Something for Everybody!

By Laura Clark

While it is nearly impossible to please all of the people all of the time, the 2018-19 Dion WMAC Snowshoe Series comes pretty darn close. Whether you prefer a clearly-defined ski area, the wooded trails of state parks and preserves, reconverted rail trails or extreme challenges, there will be an event to your liking. And those featuring more bang for your buck invariably offer a shorter companion version, so as to include everyone in your carpool.

For me, the best thing about snowshoe racing is snubbing your nose at icy roads and enjoying nature with a bunch of like-minded friends. You will encounter national class runners, competitive locals and first-timers, all with the single goal of enjoying the day. Events are casual with some featuring raffles and pot lucks, and a few offering T-shirts and age-group awards. Gone is the single-minded focus on minutes-per-mile, replaced by a more realistic expectation based on snow/trail conditions. READ MORE…

Rensselaer County and the Border Country

By Rich Macha

The western border of Rensselaer County, alongside the Hudson River, where we find the cities of Troy and Rensselaer, is at sea level. You only have to go 12 miles to the east to find elevations above 1,500 feet on the Rensselaer Plateau. And go less than 25 miles to the Taconic Range at the Massachusetts border where Berlin Mountain tops out at an elevation of 2,818 feet; not only is it the highest point in the county but also the highest summit in New York State outside of the Adirondacks and Catskills. Generally, the higher elevations receive more snow than the lower elevations throughout the winter. Rensselaer County offers a variety of opportunities for the cross country skier and snowshoer. READ MORE…

Great Range Traverse

By Tom O’Grady

On my earliest adventures in the Adirondacks I went armed with my father’s 1985 Adirondack Mountain Club guidebook. It took me to 19 of the 46 High Peaks and earned its keep as I navigated with my girlfriend (now wife) safely on the correct trail through our earliest outings together. Over the past year I’ve bought several guidebooks of different regions for the first time. Because the High Peaks book was well worn and so many trails have been updated it was time to purchase the latest edition. READ MORE…

Frank Boscoe

By Tom O’Grady

For much of the eight years that I’ve known Frank Boscoe, he has dropped hints that I should give orienteering a try. Last fall I took the bait and met Frank for a local Empire Orienteering (EMPO) event at Thacher State Park. In orienteering a participant must find a series of controls which are placed with varying degrees of difficulty throughout areas such as state parks and forest preserves. For the uninitiated, a control is an orange and white flag that is put in place with an electronic time stamp to verify an individual has in fact visited a specific checkpoint on the map. The standard format for orienteering is to sequentially find as many controls as possible in a specific time period. Participants typically have anywhere from one to four hours to find these controls. Frank won the more advanced red 5.3K course. My two sons and I were promptly disqualified for following the incorrect format after completing the easier 1.7K white course. READ MORE…

Preventing and Treating Gout

By Dr. Paul E. Lemanski, MD, MS, FACP

Gout is a condition caused by an increase in uric acid in the blood leading to the deposition of uric acid crystals in joints, kidney, skin and bones. In joints the uric acid crystals may cause inflammation of the joint with swelling, redness and severe pain. In those with such inflammation involving the big toe, called podagra, the pain can be so severe that the weight of the top sheet resting on the toe becomes unbearable. In those with persistently elevated uric acid, crystals may form a discreet mass-like collection called a tophus. When a tophus involves the joint, then bony destruction may ensue. When it involves the kidney, this collection may cause a kidney stone. And, when it involves the skin, it may appear as yellowish-white chalky nodules in the center of an area of localized redness and swelling. READ MORE…