Home |
| Back Issues |
| Message Boards |
| Calendar of Events |
| Race Results |
| Current Weather |
Advertise |
| Free Issue |
| Subscribe |
| Distributors |
| About Us |
AROUND THE REGION / NEWS BRIEFS
Avalanche
Pass Slide Closed in the High Peaks
DEC
Seeks Comments on High Peaks Wilderness Area Regulations
Mt
Bike Initiative Plans Continue
DEC
Seeks Input on Mgmt Plans for Dix & Giant Mt Wilderness Areas
Jeannie
Thoren "For Women Only" Ski Clinic
New
Community Forums on AdkSportsFitness.com!
"Give
it a Try" Ski Jumping Program
Avalanche Pass Slide Closed in the High Peaks
NYS DEC Regional Director Stuart Buchanan closed the Avalanche Pass Slide in Keene until further notice, because of an increased potential of a snow avalanche that could affect the Avalanche Pass hiking trail. The trail is a major High Peaks Wilderness trail located at the foot of the slide. [As of February 28th, Avalanche Pass Slide is still closed.] DEC has posted signs at key access points prohibiting use of the slide.
"Recent weather conditions have made Avalanche Pass Slide increasingly unstable, which warrants its closure in order to protect the safety of recreationalists in that area of the High Peaks Wilderness," Buchanan said. "People must stay off the slide in order to lessen the risk of an avalanche that would threaten hikers using the Avalanche Pass Trail below."
The Avalanche Pass Slide was created in 1999 during Tropical Storm Floyd, which deposited tons of debris on the Avalanche Pass hiking trail. This trail was cleared shortly after the storm, but the potential for snow avalanche continues in this area. Since most snow avalanches are triggered by human activity, it is necessary to prohibit the slide's use.
When conditions are unfavorable, avalanche potential exist in the Adirondack Park, especially in the High Peaks Region. Skiing slides is inherently hazardous and people traveling in the backcountry are encouraged to learn about avalanche awareness and consider attending professional courses.
Copies of the DEC brochure "Avalanche Preparedness in the Adirondacks" are available at DEC offices in Warrensburg, Ray Brook and Northville, The Mountaineer in Keene Valley, Eastern Mountain Sports, High Peaks Cyclery, the Adirondack Loj in Lake Placid and the Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau. For additional copies of the brochure, contact DEC at 518-897-1200.
DEC Seeks Comments on High Peaks Wilderness Area Regulations
The NYS DEC has initiated a 45-day public comment period on regulations affecting the use of the High Peaks Wilderness Area in the Adirondacks. The public has an opportunity to submit written comments to the DEC from February 22 through April 8, 2001. The regulations were originally implemented as emergency regulations in 1999. The public comment period is part of the process to formally adopt these regulations.
"These regulations will help preserve public health and safety while protecting fragile ecosystems, preventing wildfires, and ensuring that the public can enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the High Peaks Wilderness for years to come," DEC Commissioner John Cahill said. "Formally adopting these regulations is the best and most expeditious means of ensuring public use of the High Peaks is consistent with our efforts to protect our precious natural resources."
Public comments should be sent to Thomas Wolfe, Chief, Bureau of Public Lands, NYS DEC, 50 Wolf Road, Room 438, Albany, NY 12233. For more information visit www.dec.state.ny.us or call (518) 457-2475.
Mt Bike Initiative Plans Continue
On January 29th, the Steering Committee of the Adirondack Park Mountain Biking Initiative met. Here are some highlights of the meeting. Seventeen towns and one village have "signed on" to the Initiative by naming a Trail Coordinator and submitting information on existing and potential trails in their area. The Trails Committee will collect the information, verify it for accuracy, and put it into a standard topographic base map and trail database format.
The Town of Inlet has been chosen along with the Town of Wilmington to build a model mountain biking center. In the next few years the Initiative will focus on all areas in the Adirondack Park where there is an interest in the sports recreation tourism initiative. The International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) Trail Care Crew will be in the Park during the first week in August to hold trail-building seminars in Hamilton and Essex Counties.
The www.bikeadirondacks.com site is now up and running, and Initiative news will be available on the site. It will soon include a Users Area where comments on trails can be submitted. This information can be used in the Unit Management Planning (UMP) process. Local input is encouraged.
DEC Seeks Input on Mgmt Plans for Dix & Giant Mt Wilderness Areas
DEC Regional Director Stuart Buchanan has announced the initiation of Unit Management Plans (UMPs) for the Dix and Giant Mountain Wilderness Areas. The plans will be developed simultaneously by the DEC and Adirondack Park Agency (APA), with input from key interests and the public. These plans are part of Governor Pataki's UMP Initiative for the Forest Preserve.
To participate in the process, individuals may: send written comments to Forest Preserve Planner Kris Alberga at DEC, Route 86, PO Box 296, Ray Brook, NY 12977, or check out the DEC website at www.dec.state.ny.us for information to make comments via the email addresses listed. The public can attend an Open House that DEC is hosting on March 8th at the Keene Valley Fire Hall from 5-8pm, for the Dix and Giant UMP process to meet the staff, learn about the issues, and share your ideas about the management of these Wilderness areas.
For more information on opportunities for public involvement or the Open House contact Cali Brooks in the DEC Region 5 Office of Public Affairs at (518) 897-1248.
Jeannie Thoren "For Women Only" Ski Clinic
The woman who has reinvented skiing for women is coming to Whiteface Mountain on March 16-18 for her two-day "for women only" ski clinic. Jeannie Thoren returns to teach women how to diagnose and correct equipment problems. She has developed her own theory about why many women find themselves tired, sore, or stuck at the intermediate level for years.
"It's not you it's the equipment," is Thoren's motto. It's because women are using ski equipment that is designed more for men than women. She has developed a system of highly effective adjustments that match the right skis, bindings and boots to the right woman. Reservations are encouraged. For information contact Kate MacDonald at (518) 946-4299.
New Community Forums on AdkSportsFitness.com!
Adirondack Sports & Fitness has launched its online Community Forums—an easy way for outdoor recreation and fitness enthusiasts in the Adirondack & Capital-Saratoga regions (and beyond) to interact.
To get things started, there are nine categories: snow sports, hiking, biking, running, paddling, climbing, health & fitness, the magazine, and "other stuff." Each category has separate forums that encourage you to exchange ideas and experiences, give or seek advice, swap your gear, and meet new friends.
To join in the discussion, go to the Community and click register. Next, create your member profile. It's that easy—you can then add a new topic or post a reply to an existing topic!
"Give it a Try" Ski Jumping Program
NYSEF and Lake Placid Ski Club will sponsor a program to introduce children and adults to the sport of ski jumping. It will take place on March 7th and 9th at the Intervale Ski Jumps from 4-6pm. Participants should have basic skiing skills, and must bring alpine or telemark skis, a helmet, and proof of medical insurance. In addition, an ORDA waiver and permission for minors must be completed.
Upon successful completion and enjoyment of a practice the jumper is invited to enter the annual Lions Club Ski Jump Competition on the 15-meter hill Saturday morning, March 10th. For information, call Karen at 523-3153 or Diane at the National Sports Academy at 523-3460, ext. 26.
© 2000-2001 Adirondack Sports & Fitness. All rights reserved.