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Adirondack Mountain Club

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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The 2010 Winter Loj Trip will be February 18-21, 2010

Details here!

 

Photos from the 2009 Loj Trip  

June 12

ADK Outdoor Expo
Collected photos -> http://www.pbase.com/gvc_adk/

February 19-22
2009

Annual Loj Trip - photos by Jackson

   

Click on an image for the the slide show.

Click here for photos by Bob Crumrine.
2009 Genesee Valley ADK Winter Loj Trip
By Dave Harrison
Combine a congenial group of outdoor enthusiasts with breathtaking High Peaks scenery and excellent snow cover, and you have the ingredients for a terrific Adirondack experience, and that's just what 38 ADKers enjoyed over a four day period on our Chapter's annual trip to the historic ADK Loj. Located on a square mile of ADK-owned land about five miles outside Lake Placid, the ADK Loj overlooks Heart Lake and offers a view of mountains and forests that ADK members like this writer daydream about all year long. GVC booked the entire Loj, and on Thursday Feb. 19th people began arriving early in afternoon. Before dinner, we gathered for refreshments in front of a large stone fireplace in the great room – a high-ceilinged room filled with rustic Adirondack furniture, books, and pictures of Adirondack scenery. Although many members of the group were Loj trip "regulars," there were also 11 first-timers this year.
Read Dave's complete report.

 

2009 Genesee Valley ADK Winter Loj Trip [top]
By Dave Harrison

Combine a congenial group of outdoor enthusiasts with breathtaking High Peaks scenery and excellent snow cover, and you have the ingredients for a terrific Adirondack experience, and that's just what 38 ADKers enjoyed over a four day period on our Chapter's annual trip to the historic ADK Loj. Located on a square mile of ADK-owned land about five miles outside Lake Placid, the ADK Loj overlooks Heart Lake and offers a view of mountains and forests that ADK members like this writer daydream about all year long. GVC booked the entire Loj, and on Thursday Feb. 19th people began arriving early in afternoon. Before dinner, we gathered for refreshments in front of a large stone fireplace in the great room – a high-ceilinged room filled with rustic Adirondack furniture, books, and pictures of Adirondack scenery. Although many members of the group were Loj trip "regulars," there were also 11 first-timers this year.

During and after dinner, the conversation turned to plans for the next day's outdoor adventures. There are no Chapter-run hikes during the Loj weekend. Instead, each participant makes his or her own decisions on winter activities, based on interest and skill level. As in past years some folks decided to climb one or more of the High Peaks. (By the end of the weekend, various members had climbed Algonquin, Table Top, Iroquois, Cliff, Redfield, and Marshall.) Others folks decided to climb Mt. Jo, which lies on the Heart Lake property. Still others decided to snowshoe on the lower elevations, trekking to places such as the Avalanche Pass. Another group decided to spend the day skiing on the area's many miles of cross country ski trails. This year, New York's Empire State games were being held in Lake Placid on the weekend of our trip, and a few members of our group opted to head for the Olympic ski jump or ice rink to watch the competitors.

After a hearty breakfast on Friday morning, we set out for a day of outdoor fun in temperatures that were in the mid-teens, under cloud cover that afforded only occasional views of the mountain tops. Little snow fell that day (or on Saturday either), but there was already a deep accumulation of snow, which made for excellent snowshoeing. The skiers later reported that trail conditions were excellent. By dinner time that evening, the groups of tired climbers, hikers, and skiers had returned to the Loj with stories of their day's adventures.

On Saturday, most of the group headed out for a second day of hiking, climbing, or skiing. However, those who wanted to remain at Heart Lake were able take advantage of two programs presented by ADK naturalist Matt Maloney. One was a presentation on the geology of the Adirondacks. The other was an outdoor class on animal tracks and other wildlife signs. During the latter class, as we walked across frozen Heart Lake, the clouds parted over the distant mountains, revealing the tops of Marcy, Algonquin, and several of the other High Peaks in full sunlight.

Saturday evening, the fun continued at the High Peaks Visitors Information Center with a performance by Annie and the Hedonists. This four-person group of talented musicians offered an eclectic mix of folk music and jazz, ballads and up-tempo tunes. The audience response was enthusiastic – a major compliment to the performers, when one considers that most of the group was pretty tired from a day of strenuous outdoor activity. (Thank you Sally Howard for arranging to have this group perform during our Loj weekend!)

After breakfast on Sunday morning, we reluctantly packed our bags and one-by-one for headed home, heads filled with memories of a great Adirondack winter weekend.

As with all of the Chapter Loj trips that have taken place during recent years, this year's trip would not have been the success that it was without the tireless effort and organizational skills of trip coordinator Judy Immesoete. Putting together an event such as this is a complex undertaking, involving planning that begins many months in advance. Judy, your Chapter is very grateful for all of your hard work! We have heard that you have decided to step down from your role as Loj trip coordinator. Your shoes will be very hard to fill!

Loj Trip, continued [top]
By Judy Immesoete

I would like to also thank Dave Harrison for his wonderful review of our trip. His words expressed the sentiments of all of us.

Let me take a moment to sincerely thank everyone who attended our annual Loj Trip this year and in past years. I have appreciated the help you eagerly gave me with driving coordinates, welcoming and assisting our new Loj attendees, sharing stories and your delicious hors'doeuvres. Each of you helped to make the trip memorable.

As in the past, the trip is one of our Chapters favorite activities to ward off the Winter doldrums. Our Historian, Brent Morris, researched the history of GVC's participation at the Loj and discovered the official start date as February 1982 with a full bus load of Members leaving Rochester headed to the mountains. We are a very fortunate Chapter to have continued without interruption for all this time.

I have enjoyed my tenure as Loj Trip coordinator for the last 8 years. We have all shared great experiences together as friends and winter sports enthusiasts. I know we will continue to do so. These are some of the things that make the Adirondack Mountain Club special to each of us.