chapter chair chapter annual dinner &...
TRANSCRIPT
Fall 2017
Chapter Chair
Due to his continuing recovery from surgery in May, Dave Esmond will not return as chair for the AMC Mohawk Hudson Chapter. Right up until the day before his operation, Dave worked with Susannah Hatch to set up a local Young Members gathering – and it was a very
successful event!
I have been filling in as Chair for Dave ever since, according to our bylaws. He has been quite helpful in giving advice, which I’ve readily accepted, and is still working on our behalf by securing the EGTL location for the Executive Committee bimonthly meetings, and maintaining the chapter’s website.
Dave’s capable leadership in 2016/2017 kept Mohawk Hudson moving forward. We thank him for his service to our chapter, and trust the friendships made will persist.
Kevin Cox
AMC’s New HQ
The Appalachian Mountain Club has officially moved into its new organizational headquarters at 10 City Square in Boston’s historic Charlestown neighborhood, positioning itself to better support staff, cultivate expanded community connections, and achieve long-term growth and mission objectives. See a photo and read all about it at:
http://www.outdoors.org/articles/newsroom/new-headquarters/
Chapter Annual Dinner & Election
Our annual chapter banquet and election of officers for 2018 will be held on November 2 at Schenectady County Community College’s Van Curler Room. Come enjoy a sit-down gourmet meal prepared and served by local culinary arts students.
Many of us have seen photos of the Catskill High Peaks. Our guest speaker, Alan Via, author of The Catskill 67: A Hiker's Guide to the Catskill 100 Highest Peaks Under 3500', will take us on a tour of the "Lostkills of the Catskills” – those off-the-beaten-path, and sometimes seldom-hiked, “other” Catskills.
Alan’s slide presentation features a four-season tour of mountain vistas, scenery, and flora, with photos of birds and animals in unusual mountain settings. Come and enjoy the stories and tales, some of them true.
Dinner invitation with menu, venue, program, and reservation information appear inside.
Pictured at right on Cook Mountain is Alan Via with Toby.
To continue, see page 4, November 2 – Annual Dinner & Election.
Page 2 On the Western Slope – Fall 2017
Dates to note: Oct 13-15 AMC Fall Gathering, Freedom, NH
Nov 2 Chapter Annual Dinner, SCCC, Schenectady, NY
Nov 13 EComm Meeting, EGTL 6:45 p.m.
Save the date! Jan 6 Social, Meeting & Outing, Five Rivers, Delmar, NY
Jan 12-15 Vermont Hiking Weekend, Weston, VT
Mar 12 EComm Meeting, EGTL 6:45 p.m.
AMC Mohawk Hudson Chapter Executive Committee:
Kevin Cox, Chapter Chair, Outings Chair 518-279-4839 [email protected]
Vacancy, Vice Chair
Martha Waldman, Treasurer 518-869-5109 [email protected]
Deborah D. Richards, Secretary 518-281-3024 [email protected]
Sharon Foster, AMC Central Regional Director [email protected]
John Tifft, Trails Committee Chair, Conservation Committee Chair 518-439-5686 [email protected]
Mary O’Connell, Membership Committee Chair 518-330-6838, [email protected]
Kathleen Helfrich, Program Committee Chair 518-279-9621; [email protected]
Christine Boucher, Newsletter Editor 518-322-0296; [email protected]
Mohawk Hudson Chapter Website:
http://www.amcmohawkhudson.org
“Like Us” on Facebook:
Ctrl + click the “facebook” image at left to view the Mohawk Hudson AMC chapter Facebook page.
Once there, click the “Like” image (shown at left) to “like” our page: if you have a
Facebook account, log in; else, you’ll have to set one up in order to “like” our page. We’re up to 185 “likes” on Facebook, and 350 “enthusiasts” on Meetup.
Chapter Outings
October / November / December 2017
Listings below are as of September 30, 2017 newsletter distribution date. Leaders may post e-mail updates for their trips (published in the newsletter or not) via the AMC calendar of events which is available via the chapter website. Leaders may also post updates via the chapter Yahoo group. Please join our Yahoo group (it’s free!) to see the updates and connect to others.
All activities require advance registration: Please contact the Leader for information about hike difficulty, meeting time and place, carpooling, and hike updates due to weather or trail conditions. If you leave a message, please include a phone number where you can be reached in case hike plans must be changed.
October
Sat 10/7 Giant and Rocky Peak Ridge A-3-A (Hiking) We will climb up the Ridge Trail from Rt. 73 to the junction for Rocky Peak Ridge. From there, we will retrace our steps and hike to Giant. Then, we will descend back to where the cars are parked. The distance is 9 miles and the ascent is about 4000 feet. Leader: Kevin Cox 518-279-4839 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected].
Sat 10/14 Mt. Greylock Thru Hike Round Rocks to Summit Vistas B-3-B (Hiking) Easy to moderate 5.5 mi / 1100' gain or loss (hikers choice of start) end-to-end thru hike going from Rounds Rock, to Jones Nose Vista, the Appalachian Trail to Saddle Ball Mtn. and on to summit vistas, or vice versa. Leader: Jean Laverdure 518-593-2058 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected] Co-Leader: John Tifft 518-439-5686 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected].
Sun 10/15 Mt. Antone, Merck Forest (Hiking) I typically do a Merck Forest trip in spring to enjoy the maple festival and breakfast. This time we will spend more time on the many fine trails to tour the visitor’s center and animal barns. Hike occurs during Vermont's bow hunting season. Leader: Bob Armao 518-271-6512 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected].
Wed 10/18 Rounds Rock Loop, Mount Greylock Hike/Snowshoe B-3-C (Hiking) We will leave the Mount Greylock Visitors Center parking lot (Rockwell Road, Lanesboro, MA) and take the Bradley Farm Trail, Northrup Trail, and Rounds Rock Trail to some scenic vistas. We will return via Woodson Spring and Bradley Farm Trails. Most of the terrain is average, there is one steep section going up, and a couple of steep sections
Page 3 On the Western Slope – Fall 2017
coming down. About 7 miles. Elevation gain 920 feet.
Leader: Michelle Filiault [email protected].
Sat 10/21 Survey of Our Section of the Appalachian Trail (Conservation) We'll do a thru survey of our section of the Appalachian Trail noting any blowdowns and areas to be trimmed before colder weather arrives. Please bring any cutting tools you may have, and wear
appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.
Bring also a lunch and water. Leader: John Tifft 518-439-5686 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected].
Sat 10/28 Trail Work on the Taconic Crest Trail (Conservation) As happens every year, leaves fall and clog the runoffs situated on our section of the Taconic Crest Trail. Our primary job will be to rake out the leaves which settle in the runoffs. Secondarily, we will survey the trail for any other problems. Bring a rake and optionally any cutting tools you may have. Pack a lunch and water also. If interested, contact the leader for further information. Leader: John Tifft 518-439-5686 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected].
November
Thurs 11/2 Mohawk Hudson Chapter Annual Meeting & Banquet (Meetings) The Mohawk Hudson Chapter will hold its annual meeting and banquet, with election of 2018 officers, in the Van Curler Room of Elston Hall, Schenectady County Community College (78 Washington Ave., Schenectady, NY 12305). Social hour at 5:30 pm, dinner at 6:15 pm. Guest speaker will be Alan Via, author of The Catskill 67: A Hiker's Guide to the Catskill 100 Highest Peaks Under 3500'. See page 1 – Chapter Annual Dinner & Election.
Sat 11/4 Slide Mountain B-3-A (Hiking) We will start at County Route 47 trailhead for Slide Mt. Will follow the Wittenberg-Cornell-Slide trail to Phoenicia-East Branch trail, Curtis-Ormsbee trail to the summit. We will follow the Wittenberg- Slide trail back to the trailhead. The distance is about 6 miles and the ascent is 2000 feet. Leader: Kevin Cox 518-279-4839 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected].
Wed 11/8 Kaaterskill Falls and Escarpment Trails (Hiking) For two summers the NY-NJTC, ADK, and DEC have worked to build a new trail for viewing Kaaterskill Falls. They have a viewing point above and stairs along the falls. This hike will begin on the Scutt Rd trail to the new falls trail (elevation loss/gain -200'), then continue to the Escarpment Trail for great views of a November
mountain scrape from Sunset Point and Inspiration Point. Loop back to the trail head. Approximately 6 miles, with 600'elevation gain. If there is a threat of ice, the hike will be rescheduled. Leader: Sharon Bonk 518-674-0042 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected]
Sat 11/11 Survey of the Long Path, South of Thacher Park (Conservation) We'll survey this section of the Long Path with an eye out for further growth that needs trimming before the winter arrives. Bring cutting tools; I will bring some extra scythes as the distance makes the lugging of a power tool difficult. Also bring a lunch and water. If interested please contact the leader for information regarding meeting place and time. Leader: John Tifft 518-439-5686 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected].
Wed 11/15 Hike at Christman's Sanctuary C-3-C (Hiking) Easy hike in lovely Christman's Sanctuary (Nature Conservancy property) in Delanson. Thirty-foot waterfall, rock formations in the Bozenkill, woodsy trails. Bring lunch and water. We will go three or four miles. Leader: Nancy Crowther 518-698-0531 [email protected].
Sat 11/18 Phelps Trail to Taconic Crest Trail (Hiking) We will ascend the Phelps Trail on Oblong Rd in Williamstown to reach the Taconic Crest Trail in 1.5 miles/1300' elevation gain, then continue to the summit of Berlin Mtn. in an additional 1.3 miles/300' elevation gain. Return by same route for approx 6 mile RT. Leader: Bob Armao 518-271-6512 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected]
Sat 11/25 Survey of the Long Path through Thacher Park (Conservation) We'll do our bi-annual survey of the Long Path through Thacher looking for any blowdowns to report to the NY-NJ Trail Conference and cutting back any overgrown brush on or beside the trail. This is a 7-mile through walk that affords an opportunity to become familiar with the entire section of the Long Path through the park. Leader: John Tifft 518-439-5686 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected].
December
Sat 12/9 Hennig Preserve, Saratoga County B-3-C (Snowshoeing) Easy to moderate 6.0 mi / 500' gain. The Preserve features numbers of unique historical and geological features such ascellar holes, wells, charcoal-making pits, and esker (ridge) formations. Trails loop around to Hennig Hill 1602' and Esker Peak 1345' from the year round trail head parking. Leader: Jean Laverdure 518-593-2058 [email protected];
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Co-Leader: John Tifft 518-439-5686 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected].
Wed 12/13 Hike in Anchor Diamond Park C-3-C (Hiking) Explore this new park with us. There are 4.5 miles of marked trails, with a creek, woods, old stone walls, and an old foundation to what was once Hawkwood Mansion. Leader: Nancy Crowther 518-698-0531 [email protected].
Sat 12/16 Snowy Mountain B-3-A (Hiking) We’ll follow the trail to the fire tower. The last section of the trail is 1300 feet and 1.2 miles before the summit. Bring micro-spikes or traction device. We could experience winter conditions. The distance is 7.4 miles and the ascent is 2300 feet. Leader: Kevin Cox 518-279-4839 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected].
January 2018 – Plan Ahead
Fri 1/12 to Mon 1/15/2018 MLK Weekend in Vermont (Snowshoeing) X-Country skiing and snowshoeing. We will be staying at the Colonial House Inn and Motel. 3 nights’ lodging and 9 meals $319 to $382 ppdo. $393. to $595. ppso. Leader: Randy MacDonald 518-766-7675 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected].
The Mohawk Hudson chapter also offers additional weekday outings.
• The Midweek Hikers invite you to hike with them on Wednesdays. To join our e-mail list, contact Gerry Weber at (518) 758-7189 [email protected].
• The Hiking at a Relaxed Pace (HARP) group hikes on Thursdays or Fridays. To join our e-mail list, contact Frank or Dee Wind at 518-458-1781 [email protected].
November 2 – Annual Dinner & Election
Continued from page 1:
Please see SCCC's website for directions to the campus: http://sunysccc.edu/About-Us/Campus-Visit-and-
Extension-Sites/-Directions-to-Main-Campus. Park in spaces for "Casola Dining Room/Visitor Parking." Use the Elston Hall building entrance labeled "Casola Dining Room" in large gold letters. Inside, there's good signage to the Van Curler Room. Take the first elevator on right up to "1." Exit elevator, turn right, and at end of the hallway, turn right and continue until you come to the Van Curler Room on the right. Go on a little further to the room’s second entrance. When taking the elevator down to go home, press "G."
CHAPTER ANNUAL DINNER
Thursday, November 2, 2017
SCHENECTADY COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Van Curler Room at Elston Hall
78 Washington Ave. Schenectady, N.Y. 12305
PROGRAM
5:30 PM Social Hour
6:15 PM Dinner
Brief business meeting and election of 2018 officers
Speaker: Alan Via
MENU
Social Hour
Crudités and cheese
Mulled cider, coffee, tea, wine
Dinner
Pear, Pancetta and Walnut Salad
Roast Filet of Salmon with Honey-Balsamic Glaze
– OR –
BBQ Brisket of Beef with Wild Mushroom Sauce and
Caramelized Onions
– OR –
Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie
Dessert
Deluxe Chocolate Cake
The price includes wine during the social hour and dinner.
Those who want may bring their own wine or beer; be
sure to bring the wine/beer in an unopened container
and give it to a server to open it for you.
Reservations and payment of $35.00 per person must be
received by October 24, 2017.
When making your reservation, please tell us:
• your choice of entrée (salmon or beef or
vegetarian shepherd’s pie);
• your choice of no wine, red wine, or white wine;
• about any dietary restrictions; and
• your phone number or e-mail address.
Please make checks payable to "AMC Mohawk Hudson"
and send all to:
Program Chair: Kathleen Helfrich
P.O. Box 449, Wynantskill, NY 12198
Page 5 On the Western Slope – Fall 2017
Welcome New Members! Thorsten Alme Kayla Altland
Loren Baim Thomas Corrigan
Gary Cunningham John Danyew
Timothy Ela David Fabiano
Mr. & Mrs. Fagan Mr. & Mrs. Gebhard
Richard Kappes Colby Kellogg-Yondt
Mr. & Mrs. Kirk-Davidoff Carol L. Kobuskie
Don Lehman Brianne McManus
Rick Molongoski George S. Morris
Todd R. Munn Charles Norton
Janet A. Null Barry O’Keefe
Kevin O’Keefe Deb Osterhoudt
Melinda Payson & Amit Biswas
Eric A. Price Michael Primeau
Deb Reif Roberta Roll
Dana Rosenstreich Liz Samenfeld-Specht
Daniel Samson Gail Schonbeck
Thomas Seamon Shaun A. Seese
Dr. Nancy Slack Matthew Smith & Alexis Barth
Thomas Sokira Megan Stevens
David C. Taylor Herbert Terns
August 2017 – Urban Hike, Albany, NY
Volunteer Opportunities
Nominating Committee – We need two additional members to round out the committee, finalize the slate of candidates for the 2018 officer positions, and prepare for the November 2, 2017 election. If you can lend a hand, please contact Janet Angelis at [email protected]
Garden Planners/Planters and Sign Designer – Our chapter is in the beginning stages of planning a bee-friendly pollinator garden, and possibly revitalizing a monarch butterfly way station to be situated at the Dyken Pond Educational Center next Spring. We are looking for members who are familiar with planning and planting these kinds of gardens to help us. We are also looking for art designers to help us put together an attractive sign for the pollinator garden. If interested, please contact John Tifft at [email protected] or call him at 518-439-5686 NCA 9 p.m.
Highland Center Art Exhibit
If you’re planning to be at the Highland Center this fall – maybe traveling in the area around the time of the AMC Fall Gathering in Freedom, N.H. – drop in to see the Highland Center art exhibit through October 29.
For more info, click:
http://www.outdoors.org/articles/newsroom/appalachian-mountain-club-presents-white-mountain-art-exhibit-master-plein-air-painter-michael-e-vermette-crawford-notch/
View Contest Photos
Although AMC’s 2017 photo contest has closed, view the nearly 700 entries at: https://photocontest.outdoors.org/
July 2017 – Vroman’s Nose, near Middleburg, NY
Page 6 On the Western Slope – Fall 2017
Wild Alaska Sampler, June 16-25, 2018
Moderate day hiking and touring
This spectacular journey is for the day hiker who prefers the comforts of 3-star accommodations. We will visit some
of the high points of Alaska, with only a day pack on your back! Our hikes will be in the moderate range, up to 6 miles in length, leading us through forests and meadows to grand views of the state’s impressive peaks.
The trip starts in Anchorage and its nearby state park, which features the Chugach Mountains. We will hike in Denali National Park and take a cruise out of Seward Port to see the glaciers and teaming marine wildlife of Kenai Fjords National Park. We will stop in Talkeetna, a tiny, funky hamlet straight out of your mental picture of life in small-town Alaska, 115 miles north of Anchorage. Talkeetna is the staging area for over 1,000 climbers who attempt to climb Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley) each year.
We have left room in our schedule for optional activities including flightseeing tours of Denali with glacier landings, jet boat rides to see class V rapids, museums, a visit to a dog-sled camp, a wildlife viewing excursion, or just lay back and enjoy the surrounding beauty of our largest state: all available during free time or on a rainy day. You see why we call it a Wild Alaska Sampler!
Contact the leaders for a detailed prospectus and application/registration package: Janis Stahlhut, [email protected], 203-820-9275 and Samir Patel, [email protected], 978-270-0714.
HOC 2017 – Mohawk Hudson & Del Valley Leaders
HOC Chapter Weekend 2017
17 MH chapter members had a great Fall weekend at Harriman Outdoor Center in Haverstraw, NY. The 474,000-acre Harriman parklands have interesting, moderate hiking. Camp accommodations were modern and quite comfortable, and the camaraderie with members of Delaware Valley and North Jersey-New York chapters added to the fun. No surprise – the chapter is planning a return trip for 2018!
HOC 2017 – Thanks to Our Leaders – Gerry, Sharon & Ellen
Page 7 On the Western Slope – Fall 2017
MTHS hosts 4th Annual Hike Fest
Saturday, October 7th, 2017
It’s that time of year again for Hike Fest with the Mountain Top Historical Society on Rt. 23A in Haines Falls. This year we will feature 4 hikes ranging in various intensity levels. All hikes will meet at 9:00 a.m. and leave from the KRT parking lot on the Mountain Top Historical Society campus. Following the hikes (around noon), a lunch of grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, salads, cold drinks and dessert will be available. The cost per person for lunch is $10, reservations required. After lunch (about 1:00 p.m.) MTHS board member Moe Lemire will speak about his recent through hike on the Appalachian Trail. Moe’s talk will be illustrated with lots of his photos taken along the trail.
Hike #1: North Point (Difficult) – 4.7 miles round trip. New York State licensed guide Moe Lemire will lead this 4.7 mile round trip hike to North Point. This hike will begin at the parking area on Scutt Road. The hike will begin following the yellow marked Rock Shelter trail. The terrain for the first 1.3 miles will be a fairly level grade with some gradual accents through rock filled trail. The hike then will take the red marked Mary's Glen trail for .8 miles ascending steeply up to open ledges. One last steep rise for .25 miles to the lookout of North Point. From the open ledges of North Point you will be able to see into the Hudson Valley as well as views of North and South Lake. The hike then will return to the parking area via the same trails back.
Hike #2: Layman Monument and beyond along the Escarpment (Moderate) — 3.5 miles round trip. Guide book author and long-time MTHS hike leader Bob Gildersleeve will head up this hike which will offer several options depending on hiking pace, time and stamina of the hikers. Maximum hike length will be 3.5 miles. After carpooling to a parking area off North Lake Road, we will take the blue-marked trail for .7 mile to Layman Monument. The hike will continue along the blue trail past many spectacular view points. When the trail meets the yellow-marked horse trail, the group has the option to loop back to the parking area or to continue on to Sunset Rock and even further to Inspiration Point. The group will return to the parking area via the same trails.
Hike #3: Kaaterskill Rail Trail to the Falls (Easy/ Moderate) – 3.5 miles round trip. This hike led by Pete Senterman will leave directly from the Mountain Top Historic Train Station and follow the newly completed Katterskill Rail Trail for a total roundtrip of 3.5 miles. The first 1.5 miles of this hike will follow along the old railroad bed and the grade is fairly flat. When the trail reaches the junction, it is .25 miles down to the viewing platform for Katterskill Falls. The hike then will retrace and follow the rail trail back to the Train Station. This hike also has the option to continue on the trail over the newly constructed bridge and descend down to the bottom of the falls.
Hike #4: Platte Clove Preserve Nature Loop Trail and Falls (Easy) – 1.25 miles. ADK 4600 hiker and MTHS board member Nancy Allen, will begin this hike at the Platte Clove Preserve Red Cabin. The hike will follow the blue trail from the cabin and branch off to the newly built nature trail loop. The hike will follow out to a view into Platte Clove and past some old ruins. The hike will loop back to the blue trail, following it back to the Red Cabin. The hikers will return to the Red Cabin and then descend down .5 miles to the base of the Plattekill Falls and return to the Red Cabin for rides back to the MTHS campus.
MTHS does not require membership for hike participation. We do however request that you register for each hike. Participants can register on our contacts
page, by calling (518) 589-6657 or by email at [email protected]. Please leave your name, phone number, # in your party and the hike for which you are registering. Also indicate if you plan to join us for lunch. Schedule subject to change. The latest information is available on our web site, http://www.mths.org. In case of rain, some hikes may be postponed, but the rest of our Hike Fest program (lunch and talk) will continue as scheduled. We look forward to seeing you on October 7.
June 2017 – Bennington Battlefield, Hoosick Falls, NY