Genesee Valley Chapter
Adirondack Mountain Club

Meeting Highlights from the Programs Committee

Updated December 11, 2008

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Looking back to previous chapter meetings

December 10	Looking back to the December 2008 Chapter Meeting We started off the evening with a cookie social, serenaded by the Golden Link Folk sInging Society Polar Bear Conservation – An In-Field Perspective by Kim E. Goppert Kara Masaschi, polar bear keeper and Rocky Coast supervisor at Seneca Park Zoo, shared with us her love for these wonderful "sea bears". We learned about polar bear biology, conservation, threats to these amazing predators and even the "expectant" status of Seneca Park's zoo resident polar bear, Aurora. Kara's photos and stories were from her own experiences up in Churchill, Manitoba where she has spent several weeks for the last 3 years as an in-field lecturer. I had the pleasure after Kara's presentation to witness her interaction with 3 young girls who not only were animal lovers but were in awe of her position as a keeper. They even asked for her autograph. Kara's wonderful presentation skills and personal stories interjected along the way made for a great program. Learn more about polar bears at http://www.PolarBearsInternational.org/ and the Seneca Park Zoo Polar Bear Blog
November 12	Looking back to the November 2008 Chapter Meeting From Wet to Dry and Low to High, National Park Sampler By Al Bushnell Debi Holt and Kathy Krenzer took the audience on a journey to three of the National Parks that they have visited in their quest to visit all 64 parks. Each journey consisted of a brief narrative of their trip & park history, followed by three wonderful multi-media presentations of spectacular photography accompanied by the perfect music. The amazing wildlife seen when canoeing through the maze of the Everglades, the slot canyons & salt beds when hiking around Death Valley, and the shear beauty of Sequoia Kings Canyon when climbing towards the summit of Mt. Whitney were all captured for us to experience. Hopefully, they'll agree to share other adventures with us at a future program.
October 8	Looking back to the October 2008 Chapter Meeting Climbing to the Ends of the Earth - Gary Fallesen – Our October program featured a program by Gary Fallesen. Gary left the secure structured atmosphere of a 9-5 career as the Outdoors writer at the Democrat & Chronicle to embark on a new career. His new vocation finds him travelling the world to provide both physical and spiritual assistance to people in areas where other missions are physically unable to reach them due to their remote locations and rugged terrain. An entertaining speaker, Gary took us on his journey from his early days as a sports writer to the present day as founder of Climbing For Christ through wonderful photographs of remote mountaintops and secluded villages and tribes that have chronicled his many journeys and experiences.
September 17	Looking back to the September 2008 Chapter Meeting A Bag Lady's Dream: Kathryn Zimmerman chronicles her thru hike on the AT – Kathryn Zimmerman delighted the audience sharing touching and often humorous stories of her previous year's experiences thru hiking the AT. Others have completed this journey, but Kathryn gave the audience the sense that this goal was somehow within reach for all of us...that is as long as we were willing to work hard and stay focused. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and her tenacity was enviable. Kathryn carefully interwove spectacular photography (including several short videos), practical advice (for those who were really seriously considering hiking the trail) with the her own story of her incredible journey as she completed this 'lofty goal'. We are anxiously awaiting to hear about Kathryn's next adventure...
June 11	Looking back to the June 2008 Chapter Meeting We started off with refreshments and the anual ADK Gear Swap. The first presentation was by Steve Tryon, GVC's own Webmaster and Alternate Director. Steve Tryon has many things to be proud of: his family, his career, his volunteer work, and his artist gift as a photographer. During the June program, Steve took us on a virtual paddle of Irondequoit Creek via a spectacular slide show captured through the lens of his camera. Many have commented on the peace and beauty captured in his images. You can see more of Steve's photography at PearwoodDesigns.com. Next, Ken Harbison presented an awe-inspiring, spectacular slide show of his (with wife Judy and two other chapter members) self arranged trip to Kauai, Maui and Lanai. Ken's presentation highlighted the spectacular wonder and beauty of this state. Ken is known for his meticulously organized and always entertaining trips whether these are official chapter trips, or (as in this case) self arranged and guided trips.     ==>   Don't miss Charlie and the Rubber Ducks Genesee Valley Chapter Elections for 2008-2009 The following slate of candidates was elected at the June 11, 2008 meeting: Chair - Gary Dewitt Vice Chair - Al Bushnell Secretary - Bruce Tehan Treasurer - Bob Krenzer Director - Judy Immesoete Director - Tom Wallenhorst Continuing in office are: Alternate Director - Shirley Thomas Alternate Director - Gail Soucy Alternate Director - Steve Tryon Alternate Director - Jackson Thomas
May 14	Looking back to the May 2008 Chapter Meeting During the workshop, Jason Hammel of Eastern Mountain Sports gave an overview of proper bike fit, basic trail and road maintenance tips and techniques relating to better performance. Steve Eisinger, Kevin Hoehn, Chris McManus, Bob Kuehl, Karen Mesolella, Paul Neumann, Kathy Jukubowski and Irene Liberty all contributed in the May 14th program to share with us their 18-day Pack, Paddle, Ski trip to Tibet in September 2007. Their enthusiasm was clearly evident as they described their adventures there and showed us the photographs and videos they took. They spent several days in Lhasa and then drove and trekked to Everest Base Camp. A common theme among the presenters was how much they enjoyed their interactions with the people of Tibet.
April 9	Looking back to the April 2008 Chapter Meeting     During the workship, Dave Hulburt of BayCreek Paddling Center walked us through how length, weight, style and materials affect each boats performance. Then we accompanied long distance cyclists Brian and Karen Managan on their Pacific-to-Atlantic biking journey - all 3974 miles (!) - by video shot from their recumbent tandem, gear in tow. Strategically selected music enhanced the virtual experience - the pain of the 6500' climb up the Sierra Mountains; the desolation and agony pushing through the scorching deserts of Nevada; and the fatigue of the succession of grueling climbs up to the Continental Divide. But then, the thrill we got peering head-on over the handlebars at the pavement drops and curves on the wild 49+ mph descents! And the awe of the geological splendors of Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase, Escalante, and Capital Reef National Parks – images to be recalled when feeling the discouragement from the headwinds, sidewinds, and rains of Kansas. And at the end, as they dipped the bike into the Atlantic, we enjoyed the accomplishment of a feat artfully done. Click here for Brian's and Karen's Trans-Am 2004 Weblog.
March 12	Looking back to the March 2008 Chapter Meeting     Finger Lakes Community College Professor Marty Dodge provided us a glimpse of the grandeur biological diversity of South Central Alaska and the Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Ten students travelling with Marty Dodge, hiked, back packed and kayaked in and about Prince William Sound and the Chugatch Mountains as part of of his Conservation Travel Ecology Course.
February 13	Looking back to the February 2008 Chapter Meeting     Outdoors writer and photographer Kris Dreessen joined us on the evening of February 13 to share her experiences in the Peruvian Amazon. Kris spent three weeks in the Lago Preto region, living aboard a vintage rubber-boom boat gathering data with international researchers and working with villagers in an effort to both preserve the region and improve healthcare for people in remote settlements. Kris' Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon images will be on exibition March 8 - April 12.         Ock Hee's Gallery         2 Lehigh Street         Honeoye Falls 14472         585-624-4730 Related websites: http://www.earthwatch.org http://blogs.bootsnall.com/friends-project/ http://www.krisdreessen.com/
January 13	Looking back to the January 2008 Chapter Meeting

Looking back to the December 2007 chapter meeting

RMSC Overbooking on December 12
Kim Goppert Programs Co-chair

I contacted the Hospitality Manager at Rochester Museum & Science Center, Anita Joan Angelico, regarding the lack of parking for what is traditionally one of the club's best-attended events. I expressed our disappointment and noted that many prospective attendees left, as they were unable to find a parking spot. Anita was very apologetic and stated that what the museum had intended to be a goodwill gesture to the community (free admission to "Our Body: The Universe Within" exhibit) resulted in many unhappy circumstances – not just ours.

As a goodwill gesture, the director of Marketing & Community Affairs, Debra Jacobson, sent the club a letter of apology and offered a partial refund of our rent for December. In the future, the museum has asked the promotions team to communicate more clearly with the hospitality staff ahead of time.

   

At our December meeting, Kevin Flynn shared his 15 year journey to become a member of the Seven Summit 'Club'. After taking us on a brief visit to each of the other six continents' highest summits, the focus of his program then turned to his two attempts to reach the summit of Everest. The first attempt was in 2002, when he was forced to turn back with the goal only a few hundred feet away, and the second was in 2004, when he finally stood on top of the World but was unable to fully enjoy the moment since his body was rapidly deteriorating with pneumonia & signs of HAPE. Kevin was able to survive in large part due to the encouragement & support of his Sherpa. Thanks to a series of short videos incorporated throughout the program, we felt like we were almost on the mountain with Kevin, jumping crevasses, scaling seracs, weathering a storm, and constantly struggling for air.

Looking back to the November 2007 executive committee meeting

Main club executive director Neil Woodworth met with the GVC chapter executive committee and other chapter members to update us on the state of the club, particularly with regard to conservation issues. Read Deni's report here.   [Photographs]

Looking back to the November 2007 chapter meeting

We welcomed the Edison Tech Hiking Club. Chapter member donated a large collection of excess equipment to help them on their way.   [Photographs]

Victor Poleshuck: Africa and Antarctica

Dr. Victor Poleshuck took us to Antarctica via a National Geographic icebreaker to climb snowfields and kayak with humpbacks and penguins. Then it was on to southern Africa for a safari to see the amazing birds and animals. If you missed the grinning lion, well, you missed the grinning lion.

Looking back to the October 2007 chapter meeting

We welcomed Dan DeLawyer, Regional Director of Western New York Ducks Unlimited. [map] With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization. Since its founding in 1937, DU has raised more than $2 billion to conserve over 11 million acres of critical wildlife habitat across North America. Wetlands are nature's most productive ecosystems, but the United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands, and continues to lose more than 100,000 wetland acres every year. Through public support and volunteer effort Ducks Unlimited continues its mission of conserving wetlands and waterfowl habitat throughout North America benefiting not only waterfowl, but also mammals, amphibians, reptiles, as well as over 130 species of shorebirds and songbirds.

http://www.ducks.org/

Looking back to the September 2007 chapter meeting

Alpine Flora of the Adirondack Mountains

The delicate nature of the Alpine flora of the Adirondack Mountains and the Mountains of New England were explored by Dr. Nancy Slack at our September meeting. We were taken on a journey through the Alpine Zones in a beautiful side show taken from her book "Adirondack Alpine Summits An Ecological Field Guide". An abundance of fragile flowers, mosses and lichens await any one who is wiling to explore the endangered nature on the summits. Dr Slack presented her field guide through stunning photographs and insightful knowledge of the flora and fauna. In her reflections to us, we must all be aware of the potential endangerment of these fragile plants and birds. We have to use caution when hiking as not to disturb the delicate environment and we all should be providing continued education and conservation information to all whose who hike these beautiful Mountains.

Fifth High Summit Honor Society Induction Ceremony

At the September 12^th chapter meeting, the following members were inducted into the High Summit Honor Society: Alan Bushnell, Michael Dobner, Karen Malecki, David Newman, and Edgar W. Trainer. The High Summit Honor Society exists to honor those distinguished members who have contributed to the continued growth and development of the Genesee Valley Chapter over an extended period of time. This year we honored five exceptional individuals who have more than met that criterion. Each inductee was awarded a certificate after a brief presentation of their outstanding contributions to the chapter. Inductees also shared their own perceptions of how their volunteer experience has enriched their lives as well. Unfortunately, Edgar Trainer passed away in March of this year, but his daughter, Susan Stolov, came into Rochester to accept the award on his behalf. Susan also shared pictures of her father in early GVC-ADK trips.

A special thanks to each of the speakers: Bill Crowe, Daan Zwick, Mark Baker and Rich Sensenbach. Also a note of thanks to Steve Tryon for taking pictures at the ceremony, and to Barb Brenner who researched and wrote the article on David Newman. Please feel free to check out the plaque at the monthly chapter meetings that list all of the inductees from each of the five classes of the High Summit Honor Society.

Click here a short summary of the contributions of each of these five inductees.

Looking back to the June 2007 chapter meeting

Looking back to the April 2007 chapter meeting

Our April speaker, Christine Sevilla, will be leading a "Weed Walk" on June 23. Says she, "It's really great to talk to a group that is interested and enthusiastic about these places. I'll look forward to seeing many of them on the weed walk." Click here for more information.

Looking back to the March 2007 chapter meeting

The Ups and Downs of Members' Night

Looking back to the December 2006 chapter meeting

By Mary Warchocki

Carol Stone White, along with her husband David, highlighted several stories and adventures of the first 29 brave women to complete their Winter 46. The audience was treated to a spectacular slide show of some amazing winter climbs in both the Adirondacks and New Hampshire's highest summits. Despite the unseasonable warm temperatures outside, you could almost imagine yourself on a beautiful snow covered peak with a spectacular vision of ice covered pines and endless views.

Looking back to November 2006

(Click on any of the images for the slideshow.)

By Jackson Thomas

Could you feel your chair shaking from all of the toe-tapping and foot-stomping around you? Was your view periodically obscured by a sea of heads or bodies bobbing to the music in front of you? If you were involved with either or both of these questions during Carl and the Dans' sensational program, you know what a superb evening of visual beauty and auditory delight was enjoyed by a standing-room-only crowd of about 450 people.

Carl Heilman, one of the finest landscape photographers in the Northeast, showed his award-winning slideshow titled 'Images and Music of the Adirondacks.' Dan Berggren and Dan Duggan, two of folk music's nationally acclaimed and award-winning musicians and songwriters, sang and played some of the music from their CDs. Peggy Lynn, 'The First lady of Adirondack Music,' could not join us for this performance during which we heard and saw why our passion for the Adirondacks continues to grow. Thank you, Carl, Dan and Dan, for sharing your love of these mountains with us, and all of us look forward to your next visit!

• Dan Berggren - Folk Music of the Adirondacks: http://www.berggrenfolk.com/albums.cfm
• Dan Duggan: http://esperanceproductions.com/
• Carl Heilman: http://www.carlheilman.com/online-store.html

Looking back to September 2006

By Charlie Helman

After listening to the achievements of the people our chapter honored on Wednesday night I was concerned as the sponsor of our program for the evening. Fortunately, Louise Adie our speaker came with quite a resume herself. She has been a avid cross country skier, rock climber, bike racer and for the last 12 years a kayaker. She has completed a solo circumnavigation of Lake Ontario and as we found out , for the last two years she has been a kayak guide from a tour boat in Antartica. She presented us with a very animated talk complete with spectacular photos of the region and the abundant wildlife. On behalf of our chapter, thanks...Louise!

Looking back to June 2006

By Judy Immesoete

Gretchen Schauss biked us across the Untied States over 4000 miles from Washington State and the Pacific Ocean to Maine where she touched the wheels of her bike in the Atlantic Ocean. She took us over the Rocky Mountains with their majestic peaks and unexpected snow storms, peddled us across the mighty Mississippi River, braved thunder storms around the Great Lakes, through the quaint towns and villages of New England culminating in her successful journey; cycling across America.

To add to his many high mountain experiences Doug Smith added one more amazing accomplishment he through hiked the Appalachian Trail. Doug hiked from Springer Mt. Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine 2160 miles of continuous marked foot path. He journeyed over countless mountains, through valleys and meadows, steams, rivers and 14 States making him one of a very small yet distinguished group of individuals; a Through Hiker of the AT.

chapter officers

the following officers were elected at the June 2006 chapter meeting:

    chair – rich sensenbach
    vice chair – laura williams
    secretary – mark baker
    treasurer – deni charpentier
    director – judy immesoete
    director – tom wallenhorst
    alternate director – susan aiello
    alternate director – gail soucy
    alternate director – steve tryon
    alternate director – jackson thomas

Looking back at the March 2006 Program

By Bill Crow

At the March 8th chapter meeting, chapter member Dick Herbison told the story of his late 2001 expedition to Aconcagua, South America's hightest mountain. Mixing his many scenic photos with several short videos (accompanied by audio) Dick told the story of how the local group of four planned the trip on their own but were thwarted just 0.7 miles from the summit by a combination of bad weather and bad luck. An yet, most importantly, all arrived home safe and sound. Thanks, Dick, for an informative and exciting presentation.

Looking back at the February 2006 Members' Night

By Susan Aiello

A packed audience was treated to three wonderful presentations at our annual Members' Night program! From Mark Baker's exotic shots in far-away locales, to Ken Harbison's breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon, and Nancy Donny's funny (and successful) first GVC-ADK canoe adventure, all were kept entertained (and smiling!) throughout the evening!!! Thanks to all three for sharing your travels with us!

Looking back at the October 2005 program

By Mary Warchocki

Over 100 people, many from other area outdoor clubs and organizations, attended the October program at the Eisenhart Auditorium.  This was a pretty incredible show rate given the fact that many of us failed to receive our monthly newsletter (including myself) because of a glitch at the post office.  Neil Woodworth, the Executive Director and Counsel of the Adirondack Mountain Club, presented an overview of the club activities including trail maintenance, educational workshops, and the latest environmental concerns both around the state and those specific to the Western New York area.  Earlier in the evening, Neil met with the Chapter’s Executive Committee for an informal question and answer session.

Neil Woodworth and Rich Sensenbach