Twenty-one MHCC members and guests traveled to the High Peak region of Adirondack Park in New York State to spend two days climbing and cross-country skiing. Billed as a winter weekend, the trip fulfilled the wildest expectations of cold as the alcohol dropped to ~24 F on Sunday a.m.! The trip's principal attraction was the new x-c ski area developed by N.Y.'s DEC (Dept. Environmental Conservation) at Van Hoevenberg Park near Lake Placid. This X-C center is a large complex: warming huts with team rooms, racing trails, beginners' and intermediates' loops totaling more than 12 miles. In addition, a trail of about 5 miles connects to the ADK Loj at Heart Lake. According to all who took it, this trail turned out to be one of the best features: splendid woods and views, few people, fresh snow in contrast to the tracklike, sometimes skied-out loops of the center proper.
The second attraction (and main accomplishment) was a winter ascent of a high peak. The original plan was to climb Mt. Colden via the Dike, an exciting route with several pitches of ice climbing and a small waterfall. However, this route was abandoned even before the weekend began after preliminary scouting found the Dike up to the armpits in uncompacted snow resting at 60 degrees. Instead, then, a small group attempted the traditional highest peak (Mt. Marcy, 5344 ft.) via the voie normale, a one-day trip of 14 miles and 3K feet vertical. A 5:00 a.m. start from Heart Lake in full moonlight before a cloudless dawn put the group at Marcy Dam by 6:00 a.m. The temperature was about -8 F; at Indian Falls snowshoes were donned, and the solid starting pace slowed a little. Soon after the last shelter, face masks became a good idea; and, as it turned out, even these did not prevent some bits of frostbite on inadvertently exposed flesh. Above treeline, the wind picked up sharply, howling infernally at about 40 m.p.h. Snowshoes were removed when they began to catch the wind like sails. At 10:20 a.m. a group of six staggered up the summit cone; some were tumbled by the wind, others crawled on all fours to maintain a low profile, using footsteps ahead as handholds.
At the top the group cowered in the lee of a big rock, and Norman Miller passed around chocolate brandy, an impromptu birthday celebration (his). Walter Peters proved himself as glove catcher extraordinaire. All around were snowy peaks and blue sky and that terrible wind; with the "chill factor" the equivalent temperature was about -65 F, depending on whose tables you believe. Cameras jammed in the cold, and the summit stay was short. The group began a fast descent that saw the last person out at ADK Loj at about 2:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, back at Van Hoevenberg Park, another group of intrepids broached the Hi-Notch on Mt. Van after lunch and began the generally downhill but bumpy run to the state truck road and ADK Loj. Descending through birch and hemlock, the trail alternates short steep climbs with long, comfortable, slightly downhill stretches. The group reached the Loj around 3:00 p.m. and soon realized the climbers had left. However, a telephone call to the bar at the Cascade Inn found them and arranged a pick-up with seven in a VW. All the skiers were enthusiastic and most were tired. On Saturday night there was a small wine and cheese party at the Inn; amazingly, a chief topic of conversation was canoeing and kayaking! Well, yakking, anyway! Sunday morning found the mercury at -24 F, and after breakfast only two cars would start. It took till 11:00 a.m. to start the rest. The cold kept most other people away, and Van Hoevenberg was nearly deserted. Several more groups tried the run to ADK Loj. The leader soloed the route round trip in three hours, but most people were content to get there in one piece; for the trail is not without hazards: trees are nearby, roots and stumps abound, and you never know if one steep down pitch ahead disappearing to the right will have a good runout or if you'll have to sit clumsily to avoid a bad wipe-out.
Participants: R. Dawson, N. Miller, L. Wilson, C. Maclennan, D. Heyman, R. Kurshan, M. Ben-Shalom* S. Halfin, A. Halfin*, W. Peters*, M. Bond, D. Worrall, T. Worrall*, C. Ferris*, M. Quinn, M. Freedman, L. Pfeiffer, H. Pfeiffer*, T. Muenzer. V. Benes, leader.
* Guest of MHCC.
In spite of a snow storm that caused large delays of traffic in the NY area, 21 MHCC members and friends headed north to Interlaken Lodge in Lake Placid for a weekend of cross-country skiing. Some reached the Lodge as late as 4 AM, Saturday, and one carload not till after breakfast on Saturday. All were looking for good snow and fellowship. Since cross-country is now explosively popular, the leaders' intent was to explore some new areas, off the rather beaten local trails. Map research and a phone call to the ranger produced a new idea: go south along the famous 132-mile Northville - Lake Placid Trail, possibly as far as Duck Hole.
Snow conditions were perfect for blue wax, yet it wasn't too cold: between 10 and 20 deg. F. So 12 people started south on N-LP from the barns at the end of Averyville Road; the rest sought out the Nordic Trails and instructors at Van Hoevenberg Park. At first the going was easy: the terrain was gently rolling, and snowshoes had packed the trail the day before. But their tracks ended at Wanika Falls (indeed, they were in the lean-to as the leaders went by!), so the next stretch was tougher in virgin snow 6 to 8 inches deep, with some old ski tracks just discernible here and there. The leaders reached Moose Pond lean-to (about 6 miles in) at noon and stopped for lunch, and the rest of the now strung-out group were there within 45 minutes. The lean-to looked out over the pond and toward nearby peaks, pleasantly; but it was exposed to the wind, and cold after the sun went behind clouds. Two skiers went exploring another 1/2 mile, while the others started back. After a few wipe-outs on the downhill sections everyone was back at 4:30 PM, and we went into town for the obligatory visit to EMS.
That night after supper the Lodge offered same (very) amateur movies of Bugaboo helicopter skiing (hisssss....) and better but mesmeric ones of Swiss hang gliding; also, nearby, some of us tried out a scary toboggan run that ended on Lake Placid. Sunday saw considerable indecision as to activities, although some had been planned. Finally, Benes and Miller broke out the Klondike Notch trail to the lean-to, while a large party made the pleasant 5 mile run from Van Hoevenberg Park to ADK Loj.
The participants were Vic Benes, Margaret Bond, Ted and Kirsten* Cais, Anita Danko*, Marvin Friedman, Robbie Limpert, John Linderman, Robert Litzenberger*, Carol Maclennan, Jim McFee, Norman Miller, Dan Oldfather, Craig Sherman, Howard Sosin, David Van de Pol, Carol Weissman, David and Todd Worrall*, John Wilson, and Bert Yankielun.
* Guest of MHCC.
For the second year in a row, the January Adirondack weekend started in a major storm (Friday the 13th). The ride up was the usual irony: slippery roads in NJ and in NY up to Harriman, then clear and easy the rest of the way. Snow was predicted for the Adirondacks, however, and it arrived on time around 1 AM Saturday.
The group of MHCC members headed for "The Barn," a new Saranac Lake hostelry catering to skiers and mountaineers. It is run by Tom and Nona Yandon, with some help from their friends Dave and Joann. "The Barn" is a real old-time country barn, imaginatively made over by Tom into a multidwelling, with mu1tilevel floors, stanchions in the kitchen, feed trap doors in the bathroom, and two upright stoves for warmth*. When we arrived on Friday night there were homemade cookies, tea, and beer, and people were having such a good time some of them forgot they needed sleep for an early start.
* For anyone who might be interested, this is a great place for a relatively small (5 to 7 or so) group to take over for a ski weekend. With 11 of us, having one bathroom was marginal and some of us slept on sofas in the living room, but the hospitality was unsurpassable and we recommend it heartily.
At 4:45 AM the winter mountaineering group (Norm Miller, Jim McFee, and this author) started readying themselves for a 6:30 start from Heart Lake to climb Algonquin Peak. Enroute, they took a wrong turn and climbed high up neighboring Wright (wrong) Peak before discovering their error; so then back down 1000 feet of altitude to the right (not Wright!) trail and so up Algonquin, reaching the summit at 1:15.
The summit was horrible - steady 45 mph gale, low visibility, ice on everything. All ourselves were covered with wind-impacted rime. Still, we were lucky: it was 10deg above zero rather than below it, and there was no real frostbite danger. Although the original plan was to cross Algonquin to Lake Colden (and then out), the near whiteout led to a decision to return by the ascent route, and even this took a little wandering about. Although the trail was not a ski trail, we gingerly skied the last half back to Heart Lake.
Meanwhile, those at "The Barn" had breakfast at a reasonable hour (about 8:00), waxed their skis, and set off on a local tour to McKenzie Pond guided by Tom and Dave. There was a nice bit of downhill followed by some bushwhacking that the guides claimed was a trail, then another short dash across the wind swept pond (so short that some didn't believe it and had to be chased for 15 minutes or so by Dave), and back to steaming bowls of hot homemade turkey soup. Six of the diehards went back out after lunch to run the unused RR track from Saranac Lake to Lake Placid, finishing up at the HandleBar there and barely getting back to the BARN for 8 PM dinner. And what a dinner! A large roast with sundry vegetables (the butternut squash was the first to disappear), everyone sitting on benches on two sides of a long table right near the pot-bellied stove!
On Sunday everyone went 4 miles up a long sloping wood road to the north end of Lower Ausable Lake, then across a rickety two-log bridge and up a deep cleft in the rock to Rainbow Falls, which at this season was frozen into a snapshot of blue ice. The cleft itself was full of ice, and crevasse-like holes were everywhere, as some found out who plunged in thigh-deep. Clearly a good place for lunch while the by-now very spread-out group reconvened. Then it was back out onto the Lake, where a freezing south wind awaited. Here the group split up: some headed back, while the rest went on about two miles across the ice to the upper end of Lower Ausable, where everyone sat on a roller in his own canoe stall. Then back over the lake, and an exhilarating run out to St. Huberts. A fine end to an enjoyable weekend.
Participants were V. Benes (leader), Bob Dawson. Marvin Freedman, Lin Horowitz*, Evan and Anne Kane, Carol Maclennan, Jim McFee, Norm Miller, Chris Shadle, and John Wilson.
* Guest of MHCC.
It would become the third weekend of winter rain in a row, but the MHCC cross-country skiers did not know that as they headed north to Tom and Nona Yandon's Barn at Saranac Lake. where it was still -8 F after the previous night's low of -20. The next day's objective was Hanging Spear Falls on the Opalescent River east of the outlet of Flowed Lands, a lake on the headwaters of the Hudson River.
Our early group started out from ADK Loj at 7:30 a.m. A later and more numerous group enjoyed a leisurely and delicious breakfast at the Barn. and started somewhat later. A third group went to use the cross-country trails at Van Hoevenberg Park, already doubled in length for the 1980 Olympics.
We skied to Marcy Dam, thence to Avalanche Lake, where huge cliffs tumble right into the water, now snow and ice, and a constant wind chills the skiers sweated-up from the uphill (called "Misery Hill") into Avalanche Pass. Below Avalanche Lake is Lake Colden, and there we saw day skiers who had come in from the south, and ski backpackers already on their way out. A run through woods and icy river banks brought us to Flowed Lands.
On this lake we headed east to the outlet of the Opalescent River, which falls into a steepening gorge there. The trail descending into it soon became very steep and narrow, so we abandoned the skis and climbed/fell down the deep snow of the gorge side to a sign "To Hanging Spear Falls." A trail two feet deep in unbroken snow led to a cliff edge from which the mostly frozen waterfall could be seen; the spear was covered by winter's element.
A chilly lunch was soon over, and it was a pleasantly warming climb up to the skis and the lake outlet. On the return leg we met the second party in Avalanche Pass; they went on to have a snug lunch at the iglooed-up Caribou lean-to overlooking Lake Colden. Moral: crowd enough cold people into a snowy hole, and they'll warm (to) each other. We all had fun skiing out, some by the "truck road," others by the approach route; much of it was gentle downhill, and the wax was finally working.
Back at the Barn, we were cheered by hot wine and hors d'oeuvres, followed by roast beef dinner with several vegetables, ending with pumpkin pie. Because of the water shortage most of us settled for a sponge bath, but some experienced a sauna, complete with three traditional rolls in the snow.
For the next day, Sunday, some members had planned a climb of the Colden Trap Dike, an easy snow and ice route. But at 6 a.m. a light snowfall turned into sleet and then heavy rain as the warm moist air moved in, and all plans were dropped. Weather predictions were for rain changing back to snow, and they turned out to be right, but it took till Sunday night to happen. Meanwhile trip members got discouraged and began leaving in pairs and threes, except for a hard core of optimists who napped, relaxed, read, or hooked rugs all day Sunday, hoping for a return of the cold. Monday found 2 inches of new snow over the now solidly frozen slush, and after a wild buying spree at EMS (it was the first day of their winter sale) our remaining seven members started up the Indian Pass trail from ADK Loj in a snowy 20deg F. Hikers had left their deep booted spoor, now frozen into ice, so the way was rough, definitely suboptimal. But no one was around, and we had the place to ourselves.
We made it to Rocky Falls lean-to for lunch, and back out by 3:30 for the long trip home. Beginning cross-country skier Denise McGrew deserves special mention for persevering against the insistent laws of gravity and friction. The weather gets a failing grade: this is the first time in the four years this trip has been run that we've encountered rain.
Participants were Vic Benes (leader), Rene Boel, Anita Danko, Robert Dawson, Marvin Freedman, Robbie Limpert, Carol Maclennan, Bill Maxwell, Denise McGrew, Norman Miller, Dan Oldfather, Scott Rafe, Sid Shelton, Jim Vallino, David Van de Pol, John Wilson,* Judy* and Yako Yafet, and Bert Yankielun.
* Guest of MHCC.
Late last winter, a friend with an uncanny knack for knowing just where to be lured me to the High Peaks right after a March snowstorm. Four of us stayed at the Adirondack Loj and enjoyed some of the best cross-country skiing I've known south of Quebec. This year, 25 of us spent three supremely snowy days at the ADK Loj skiing familiar hiking trails beautifully transformed by winter; toasting our limbs on the Loj's generous hearth; and eating shamelessly huge breakfasts and dinners from a cook who will surely go to heaven.
We arrived at the Loj Thursday night without calamity. Because of its popularity, the Loj is filled throughout the winter, and most of our group stayed in a huge barracks style bunk room. The acoustics and physical plan of the room enabled all occupants to know precisely when a late arrival stumbled in.
Friday was an exceptionally clear and cold day. Vic, Paul, Bill, Jim, Mary and Fred broke trail toward Mt. Marcy. In spite of a late start and some difficulty finding the route, they nearly reached the summit . Almost everyone else skied toward Avalanche Pass, the more intelligent choosing the longer but wider hiking trail, the others of us ascending a singularly steep and narrow ski trail called Breakneck.
Avalanche Lake forms a narrow gully between two huge rock expanses. In warm seasons, hikers traverse the edge of the lake on narrow wooden walkways laid out along the rock. The skier can simply kick and glide across the snow-covered ice toward Lake Colden. It was extraordinarily windy and beautiful.
About ten of us found a lean-to just before Lake Colden and huddled inside for warmth and lunch. John Wilson's steaming water for soup and tea, carried in a thermos bottle, was the envy of those who brought canteens or plastic bottles. One person enjoyed the challenge of peeling an orange while wearing mittens. A few minutes of boisterous folk dancing out in the sun warmed most people enough to put on their skis again cheerfully.
Part of the group turned back, and the rest pushed on across Lake Colden. Before we got very far, we saw paw prints and heard someone calling above the wind. here stood Ed, beckoning us to the Ranger's cabin where he and others had been invited inside for lunch. The Ranger keeps a huge kettle of water on the wood stove and a supply of hot chocolate for all winter visitors. We spent a very pleasant time chatting with him and scratching the ears of his dogs and cat. We continued on to Colden Dam before turning around. The downhill stretches back were powdery and just fast enough, with perhaps only one or two poorly placed trees.
That night, people sang, played cards, and enjoyed Yako's folk dancing.
Saturday was extremely windy and it snowed throughout the day. Vic and Paul left early to climb Algonquin. They returned after dark, invigorated and completely intact.
Most people skied the five miles along the Mr. Van Trail to the Mt. Van Hoevenberg ski area, where the Ladies' 5 km Olympic Loop is maintained. The trail to Van Hoevenberg is through primarily low woodland, but we skied into the wind all the way. By the time we reached the Olympic Loop, my eyes were tearing so badly from the constantly blowing snow that I couldn't keep them open. People with glasses couldn't see beyond their snowy lenses.
We filled one of the waxing roams at the Nordic Lodge for lunch, grateful for the relief from the snow and wind. A few people skied some of the loops at the park, most headed directly back toward the Loj. The wind had subsided and the return was easier than expected. It was punctuated by several trees across the trail which were felled by the terrific wind of the morning. We later learned that high drifts, fallen trees and a damaged power line from the storm blocked the road to the Adirondack Loj for several hours. Those of us still awake after dinner Saturday enjoyed more folk dancing with Yako.
Sunday morning started very early for a group who snowshoed up Mt. Jo for the sunrise. The day was warm and slightly overcast: most people skied until noon. On Sunday afternoon many cars required jumps and gentle prodding to start, but no amount of juice or hollering worked for Jon Hill's car. Next year we'll take care to acclimatize our engines to the Adirondack cold.
Trip participants were Bill Barnett, Jan Bartlett, Vic Benes, Marcia Derr, Gene Fowler, Jim Goodnow, Fred* and Mary Hesselgrave, Andrea Hidalgo*, Jon Hill, Dave Keller, Ted Kowalski, Robbie Limpert, Bill Maxwell, Ed Miller, Sharon Murrel, John Ray*, Sid and Terry* Shelton, Dave Sidor, Tim Tschinkel, Paul Tukey , Martie Viets (leader) , John Wilson, Linda Wolpert, and Judy* and Yako Yafet.
* Guest of MHCC
Twenty-five hardy MHCC X-C skiers braved traffic jams and snowy roads for the annual drive to Adirondak Loj near Lake Placid for three days of skiing. People have varying reasons for going (and not going) on such trips: our trip leader Martie came up with a new excuse for canceling out - she decided to get married that weekend instead! Some reasons for coming included: to get in shape for the next trip, to introduce the kids to X-C skiing, or to let someone else do the cooking, to meet new friends, and to get together with old ones. The snow and the skiing were generally agreed to be great - the company and the ambience also.
Friday initially looked as if it might be clear and sunny, and a small party decided to drive to Whiteface and ski up the toll road on the back (which is closed to traffic in winter). It's a long, fairly gentle 5.5 miles uphill. Unfortunately it clouded up, and only limited views of Lake Placid and nearby points were available. The top however was spectacular and rather exciting, if you don't mind being blown uphill! The trees near the top and even the castle were covered with hoar, probably six inches thick, and the wind was such that at times you couldn't make any headway against it, even going downhill! In view of the conditions, we all decided to forgo the climb of the last quarter mile to the summit and retreat to some not so windy place. Once past the exposed first half mile or so, the run down was delightful, and over much too soon.
That same day, another group attempted the traversal via the Mr Van trail from the Loj to Van Hoevenberg Park. We were the first over the route that day, and had a couple of inches of fresh powder on the existing track (so we didn't really have to break trail). However off the tracks, the powder was respectably deep (~2-3 feet), which made pole placement and support sometimes challenging. The conditions clearly favored waxed skis (over nonwaxable varieties) as the fresh and deep powder just did not cohere enough for the textured bases to obtain good purchase. Wearers of such skis were forced to herringbone and sidestep up hills where those on waxed skis could just walk right up.
The route, after an initial gentle down to the river, is generally level, with some dips and climbs at stream crossings until the climb over the shoulder of Mt van Hoevenberg. At the top, the trail comes into the park and joins the 5 km ladies Olympic loop: this provides a major transition from 'real' cross country trails through the woods, to the wide, packed and tracked racing roads. It's a great downhill run to the visitor center, where we escaped from the increasing winds and snow, and patronized the snack bar for some hot soup and yogurt for lunch. We met others who had driven over and had encountered reduced access to the trails due to some competition that morning.
After lunch, five of us headed back to the Loj, the sixth having had so much trouble with his mica skis that he decided to ride back. The descent from Mt van Hoevenberg on the return provided more opportunities to explore the unpacked powder, as the track tended to get faster for each successive skier. During this part, the superiority of wider skis was made evident, as the skinnier skis tended to sink right in which made controlling them more difficult. The winds subsided remarkably as we got down into the lower elevations, and the temperature seemed to increase correspondingly, to about 30F. The snowfall diminished, and the conditions got wetter, which helped the gripping for waxed skis, but seemed to remove the glide for nonwaxed skis. In any case, everyone made it back before dark. The moral of this episode should be clear: (Klister conditions are about the only time when nonwax skis are preferable).
Saturday was the day most of us opted for the trip to Marcy Dam, then up to Avalanche Pass, Avalanche Lake, and on across Colden to have lunch in the leanto on the point. The snow was great (although there were wet spots to watch out for on the lakes), the wind was much less than Friday and the skiing delightful. Most of us found the run down from Colden exhilarating; certainly the conditions were the best I've ever seen there.
A few potential accident situations turned up on the way back. One intrepid skier became separated from the group and decided to return from Marcy Dam via the fire road rather that the shorter trail. Just before the intersection with the Mr Van trail, a large dog came bounding up the hill towards her, right in the ski tracks. A quick step out of the tracks only induced the dog to also get out of the tracks, and soon she found herself upside down in the snow with a very friendly dog licking her face. Soon a man and woman came up and asked if their dog had caused a problem, and apologized. They called him off and I pulled myself out of the snow, and somewhat subdued, continued back to the Loj. Apparently the same dog later knocked down Yako, and somewhat later- was seen on a leash.
The other situation was caused by a skier deciding that the Avalanche Pass ski trail was too difficult for him to descend safely on skis - and so he was walking. Sounds like a reasonable thing to do - but not only was he destroying the trail for subsequent skiers, he also was running the risk of being run into by other "out-of control" skiers, and perhaps even injuring them or himself with his loose skis and poles. Luckily, here an alternative exists, a parallel (although somewhat shorter and steeper) hiking trail, which our cautious skier graciously moved to when it was pointed out to him.
Friday evening Yako treated us to folk-dancing in the hikers building and came up with a particularly good assortment of dances to stretch out the kinks in our tight muscles. Saturday evening a local resident gave a talk on building Adirondack guideboats. This is an old craft still practiced in these parts - a finished boat requires about 300 (?) hours of labor to produce and sells for $5-6000!
On Sunday, groups skied towards Indian Pass and from St Huberts to Ausable Lakes; several carloads stopped at the Mountaineer in Keene Valley to check out the latest in equipment, and a large number congregated in a highly recommended vegetarian restaurant in New Paltz for supper. At least one carload left after sitting for 20 minutes without so much as seeing a menu; others stuck it out for 2 hours or more, and claimed it was worth it.
Unfortunately this trip is always oversubscribed - and we were unable to obtain any additional beds for next year. We apologize to all those who were on the waiting list and didn't make it, particularly John Linderman, and urge you next year to send your deposits early, together with adequate address information.
Participants: Carrie Benes, Al Egner, Cyndi Gagnon, Shlomo & Ariela Halfin, Dan Heymen, Ted and Lisa Kowalski, Carol Maclennan, Denise McGrew, Walter McWilliams, Norm, Benjamin and Nicholas Miller, Sharon Murrel, Dan Oldfather, Ben Reytblat, Don Smith, Tim Tschinkel, Hugh Watson, Harry Weston, John Wilson, Yako and Judy Yafet, and Pamela Zave.
NOTE: title, date, and reporter name corrected from capers !
Excerpts from a trip-leader's email (physics!cgm}:
Date: 12 Oct 1988 10:05 EDT
i have some questions about the mh canoe club trip x-c skiing in the adirondacks
Date: Fri Dec 16 11:20:45 1988
Do you know if the constituency has been determined? Many folks here applied, but nobody has heard about who got in, and some people will schedule other events if they know they didn't make it.
Date: Fri Dec 16 17:04:36 1988 [reply]
I haven't talked to Martie in the last couple of weeks, but she was way oversubscribed very early and I believe got some more accommodations nearby. She didn't know how to decide who goes where -- I guess the first thing is to ask people where they would prefer to be -- the motel being close to Van Hoevenberg might appeal to some and might be cheaper for families. Other than that we can go by first to sign up, and friends of the trip leader. Any suggestions? Do you think people would cancel if they can't stay at the Loj?
Date: Fri Dec 16 17:27:29 1988
The big drawback of not being at the Loj is the loss of the fine meals and comradry. But people might go anyway... the skiing is still a big plus. I think it's important to get SOMETHING out soon. Several people have told me they'd be making other plans if they knew they couldn't go on the Loj trip, and lots of folks (myself included) will be leaving on vacations soon. I wouldn't mind staying at a motel this year if I could be pretty certain of getting a slot at the Loj next year. That might be a reasonable "teaser" for people who don't get into the Loj this year.
Date: 20 Dec 1988 15:21 EST (Tue) [From the trip writeup]
"What a popular trip!" This year surpassed all others for people itching to ski in the Adirondacks! We have long standing reservations at the Adirondak Loj for this weekend each year, but for only 22 spaces. Happily, we have reserved 20 (or more) places at the Cascade Inn on Route 73 in Lake Placid, so everyone who has inquired about the trip can come ski this year. The Cascade Inn is about three miles from the Loj, and a bit closer to Mt. Van Hoevenberg.
Date: 22 Dec 88 13:57:36 est [Problems of distribution
You sent mail to someone on hou2f. I am told by the psdn (datakit network) people that hou2f no longer exists, and that everyone on it as been moved to homxc. Please try to send your message again to homxc.
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 18:42:06 est
i have a very strong preference for staying at the adk loj. a bunk room is fine with me.
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 88 08:49:37 EST
Sharon Peeters, John Linderman, and I had planned to room together. We definitely prefer the Loj.
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 88 10:14:17 est
Ed Hesler and myself (Bill Zimmerman) opt for the bunk rooms at the Loj, OK?
Date: Wed, 21 Dec T 10:47:34 est
Howdy, lisa, walter and I would like to stay in the adirondak loj we enjoy your company along with john linderman and sharon peeters thanks
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 88 11:27:02 est
i, sharon murrel, would like to room with pamela zave, john linderman and the lacys. please.
Date: Wed, 21 Dec T 11:30:58 est
My wife and I (Jack and Bucky Lacy) prefer the Loj if possible and would prefer a private room. thanks!
Date: 21 Dec 1988 17:03 EST
I never expected people to be logical in their responses! Half the fun is discovering that a lot of folks don't really know what's going on, making a decision for them based on what they requested, and then getting yelled at. (That's why I'm having a baby this year - so I don't have to be yelled at in person.) Some people will end up staying where they don't want to, and everyone will enjoy the skiing regardless.
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 89 10:20:20 est
Hi Carol. I tried to return your call but the line was busy. I figure it must be a bit hectic trying to organize the trip. So now you can read this when you have a spare moment. About the ski trip, I am quite sorry for I don't think I would be able to join all of you. There are several reasons for this unfortunate turn of events. some of them are: - I am in the midst of two minor surgery operations. - my friend, who would instruct me on the technique of skiing, is unable to accompany me on this trip, - the New Year is on February 5, and I am suppose to participate in the show which includes rehearsals during the weekend of Jan 27-29. I can overcome any of these reasons but not the combination of all of them. Please accept my rather long-winded apology. I feel that I need to go out of my way to sooth you for any inconvenience I may have caused. I don't want to discourage you from the desire to take charge.
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 89 13:29:17 est
Thanks for replying to my questions. I'm sorry you won't be coming with us. It's people like you who make running a trip like this so much fun! If you can find anyone to take your place, please have them get in touch with me.
Date: 5 Jan 1989 14:49 EST [Martie'e baby arrives 7 weeks early!]
I'm rather unexpectedly on maternity leave, as of December 31, so I'm not up to date on the status of the trip. Carol Maclennan at Bell Labs is coordinating it from here on --
Date: 12 Jan 1989 10:31 EST [From another trip writeup]
Room assignments are attached. We have tried to accommodate everyone as they requested. Anyone who wants to change gets first choice next year.
ARE YOU A VEGETARIAN?!? If so, let Carol know, and tell us whether your diet includes fish or chicken. We want everyone to be well fed on food they can digest.
Date: Fri, 13 Jan T 13:40:07 est
hello there. i need to be in california to attend a board meeting on the Sunday of the adk trip. we had agreed to start that monday, but it has been decided that we needed the full day sunday also. so i will get to miss the adk trip this year. ah yes - friday the 13th.
Date: 13 Jan 1989 19:30 EST
Yes I am a semi-veggie. I do eat fish, but not chicken. Thanks.
Date: 18 Jan 1989 9:33 EST
I am on a low cholesterol diet and would appreciate if you specified only fish or chicken (preferably without gobs of butter).
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 89 11:19:24 EST
Do you have information about snow conditions around the Loj ? It probably is better for you to call and send us Email than for all 47 of us to call them and tie up the telephone lines.
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 89 09:45:47 EST
I just called. It's snowing. They're expecting an additional 4 to 6 inches. Yeeeee-Haaaaa.
[Jan 26-29: 4pm Thurs - arrived Van Hoevenberg XC area in a steady drizzle. Worried about ski conditions, although there appears to be sufficient base should the rain turn back to snow. But that's not predicted.
8pm Thurs - I try to convince myself that it's turning back to snow, but it still feels like rain.
8am Fri - Breakfast time, and it IS snowing! BIG flakes, and it looks like it will keep up for a while! (In fact, it snows all day, and the skiing gets better and better.)
Sat - Sunshine all day. Fantastic skiing on the new snow!
Sun - Not bad, most left around noon for the long drive back.
Mon - Paul and Hedy, who had stayed for an extra day, woke to rain and headed home early.]
Date: 30 Jan 1989 8:32 EST
The ski trip this weekend was great! Thanks for all your work to organize it. Also appreciate that you arranged for the snow. (the mark of a truly good organizer is one who takes care of the details - like snow). Am already looking forward to next year's trip.
Date: Mon, 80 Jan 89 08:46:15 est
Sorry we missed the dancing on Sat night. We just sent off my check to you. Thanks the trip was great!
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 89 11:56:28 est
This trip was the best yet. I enjoyed it very much. I'd like to thank you and Martie for setting it up and resolving all problems that came along. Thanx!!!
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 89 16:33:59 EST
thanks for all your work!! it was definitely one of the finest times i've had in a while...particularly meeting so many new folks.
Date: 31 Jan 1989 17:50 EST
Lorraine from the Cascade Inn told me that I would be getting a refund for my friend who did not show up. She said you would give me the refund check.
Date: Fri, 3 Feb 89 10:07:51 est
Just a quick note. Glad you received the check. We all had a GREAT time. On Friday we tried out the easier trails on Mt. Van Hoevenberg (and ventured over onto some of trails at Cascade). Since it was about the first time for all of us we quickly found out what we didn't know! HILLS!
On Saturday, we ventured up to Avalanche Pass, quite the trip for beginners but we made it. Sunday we just fooled around on the golf course across from the Inn and left early to take Russ to the airport (back to Oklahoma!)
We all look forward to a similar trip next year. The accommodations at the Cascade Inn were fine.
Participants: Joe Agusta; Ira Barron; Hedy Britten; Roy, Eric and Stefan Byrd; Bert Canal; Michele, Michael and Liam Carey; Barbara Earl; Glen Flinchbaugh; Cindy Gagnon; Ann Guerriero; Ariela and Shlomo Halfin; Janice Hegarty; Ed Hesler; Dan Heyman; Gary Kolleogy; Ted and Lisa Kowalski; Karin Krueger; Jack And Bucky Lacy; John Linderman; Carol Maclennan; Walter McWilliams; Russ Nolan; Gay Norwood; Dan Oldfather; Peter Ott; Teun Ott; Jane Parks; Ben Reytblat; Carol Samuel; Marc Surette; Paul Tukey; Hugh Watson; John Wilson; Chris Wood; Yako and Judy Yafet; Bill Zimmerman; and Pamela Zave.