY, had planned a day trip to the pond. DEC Forest Rangers responded and began searching the area, including other fishing spots that the group frequented. At 12:40 am, a forest ranger located the group’s vehicle at the Cod Pond trailhead in Warren County. Forest rangers hiked the one mile into Cod Pond but did not locate the party. At 3:44 am, forest rangers returned to the trailhead and started developing plans for the next morning. At 7:00 am eight additional forest rangers joined the search effort and a helicopter was requested from the NYS State Police Aviation Unit. Plans were developed to search the drainages leading out of Cod Pond and Little Joe Pond to the south. At 8:58 am a forest ranger made contact with the group while searching the Georgia Brook drainage and escorted them a mile out to State Route 8. Mr. Manzer stated that the group had hiked into Little Joe Pond by way of the Cod Pond trail and then a short bushwhack. After spending the day fishing, the group became lost while hiking out and spent the night in the vicinity of Georgia Brook. DEC Forest Rangers remind groups entering the back country to leave trip itineraries and contact number for emergency responders with someone at home. The DEC Forest Ranger emergency contact number is 518-891-0235.

Washington County

Village of Hudson Falls

On Sunday, May 9, 2010, at approximately 5:00 pm, the Village of Hudson Falls Police Department request DEC forest rangers assistance in locating a missing woman. Estelle Lindsey, 79, of Hudson Falls, NY, who suffers from dementia, was last seen by her husband at 7:30 am at their home. Forest rangers responded and organized approximately 100 searchers. The searchers began at the Lindsey residence and worked the search outward. Hudson Falls Police Department, Washington County Sheriff Department, Hudson Falls Volunteer Fire Department, Kingsbury Volunteer Fire Department, Fort Edward Emergency Medical Services, Lower Adirondack Search & Rescue and North Country Search & Rescue all participated in the search. Mrs. Lindsey was located at approximately 11:00 pm, nearly 5 miles from her home. She was found lying in a field of tall grass adjacent to a residence by a family that had just returned home after being away all day. She was evaluated transported to Glens Falls Hospital. DEC Forest Rangers reminds people to watch out for elderly relatives, friends and neighbors, especially those suffering from dementia.

Town of Fort Ann and Dresden, Lake George Wild Forest

On Sunday, May 9, 2010, at approximately 4:43pm, DEC Dispatch Center in Ray Brook received a call from a lost hiker. Laura Brinsko, 42, of Stillwater NY stated that she was on the trail to Black Mountain with a party of 6, four of which were children, and didn’t know how to get back to her car. A DEC Forest Ranger responded and talking to her via cell phone was able to direct her to the nearest trailhead. The forest ranger and State Police met the group and transported them back to their vehicle. DEC Forest Rangers remind hikers to carry a map and compass and know how to use them.

Town of Fort Ann, Lake George Wild Forest

On Friday, June 18, 2010, at approximately 7:50 pm, DEC Dispatch Center in Ray Brook received a call from Washington County 911 stating that a hiker had separated from his group and missing. Christian Romero, 26, of Howard Beach, NY, had become separated from his group while hiking in the Pilot Knob area. He was last seen at the Pilot Knob Ridge trail and was wearing shorts and a sleeveless shirt - not prepared to spend a night in the woods. Mr. Romero was located by his group while they were traveling to the Inman Pond trail head to meet with forest rangers. He had bushwhacked approximately 1.5 miles to the Sly Pond Road. Forest rangers responded to the Inman Pond trail head and interviewed the group before declaring the search resolved. DEC Forest Rangers remind hikers to stay together while hiking trails. Assign a “sweeper” who brings up the rear of the group and makes sure nobody falls behind. Stop at trail intersections and other locations to be sure everyone is present before continuing on.

Town of Fort Ann, Lake George Wild Forest

On Friday, June 18, 2010, at approximately 9:35pm, DEC Dispatch Center in Ray Brook received a cell phone call from a group of four, stating that they were on Sleeping Beauty Mountain without flashlights. The subjects: John Russo, Michael Regin, Christian Cloutier, and Steven Rimmer, all 18 and of Saratoga Springs, NY, had hiked to the mountain and taken a wrong turn on the way out. They managed to get back to the summit, but darkness overtook them. They were all wearing shorts and were not prepared to spend the night in the woods. DEC Forest Rangers responded, located the subjects and escorted them back to the trailhead by 12:32 am. DEC Forest Rangers remind hikers to be prepared to spend a night in the woods whenever you go into the backcountry. Always carry a flashlight or headlamp, extra batteries and extra warm non-cotton clothing.

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