Northern NY Winter Camping Trip... (NNY08WCT)

by **Jamie** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:23 pm

Seeing the post about the Wintergeddon in CO got me thinking about a weekend of camping for ZSers up in the Adirondacks to test gear and share cold-weather cocktails and enjoy being hardasses...is anyone interested?

I have time off in February, and was thinking about February 15-17 as a good time to go camping (although very cold!!!).

I have a spot in mind that has a series of free & public campsites on a big chunk of state land in a beautiful spot, with lots of XC-skiing and snowshoeing trails.

nfa

by **mrclarkbkk** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:29 pm

I might be interested, it will depend on how much vacation time I have at the time, but keep me updated.

by **MrUgly** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:21 pm

I'm interested, just not sure if my gear will be adequate.

by **Jamie** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:33 pm

The weather at this time of year can be mild or brutal...

February 15th in 2006: Max Temperature: 44 °F / 6 °C, Min Temperature: 30 °F / -1 °C

February 15th in 2003: Max Temperature: -2 °F / -18 °C, Min Temperature: -36 °F / -37 °C

February is often snowless, but we've also had 30 inches in 24 hours...we'll see...

I'm definitely going camping over the Presidents' Day weekend of February 15-17, 2008, and hope to meet up with some fellow ZSers...it'll be a great chance to test out your camping stuff and your cold weather gear in particular...

I'll be camping at the location this weekend with my son, and will post some pics of the site after we're back...

nfa

by **Rush2112** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:49 pm

There's a lot of deciding factors but I may be in.

by **spartan** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:00 pm

I would say scratch me up, but the 15th is my wife's birthday, so I am out this trip.

If MrClarkBKK goes, I will try to send a bottle of liquid good will with him.

by **Jamie** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:10 pm

Pics of last weekend camping at the site of the winter camping trip...imagine more cold and snow...

44° 20.86'N, 74° 20.61'W

A pretty spot with plenty of room for tents by the water...

Most of the land around the pond is state forest preserve, and is wild...

It's a pretty place with miles and miles of trails and waterways to explore...and mountains to climb...

There are nice fireplaces to cook and warm ourselves by...

Pretty sunsets and sunrises are included with the (free) camping priveliges...

Sometimes in the wintertime, we can see the northern lights...this is just a pretty picture of the horizon a few minutes after sundown...

A good stove and good gear will be a must for a fun winter camping trip...I have some extra stuff, but you should plan on mostly bringing your own...

I hope to see some of you there this winter...

nfa

by **Rush2112** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:06 pm

New York is a bit of a drive for me. Can you give me a town name so I have some idea as to where you want to hold this?

by **Jamie** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:40 pm

Saranac Lake, NY is the closest town to this campsite, Tupper Lake is next closest...the given coordinates are between the 2 towns...

nfa

by **Rush2112** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:10 pm

nfa wrote:Saranac Lake, NY is the closest town to this campsite, Tupper Lake is next closest...the given coordinates are between the 2 towns...

nfa

Mapquest is telling me five hours. I could probably cut that down depending on weather conditions. Too bad Saranac Lake is so far north. The Mass Pike is a fast road. I was doing 95 (in the right lane WITH traffic) when a cop passed me doing about a buck-twenty. I've never taken the route Mapquest is giving me but it looks more direct when you're that far north.

BTW, those coordinates are basically useless to me. I don't have anything to input them on. Actually, I should try that with google earth...

by **CommonHighrise** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:18 pm

Interested as well, just apprehensive about the drive up there in Feb from East PA, as my vehicle isnt much for bad conditions.

If schedule holds out, and I can sling a ride up there with someone, Ill definatley join in on some winter camping.

by **evo6011** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:15 pm

i used to be stationed at fort drum so i know how cold it gets in the winter, you may want to check out McCauley Mountain. I used to go there all the time to snowboard and the pictures you posted looks a lot like that place. I have been to Saranac Area, dont they have a casino there also>

by **Famine** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:07 pm

CommonHighrise wrote:Interested as well, just apprehensive about the drive up there in Feb from East PA, as my vehicle isnt much for bad conditions.

If schedule holds out, and I can sling a ride up there with someone, Ill definatley join in on some winter camping.

I could meet you half way, give you a place to park your car, and God willing, we could take my truck. Shoot me a PM. We could start a "Mail CommonHighrise to ZS002 Wintercamp!" thread. We could buy you a nice box for your gear, and yourself, and then overnight you to nfa's house. Just hope Mrs. nfa doesn't open the box! LOL

Count me in, unless weather prohibits my driving to said location. I don't think it should be a problem.

I know I will be needing a tent that isn't a 3 section 10 person get up, so that'll be on my Christmas list. I'll also need a new sleeping bag, I have that in the works.

If this all pans out, (pardon the pun) I'll be packing all of my cooking gear.

Kevin

by **Jamie** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:20 am

I'm officially starting to get psyched about this, so let's get serious:

Dates: February 15-17, 2008

Place: Hoel Pond (with nearby Polliwog Pond as a backup location)

Link to Google Map (useful for visualizing and for directions)

Likely Weather: cold to barbarically cold, probably snow on the ground...maybe in the air (sometimes freezing rain)

Required Clothes: Multiple layers of warm clothes (fleece and poly-pro a plus), wind/water resistant/proof outer layer, multiple hats/gloves/socks

Required Gear: Tent or space in someone else's (I've got room in mine for 1 or 2 people), sleeping bag (rated down to at least 20 degrees), cookset

Required Food: lots of calories, lots of fat, lot of protein (we can talk about this more as February gets closer)

Any other gear and clothes and food (and drink :roll:

) that you are able to bring and/or interested in testing out will be great and add to the fun and learning...

There are lots of things that we could do, in addition to simply surviving the cold, including: XC-ski, snowshoe (there is a spot a couple of miles away with trails that loans out their snowshoes for free), hike, maybe some shooting or a winter zombiathlon, watching zombie movies into the wee-hours, etc.

I'll bring some firewood for a big socializing fire one of the nights.

For those with concerns about their abilities/gear in winter camping, let me point out a couple of things: we'll be a short/no walk from vehicles, we'll be within 10 miles of Casa NFA, we'll be within 15 miles of a hospital, we're 5 miles from a bar (if we need to seek shelter from the cold one night), I'll bring some extra warm stuff, and we'll all agree to keep an eye out for each others' well-being...I hope some of you guys can come up, it should be fun!!!

I'm in...

nfa

by **Famine** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 8:45 pm

I'm working on a surprise for all who attend said event. ;-)

I'll be bringing firewood, so we can keep a pretty good fire going, although we all know I'm not going to be the one building it.

We should definitely keep any eye on each others well being in the cold weather. Specifically me. This will be my first venture winter camping, so if I die, I blame you. :lol:

Kevin

by **CommonHighrise** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:46 pm

If weather will be clear for me to get halfway up that weekend, count me in to represent the Keystone State in hardcore winter camping.

by **CavemanSam** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 12:04 am

This sounds way too good to pass up! I'm from around D.C., but I don't mind a nice drive. It'll give me an excuse to upgrade my camping equipment and winterize my gear.

Hey CommonHighrise, I remember meeting you at Zombiefest. Reading is right between myself and NY. I'd be happy to give you a lift to Ravena, if you like.

I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread :mrgreen:

by **Osiris Risen** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 5:27 pm

I'm definitely interested, but I've got to see how my schedule works out. I'll also need to check out my gear and make sure I'm not going to die.

I'm in Syracuse if anybody wants to carpool or needs a ride or something.

I miss the Adirondacks, and I'd love to see them in the winter so hopefully I can make it.

by **Famine** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 6:42 pm

CavemanSam wrote:I remember meeting you at Zombiefest. Reading is right between myself and NY. I'd be happy to give you a lift to Ravena, if you like.

Convoy from Ravena, hoorah!

Kevin

by **Rush2112** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 9:03 pm

Count me in at this point. Too early to tell though.

by **CommonHighrise** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 10:47 pm

Im pretty sure no one will die from the cold.

Shenanigans...thats a different story. :twisted:

Ill have to play it by ear as far as how Im gonna get to Famine's place. If weathers good, I can make the drive myself. But if it looks crappy, theres no way my lowered semi-race-tired coupe is gonna make it.

by **Rush2112** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 10:49 pm

CommonHighrise wrote:Im pretty sure no one will die from the cold.

Shenanigans...thats a different story.

Ill have to play it by ear as far as how Im gonna get to Famine's place. If weathers good, I can make the drive myself. But if it looks crappy, theres no way my lowered semi-race-tired coupe is gonna make it.

That's why real men drive Jeeps...and, in my case, constantly break them.

by **Famine** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:09 am

nfa, how frozen does this pond get during the time of the year we will be there?

Enough for ice fishing?

Kevin

by **Rush2112** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:12 am

Famine wrote:nfa, how frozen does this pond get during the time of the year we will be there?

Enough for ice fishing?

Kevin

If that area is anything like most of the NE United States, we'll be in the February thaw right about then. Of course, nature doesn't always play by the rules. It could be really cold instead.

Northern NY Winter Camping Trip... (NNY08WCT)

Northern NY Winter Camping Trip... (NNY08WCT)

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