Central & Western NY Outdoors  
October 2006

 

~~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~~                                 

Better then Deet

Where in the World is Rocky? 

Take a Virtual Hike

Fire Towers Anyone?

Funding award moves Robert Moody Trail Closer to Completion

Goundry Hill State Forest Trail Rerouted

Great Pumpkin Walk

Cure for Nature Deficit Disorder

Ancient Forest Hike in Zoar Valley

          Better then Deet

Researchers at Iowa State University reported to the America Chemical Society that nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip that gives the plant its characteristic odor, is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET - the compound used in most commercial insect repellents.

"Why catnip repels mosquitoes is still a mystery," says Entomologist Chris Peterson, Ph.D.

Peterson stated about one-tenth as much nepetalactone as DEET provides the same effect. Most commercial insect repellants contain about 5% to 25% DEET. Much less catnip oil is needed in a formulation to have the same level of repellency.

Essential Oil University, located in New Albany, offers catnip oil. It can be sprayed on the skin if mixed with a neutral carrier, such as fractionated coconut oil. The company sells a custom blend called "Deet Buster" on its web site: www.essentialoils.org.

          Where in the World is Rocky? 

(If you are new to this column, remember dear readers that last month Rocky put up a picture and a clue and asked you to e-mail where he was in the world. Take a guess this month by sending an email to info@packpaddleski.com and we will enter you in a drawing for a $50 gift certificate towards a Pack, Paddle, Ski course. Good luck tracking the intrepid Rocky and his adventuring companions on their adventures.)

“Are you going to stand up?” “I don’t think so Rocky!” Off to my right is a 3,000 foot drop to the glacier below. To my left, Devil’s Kitchen and its fumaroles on this volcano. Yesterday a helicopter came to remove the climber who fell on this ridge, unusually icy for summer. At 1 am we passed a groomer, grooming the ski slopes we walked by. “Rocky, I will take that belay back down now if you don’t mind.” Where is Rocky standing? Send your guess.

WINNER OF LAST MONTH’S ROCKY IS:
Charles correctly guessed that Rocky was in Erik’s Fjord in Greenland. Or as one writer said “where they threw Eric the Red out to after he got kicked out of Iceland for some murders.” Charles was emailed his certificate. To refresh your memory see last months newsletter.

REUNION UPDATE
For those who would like to gather with a bunch of adventuring people, there is a reunion complete with gear swap, tale and picture sharing from the Inca Trail, Mongolia, Africa, Austria, the Arctic, Belize and more on November 4th from 1 to 4. See www.packpaddleski.com for more information. Free. Best of '06 cd’s given out at the door. All welcome if you share adventure in your life.

ADVENTURE $s
Join other adventurous souls to earn credit towards adventures on October 29th starting at 10 am. For details see www.packpaddleski.com.

INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE OF THE MONTH
(True tales written to inspire each of us each day)

The short introduction to sea kayaking was winding up as the storm threatened to unleash torrents. The four women seemed enthused and supportive of each other. They wanted to know when they could go again. As we worked on dates, one woman said she was not be able to make it. The others encouraged her to join. 

As I got my palm pilot, I saw two of the women hugging each other. The reluctant one said “I don’t know how I will feel, I start my cancer treatment that week.” I shared that I would be more then willing and it would not be the first time to give assistance if needed and she tired. 

The friends were committed to helping her through this trial. I felt honored to share an afternoon if they chose to use the beauty in our world and their friendship to help ease the challenges of this woman’s life. I was boosted by this woman’s courage to face a very scary time.

 

         Take a Virtual Hike

If you can’t get out for a hike … here’s the next best thing. Take a virtual hike by watching the slide shows on the web site of Friends of Webster Trails for the new Whiting Road Nature Preserve.  The slides are set to music by Nancy Rumbel, Eric Tingstad and David Lanz from their album "Woodlands." Don Baird, the FOWT web master did a great job setting this up.

The Whiting Road Nature Preserve, in the Town of Webster, has a variety of ecosystems which make it a beautiful area to enjoy nature. The Friends of Webster Trails, with the assistance of local Boy Scouts, have built four trails in the preserve to provide public access. The trailhead parking lot is located on the west side of Whiting Road, 1.1 mile north of Klem Road and 0.6 mile south of Lake Road .

At http://www.webstertrails.org/wrnp/wrnp.php you’ll find a map and descriptions of the trails as well as the slide shows. Enjoy!

 

 

          Fire Towers Anyone?

Interested in fire towers in the Adirondacks? Or how about for the entire U.S. or the world? Maybe you'd be interested in purchasing or renting one. Checkout this web site for all this and more. 

 http://www.firelookout.net/index.htm

 

 

 

       Funding moves Robert Moody Trail Closer to Completion 
       for Rushville & Gorham in Ontario County

            A $50,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Fund and administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) may soon erase the only remaining obstacle to  making the Moody Hiking Trail a reality for citizens of Rushville and Gorham in Ontario County. The community had already cleared the corridor of vegetation; carefully built community support; developed multiple partnerships; and secured donated help with trail planning and studies of bridge conditions. Until the recent announcement, funding for bridge repair and replacement was all that was lacking. The 1.1 mile rail trail will extend from Main Street in the Village of Rushville to Blodgett Road in the Town of Gorham, providing residents with a safe place to become more physically active and enjoy the natural beauty along the banks of the West River. Parks & Trails New York selected the Robert Moody Trail as one of its Healthy Trails, Healthy People projects in 2005 because of the existing community support and opportunities for increased physical activity that the trail will provide. 

Parks & Trails E-News (Sept-Oct issue)

 

       Goundry Hill State Forest Trail Rerouted

According to Lynda Rummel from the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, the trail in Corbett Hollow, in Goundry Hill State Forest, has been rerouted. If you own a copy of “Take A Hike – Family Walks in the Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley Region” this is trail # 28 on page 140.

From the west, the reroute (estimated 1.2 miles of new trail) starts just after the existing trail descends into Corbett Hollow, and drops quickly down to Corbett Hollow Rd. (north of where the trail used to cross Corbett Hollow Road). At the road, turn left, cross the culvert and follow along the right side of the turnaround; then turn right, cross the drainage and enter the woods at the signs. Ascend to the top of Goundry (Buck) Hill using 14 switchbacks (typical grade = 10% or less; typical cross slope = 5%). Some work remains to be done on the lower portion of the rerouted trail, but the reroute is flagged and/or blazed and is very hikeable (definitely not good skiing though!).

Good parking and bivouac sites at the turnaround (remember to treat all water!) Corbett Hollow Road is open to the public. There was pressure at one time to close it off as a private road. The entire trail that used to coincide with the DEC's steep and exhausting Oneida horse/snowmobile trail has been eliminated and replaced by brand new foot-travel-only trail. Special thanks to the Buffalo Youth Corps, who built the top half of the reroute on very steep and rugged terrain, and to another volunteer who built the lower half almost single-handedly.

       Great Pumpkin Walk

You can walk the same trail at different times of the year and see very different sights. But, only once per year do you get to see a trail lined in hundreds of carved pumpkins. The 2005 Pumpkin Walk displayed a record-breaking 650 artistically carved pumpkins. This year, in celebration of Halloween, pack up your family and head to Ontario Pathways trail on October 14th from 6:30 to 9:30 PM for the Great Pumpkin Walk. 

Hundreds of hand-carved, lighted jack-o-lanterns will line a ˝ mile stretch of trail (1 mile round trip) beginning at the Ontario County Fairgrounds, County Road 10 in Canandaigua. The walk is suitable for all ages and strollers are allowed. Plenty of free parking will be available.

The event costs $3 per person and includes cider and a donut. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. No pets, please.  Call (585) 234-7722 or (585) 398-2424 the day of the event for a taped message regarding possible cancellation due to rain. (The rain date is October 15th).

       Cure for Nature Deficit Disorder

If you haven't heard that new term yet, well, now you have. We have a great suggestion for your children/grandchildren so that they are not prone to getting this disorder.

Bring them out to the Enchanted Forest at Beaver Meadow Audubon Center in North Java, NY on Oct. 6, 7 or 8. Starting at 6:30 there will guided tours along pumpkin lit paths, stopping at stations where an animal awaits to tell you all about its life. The animals of the forest are portrayed by costumed interpreters, and they are all friendly. The Enchanted Forest is a program for all ages; it is not a scary place. When the walk is finished, each group will be treated to cider and a snack.

ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED by October 1. The program runs, rain or shine. Tickets are $7, Audubon Members are $6. Reservations can be made by calling (585)457-3228 and using a charge card. Proceeds benefit this non-profit nature preserve.

Thanks to Mary Domanski for the information.

       Ancient Forest Hike in Zoar Valley

Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 12:00-3:00
We'll explore an area of old growth forest in Zoar Valley on the South Rim. Learn the characteristics of old growth and take a challenge identifying the different tree species. 

Please preregister by phone (716) 380-1430 or by email to julie@zoarvalley.org

 

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