You will hear us!!

GVC has purchased an induction loop to provide those of us who need hearing assistance. It will be in operation at Chapter meetings. You can use it in at least 2 ways: if you use hearing aids that are equipped with a t-coil, just turn on that feature for the presentation. We also have 5 personal receivers for individual use. Either way, you will have an enhanced experience.
Contact Bill Lindenfelser or Katy Kuczek for more info.

Program

The North Country National Scenic Trail, the Adirondacks and Beyond

by Mary Coffin and Ruth Dorrough

Ruth and Mary will talk about their experiences with the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST).  Administered by the National Park Service, the 4,800 mile NCNST is the longest of the National Scenic Trails. Unlike the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails which follow mountain ranges, the NCNST journeys through remarkably diverse environments from the mountains of Vermont to the prairies of North Dakota.

As she section hiked the entire NCNST over many years, Ruth enjoyed the varied landscape, cultural treasures, and people along the way. She will share highlights of these and the heightened sense of history experienced walking routes once walked on by native inhabitants, pioneers, voyageurs, and travelers on the Underground Railroad. The NCNST has been designed to provide a cross section of rich natural and cultural heritage. Days of hiking were enlivened by visits to forts, prehistoric earthworks, museums and science centers which are located right on the NCNST.  Ruth will describe how her thoughts about adventure, the trail community, mid-America states, and her personal ability were expanded and changed by her North Country Trail experience and inspired her to “give back” by volunteering at the national and local level.

For 25 years Mary Coffin has worked towards completion of the NCNST through the Adirondacks. She has served on the NCTA Board of Directors, chaired the NCTA NYS Volunteer Council, led trips, maintained trail, developed relationships with agencies, and checked, designed, and constructed trail.  Mary currently coordinates and promotes much of the NCNST volunteer effort in the Adirondacks.

Mary will provide an overview of the NCNST in the Adirondacks and give an update on the progress and work to be done to complete the Trail through the Adirondack region

Program:

Strokes and Steps: A Wilderness Canoe Trip in the Adirondacks

By Barb Brenner

When you have visited many times, over the past years, the wonderful paddling areas in the Adirondacks of Little Tupper Lake, Lake Lila, Low’s Lake and the Oswegatchie River, what is the next trip to plan? The answer: a connect-the-dots trip.

In August of 2023, Barb Brenner and Lydia D’Amato spent 7 days connecting the dots by paddling and portaging from Little Tupper Lake to the Oswegatchie River take-out in Wanakena. The trip included 11 portages. Given the poor weather and the wet summer, Barb and Lydia saw zero people on the portage trails and only a few fellow paddlers on the waterways. The weather and the closed parking lot at the lower dam of the Bog River gave Barb and Lydia a treasured wilderness experience similar to paddling in more remote locations.

Come and hear about this awesome local wilderness paddling trip and how planning and preparation can make for easier travels.

Bio
Though considered insane by many, Barb Brenner enjoys wilderness canoe trips that include portaging a canoe. She has experienced wilderness canoe trips in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Quetico and Wabakimi Provincial Parks and other connectable-by-portage water ways. She has a fond appreciation for the wilderness paddling areas in the Adirondacks and enjoys finding new places to paddle and to be away from the conveniences of daily life. Barb has been a member of the Genesee Valley Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club since the late 1980’s. In appreciation of the many skills she learned from other ADK members in her early membership years, she has led many wilderness paddling and backpacking trips for our chapter. In addition to her many ADK trips, Barb had the wonderful nine-year experience of leading trips for the Pack Paddle Ski adventure travel company, during which time she was a NYS Licensed Guide. She continues to lead trips and teach classes for the NYS Becoming an Outdoors Woman program.

Program:

Hiking Tour du Mont Blanc – A Trip of a Lifetime!

By Donna Devitt

For a few years I dreamed of The Tour du Mont Blanc trip with friends.  After many comparisons, my friend Surangee Gunawardena and I decided this 13-day trip to Europe with No Roads Expeditions (TourRadar) was our choice.  This was my first international adventure!

The Tour du Mont Blanc or TMB is a circuitous trek around Europe’s highest mountain through France, Switzerland and Italy.  The Mount Blanc peak reaches 4,810 m (15,781 ft).  Europe has a strong hiking culture and is known for comfort and luxury trekking unlike anywhere else in the world.  The trek around Mt. Blanc is 173 km (107 miles) and is located in the heart of Europe.  It provides an opportunity to experience different cultures, food and people.  Each day we hiked up to the ridges and descended into valleys below enjoying spectacular views of glaciers, breathtaking vistas, stops at rifugios (mountain huts), picturesque villages, and snow capped peaks.  Upon reaching our daily destination we rested in local boutique-style accommodations.

I grew up and raised my family in rural New York.  My four children are now grown and I became a grandma to William in June.  I have always loved the outdoors and nature. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking, kayaking, camping, traveling and photography.  Happily retired I’m able to enjoy these hobbies even more.  My goal is to become an ADK 46er in August 2024!