Visitors Cautioned About Snow Conditions
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today warned Adirondack back country visitors to be aware of the danger of avalanches. Recent snowstorms have brought a significant amount of new snow to the Adirondack Park. The new snow resting on top of previous accumulations create conditions conducive to avalanches, particularly on steep, open slopes. Back country users should take necessary precautions.
Two skiers triggered an avalanche on Wright Peak on Saturday. Neither of the skiers was injured, but the incident underscores the risk of current conditions.
The threat of avalanche typically increases during and immediately after major snowfalls, as well as during thaws. But avalanches can occur in any situation where snow, slope and weather conditions combine to create the proper conditions. DEC reminds back country users to take the following precautions when traveling in avalanche-prone terrain:
- Know avalanche rescue techniques.
- Practice safe-route finding.
- Carry safety equipment (transceiver, probe, shovel).
- Never travel alone.
- Know the terrain, weather and snow conditions.
- Let someone know where you are going.
DEC provides information on avalanche danger and safety precautions on its web site. Also, a brochure titled “Avalanche Preparedness in the Adirondacks (PDF)” is available through the website or by contacting the DEC Region 5 office at (518) 897-1200.
Information regarding the terrain, weather and snow conditions can be obtained from DEC Forest Rangers at (518) 897-1300.
Tags: climb·dec·high peaks·hike·ski·snow
Only to be beaten by 2003 when 1370 Black Bears got harvested. No matter, because it was still a 40% increase over 2008.
While overall population size plays the largest role in the annual harvest, take numbers are also strongly influenced by environmental factors that affect bear movements and the timing of bear denning, such as food availability and snowfall. The 2009 early bear season proved to be the most productive time for hunters in the Adirondacks, accounting for more than 50 percent of the bear take. Bears were more active during the early season due to poor production of soft mast (cherries and berries), and their increased activity were a benefit for hunters.
2009 Adirondack Bear Harvest
Bear Harvest Totals for 2009 – Second Highest in State’s History
Tags: bear·dec·hunt·wildlife
A fun thread was started yesterday on The ADK Forum – Mtn Lion hit by car in Standish 2/8/10.
Here’s the NYCDEC’s response:
REPORTS OF DEC OFFICERS FINDING DEAD MOUNTAIN LION ARE HOAX
Recently, text and e-mail messages with a picture of mountain lion in the back of a pickup truck have been circulating in the area. The message claims that a mountain lion, or cougar, was recently hit by a vehicle in the Black Brook area. The message also claims that New York Environmental Conservation officers, forest rangers, or game wardens, responded to this incident.
DEC reports that the hoax message received by many these past few days regarding cougars is inaccurate and is not valid. This photo and messages first appeared in Western New York in December 2009 claiming that the mountain lion had been killed in Erie County. Since then, the false reports have moved across the State claiming the dead mountain lion was found in various locales and now has arrived in Northern New York.
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Tags: dec·wildlife
Following the news of the Adirondack Council suing the Adirondack Park Agency (APA), I mentioned to someone that lawsuits are quickly becoming a norm in any regulatory process in the Adirondacks. Seems like there could be a better way to get things done. Two hostile parties rarely reach mutually satisfying results.
Well, another one just dropped into my mailbox:
Adirondack Groups Sue State to Protect Wilderness Lake
ALBANY, N.Y. — The Adirondacks’ leading conservation groups, the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) and Protect the Adirondacks! (PROTECT), filed a lawsuit Tuesday in state Supreme Court in Albany to force the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) to adhere to state law and classify a state-owned wilderness canoe route in the heart of the Adirondacks.
“We are forced to seek redress in the courts because, despite the best efforts of many different parties, our state agencies failed to settle some important matters regarding implementation of the State Land Master Plan,” said David Gibson, executive director of PROTECT “We go to court for all state-owned waters in the Forest Preserve, not merely to settle the classification of Lows Lake. Classification drives management direction. We seek better direction about how to manage wild waters in the Forest Preserve for the benefit of people in the central Adirondacks, visitors from all across the country and Canada and many more who may never paddle these waters, but who nonetheless appreciate the way they are managed for future generations.”
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Tags: conservation·economic development·environment·wilderness
I normally don’t link to most accident or crime items, but the recent spate of snowmobile incidents in the Adirondacks and vicinity are notable.
Lewis County woman hospitalized following snowmobile crash
Police investigating fatal snowmobile accident
“The faster he could go, the better,” said Waller, adding that Gullis had recently spoken about adding nitrous oxide to his snowmobile to make it go faster. “He couldn’t wait to get out there.”
Morrisonville man killed in Waverly snowmobile crash
Man in critical following snowmobile crash
3 die when snowmobiles go through ice on Vt. lake
Luke noted over the weekend an advertisement he found in a local weekly. It featured a snowmobiler “Gunning it, flying through the air”. Obvious questions about promotional imagery and safety. (Not-so-obvious question about advertising rationale.)
Portrayals of cyclists are frequently criticized if they are shown lacking head protection. Heck, we ban cigarette and liquor ads altogether. When does the harm caused by an activity outweigh its economic benefit? Unfortunately, these days that point is only reached when the economic cost exceeds the benefit.
I’m sort of happy to say that we moderated our video to make it less “snowmobile-aggressive” and to include a variety of other Winter activities. Hope this is the last we hear of accidents this season.
Tags: accident·advertising·snowmobile
