Paddlesport

[MikeK]

Follensby Clear Pond, ADKs, NY

[lowangle al]

I think I'm gonna do a trip in the Daks this November, I've been seeing some really nice looking places on this forum and others.

[MikeK]

I assume you've been to the ADKs before Al? I recall you mentioning skiing Marcy.

I don't mean to impose the area on anyone, or my hobbies, but it makes me feel good to know at least a few other people appreciate these kind of things when the weather is warmer. I'm obviously ecstatic about skiing up there, mainly because it just blows away anything I have close to home, but also there is some Je ne sais quoi that draws me to the area. I've not been a ton of places, and nowhere out west, but for me, I don't really need a lot more. I don't fly, I don't like planes, and I hate long drives - so this is what I get. If I were closer I'd do more.

I was talking to my wife while we were out about what we really love about this place, and it's the mix of what it is. I love the wilderness aspect, but I also love that I can paddle out in the morning and have breakfast at my favorite place. I know people who live and work there, and they are my friends. They love doing the stuff I do but they have to work a lot of the summer to make ends meet. It's just how it is there. I visit them whenever I come through and most of my voyages take me to not only to the wild places I love, but also to see the people.

Anyway, what I was saying to her is it is as easy or as hard as you want it to be. Want to glamp or stay at a cabin or hotel - you can. Want to reserve a campsite and drive in OR paddle out - there's that too. Want to just drive up or paddle out to an easy primitive spot that costs you nothing, yup, that's very abundant. Want to go out for a week long wilderness type trip - it gets hard to really do a full week, move about, and stay away from roads, but you can do it. Want big mountains - they are here (well big for the east). Want big lakes and pond hopping - it's here. Want anything in between, it's all over.

I had a prof at Paul Smiths when I went there who would spend her summers in Alaska and stay here during teaching season. I have a few friends that have that same association with the ADKs and Alaska. One owns land in both. I'm sure they are vastly different, but something about them draws these people to both. I have a friend who was raised in Alaska and he has never been to the Adirondacks. I really can't wait for him to go. I'm convinced this is the best he will get in the east. I also know some people who have backpacked all over the National parks, and while they loved the experience, prefer to stay here and be close to these mountains.

I was so happy that Johnny, Eve and their baby came to meet me there, and that they loved (at least they said they did) the location we were. They have both been to the towns up north in the park, but not to some of the campgrounds or lakes.

People passionately protect this place for a reason. Even with the flies, the mud, heat and humidity, cottagers, the Bourgeoisie, rain, wind and cold, its worth it!

[MikeK]

And hey, I know I always say this but it's absolutely true.

I can't wait to ski again this winter, but I get so much more excited to hear about women, couples, families, father/son/daughter getting into skiing, and particularly more backcountry/grassroots/xcd type stuff, especially those who skied either resort alpine or groomed track xc and discovered the fun of being in the woods and on wild snow.

The internet is full of jocks and a-holes puffing up how awesome they are and how big they can ski. I would take one story of a woman or child getting into skiing over that whole shit-show mess. The excitement of someone discovering something new, and relatively obscure to them previously and going through the process of learning how to ski in that environment is infinitely more interesting than the same old douchebags stroking each other's egos.

The internet doesn't need experts. It needs novices. And really the whole sport doesn't need anything... do what you want, who gives a rats ass? Skinnies, fatties, plastic or leather, front country or back country, don't matter to me. Obviously I think going as simple, as light and as far away from other people as possible is the right way - but it's not everyone's type of fun.

(Sorry for the rant but talking to Johnny's wife about skiing made me think about this - I hope she gets out and does more XCd this winter, baby or no).

[lowangle al]

We always liked it up there too, I thought about opening a bagel shop in Lake Placid in the late 80's or some other business. All of our trips were in winter except one, our honeymoon. We took a w/w canoe class on the Hudson near Glens Falls so we would be safer doing river trips when we moved to Ak. the following year.

I was thinking about Lake Lila, a third of a mile carry, no motor boats, and really nice looking campsites. I'm not really looking to do much portaging as I don't have a light boat and I'll be using my wood and canvas and I don't want to beat it up on the first trip. Besides I just want to relax and paddle and maybe a little fishing or a hike.

One concern I have is possibly being there during deer season. I wouldn't want to interfere with someones hunt and then there is the saftey thing.

[MikeK]

Lila is great. Really easy but not boring. If you feel strong or motivated, carry up to Lows for a night or take a trip down Shingle Shanty over to those ponds.

I wouldn't worry too much about big game season. We go out during bear and deer season and never have an issue. Wear orange or red, stay on the trails, and you won't bother anyone. Most hunters are bushwacking off somewhere more remote. And hey, you might even push some deer in their direction!

Depending on how late in November, you might get some snow. Leaves are all down by then and it tends to be pretty rainy. Bring warm clothes and rain gear.

[Johnny]

I was so happy that Johnny, Eve and their baby came to meet me there, and that they loved (at least they said they did)

Of course we did love it...! I didn't know much about the Adirondaks except the Lake Placid / Whiteface area... And taking the 87 highway a few times... It would take years of exploration to fully appreciate the Daks... So many possibilities..!!! But 4 hours of driving is way too much for me... 20 mins is the maximum of driving I can tolerate to go skiing...

[MikeK]

Hmm - you should check with Bri, but I think you can make it to Lyon Mt in 2 hours (especially with that spoiler ). Maybe not every day, but a couple times a season?

[Bri7]

Come on Johnny, you are getting really really old!

A 4 hours drive is nothing for some good skiing. I did save 5 weeks of vacation for our 2015-2016 backcountry tour! Did you buy mini camper yet?

[Johnny]

A 4 hours drive is nothing for some good skiing.

This is ridiculous... I have access to thousands and thousands of acres of pure, virgin mountains right from my door. I could ski 4 different natural, untracked mountain ranges in the time you take to get to your destination and pollute my world.

Nothing to do with getting old, quite the opposite. I wanna spend my time skiing, not working or driving...

They had 2 for sale at 1000$ each two years ago:
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-autos-camions/granby/ford-ctv-2001/1091148923