A Message from the Chair Black Bear Bears in Harriman?
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
FALL 2011 Adirondack Mountain Club NORTH JERSEY RAMAPO CHAPTER NEWSLETTER & HIKE SCHEDULE A Message From the Chair Volunteers are the most important part of our chapter. All of the Have I mentioned that Judi is an accomplished artist in addition work needed to keep the chapter functioning is done by volun- to being a professional graphic designer? If you would like to see teers working quietly behind the scenes. The newsletter is no some of her work, she is having a show of photographs at the exception. Volunteers edit, proofread, and mail the newsletter. Suffern Library during the month of November. She also teaches When the Ramapo and North Jersey chapters merged in 2009, art. This December she is teaching a course titled “You Can Draw”, we decided to make some changes. We kept many features of the also at the Suffern Library. Contact the library for details and two existing newsletters, but we changed the format completely. hours. (www.suffernfreelibrary.org; 210 Lafayette Ave., Suffern, NY Judi, our new editor, had recently joined the ADK and had asked 10901; 845-357-1237) Suzan if we needed any help with the newsletter. Suzan accepted (quickly!), so Judi designed our new logo and the layout that One last thing. Some members have suggested that we send the provides the new look. Every three months she takes contribu- newsletter by e-mail instead of by post. Personally I like to have a tions from our members (hike schedule, articles, photographs, paper copy, so I would probably print it out. It wouldn’t be as nice drawings, etc.), and uses her knowledge, experience, and skill in or as convenient (the hike schedule is an easy pullout) as it is now, graphic design to turn them into an attractive and professional- and it seems less efficient to me. What do you think? I’d like to looking publication. The result has been impressive and I and the hear from you. other officers and board members of the chapter are very proud of our newsletter. Thank you Judi. Black Bear Bears In Harriman? by Betty Heald In all my 40+ years of hiking in Harriman, I’d never heard of a toward us along the trail. Instinctively, I began the loud yelling, bear encounter, nor seen any evidence of their scat in the Park. barking noise I’d been practicing lo’ these many years. The bear In August 35 years ago near Bear Lake in Ramapo Reservation, stopped, reared up on its hind legs and looked our way (I don’t a friend and I came upon a mama and her two cubs in Ramapo think it could see us very well). I continued my yelling, uninter- Reservation. They were quite a distance away so we did not feel rupted. Barbara soon joined me. (She was a fast learner.) threatened. On a spring AMC trip in Glacier National Park some years ago signs of bear scat and of their digging for roots were The bear stood for a time. It seemed very long to me, but was frequently found. I was alone but not threatened when I saw a probably only 20 seconds or so, before it dropped down on all grizzly ambling along the far side of a ravine. On that same trip I fours and ambled off into the woods to the north. We knew that met a young woman employee hiking with a companion. Peri- bear cubs might be following along, so we stood quietly, waiting. odically, she gave out a piercing yodel-like yell. I asked her why In a minute or so another large black bear came around the bend she did that and she explained that the yell was more effective in the trail toward us. We commenced our loud yelling again. This warning bears away than the common, little jingling bear-bells fellow behaved just as his buddy had and, standing up to peer to- people wore on their packs. Since then, anyone and everyone ward us for a few seconds, dropped to the ground and ambled off hiking with me has had to endure hearing me periodically prac- in the same direction as the first bear. I expect they were yearlings tice that yell in case a bear was nearby. What would you do if an weighing about 350 pounds each. adult bear suddenly appeared in front of you? Recently a friend and I had to deal with this situation. We stood some time waiting to see if any more bears would ap- pear. When none did, we trotted on down that trail as quickly as On a Thursday in early June, Barbara Goldberg and I were hiking we could, back to the parked car and our drive home. It wasn’t back to our car at Tiorati Road along the Beech Trail. We had been until the next day that I realized the possible danger that we had disappointed that the mountain laurel was not yet at its peak. faced. After many years of exposure to articles and video presenta- Soon after crossing Hasenclever Road Barbara, who was behind tions on what to do when a bear is encountered, my reactions had me, suddenly said, “There’s a bear up ahead.” I lifted my eyes from been instinctive. It is reassuring to know that the yell really works. the trail and saw, at about 150 feet, a large black bear ambling 2 ADK NORTH JERSEY RAMAPO CHAPTER HIKER’S GUIDE 385 N. Franklin Tpke, Box 7, Ramsey NJ 07446 RESPONSIBILITIES - Hikers with children under 16 and new hikers are required to contact For information contact: [email protected] the hike leader in advance to determine if the hike is suitable for them. Minors under www.hudsonhikers.org 16 are welcome on day hikes when accompanied by a parent or guardian. No person OFFICERS under 18 shall participate in overnight outings unless accompanied by a parent or adult sponsor over 21. The hike leader may refuse to allow a person to hike who is judged CHAIR - Richard Sumner to be poorly equipped or unable to do the published hike. Pets are not permitted on 845-362-8470 [email protected] hikes unless the hike description clearly states that it is “dog friendly”. Non- members are VICE CHAIR - Jeff Sovelove welcome on two hikes after which ADK membership is required. Participants should get 973-261-4745 [email protected] to the hike at least 10 minutes prior to the starting time. TREASURER - Marcia Greenwald 201-797-7541 [email protected] RISKS - As with all physical activities, hiking involves hazards. Persons participate at their SECRETARY - Fred Hodde own risk and will be asked to sign a statement acknowledging that fact before starting 973-728-3223 [email protected] the hike. Prior to the hike please advise the leader of any medical condition or physical liability that could affect you during the hike. COMMITTEE CHAIRS FOOTWEAR AND CLOTHING - Wear clothing suited to the weather and carry extra ADK BOARD OF DIRECTORS garments for unexpected weather conditions. Dress in thin layers so that you can Manny Silberberg adjust the number of layers as required to maintain comfort. In winter carry a wool cap 845-354-9165 [email protected] and wool or polypropylene gloves or mitts and a windproof shell. Be prepared for rain. Alternate Bring a rain jacket and rain pants, preferably of the type that permits venting body mois- Christopher Tausch ture. Wear comfortable, sturdy boots. Do not wear cotton garments in winter. 201-669-3113 [email protected] DRINK AND FOOD - Adequate hydration is important year round. Drink frequently CONSERVATION - Chris Connolly during the hike. Carry food to enjoy during the midday lunch stop. 201-816-9465 [email protected] DELEGATE NY-NJTC - Deanna Felicetta DOG-FRIENDLY HIKES - All hikers with dogs must abide by park leash regulations. 845-216-2021 [email protected] HIKE RATINGS - represent the Pace, Distance and Terrain covered during the hike. HIKE SCHEDULE - Peter Tilgner A hike’s rating is determined by the hike leader. 201-871-3531 [email protected] PACE: A - fast - 2.5 mph or faster SIGN-IN FORM COLLECTION - Betty Heald B - moderate - about 2 mph 201-967-2937 [email protected] C - easy - 1.5 mph or less SIGN-IN FORM MAILING - Lou O’Neill DISTANCE: is given in miles as noted 845-357-0497 [email protected] TERRAIN: A - Strenuous, long ups and downs, some rock scrambling possible. MAILING - Denis & Joan Kmiec B - Moderate ups and downs as occur typically in Harriman. 845-634-1397 [email protected] C - Generally flat with little elevation change. MARKETING - Peter Reiner MAPS - The TC number indicates a NY-NJ Trail Conference map for the area of the hike. 845-634-7635 [email protected] For example: TC-118 refers to the Southern Harriman Park map. MEMBERSHIP - Phyllis Key 201-768-5573 [email protected] ABBREVIATIONS - NCA-No Calls After . , Pref.- Leader’s contact preference. MERRYWEATHER HIKER EXPENSE SHARING - When car-pooling, passengers are expected to offer the driver funds [email protected] sufficient to cover the cost of fuel, tolls and parking fees. A $3.00 minimum per person NEWSLETTER - Judith DeBiase is recommended. Most hike trailhead meeting locations can be found on NY-NJ Trail 845-354-7736 [email protected] Conference maps. NEWSLETTER COPY EDITOR- Sheila Rizzo 201-567-8108 [email protected] HIKE CANCELLATION POLICY - Sometimes an illness, injury or other unforeseen prob- lem will make it impossible for a hike leader to lead his/her hike as announced in the PROGRAMS - Suzan Gordon schedule. When this happens the leader should first try to find a substitute leader so the 201-871-3531 [email protected] hike can proceed as scheduled.