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ADK Today

Vol. 3, No. 7: July 16, 2010

 

Allegany State Park

State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash will be signing the new Master Plan for Allegany State Park on Wednesday (July 21). The plan designates nearly 85 percent of the park as Park Preservation areas. ADK recommended the Park Preservation designation as the best way to protect this natural treasure in western New York. Read our Conservation Update.

Ketch

Dr. Edwin Ketchledge, the renowned scientist, educator and conservationist who founded the Adirondack Summit Steward Program, died June 30. He was 85. Dr. Ketchledge, known as “Ketch,” was an active ADK member for many years and played a key role in a number of crucial conservation efforts. Read more about his life here.

JBL Lectures

The Friday night lecture series at the Johns Brook Lodge begins Aug. 6 with “Four Seasons of JBL.” Bob Grimm, long-time JBL Committee chair, will share the rich history of the lodge through stories and slides. Other lectures will explore the geology, floral and fauna of the Adirondacks and the ecology of the region’s alpine zones. Meanwhile, ADK’s lecture series continues at the Member Services Center in Lake George, including an Aug. 10 slideshow on Great Camps, and at the High Peaks Information Center. A complete schedule of ADK lectures is available here. Also, check out ADK's free summer programs at Heart Lake

Acid Rain

EPA has proposed a new regulation that would sharply reduce power-plant emissions that cause acid rain. The Transport Rule would replace the much-weaker Clean Air Interstate Rule. Read our Conservation Update.

NPT Supplement

A new supplement to ADK’s Northville-Placid Trail guide is available

here. The supplement describes the 8-mile reroute of the trail off Cedar River Road.

ididaride!

Aug. 1 is the deadline to register for ididaride! Adirondack Bike Tour. The 75-mile loop ride through the scenic heart of the Adirondacks is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 15. This year, custom cycling jerseys are available. Click here for event details and registration information.

And the winner is …

ADK members Bob and Connie Brookes of Collingswood, N.J., won the raffle for the handmade quilt. ADK life member Lisa Zimmerman of Nassau, N.Y., won the canoe.

Thunderstorms

It’s that time of year, when the words “chance of thunderstorms” seem to appear in just about every weather forecast. That means it’s a good time to review lighting safety information. Hikers should heed this rule: Never ascend above the treeline when there is lightning. If you are already above the treeline, descend immediately. There’s more  information about lightning safety here and here.

Do Not Touch!

Highly toxic giant hogweed appears to be expanding its domain in New York state. The plant’s sap, in combination with moisture and sunlight, can cause severe skin and eye irritation, painful blistering, permanent scarring and blindness. Giant hogweed grows in wet areas along streams and rivers, on waste ground, near houses, in vacant lots and along railways and roads. If you see it, don’t touch it. If you don’t know what it looks like, there are pictures and descriptions on DEC’s Web site here and here.

Outdoor Program Update

ADK has added a Sept. 3 MacNaughton Mountain hike to its schedule of Trailless Peak Day Hikes. Also, ADK is still taking registrations for its Leave No Trace Master Educator Course. The Master Educator Course is designed for people who are actively teaching others outdoor skills or providing recreation information to the public.

ADK in the News

 

Other News

 

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. Read past issues.