Outdoor Recreation

(03/09/12) John Warren, of the Adirondack Almanack, joins us Friday mornings with information about local outdoor and back-country conditions. more

(03/08/12) U.S. Representative Bill Owens says environmentalists shouldn't be concerned about his stand on a new water level plan for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

The International Joint Commission started controlling high and low water levels in the 1950s. While that's kept a stable water level, the agency now says it's bad for the environment. The new plan allows water levels to reach higher highs and lower lows.

The IJC has yet to release all the plan details. Congressman Owens recently wrote to the agency, urging closer attention to shoreline property damage along Lake Ontario. He says that damage could exceed $3 million annually. more

(03/08/12) With temperatures in the Tri-Lakes area soaring into the mid-50s today, the Olympic Regional Development Authority officially canceled this year's Lake Placid "Loppet" ski race, planned for this weekend.

The race had already been delayed once due to warm weather and lack of snow. The long-distance cross-country race is one of the most popular in the Northeast.

(03/06/12) Alerts went out this week about solar activity that could be a predictor of northern lights. In the studio this morning, St. Lawrence University astronomer, and physics professor, Aileen O'Donoghue explains the Sun's electromagnetic storms, and tells Martha Foley it's hard to predict the aurora for sure.

(03/05/12) It's a scene that was common-place in the early 20th century, horses out on a frozen lake cutting through the ice with bladed plows.

Ice harvesting may not be part of your family's plans this year, but for one rural St. Lawrence County family it's the only way to keep food cool during the summer. Trevor Alford visited the Douglass family farm outside Canton and has our story. more

(03/05/12) Cornell Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy tells Martha Foley it's time to get the pruning saw and clipper out. And she has advice on what to do first.

(03/02/12) After a mostly-mild winter, the Adirondacks now have a lot more snow; up to a few feet in the high peaks. That kind of weather can be dangerous. The state Department of Environmental Conservation yesterday put out a warning to visitors to prepare well for harsh and potentially "perilous" conditions in the backcountry.

The DEC advises people to dress in layers of fleece and wool, carry the right equipment, pack food and water, never travel alone and know the terrain. The warning comes after recent rescues and an avalanche on a new slide.

Adirondack Almanack founder John Warren brings us our Adirondack conditions report every Friday. Late yesterday, he told Nora Flaherty that snow has finally reached even the snow-drought areas of the mountains.

(03/02/12) This is John Warren from the Adirondack Almanack with your look at outdoor recreation conditions around the Adirondacks for this weekend. more

(03/01/12) After a mostly-mild winter, the Adirondacks are now getting a lot more snow--up to a few feet in the highest peaks. That kind of weather can be dangerous. The state Department of Environmental Conservation today put out a warning to visitors to prepare well for harsh and potentially "perilous" conditions in the backcountry.

Adirondack Almanack founder John Warren brings us our Adirondack conditions report every Friday. And Nora Flaherty got him on the line to talk about how we can prepare for safe winter fun.

(02/27/12) The Uihlein Sugar Maple Research & Extension Field Station in Lake Placid made its first batch of syrup last Thursday. Director Michael Farrell, who's been with the field station for seven years, says it was the earliest he's made syrup.

Crews started tapping trees at the 200-acre Uihlein Forest on January 31. That took about three weeks. Then, workers had to inspect the 60 miles of tubing that carries the sap from the trees to the sugar house.

Chris Morris joined Farrell for a tour last week. Farrell told him that mild temperatures have given area producers a jump start on the season.