Adirondack
Rock & Raft
Ages 14-17
Two trained expedition
leaders will lead a maximum of 10 participants, ages 14-17,
on this mountain adventure. The Adirondack Mountains are in one of the
country's largest state parks consisting of 2.3 million protected acres.
This region in Northern New York contains 3,000 ponds and
lakes, 1,500 miles of rivers, 2,000 miles of hiking trails,
nearly 100 campgrounds and, of course, the Adirondack
Mountains which are a haven for outdoor recreation of all
kinds. The Adirondack Park has the nation's largest hiking
trail system, with destinations ranging from mountain summits
to isolated waterfalls to forest glades. Once in New York, the
Adirondacks will be our home as we explore mountains, trails, and rivers
near the
Lake Placid Region of the park.
Your expedition begins at the W. Alton Jones Campus where you
will spend Sunday night at the Expedition Base Camp. During
this time you will have an orientation to the rules, enjoy a
cook-out, play games and do activities that will help you get
to know your trip mates. You will learn more about the details
of your trip and get all of the equipment and food ready to
go. After an all-group campfire you will head off for a good
night's sleep.
Your group will depart early Monday morning on the drive to
New York by
12-passenger extended van, about a five-hour drive. In rural areas of New York such as
the Adirondacks,
cell phone signals are not always available. We will establish
a base camp at a state park campground on the west shore of
the Schroon River. This campground has running water, bathroom
facilities, showers, and picnic tables. From there we will head out each day exploring some of the
beautiful places in the area.
Two days will be spent at nearby cliffs learning and
practicing rock climbing techniques. This is an opportunity
for you to challenge yourself physically and psychologically
as you work through the thrill of getting up the rock face
under your own muscle power. This program
stresses safe climbing practices, care and use of climbing
equipment, and proper technique. Your effort will reward
you with sweeping views and close up looks at the natural
world. Climbs will get progressively more challenging as
the skills of the group improve. And if the weather doesn't cooperate, we will head to a
nearby indoor climbing wall where we can continue to learn the
art of rock climbing.
At the end of the week our group will drive to the Hudson
River, meet up with rafting guides and head out on a cool,
refreshing rafting trip. This crystal clear section of the
Hudson River offers a 17 mile wilderness rafting adventure
through the Hudson River Gorge, with great whitewater and
Adirondack scenery. It has the longest stretch of
whitewater in New York and is considered the "Grand
Daddy" of all New York rivers. Outside Magazine rated
this as one of the "Top 10" springtime rafting trips
in the country. Summer water levels are mellower than
spring and while not the white-knuckle ride that you get in
the spring, it is a perfect trip for everyone with an
adventurous spirit. The day ends with a well-earned
chicken barbecue before heading back to the Alton Jones base
camp.
At the end of each day, when we return to the campground, everyone
will share in the responsibilities of getting water, cooking
supper, and cleaning up afterwards. While camping out in the
Adirondacks,
the group will learn and practice concentrated impact camping
techniques. This involves camping in such a manner that will
preserve the beauty of the Park. This is achieved by
carrying out trash, using biodegradable soap, respecting natural
inhabitants, and properly disposing of human waste. An emphasis
is placed on being as sensitive as possible to the natural areas
that we visit.
Participants of the Adirondack Rock and Raft Expedition should
be in reasonably good physical condition that will enable
you to hike, climb, swim, and paddle sometimes more than six hours
(with adequate rest stops). Leg and arm strength is particularly important in climbing.
If you are unsure of your physical
condition, do some exercising before the trip. Bike riding,
jogging, swimming, push-ups, sit-ups, and lots of brisk walking
are some good ways to get muscles in shape and build
stamina. All participants are expected to cooperate with fellow group
members and leaders and abide by all safety rules.
In preparing
for the expedition, you may want to spend some time thinking
about why you have chosen this trip and what you hope to learn
from your Adirondack Rock and Raft Adventure. If you have never rock
climbed or been rafting, relax. Experience is not a requirement,
but a positive attitude and a willingness to have fun while
learning is!
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