Trip BackgroundA group of ZSNY members from all over the Northeast USA (and in some cases, from outside that area) will be getting together for a paddling/camping trip from October 2nd to 4th of 2009 in Northern New York. This will be a good chance to meet face to face, dodge banjo playing inbred northcountry denizens while paddling a gorgeous backcountry river in the Adirondacks, test out our gear, and enjoy pleasant company and cocktails in the great outdoors.
We'll camp for 2 nights, paddle for 3 days, cover enough ground to see some wonderful water and woods and wildlife, have enough free time to swim and fish and lounge and drink, and make up some amazing stories to tell friends and families when we get home.
We'll meet Friday, in the late-morning, at the Inlet launch site, which is inWanakena, NY (N 44 07.444 W 074 57.599). The meeting place is roughly: 3 hours from Albany, NY; 3 hours from Syracuse, NY; 3 hours from Montreal, QC; and 3 hours from Burlington, VT. I've attached a map with the campsites and some other useful pointers to allow some pre-planning for those who may be interested in the camping trip. The Google Map can also provide directions.
View PaddleFest II, Revenge of the Paddles! in a larger mapInfo-Links
Link #1 / Link #2 / Link #3
Write-Up about the Trip / Paddlers' Map of the Trip
Nitty Gritty
Sugested Clothing: while frosts are possible in any month in the Adirondacks, it will likely be mild, but people should hope for the best and plan for some cold and wet weather. Swimwear and watershoes and a hat and raingear should be among the first things that you pack; fleece will also be a needed item.
Suggested Gear: A canoe or kayak (or space in someone's canoe/kayak, there are canoe/kayak rentals available for $24 per day), tent or hammock or space in someone else's, sleeping bag of some sort (40 degree bags should be ample), cookset, water purification/filtration capability.
Suggested Food: I like to stick with the K.I.S.S. principle and think about foods that can be cooked on an open fire or through the addition of boiling water ...alternately, you can get as tricky as a friend of mine who bakes and cooks lasagnas while camping.
Any other gear and clothes and food (and drink) that you are able to bring and/or interested in testing out will be great and add to the fun and learning...
I'll be bringing a saw and an ax for chopping wood and for clearing the river of downed trees in our way.
Bear-bagging is the best method of keeping gear and people safe when camping in bear-country...although bears will be a long shot, it's worth being careful...
Besides food, you'll need to bag any other smellies that might attract bears (or more likely, squirrels, raccoons, mice, etc.) like: toothpaste, deoderant, booze, cigars, etc.
Here are some useful links, graphics, and a video about how to bear-bag you bear-bag-ables:
bear-bagging essentials
bear-bagging video
bear-bagging with more details
Weather: Ranging from 70s to 20s, but generally in the 50-60's, with 40-30's overnight
Important Note:
For those with concerns about their abilities/gear while camping, let me point out a couple of things: we'll be away from our cars and roads, there is no cell coverage in the area in which we will be paddling, we have lots of experience camping and with camping-related injuries, serious injury can be...well...serious when in the backcountry...how you balance these issues is up to you.
What we will be doing
Friday, October 2nd, 2009 -
- arrival at the boat launch in Inlet
- pack up boats and eat lunch
- paddle upriver until we find a cool campsite for the night
- set up camp
- eat & drink
Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 -
- headcount
- breakfast
- pack up camp & load the boats
- continue to paddle towards High Falls
- stop along the way for fishing and swimming and snacking and such
- set up camp and prepare for another fun evening
- campfire, cocktails, etc.
Sunday, October 4th, 2009 -
- headcount
- big-ass breakfast
- pack up camp & load the boats
- head out downriver towards Inlet
- stop along the way for swimming, fishing, lunch and such
- pull out at the state boat launch and exchange tearful farewells
How much will it cost?
Nothing...we're doing this as a group of friends just hanging out...
Other points of interest:
Alcohol - The legal drinking age will be observed. If you drink we ask that you drink responsibly.
Drugs - We will not be able to hold/administer/supply any form of medication, including anything as minor as aspirin, so be sure to bring your own. We will not tolerate any illegal drug use on the camping trip.
Fishing - New York State requires fishing licenses for anyone who wants to go fishing on this trip. You can buy an annual license as either a resident ($19) or nonresident ($40), or a 7 day license as either a resident ($12) or nonresident ($25). You can buy a license at either of the 2 stores linked to on the map above.
Medical and Emergency Information - We will ask that everyone attending the trip fill out a medical information form and emergency contact sheet (HERE!), and bring that in a sealed envelope; in this way we can help to insure everyone's safety without compromising any private information .
For more information, please feel free to get in touch with me via email at: jsheffield@gmail.com, check out the ongoing thread in the ZS forums, or visit the ZSNY Facebook Group .
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