All programs are free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.
Directions & maps to program locations on these web sites:
• Saratoga Springs Public Library
• Crandall Public Library, Glens Falls
Upcoming Programs
2012-01-25: Gasland movie about hydrofracking, 6:30 pm at Crandall Library
The movie is co-sponsored by the Southern Adirondack Audubon Society, this program is a screening of the movie Gasland, which was a Sundance Valley Film Fest winner and has been a launching point of many conversations about hydrofracking.
The screening will be followed by a conversation about the current status of the NYS legislative process and hydrofracking. Neil Woodworth, ADK's Executive Director, and Sean Mahar, Director of Government Relations and Communications from Audubon New York, will speak on the topic and are available to answer your questions!
2012-01-26: Peru and Inca Trail by Steve & Molly Bederian 7 pm at Saratoga Library
Long-time ADK members Molly and Steve Bederian traveled to Peru several years ago, spending several days at the village of Olantaytambo in the heart of the Inca sacred valley. From this village, they explored Inca culture and temples.
They also mountain biked through the high mountain village of Hulack, day-hiked the salt valley of Maras (see NatGeo) and to nearby high ridges to see Inca quarries, burial mounds and observe Condors. After these adventures and to acclimate to the 10,000 ft-elevation, they stepped off on a 4-day guided hike of the Inca trail; a 35 km footpath through the Peruvian Antiquities Zone.
Amongst glaciered peaks, the trail crossed several high passes ("Dead-Woman's Pass" at 14,000 ft was the highest) and through arid, alpine and jungle climes. The trail terminates at the "lost" city of Machu Picchu. They have prepared a PowerPoint slide show from their travel pictures and are very pleased to share them with us.
2012-02-23: Hiking the Catskills 100 Highest with chapter member Alan Via at Crandall Library
The program will begin at 7pm, Thursday Feb. 23rd at Crandall Library. Long time Albany Chapter member and former Outings Chair, Alan Via, will present a slide show on hiking the Catskill 100 highest peaks.
The ADK is publishing Alan's new book, The Catskill 67 - A Hiker's Guide to the Catskill 100 Highest peaks under 3,500'. Alan will have beautiful color photos and speak about places and things few people have seen. He is one of only a small handful who have climbed both the Adirondack and Catskill 100 highest summits.
Previous Programs (Most recent to oldest)
2011-11-30: A photographic journey to Nepal by Ron Lester 7 pm at Saratoga Library
Presentation by Ron Lester at 7 PM on November 30 at the community room of the Saratoga Public Library.
In 2007, Ron Lester ventured to Nepal solo. In April of 2011, Lester joined a group back into the same region for 16 days of trekking in the Khumbu region that leads up to Mt. Everest base camp.
They split into two separate groups on Day 3 of the trek, and joined back together on Day 10. Lester's group headed up the Gokyo Valley, to among other things, attempt to climb the 20,000-foot trekking peak Lobuche East. This is a climb that requires basic glacier mountaineering skills, and lots of desire. En route over the 17,600' Chola Pass, they were thrilled to encounter fresh tracks of the rare Snow Leopard.
They soon rejoined group 2, who had taken a bit more of a relaxed pace up the Khumbu Valley with a side trip up the 18,000' Chukking Ri. Then it was on up the famous trekking hill Kalapatar at 18,200' with its glorious panorama of the fantastic Himalaya Mountains including Mt. Everest, up close.
After a quick visit to Mt. Everest base camp, where climbs of the world's highest peak begin, they started the five-day hike back to the town of Lukla for their return flight to Kathmandu, Nepal's capital city. A documentary show on the History Channel rated Lukla as the world's #1 most dangerous airport. Lester's photographic presentation will have plenty of unparalleled jaw-dropping mountain scenery, a high altitude glacier climb, tea house and tent life, with scenes of the native Sherpa people who were his hosts.
And of course all of the yak trains, suspension bridges, and humble Sherpa porters who carry punishing loads that make it possible for groups to travel in relative comfort. You have to see "Generator Man" with his 243-pound load at 17,000 ft. plus. Lester will finish up with some shots of third world life and tourist venues around Kathmandu.
In his presentation, Lester will relive the adventures of the trip, sharing the great joy, awe, and misery that are found in the high mountains.
2011-09-28: Explore the North Country Scenic Trail
This program will be held at the Saratoga Springs Public Library communtiy room on Wednesday at 7 pm.
Mary Coffin, chair of North Country Trail team from Onondaga Chapter of ADK,
will give us a presentation on the North Country National Scenic Trail in the Adirondacks.
The presentation will be a mix of maps and pictures Mary has taken while scouting sections of the trail.
We will learn about this 4,600-mile and seven-state National Scenic Trail and the planned route
within the Adirondack Park as the trail makes its way from Black River Wild Forest to Crown Point.
About 147 miles are planned for the Park with about half on existing trails.
2011-05-25: Grand Canyon, Monument Valley & other great western places
This program will be held at the Saratoga Library on Wednesday May 25, 7 pm. It has been rescheduled from the original date of May 19 that was reported in the Newsletter.
Last year Schneider purchased a motor home located in Yuma, Arizona. He and his wife, Eileen,
took two weeks to bring the motor home back to Saratoga Springs. Their cross-country trip took
them to the Grand Canyon, Arizona (both South and North Rim); Monument Valley, Utah; Durango,
Colorado; Great Sand Dune National Park, Colorado; and Tall Grass Prairie National Preserve, Kansas.
Come join Schneider as he takes you on two scenic rides of more than 50 miles along the South
and North Rim of the Grand Canyon, hikes into the Canyon from the North Rim, and takes a day
hike on the more than 800-mile long Arizona Trail. On a half-day tour he visits Monument Valley.
It has some of the most recognizable features in the country, and includes scenes from many movies,
beginning with 'Stagecoach'. the 1939 John Wayne western.
Come ride the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad as it snakes and climbs its way along the Animus
River for 45 miles between Durango and the former mining town of Silverton, Colorado. Join along on a
visit to Great Sand Dunes National Park, a park in a setting that does not seem real.
On all of his previous western trips, Schneider simply drove through the plains without taking in their
unique charm. Join him as he actually stops and observes what the prairie looked like before it became
the breadbasket of the country. The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is a place that has grasses
reaching up to seven feet tall and root systems up to eight feet deep.
Although this trip was a lot shorter than his previous trips out west, the places he visited on this one
should again whet your appetite to visit the great scenic beauties of our country.
This program will be held at the Saratoga EMS Store in Wilton on Thursday April 21, 6:30 pm.
Join us at Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) in Saratoga to continue our outdoor gear education. Whether you are looking to "upgrade" your gear or want to know what is needed to begin trying a new activity, come learn from your fellow outdoors people and the EMS staff. Here's a chance to get your kayak questions answered as well as whether you should pick up a pair of hiking poles?
• What type of kayak/paddle/lifejacket is best for me?
• How do I get into a kayak without tipping…from a dock or beach?
• How many paddling strokes are there and when do I use them?
• How come I get water in my kayak while paddling?
• What do I do if I tip over?
• Do I need a water pump? Dry bag?
• What types of racks are out there to transport my kayak? How do I tie it on?
View their email sent as they traveled across the country.
Chapter members Steve & Licia Mackey flew to California at the end of this past September to bicycle back with their
daughter Heather who worked for the summer with the California Forest Service. Heather had a car out there,
so they drove it back at the same time in order not to carry gear or food on the bikes.
They followed a route created by the Adventure Cycling Association called the Western Express and the Trans America. It follows regular
roads but tries to stay in rural areas with less traffic. (The map makers rarely took into account hills, or whether
you were actually going east - west). The route also intersected with many National Parks, National Monuments and
Scenic Byways. The Mackeys bicycled for about two months and rode almost 3,600 miles! They traversed nine states
and climbed six major mountain passes. They had snow or hail almost every time they climbed a major pass, but other
than a couple of wasted half days, they were always able to continue. All kinds of wildlife were seen and the scenery
was breath-taking.
In the winter of 2008-2009, Mary Brown worked in Antarctica as a Meteorological Technician. She was assigned
to a Deep Field Camp, Siple Dome. Mary describes her experience as that of an ultimate winter camping trip!
As science support, she worked to keep the scientists in the field working happily.
This slide show presentation
will explain what it is like to work in Science Support. In order for the scientists to do their thing lots has
to happen — food must be cooked, planes must be flown, supplies must be delivered, and weather reports sent.
This is not a wildlife presentation from a visitor or tourist, but an inside view of how the continent works
to accomplish the important science that goes on in Antarctica.
2011-01-20: Safety First on Winter Outings - Hiking Gear and Safetyat EMS
This program will be held at the Eastern Mountain Sports store, Route 50, Saratoga Springs.
at 7 pm on Jauary 20.
Join us at Eastern Mountain Sports in Saratoga for your chance to learn about what you need to keep you
safe on winter outings! From your base layer to your snowshoes and your pack! Beginners, as well as seasoned
hikers are encouraged to join as EMS staff provides in depth knowledge of the how-to’s of winter outings!
2010-09-30: Jean Holcomb to recount Appalachian Trail at Saratoga Lib
In June of 2009, Jean Holcomb, long time resident of Saratoga Springs and hike leader for the
Glens Falls/Saratoga Chapter of ADK began an epic journey to hike the entire Appalachian Trail.
It wasn’t supposed to happen that way. Jean’s original plan was to start in April but a torn rotator
cuff and frozen shoulder intervened and almost deep-sixed her hiking plans. After much painful physical
therapy and a lot of hand wringing she made the decision with the suggestion of her son, EJ, to make
a later start and hike the trail the “wrong way” by starting in Maine.
About 80 percent of thru hikers on the Appalachian Trail start at the southern terminus at Springer
Mountain, Georgia, sometime in late March to early May. A small number, usually around 200, begin at
the northern end in Baxter Park, Maine. Jean’s plan had been to start in late April and do at least
half the trail in one season. If possible she would continue on to New York and finish there, thus
walking home. When the shoulder injury prevented this approach, she made the reluctant decision to
start in Maine and see how far she could get. The bad part of starting in Maine is that Maine is
generally considered the most difficult part of the hike with New Hampshire a close second, so you
are immediately faced with the most wild wilderness of the entire trail two days out, not to mention
some pretty nasty climbs, flooding rivers and black flies to greet you as you begin. Nonetheless there
is an upside: Georgia never closes! Even a slow poke like Jean, who at age 62 averaged about 13 miles
a day, had a chance of finishing the entire trail before winter set in. And it took just about that long.
Jean climbed Katahdin on June 5 and finally wandered up on Springer on December 17. It was a three-season hike.
It is virtually impossible to describe six months on the trail in a few sentences but suffice it to say
there were many adventures and human interactions which were often unanticipated and always interesting.
Maine was certainly a baptism by fire. With record rainfalls, not only were trails washed out and bugs
at maximum swarm, but also on the many river crossings there are no bridges in Maine, which were often
terrifying. The good news is that once you have done Maine all the rest seems just a bit easier. Even
though there were trials and tribulations of one sort or another all along the trail all Jean had to
do was say to herself, “Heck, I did Maine, I can do this.” And so, somehow, someway, she just kept getting
closer to Georgia until it seemed that there would be no stopping her short of a hurricane or broken leg.
There were good times along with the bad and many friends joined the lone hiker along the way. Virginia
really was “almost heaven” with its fall colors and crisp weather and the Smokies were magical even in the
snow. So come hear all about it at 7 p.m., September 30, at Saratoga Library. The show will knock your (hiking)
socks off!
All the emails from Jean on the hike can be found at the link: Jean's emails.
Celebrate the seasons in the Adirondacks with Mark Bowie, 7 pm Nov 10, 2010 at Crandall Library in Glens Falls.
The Adirondack landscape is endowed with lofty mountains and rich northern forests
reflected in over 2,800 lakes and ponds, and thousands of miles of flowing waterways.
Imprinted with four distinct seasons, the scenery evolves continually. Each season
brings new wonders and challenges, yet this landscape retains a sense of place unique
in our nation — a distinctly Adirondack heart and soul.
Mark Bowie has wandered the Adirondack compass, meticulously capturing the glories and
subtleties of each season. From intimate scenes to grand panoramas, accented with music
and verse, this spectacular multimedia presentation showcases the region’s wild beauty
and diversity. Moving and heartfelt, it is truly a celebration of the Adirondack’s magnificent seasons.
Mark Bowie is a third generation Adirondack photographer. He’s a frequent contributor to
Adirondack Life and Adirondack Explorer magazines, and his work has been published nationally
in books and magazines, on calendars, posters, greeting cards and advertising media.
His first two books, Adirondack Waters: Spirit of the Mountains and In Stoddard’s Footsteps:
The Adirondacks Then & Now have become landmark regional publications. Each won the Adirondack
Center for Writing’s Photography Book of the Year. Mark is a staff instructor for the Adirondack
Photography Institute and leads digital and landscape photography workshops. He has produced
several multimedia shows on the Adirondacks and has been featured on the public television
programs Adirondack Outdoors and Insight.
Called the “magnificent obsession” by the New York Times, this inland water trail traces
traditional Native American travel routes across 740 miles in New York, Vermont, Québec,
New Hampshire, and Maine.
Join Kate Williams, NFCT Executive Director since 2004,
for a virtual journey along this diverse and enchanting route. Learn about the variety
of opportunities available along the route for trips of various lengths, from an afternoon
to a lifetime.
NFCT maps and a newly released guidebook will be available for sale, along
with other information about the Trail.
A talk and slide show with steve mackey
Chapter member Steve Mackey hiked the entire 2,178 miles of the Appalachian Trail this past
summer. He started April 8, 2009, on Springer Mountain near Atlanta, Georgia, and finished
Aug. 23, 2009, on the summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine.
Along the way, he saw 21 black bears,
got stung by bees five times, pulled off at least 14 ticks, saw four rattlesnakes, lost
about 25 pounds, and wore out two pairs of boots. Near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia,
Steve did a really big day and stood in four different states in 24 hours.
Come hear and see a trip of a lifetime!
In July 1989, Morzillo started flying aircrafts and now holds a commercial pilot certificate for airplanes,
including land and sea, and gliders. He also instructs in both airplanes and gliders. Now in his early 60s,
aviation has become his principal form of recreation, but being retired, he makes time to fish, hike, snowshoe,
canoe, kayak, geocache and hunt.
Morzillo is a retired middle school science teacher and has been a member of ADK off and on for many years,
especially in the late 1970s and 1980s. During that time, he spent a great deal of time in the Adirondacks hiking,
canoeing, kayaking, camping, fishing and hunting with friends and/or with his wife and children. During the summers
in the 1980s, Morzillo’s family spent one-and-a-half years’ worth of days traveling around the U.S. and Canada in
their two Volkswagen Campers; the longest trip being almost 10 weeks long. He visited all the states in which reach
by driving, all the provinces of Canada and the Yukon Territory. In the West, he hiked to the bottom of the Grand
Canyon twice and and on another trip, across the Grand Canyon. He has hiked repeatedly in Yellowstone, Teton,
Glacier, Denali and most of the other national parks throughout the country.
Morzillo finds that the same types of folks who enjoy flying in general, and specifically soaring, are the same
types of folks who enjoy many of the outdoor actives promoted by ADK.
Wildlife photographer Gerard Lemmo will present a photo journey of the Northeastern Woodland Habitat.
Images include a stealthy black bear, brilliant scarlet tanager, an iridescent-green tiger beetle and yellow lady’s slippers.
Keep your eyes open, or you may miss some of the more common forest dwellers hiding within the shadows!
Gerard Lemmo is one of the Northeast’s most prolific wildlife and travel photographers in the world,
having traveled to six of the seven continents in pursuit of adventure, and the thrill of capturing beautiful images
of elusive wild creatures, plus the landscapes and cultures that surround them. His images regularly appear
in both local and international circulation.
His clients include The National Geographic Society, International Paper Company, National Audubon,
The Nature Conservancy, General Electric, the San Diego Zoo, The London Times, and the National Wildlife Federation.
He has also written several photo-illustrated articles for Adirondack Life and the New York State Conservationist.
While on assignment, Mr. Lemmo has photographed in Vermont and New Hampshire for the Nature Conservancy and in New York
for the Backpacker, Adirondack Life and Adirondack Explorer magazines.
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