NoVeMBER 2011-JaNUARY 2012 No. 1106 chepontuc — “Hard place to cross,” Iroquois reference to Glens Falls hepontuc ootnotes C T h e N e w s l e tt e r o f T h e G l e N s f a l l s - s aF r a T o G a C h a p T e r o f T h e a d i r o N d a C k M o u nt a i N C l u b Program ‘TrekkiNG iN Nepal’ wheN: 7 p.M. NoVeMber 30 whaT: Talk, phoToGraphiC preseNTaTioN wiTh roN lesTer where: saraToGa spriNGs publiC librarY CoMMuNTiY rooM High Mountain Trek A photographic journey to Nepal n 2007, Ron Lester ventured to Nepal solo. In April of of the world’s highest peak begin, they started the five-day hike 2011, Lester joined a group back into the same region for 16 back to the town of Lukla for their return flight to Kathmandu, days of trekking in the Khumbu region that leads up to Mt. Nepal’s capital city. A documentary show on the History Channel IEverest base camp. rated Lukla as the world’s #1 most dangerous airport. Lester’s They split into two separate groups on Day 3 of the trek, photographic presentation will have plenty of unparalleled jaw- and joined back together on Day 10. Lester’s group headed up dropping mountain scenery, a high altitude glacier climb, tea the Gokyo Valley, to among other things, attempt to climb the house and tent life, with scenes of the native Sherpa people who 20,000-foot trekking peak Lobuche East. This is a climb that were his hosts. requires basic glacier mountaineering skills, and lots of desire. And of course all of the yak trains, suspension bridges, and En route over the 17,600’ Chola Pass, they were thrilled to humble Sherpa porters who carry punishing loads that make it encounter fresh tracks of the rare Snow Leopard. possible for groups to travel in relative comfort. You have to see They soon rejoined group 2, who had taken a bit more of “Generator Man” with his 243-pound load at 17,000 ft. plus. a relaxed pace up the Khumbu Valley with a side trip up the Lester will finish up with some shots of third world life and tour- 18,000’ Chukking Ri. Then it was on up the famous trekking hill ist venues around Kathmandu. Kalapatar at 18,200’ with its glorious panorama of the fantastic In his presentation, Lester will relive the adventures of the trip, Himalaya Mountains including Mt. Everest, up close. sharing the great joy, awe, and misery that are found in the high After a quick visit to Mt. Everest base camp, where climbs mountains. hepontuc ootnotes The impact of C PublishedF Bimonthly Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter adiroNdaCk MountaiN Club P.O. Box 2314 Glens Falls, NY 12801 • www.adk-gfs.org Hurricane Irene ExecuTive Committee Officers: By Maureen coutant Chair Maureen Coutant 22 pinion pine Lane., Queensbury, NY 12804 phone: 745-7834 • e-mail: [email protected] he fall is such visitors) will hopefully First Vice Chair Tricia Lockwood a busy time for be recovered through 91 Bardin road, hudson Falls, NY 12839 phone: 275-6054 • e-mail: [email protected] ADK Chapters. insurance, but the lack Second Vice Chair Laura Fiske TThe Executive of cash flow during that 16 Barber St., Ballston Spa, NY 12020 Committee doesn’t period put a strain on phone: 884-0345 • e-mail: [email protected] meet over the summer, the organization. During Secretary John Caffry 25 Wing St., Glens Falls, NY 12801 so in September we the September Board phone: 798-0624 • e-mail: [email protected] have to catch up and Meeting, a resolution Treasurer John Schneider plan for the fall activi- was passed to borrow 6 nonchalant Dr., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 ties. This September money from ADK’s phone: 584-8527 • e-mail: [email protected] chapter chair Directors was even busier due investment funds to get Jonathan Lane to Hurricane Irene and through the end of the [email protected] its impact on ADK and year. At the end of the Laura Fiske [email protected] trails. The Pharaoh year, if you are consider- Report Linda Ranado Lake Wilderness Area is ing making a charitable [email protected] our Chapter’s Adopted contribution, remember Past Chapter Chair Heidi teRiele Karkowski Wilderness area and to consider ADK. From 25 Black point road, ticonderoga, NY 12883 Please consider phone: 585-7206 • e-mail: [email protected] the high water caused trail work and education Committee Chairs: a beaver dam to break ADK when making programs to conservation Annual Dinner Heidi teRiele Karkowski and wash out a bridge and advocacy, ADK does 25 Black point road, ticonderoga, NY 12883 just downstream. A a charitable excellent work which is phone: 585-7206 • e-mail: [email protected] series of planks that all worthy of support. Conservation Jacki Bave contribution. 14 round table rd., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 allow hikers to cross a Finally, as we phone: 587-3754 • e-mail: [email protected] stream and boggy area approach the end of the Education Linda Ranado at the beginning of a year it’s time to thank 18 pine ridge road, hadley, NY 12835 trail were moved off their supports the many volunteers who help make e-mail: [email protected] and tilted precariously. The winds also the Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter spe- Hospitality Gretchen Steen 2217 county route 46, Fort edward, NY 12828 knocked over trees which blocked cial. I’m proud to talk to the public phone: 638-6139 • e-mail: [email protected] trails. Fortunately, the December and members about the fine Outings Membership Pat Desbiens forester in the area was able to coor- program that our Outings Leaders 16a rovanten park, Ballston Lake, NY 12019 dinate December crews, SCA help, put together with the help of our phone: 899-9688 • e-mail: [email protected] ADK Chapter volunteers, and others many excellent trip leaders. These are Newsletter/Editor Jill Gruben phone: 309-4198 • e-mail: [email protected] to help fix the bridge and clear blow volunteers who do this just for the Outings Alison Darbee and Madeline Kowalik-Bova down. Due to all this help, much of enjoyment of sharing the woods with e-mail: [email protected] the area was able to be hiked without others. A big thank you goes out to the Programs Sarah King having to wade across a stream by members of the Executive Committee e-mail: [email protected] Columbus Day weekend! This is the who come together once a month Publicity e-mail: [email protected] reason I joined ADK so many years (except summers) to plan and organize Trails Tom Ellis 2217 county route 46, Fort edward, NY 12828 ago. I knew ADK was a club that got all the fabulous activities and events phone: 638-6139 • e-mail: [email protected] out there and improved the trails so all that you see in the newsletter and Website George Sammons hikers could enjoy the woods. on-line. Special thanks to Barb Bave, 105 Farr Lane, Queensbury, NY 12804 As you have probably heard, times who recently “retired” from being our phone: 743-9692 • e-mail: [email protected] are tough for everyone and that Fire Tower Challenge Correspondent. Wilderness Jim Schneider 30 elizabeth Lane, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 includes ADK. The Club has done Barb has served as Chapter Chair and phone: 581-9367 • e-mail: [email protected] a great job of retaining members, Outings Chair in the past ... and we Young Members Group Jonathan Lane but for many chapters, the member- still have her number! Thanks, Barb! 547 Middle Line road, Ballston Spa, NY 12020 ship numbers are generally constant We’re always looking for people to phone: 744-4594 • e-mail: [email protected] or falling. The Hurricane’s impact help the Chapter, so please email me on ADK (both lodges closed for a if you have an interest in helping! while and road closures impacted Happy Holidays! Executive Committee New Meeting Synopsis members September 7, 2011 so some programs have been moved to GF-S chapter John Schneider, Treasurer, pre- Wednesdays. The programs through April new members to the GF-S chapter: sented the June, July, and August 2011 2012 are all lined up. Pat Desbiens, Membership Chair July 2011 Treasurer’s Reports. Total assets are , • John, Joanne, Demeter & Sam Burns, $5,340. reported that for May to July, membership Queensbury Mo Coutant, Chapter Chair, reported was down 22 net members, although there • amy Fazio, Lake Luzerne that Barb Bave wants to resign as the was less change in the number of families. • paul Gilchrist, Warrensburg Fire Tower Challenge • elaine heckan, Loudonville Coordinator and a She thinks that we may be losing some • Kathleen James, Glenville replacement is needed. members to the new Foothills Chapter. • Skyler LaBombard, cohoes Alison Darbee and Madeline Kowalik- Mo said that the Club’s membership is • Denise, Mark & Bryan McQuade, Schuylerville Bova, Outings Chairs, reported that they pretty stable and that the retention rate is • William Mohr, Lake Luzerne have designed a patch to give to outings over 80%. • eleanor Molinary, Basking ridge, new Jersey Linda Ranado, Education Chair • Victoria Stephens, Greenfield center leaders at the Annual Dinner each year. , • Megan, Stevens, Saratoga Springs They will also give gift certificates to all reported that she did programs this sum- rejoined Members trip leaders who lead at least 6 outings.