The Green Hiker

Anne LaBastille, author and environmentalist, passes away.

I could not let this week pass without commenting on the death of Anne LaBastille.

Most New Yorkers, that is those who pay attention to such things, knew LaBastille as a ardent protector of the massive New York Adirondack Park. No matter the land-use issue, as commissioner of the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) for 17 years she always championed the natural course. In her role as commissioner, she was reviled by many, revered by most, yet admired by all.

But bureaucratic decisions is hardly her environmental legacy.

LaBastille as author and inspiration.

Author of a dozen books, she inspired women (and men) to live proud lives within natural, not superficial, realms. Her series of autobiographical books (a woman with and within nature) began in 1976 with the popular Woodswomen.

She also wrote naturalist essays for National Geographic and other magazines. And there were other significant environmental contributions:

• She was one of the first to focus media attention on acid rain deposits in the Adirondacks.

• She helped international organizations establish nature parks around the world.

So, at 75 years of age, Anne LaBastille passes.

Now Go Outdoors! … with Reverence

A side note:  Studying biology and ornithology at Cornell, her thesis research was the fragile ecology of the giant pied-bill grebe. This flightless bird was found only in Guatemala near Lake Atitlan. The giant pied-bill grebe is now extinct.

Where’s My High-Tech Hiking Gear?

Kathy Ceceri of GeekMom fame and author of The Silk Road laments her lack of “high-tech” hiking gear as she and her family tackle the Adirondack’s Algonquin High Peak.

So, after a four mile hike to New York’s second highest mountain, then a 3,000 foot climb up the Algonquin …. and then the return hike back, here’s her list of ” I wish we had this gear with us”:

• Anti-shock trekking poles. Oh, my. Don’t care what kind of walking stick you own, it’s always a must-have for us as we head out on any kind of hike. And as one commenter mentioned, adjustable straps on a trek pole are a must.

• Waterproof gaiters. Oh yes. Having lived most of my life along the spine of the Appalachians and Adirondacks, gaiters have long been a hiking equipment staple. At the end of the day it’s great to have dry shins … no matter how damp the underbrush.

• Nylon zip-off waterproof pants. Oh, it really depends on the hike trail terrain, the weather, and possible off-trail adventures. Love wool.

• Walkie talkies. Oh no. You start as a group, you hike as group, you end your day as a group. Period. I understand family “hiking dynamics”, different skill levels of friends, etc. Been there. Always enjoy the hike together.

• GPS. Oh yes. Although I’ll always be a map and compass hiker, a gps must be part of your basic hiking gear. Your best shoes and socks, a sharp knife, a sturdy hiking pole, high-energy snacks, a hat and jacket, your cell phone …. and a gps. That’s how you start. If you think you may meet other hikers on the trail, include a pair of shorts. Oh yeah!

Thanks Kathy for your hiking insights.

Now Go Outdoors!

The Northville-Lake Placid Trail (NPT) in the Adirondack Park now has its own website.

Developed by Tom Wemett of the Adirondack Mountain Club, the Northville-Lake Placid Trail website provides info on this 133 mile hiking trail in New York’s Adirondack Park. The site provides information on the trail conditions and planning a successful and safe hike.

The trail winds it way through some of the most remote areas of the Adirondack Park including the West Canada Lake Wilderness.

So whether you want to spend 10 days hiking the entire trail, or just hike short sections of the NPT, check out the newest web property of the Adirondack Mountain Club. And say hello.

Other Trail Resources:

• Northville Lake Placid Trail

• A Guided Thru-Hike

• Schenectady Chapter of NPT Trail

Now Go Outdoors!

Clarence Petty, a hero to all who cherish New York’s Adirondack Park, has died. He was 104 years old. Hiking mile upon mile at age 4, delivering mail by five, and a wilderness guide by age 11, Petty hiked, paddled, snowshoed, and flew over every nook of his beloved Adirondacks.

Image by RoyJr via Flickr

Mapping 1300 miles of the Park’s most pristine and primal wilderness, Clarence Petty helped create the Adirondack Park Agency. He was a true conservationist and pathfinder.

Other Insights:

Adirondack legend passes on…

According to Adirondack Explorer Editor Phil Brown’s blog, Clarence Petty died last night at his son’s home. Petty was 104 years old, and was a native Adirondacker. During the Great Depression, he worked for the Civilian Conservation …

Clarence Petty, an Adirondack classic, dies at 104 « Adirondack …

Clarence Petty, an Adirondack classic, dies at 104. December 3, 2009 at 6:30 pm · Filed under Adirondack News. He was a trapper, pilot, forest ranger and environmentalist > read the Adirondack Daily Enterprise article …

Adirondack Almanack: Adirondack Legend Clarence Petty Has Died at 104

Adirondack legend Clarence Petty died at his son’s home in Canton on Monday at the age of 104. Petty was the subject of Christopher Angus’s biography The Extraordinary Adirondack Journey of Clarence Petty: Wilderness Guide, Pilot, …

Goodbye Clarence,…

It was with sadness that I read about the passing at age 104 of an Adirondack icon, Clarence Petty. I had the privilege of his acquaintance a few years ago when he served on the board of an organization where I was employed. …

Other Resources:
The Extraordinary Adirondack Journey of Clarence Petty: Wilderness Guide, Pilot, and Conservationist

Now Go Outdoors!

If you enjoy the outdoors and live in upstate New York, you may want to start following Alan Wechsler of the Albany Times Union.

His blog covers “all things outdoors in upstate New York and beyond”.

Readers of this blog may particularly enjoy Wechsler’s post Hikers vs. ATVs.

Now Go Outdoors!

Are You A Negligent Hiker?

You’re hiking in New Hampshire and something’s gone wrong. Very wrong. You need to be rescued. If the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department determines you were negligent, they just may bill you for that rescue. The “we can bill you” criterion used to be “reckless” behavior. Now it’s “negligent”.

You didn’t have a map? …. You ignored weather forecasts? …. You wandered away from your hiking pals? And now you’re lost or injured and need a rescue? NH Fish and Game can recoup part of their equipment and personnel costs associated with that rescue.

And I don’t have a problem with that at all.

As States struggle with lower revenues and higher costs, expect to see more “responsibility fees”.

Over the next few posts, we’ll examine just how responsible folks prepare and execute their outdoor adventures. Let’s start with the Hiker Responsibility Code as developed and endorsed by the White Mountain National Forest and New Hampshire Fish and Game.

Hiker Responsibility Code:  You are responsible for yourself, so be prepared:

• With knowledge and gear. Become self reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start.

• To leave your plans. Tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you will return and your emergency plans.

• To stay together. When you start as a group, hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person.

• To turn back. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also affect your hike. Know your limitations and when to postpone your hike. The mountains will be there another day.

• For emergencies. Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening. Don’t assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself.

• To share the hiker code with others.

Has your State or club developed a similar code? Let us know.

Now Go Outdoors!