Bouldering Outdoors – Tips, Advice and Places to Go

By Troy Tetrault

If you’re new to the world of climbing, bouldering is a discipline originally born out of training for bigger objectives by “practicing” on shorter climbs with no rope or harness. While it seems inherently dangerous, precautions are taken with modern crash pads, attentive spotters – people watching from below to keep you safe, and chalk – to help you manage moisture and increase friction. While originally just training or practice, bouldering has burgeoned into its own sport, its own discipline of climbing, and has become one of the most accessible forms of the activity to beginners with its simple gear and concept. READ MORE

Color Your World – Vibrant Autumn Races

By Laura Clark

Tired of squinting into a blazing sun? Well, the good news is that in just a short month away, the leaves will begin turning and we will trade hot and humid for cool and crisp. This summer’s hot, humid weather has made long distance training more challenging, so you might want to include a medley of shorter events in your game plan. The cooler weather bodes faster times, even if it seems like you have been snailing it all summer. READ MORE

Taking the Oregon Trail to Cod Pond

By Bill Ingersoll

Cod Pond is a shallow body of water accessed by a short hiking trail – easy to reach but not frequently visited. It lies within a region that boasts a number of interesting placenames, though so much time has passed that few can remember their sources. What is now a largely unbroken forest owned by the state was not always so; in the 19th century, the valley of the East Branch Sacandaga River was a frontier community of tanneries and rustic farms. READ MORE

Growing Trail Networks

By Josh Clevenstine

I think it was about 2015 when I noticed that mountain biking seemed to be really growing in our pocket of the Northeast. That was the year someone first showed me Gurney Lane. Every year I wonder, “Is this the year we may see things slow down or plateau some?” Well, so far, the answer to this question every year has been a resounding, “no,” and 2025 looks to be no different. While having this train of thought bounce around in my head about the immediate Capital-Saratoga Region, I started thinking of our area on a larger scale in terms of the various groups who steward the mountain biking networks in Northeastern NY. READ MORE

Kim Levinsky

By Erin Quinn

Kim Levinsky is an ultrarunner, as well as the founder and director of Sassquad Trail Running, a grassroots organization that hosts trail races throughout the year in both New Jersey and New York: sassquadtrailrunning.com. The trail races she puts on encourage people of all places, paces, races and ages. One of the main goals of her race company is to create an atmosphere of inclusivity, providing generous cut-off times for beginning runners and making the trails more accessible to a greater range of athletes. READ MORE

A Packrafting Adventure at Cedar Lakes

By Rich Macha

Have you ever hiked to a beautiful pond or lake and wished you had a boat to further explore its scenic or its fishing offerings? Folks have been carrying canoes and, more notably, lightweight pack canoes into Adirondack waterbodies for decades now, but what if I told you there are even lighter craft weighing under 10 pounds and as low as 3.25 pounds that can be carried more easily to achieve the desired goal. READ MORE

Rolling Into the Future – Building Community Through Youth Mountain Biking

Over the last few years, youth mountain biking has exploded in upstate New York – transforming from a niche hobby into a fast-growing, community-driven movement for kids of all ages. Whether they’re riding balance bikes in the park, learning road safety and mountain bike skills in gym class in school, or competing for state titles, kids are finding connection and confidence while riding bikes. READ MORE

The Highpointers

By Ray O’Conor

I received a phone call from my friend Roy McDonald 34 years ago. “Ray, what are you doing Saturday?” “I have no plans, Roy. Why?” “I’ll pick you up at 5:30am. We’re going to climb Mount Marcy.” READ MORE