New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Recreation

A Mountaintop Plaque Recalls Teenage Adventurer Esther McComb

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Esther Mountain plaque provided by LPLC“For The Sheer Joy Of Climbing”

These words will likely sound familiar to anyone who has undertaken the journey to become a 46er, as they are inscribed on a plaque at the summit of Esther Mountain, High Peak #28. The plaque was placed on the summit in 1939 by The Adirondack 46ers to honor “the indomitable spirit” of the peak’s namesake, Esther McComb. [Read more…] about A Mountaintop Plaque Recalls Teenage Adventurer Esther McComb

Finger Lakes Museum Finishes Season With New Trails

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Boardwalk Sign at Finger Lakes MuseumThe Finger Lakes Museum has finished their season, after hosting 300 this programming season partaking in self-guided paddles, a virtual Paddle Keuka kayaking challenge, Scouts merit badge programs, outdoor concert series and tree plantings, and more. [Read more…] about Finger Lakes Museum Finishes Season With New Trails

Forest Rangers Respond to Lost Hikers, Overturned Boat

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forest ranger logoNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents in the around New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.

What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Respond to Lost Hikers, Overturned Boat

About $1,700 To Go! – Please Help Us Meet Our 2020 Fundraising Goal

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New York Almanack Updated DailyWe’re about $1,700 from our annual fundraising goal, but we need your help to get over the top. We receive no public money. We depend on you. (THANK YOU to those who have already done their part!)

To keep New York Almanack publishing we need you to make a contribution online at our Rally.org page: https://rally.org/f/4LBVKo9zYjO

Or, checks can be sent to: [Read more…] about About $1,700 To Go! – Please Help Us Meet Our 2020 Fundraising Goal

Early Images of the Adirondacks: Science, Art, Tourism

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View of Caldwell, Lake George, by William Tolman CarltonThe first Europeans to see the Adirondack landscape of Northern New York came to explore, to document important military operations and fortifications, or to create maps and scientifically accurate images of the terrain, flora, and fauna.

These early illustrations filled practical needs rather than aesthetic ones.  In 1818, the Adirondacks was still a mysterious “wild, barren tract…covered with almost impenetrable Bogs, Marshes & Ponds, and the uplands with Rocks and evergreens.” [Read more…] about Early Images of the Adirondacks: Science, Art, Tourism

Dams, Canals, Locks & Inclined Planes: Farrand Benedict In The Adirondacks

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Farrand Benedict portrait This is a story of a fascinating but rather forgotten individual from the history of the Adirondacks.

Along with his slightly older mentor Ebenezer Emmons, and his younger contemporary Verplanck Colvin, he was among the first to accurately survey much of the Adirondacks. He also proposed a number of early dams, canals, locks and inclined planes and considered using historic waterways and canals to traverse the Adirondacks by water. [Read more…] about Dams, Canals, Locks & Inclined Planes: Farrand Benedict In The Adirondacks