NoveMber-JaNuary 2011 No. 1101 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 Sign up Looking back and to receive e-mail from looking foward ... our chapter By Joseph Murphy, Chapter Member (read Zen to understand more, heck, read it anyway because it is a GREAT book). The ADK Glens Falls- n May of 2009, the 46 High Peaks The combination of these deep conver- Saratoga Chapter will periodi- were a challenge — exercise — an sations, Zen, visiting the White & Green cally send e-mail to announce accomplishment — a fairly cheap Mountains for the first time, and starting items of general interest to Iactivity during the recession. Fast for- to focus on life in the present moment our membership, ward to August 2010, 41 High Peaks into helped me move beyond the “task” of reminders about the journey, I realized hiking became accomplishing the 46, and start narrow- Chapter programs, a lifestyle for me. At this time I began ing in on the experience that is the 46. or corrections or having deep conversations about life, My life now exists on a plane or a line. changes to items journeys, and experiences with a friend As we all remember from elementary from the Chepontuc Newsletter. who just returned from touring Asia for math, a line extends in both directions The number of e-mails will be seven months. I was also reading “Zen without end. On this line are several kept to a minimum. and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” points that mark moments in my life. We currently have 450 mem- (Zen for short). Early one August morn- Between two of these points is the 46. bers that have signed up! ing, two hiking friends and I began The 46 is only a segment of the journey To sign up to receive our our trek out of the Garden toward that is the Adirondacks, hiking, and my e-mail, go to our chapter’s web Johns Brook Lodge, and subsequently life. It has neither a fixed beginning nor site (www.adk-gfs.org) and click Haystack, Basin, and Saddleback moun- end. It is not just a task or accomplish- on the E-mail icon, which will tains. I sped up ahead of my friends for ment to be had. For everyone it will be display a signup web page, ask- some quiet alone time. At one point, I different. ing for your name, membership stopped and turned back to find the sun’s For me, it opened my life to new pos- number, e-mail address and zip light passing through the trees. I lis- sibilities, challenges, and friends. Hiking code. tened ... there was nothing ... no cars, no is more than a recreational sport; it is When signing up, you also planes, no voices ... this was nature, the the opportunity to get away from it all; have a choice to “Opt Out” great outdoors. primarily technology — computers, of postal mail delivery of the All of a sudden so many ideas and phones, televisions, things that have, in a Chepontuc Newsletter or con- questions were popping into my head. way, dumbed down and caused society to tinue with postal delivery. Your What was I doing here? What was the become lazier. Reflect upon this thought. choosing to “Opt Out” helps the point of hiking? What was I hoping to Why is it that a 12-hour, 17-mile day environment and reduces our accomplish? For two miles I hiked along hike seems to pass by quicker with a lot printing costs. with questions and thoughts filling my of walking, sightseeing, snack breaks, Each e-mail that you receive head. For every answer I came up with and conversation when an eight-hour day will include a link to remove two more questions or ideas formed. in the office tends to drag on forever? A yourself from the list or change Once we made it to the lodge I took out final motivation for me, above my desk your e-mail address. a notepad and began jotting down all of is a clipping of an EMS advertisement. In Any questions, please contact: these thoughts, “journey ... tasks ... ends it, hikers are wearing their EMS raincoats George Sammons (webmaster@ ... sun ... peaks ... comfort.” Nearing the while being drenched, and the quote adk-gfs.org). end of the 46er challenge, I was finally reads, “Rain is just nature giving you a growing and surpassing the ego hike good story to tell.” hepontuc ootnotes Leave your mark C PublishedF Bimonthly Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter adiroNdaCk MountaiN Club P.O. Box 2314 Glens Falls, NY 12801 • www.adk-gfs.org on the park ExecuTive Committee Officers: Chair Heidi teRiele Karkoski By Heidi teriele karkoski 25 Black point road, ticonderoga, Ny 12883 phone: 585-7206 • e-mail: [email protected] First Vice Chair Maureen Coutant n the heart of the hats. Adirondackers of 22 pinion pine lane., Queensbury, Ny 12804 phone: 745-7834 • e-mail: [email protected] Adirondacks, in today are represented Second Vice Chair Tricia Lockwood Blue Mountain here too; the story is still 91 Bardin road, Hudson Falls, Ny 12839 phone: 275-6054 • e-mail: [email protected] ILake, New York, is the being written. Secretary John Caffry 25 Wing st., Glens Falls, Ny 12801 Adirondack Museum. Members of the phone: 798-0624 • e-mail: [email protected] It was established over Adirondack Mountain Treasurer John Schneider 6 Nonchalant dr., saratoga springs, Ny 12866 50 years ago to pro- Club help shape today’s phone: 584-8527 • e-mail: [email protected] tect remnants of the Adirondacks. Our Directors cHapter cHair John Schneider region’s history and actions today can change phone: 584-8527 • e-mail: [email protected] Laura Fiske tell the stories of the (or not change) the fab- 16 Barber st., Ballston spa, Ny 12020 phone: 884-0345 • e-mail: [email protected] people who shaped ric of the Park and write Report Linda Ranado it. I try to visit every the next chapter in its e-mail: [email protected] Past Chapter Chair Jean Holcomb year; the exhibits are history. What an impor- Stay informed about 30 schuyler drive, saratoga sprints, Ny 12866 extensive and there’s tant and worthy task to phone: 583-0658 • e-mail: [email protected] Committee Chairs: always something current issues affecting take on! Stay informed Annual Dinner Heidi teReile Karkoski 25 Black point road, ticonderoga, Ny 12883 new to discover. The the Adirondack Park. about current issues phone: 585-7206 • e-mail: [email protected] fire tower that once by checking the club’s Conservation Jacki Bave 14 round table rd., saratoga springs, Ny 12866 stood on Whiteface website often, subscribe phone: 587-3754 • e-mail: [email protected] Education Linda Ranado Mountain, a 1907 schoolhouse, and to ADK Today — an online connec- 18 pine ridge road, Hadley, Ny 12835 a 20th-century hand hewn hunting tion to the latest news, or curl up e-mail: [email protected] Hospitality Gretchen Steen camp are a few of the structures dis- with Adirondac magazine. Speak out 2217 county route 46, Fort edward, Ny 12828 played on the grounds. The museum and take an active role in the issues phone: 638-6139 • e-mail: [email protected] Membership Pat Desbiens uses an incredible array of objects you feel strongly about, volunteer to 16a rovanten park, Ballston lake, NY 12019 that convey the colorful stories of the maintain trails, or tell a friend about phone: 899-9688 • e-mail: [email protected] Newsletter/Editor Jill Gruben Adirondack wilderness, but it is the ADK. Find your own way to leave 4 Nostalgia lane, Ballston spa, Ny 12020 phone: 309-4198 • e-mail: [email protected] connection with people that draws me your mark on the Park. Outings Jack Whitney in the most. Thank you all for supporting ADK phone: 793-9210 • e-mail: [email protected] Program Terry Peek I try to image what it would have and the Glens Falls-Saratoga chapter. 11c robanten park, Ballston spa, Ny 12019 been like to walk in forests unknown I am pleased to have served you as phone: 899-1129 • e-mail: [email protected] Publicity Ryan Simko to but a few, work in a lumber camp chapter chair for the past two years phone: (219) 775-3336 • e-mail: [email protected] and experience a log drive, or climb and look forward to helping the Club Trails Tom Ellis 2217 county route 46, Fort edward, Ny 12828 a mountain in a long dress! The voice in new ways. I take away a greater phone: 638-6139 • e-mail: [email protected] Web site George Sammons recordings of hermit Noah John appreciation for the accomplishments 105 Farr lane, Queensbury, Ny 12804 Rondeau give a glimpse into his life of ADK and the challenges ahead. phone: 743-9692 • e-mail: [email protected] Wilderness Jim Schneider of solitude — a precious slice of a The greatest appreciation though is 30 elizabeth lane, saratoga springs, Ny 12866 bye-gone time, weary lumberjacks for the members — it is the connec- phone: 581-9367 • e-mail: [email protected] Young Members Group Jonathan Lane smile for the camera, well-heeled tion with people that makes it all 547 Middle line road, Ballston spa, Ny 12020 phone: 744-4594 • e-mail: [email protected] ladies stand proudly in their plumed worthwhile.