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Entries from May 17th, 2012

Special Notice – Victoria Day Weekend 2012

May 17th, 2012 · No Comments · News

GREETINGS TO OUR CANADIAN FRIENDS

If you are planning to recreate in the Adirondacks this Victoria Day Weekend, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation asks you to please remember the following:

HIGH USAGE LEVELS: Visitors to the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness should be aware that trailhead parking lots and interior campsites will often fill to capacity on Victoria Day weekend. Please plan accordingly and seek backcountry recreation opportunities in other areas of the Adirondack Forest Preserve.

BEAR RESISTANT CANISTERS: Regulation requires the use of bear-resistant canisters by overnight users in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness between April 1 and November 30. NYSDEC encourages the use of bear resistant canisters throughout the Adirondacks.

OTHER BEAR AVOIDANCE TIPS

  • Store all food, toiletries and garbage in bear-resistant canisters.
  • If you are outside the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness you can use a food hang. Store all food, toiletries and garbage in the bag. Use a dark colored cord that is 25 meters long. Hang the bag 5 meters above the ground and at least 3 meters away from trees.
  • Keep food in bear-resistant canister or food hangs at all times – take down only what is needed for cooking and eating.
  • Never leave food unattended unless it is in a bear-resistant canister or in a food hang.
  • Cook early, no later than 5 p.m., and never cook or eat in your sleeping area.

BITING INSECTS: “Bug Season” has begun in the Adirondacks. Now until the end of summer Black Flies, Mosquitoes, Deer Flies and/or Midges (No-see-ums) will be present. Follow these steps to minimize the nuisance of biting insects:

  • Wear light colored clothing.
  • Wear long sleeve shirts and long pants, and tuck shirts into pants.
  • Button or rubber band sleeves at the wrist.
  • Tuck the bottom of pant legs into your socks.
  • Pack a headnet to wear when insects are thick.
  • Use an insect repellant with DEET, follow label directions.

ROCK CLIMBING ROUTE CLOSURES: Due to nesting Peregrine Falcons the following climbing cliffs and routes are closed:

  • Chapel Pond – All climbing routes on Upper Washbowl cliff
  • Wilmington Notch – All routes on Moss Cliff and the Labor Day Wall
  • Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain – All climbing routes between Garter and Mogster

Visit the Adirondack Trail Information web page for current weather forecasts, regulations, safety tips, trail conditions, and more: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7865.html

Enjoy your visit to the Adirondacks!

Courtesy of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

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ADK Trail Workers Heading to Southern Adirondacks for National Trails Day

May 15th, 2012 · No Comments · Adirondack News

CAROGA LAKE, NY – Dozens of Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) volunteers will be heading to the southern Adirondacks for National Trails Day on Saturday, June 2.

Adirondack Mountain ClubUnder the leadership of ADK’s trail professionals, volunteers will work on trail maintenance projects in the Ferris Lake and Shaker Mountain wild forests near Caroga Lake. Workers will clear drainage ditches, trim brush, remove blown-down trees and perform other maintenance work on six hiking trails.

In conjunction with the trail maintenance projects, ADK Foothills Chapter is hosting three days (June 1-3) of hikes and paddles in the area, a golf tournament, information booths and other events. The Foothills Chapter, established in 2010, has more than 100 members in the Gloversville/Johnstown area.

“We hope this event will focus attention on the great hiking opportunities in the southern Adirondacks,” said Foothills Chapter Chair Jody Rothmeyer. “This beautiful and easily accessible region is often overlooked by hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts who flock to more popular areas like the High Peaks.”

National Trails Day is a nationwide celebration of trails that was founded by the American Hiking Society in 1993. ADK and its chapters have been involved in National Trails Day since its inception.

ADK’s sponsors and partners for NTD 2012 include Nathan Littauer Hospital, Home Buyers Best Realty, Adirondack Backpacking Supply, RMG Enterprises, Livingston’s Furniture, The Shults Agency, ADK Onondaga Chapter, Cooperstown Brewing Co., Butternuts Beer & Ale, the town of Caroga Lake, Fulton County Chamber of Commerce, Finger Lakes Trail Conference, North Country Trail Association, Duncraven Farms Dairy, Granny’s Ice Cream, Wild River Press, REI, SEALS and DEC Region 5.

A full list of ADK’s National Trails Day trail projects and events is available on the Club’s website at www.carogalake.com.

The Adirondack Mountain Club, founded in 1922, is the oldest and largest organization dedicated to the protection of the New York State Forest Preserve. ADK is a nonprofit, membership organization that protects the Forest Preserve, state parks and other wild lands and waters through conservation and advocacy, environmental education and responsible recreation.

More: National Trails Day Events – New York and FAQs

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Experience America’s First Victory at Fort Ticonderoga!

May 10th, 2012 · No Comments · Adirondack News

“No Quarter” Re-enactment May 18-20

Ticonderoga, NY – Fort Ticonderoga kicks off the 2012 season May 18 with its “No Quarter” event recreating the capture of Fort Ticonderoga on May 10, 1775. In this weekend-long recreation visitors will experience “America’s First Victory.” Throughout the weekend, visitors will explore this dramatic story from the perspectives of both the British garrison and the Green Mountain Boys and come face-to-face with the historical characters including Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold, and Captain Noah Phelps, Connecticut Militia Captain and patriot spy!

Two Camps & Two Perspectives
The “No Quarter” event will feature two camps just as it was historically. The British will be in garrison at Fort Ticonderoga beginning Friday, May 18, and will be part of Fort Ticonderoga’s special school day programming. Throughout the weekend, visitors will be immersed in the daily experiences of the British soldiers and their families such as cooking, laundry, and guard duty. Tours will highlight the moment in time when the 26th Foot was responsible for protecting Fort Ticonderoga, the lonely frontier outpost.

Experience America’s First Victory at Fort Ticonderoga’s “No Quarter” Re-enactment May 18-20!Across Lake Champlain, the Green Mountain Boys, Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold will have a temporary camp located on the Town Green in Shoreham, Vermont, and will also offer special Friday school programming organized by Fort Ticonderoga. Saturday morning, the Green Mountain Boys will cook up a hearty meal, pack up their knapsacks, and break down their temporary camp. Beginning at noon, these re-enactors will recreate the march down to Lake Chaplain along the original route in 1775. A bateaux will be awaiting them for their journey across the lake to Ticonderoga. Saturday evening, on the New York side of Lake Champlain, these re-enactors will march their way down the shore making their final approach to assault Fort Ticonderoga.

The Surprise Attack!
In a special ticketed evening program, visitors can take a front row seat inside the walls of Fort Ticonderoga for the capture of the Fort at 9 pm on Saturday, May 19. Advance tickets are required and space is limited. Fort gates open at 7:30 pm for the Capture of Ticonderoga program where visitors can take a brief tour with one of the Redcoats of the 26th Foot. Put “America’s First Victory” into perspective to know the key characters on both sides of the story. See this remote British garrison surprised asleep with their families in the quarters at 9 pm as they are awakened by the Green Mountain Boys scream of “No Quarter.” Listen as British Lieutenant Jocelyn Feltham and Captain Delaplace try to buy time and reason with this armed mob led by the famous and infamous Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold only to have to surrender Fort Ticonderoga.

The Aftermath
Sunday, May 20, visitors can experience the uneasy consequences of “America’s First Victory.” Tour the site with Benedict Arnold as he finds the legendary guns of Ticonderoga, in too poor a shape to send to Washington’s army immediately. Visitors can watch as Benedict Arnold finds himself the butt of the Green Mountain Boys’ well armed mischief. See Captain William Delaplace’s company become the first prisoners of war in what will become a far longer war than anyone expected. Visitors can talk to these soldiers and their families as they try to keep their belongings for their march off to Hartford and captivity. In this final day of the “No Quarter” event, Fort Ticonderoga will explore how the Fort went from a sleepy old British outpost, to the center of a new theatre in the War for Independence.

This must-see living history weekend will take place May 18-20 from 9:30 am – 5 pm. General admission to Fort Ticonderoga, a private non-profit organization, is $17.50 for adults, $14.00 for those 62 and over; and $8 for children 5 through 12. Children 4 and under are admitted free of charge. Friends of Fort Ticonderoga and Ticonderoga Resident Ambassador Pass holders are also admitted free. The daily event is included in the general admission fee. School reservations are required and group rates are offered. Advanced reservations are required for the special night-time re-enactment of the capture of the Fort. Admission to the evening program is $15 and space is limited. To learn more about this must-see living history weekend event and re-enactment, visit www.Fort-Ticonderoga.org or call 518-585-2821!

FORT TICONDEROGA
America’s Fort
Located on Lake Champlain in the beautiful 6 million acre Adirondack Park, Fort Ticonderoga is a private not-for-profit historic site and museum that ensures that present and future generations learn from the struggles, sacrifices, and victories that shaped the nations of North America and changed world history. Serving the public since 1909, Fort Ticonderoga engages more than 70,000 visitors annually and is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Fort Ticonderoga’s history. Accredited by the American Association of Museums, Fort Ticonderoga offers programs, historic interpretation, tours, demonstrations, and exhibits throughout the year and is open for daily visitation May 18 through October 18. The 2012 season features the Fort’s newest exhibit Bullets & Blades: The Weapons of America’s Colonial Wars and Revolution which highlights over 150 of the museum’s most important weapons and is a comprehensive and expanded reinterpretation of its world renowned historic arms collection! Visit www.Fort-Ticonderoga.org for a full list of ongoing programs or call 518-585-2821. Funding for the 2012 season is provided in part by Amtrak. Visit http://www.fortticonderoga.org/visit/directions for a special 2 for 1 Amtrak offer! Fort Ticonderoga is located at 100 Fort Ti Road, Ticonderoga, New York.

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