ADK Today
Vol. 3, No. 1: January 15, 2010

Happy New Year!

HPIC
The ADK Construction Bug team renovated the men’s bathroom at the High Peaks Information Center in early December. New tile flooring, stall dividers, wall covering, vanity and sinks and storage closets make it much more attractive. Two waterless urinals, a highly efficient air hand dryer and compact fluorescent lighting demonstrate ADK’s commitment to conservation. The women’s room will get the same treatment in March.

Lows Lake
ADK and Protect the Adirondacks! filed a lawsuit Monday (Jan. 11) over the APA’s failure to classify Lows Lake, which is part of a key wilderness canoe route in the Adirondacks. In September, APA voted to classify part of the lake Wilderness and part Primitive, but reversed that decision in November, leaving the lake unclassified. A copy of our Conservation Update is available here and a copy of the lawsuit is available here.

Heart Lake Almanac
 “Heart Lake Almanac,” a new feature on the ADK Web site, will help you keep abreast of the changing natural scene at ADK's Heart Lake Property. More here.

Avalanches
Enough snow has accumulated on Adirondack slopes to create conditions conducive to avalanches. DEC recommends backcountry users follow basic safety precautions. More information here and here.

World’s Most Important Park
We got an e-mail from the National Park Service with the subject line “World’s Most Important Park.” Obviously, we had to open it and find out which park they were talking about. The answer: “the park near you.” For many ADK members in western New York, that means Allegany State Park, which is why ADK’s Public Affairs Office has been working so hard to protect the park from potential gas drilling. More here.

Programs Canceled
The ADK education programs “Winter Family Weekend” (Feb. 19-21) and “Adirondak Loj Basecamp” (March 12-14) have been canceled. But there are plenty of other outdoor winter programs here.

Exhibit
“To the Ends of the Earth: Travels in Antarctica and Alaska,” an exhibit by photographer and longtime ADK member Bob McDermott, will be on display at the ADK Bookstore in Lake George through Feb 27. More here.

Pay Off
ADK’s advocacy efforts are continuing to pay off in increased protection for the Adirondacks, the Catskills and other wild places in the Northeast from acid rain. More here.

Save the Date

The 2010 Black Fly Affair: A Hikers Ball will be held Friday, May 21 in Lake George. Details to follow.

ADK in the News

• Groups Sue to Protect SLMP, Wilderness Water Routes
• Lawsuit challenges APA reversal on Lows Lake
• Environmental Groups Sue State Over Lows Lake
• Lows Lake controversy
• Hiker's high: Clinton climber, 69, loves to hike and write
• Poles, North and South, center of photo exhibit
• I will follow you into the dark
• Celebrating 2010, naturally
• Leavitt Peak (Southwest Hunter Mt.) is a “breeze”
• Feral pigs spotted in state park taken by hunters
• Groups Renew Call on NY Governor to Ditch Executive Order That Would Rollback State Agency Regulations

Other News

• Man falls through ice while snowshoeing
• Snowshoeing climbs in popularity
• Sen. Thompson to DEC: Extend hydrofracking comment-period
• EPA faults proposed NY gas drilling regulations

ADK Today is an occasional compendium of news and views of interest to members of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK). It is  produced and distributed by the ADK Communications Department, 301 Hamilton Street, Albany, NY 12210. Comments, questions or concerns about the content of this newsletter? Send us an e-mail.

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