Background Information
Whether
it's the view from the summit or from the tower--or the experiences
enroute--"fire tower fever" grips you right away and there's
no turning back. Sound familiar? Then you're a person for whom the
Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK)
has created the Fire Tower Challenge.
Consider
the spectacular views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Consider
the wildlife you may see along the way and the botanically interesting
vegetation on the summits. And consider that for some 50–70
years the cabs atop these towers were the outlooks of "fire
spotters," observers whose lonesome vigil was broken only occasionally
by visits from the public.
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2006
Fire Tower Update
In preparing a new
printing of Views from on High: Fire Tower Trails in the
Adirondacks and Catskills, I accumulated several
important changes in the status of five fire towers
mentioned in the section "Adirondack Fire Towers
That May Not Last." More
details
- Jack Freeman
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What is the Fire Tower Challenge?
The Fire
Tower Challenge begins with the publication of the guidebook, Views
from on High: Fire Tower Trails in the Adirondacks and Catskills,
by John P. (Jack) Freeman. The Challenge hikes are described in detail,
along with a fascinating essay describing the history of Forest Preserve
fire towers by noted historic preservationist Wesley H. Haynes.
Published
by the ADK, the book is available from the Club, bookstores, and
outdoor retailers. To
join ADK or purchase Views from on High call 1-800-395-8080
(8:30 AM–5:00 PM, Mon.–Sat.), or purchase
online,
or visit our Lake George and Heart Lake facilities. You
don't need to be a member of ADK to take part in the Challenge.
Rules
of the Fire Tower Challenge
1)
To complete the Challenge and receive the official full-color patch,
hikers must climb and document, by date, ascents of at least 23 fire
tower summits: 18 of 23 Adirondack Park summits and all 5 Catskill
Park summits. Climbing each tower itself is not required, nor in fact
recommended, for those towers that have not been restored for safe
public use.
2)
The mountain should have a standing fire tower on the date of your
ascent. Several of the Adirondack towers described in Views from
on High may eventually be removed. (See summit list below, or
print the brochure)
3)
When registering the dates of your climb, be sure to use extra sheets
of paper to describe details of interest: weather, wildlife sightings,
your impressions, your companions—and whatever else caught
your attention. We really want you to share your experiences with
us, so please be expressive.
4)
Send the summit list and
additional pages—name and address on each—along with a
check for $3.00 per patch. (Kids 15 and under are free.)
Make
checks payable to "ADK Glens Falls–Saratoga Chapter"
and send to:
Fire Tower Challenge
Glens Falls–Saratoga Chapter
Adirondack Mountain Club
P.O. Box 2314
Glens Falls, NY 12801
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