News and Views from the Empire State
Temperatures have taken a decided turn. We’re expected to see some 20s at night in colder mountain valleys this weekend.
If you’re headed into to the woods or onto the waters, now is the time to be sure you’ve got some extra clothing and be prepared to spend an unplanned night in cold temperatures.
Summit temperatures are not expected to rise out of the 30s this weekend. [Read more…] about Cold Temperatures, Dry Conditions In The Adirondacks This Weekend
The Glens Falls Business Improvement District (BID) has just rebranded and launched a new website for the organization, www.downtownglensfalls.org. [Read more…] about Glens Falls Business District Rebrands, Launches Website
The Adirondack Council released its 2020-21 State of the Park report subtitled “Landscape of Hope,” noting that the park has become a place of refuge during the COVID-19 crisis, which has only increased the park’s popularity.
The report also notes that the state is beginning to make progress on addressing the overused trails and campsites of the High Peaks Wilderness Area, detailing what has been accomplished and what remains to be done. A third major focus of the report – taking up its entire center spread – is the pending sale of the 36,000-acre Whitney Estate in Long Lake, Hamilton County. [Read more…] about 2020 State of the Adirondack Park Report Issued
Although colder spots have been seeing nighttime temperatures in the 40s, on Wednesday much of the region reached the lower 80s, and it’s remained warm enough for comfortable camping, with water temperatures warm enough for swimming. Temperatures are forecast to remain near normal for the next week.
There is some rain and morning fog in the forecast for this weekend however, so keep an eye on the weather. Summit temperatures are expected to remain mostly in the 50s, although Sunday morning could be windy and rainy at higher elevations. Be prepared against hypothermia by bringing extra clothing, and plenty of food and water. [Read more…] about Adirondack Conditions: Dry, Waters Remain Low, Popular Areas Remain Busy
For Labor Day Weekend, Protect the Adirondacks has published online hiking trail guides for 50 hikes that lead to great destinations outside of the heavily-used High Peaks Wilderness. [Read more…] about 50 Adirondack Places To Visit Outside The High Peaks This Holiday Weekend
The Center for an Urban Future has announced a virtual policy symposium “Laying the Groundwork for a Tourism Recovery in NYC,” set for Wednesday, September 9th from 10 am to noon. [Read more…] about NYC Tourism Recovery Symposium Sept 9th
I appreciate the Adirondack Council’s recent press release TAC Press Release, Aug. 26 which highlights the many benefits of permit reservation or limited entry systems and how such a system is needed and necessary now in parts of the High Peaks Wilderness Area. Support from the Adirondack Council for such a system comes at an important moment, as overuse of the peaks continues to spike during this pandemic summer. [Read more…] about Calls For Adirondack Park Permits In Historical Perspective
When the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics conducted a park-wide survey of overuse problems in the Adirondack Park last fall, it produced a set of more than 50 recommendations for state officials, based on its experience with similar problems in wild places and preserves around the world.
In sum, Leave No Trace is an educational organization that teaches wildlands ethics to hikers and campers, and teaches wilderness stewardship and natural resource protection to government officials and other land managers. [Read more…] about Adks Report Highlights Overuse Concerns, Confusion Over Permits
The Preservation League of New York State has announced a virtual presentation set for Thursday, August 27th, looking at the historically African American vacation community of Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest & Ninevah Subdivions (SANS), its place in the context of other historically African American beach communities, what their unique challenges are, and what is being done to protect them. [Read more…] about Sag Harbor’s Historically African American Vacation Community
A recent Williams College graduate has designed a multi-media “StoryMap” that explains the overuse issues facing the Adirondack Park in simple terms, using interactive maps, info-graphics, video, audio clips, and viewer-manipulated photographs. [Read more…] about Storymap Explains Adirondack Park Overuse Issues