Passage of the Pharaohs – Pharaoh Lake via Crane Pond

By Bill Ingersoll

For many people familiar with the Adirondack wilderness, Pharaoh Lake hardly requires any introduction from me. This 441-acre pond lies at the heart of its namesake wilderness area, and it is the home of six lean-tos and an uncounted number of primitive campsites. The lake is approached by trails from nearly every compass direction, and some of them are quite well known. READ MORE

Summertime and the Livin’ Is Easy

By Laura Clark

Many of our favorite summer activities are all within an easy radius of Saratoga Springs. And now that we have made it through the Belmont Stakes weekend, we can concentrate on our own local events with Saratoga hosting two of the area’s largest July running attractions: Firecracker 4 and Silks & Satins 5K road races, both produced by the experienced FC4 Events team. READ MORE

Quieter and Wilder Side of Saratoga County

By Rich Macha

While I can think of many paddling destinations in Saratoga County, and bordering counties with the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers (including Champlain and Erie canals), many are dominated by motorboats, have development along shorelines, and/or have busy roads nearby. So where can you go to find quieter and wilder waters in the Saratoga and Glens Falls region to get in a few miles of paddling? Two spots come to mind, the Hudson River on either side of the Spier Falls Dam, and the Kayaderosseras Creek along with Lake Lonely Outlet. READ MORE

Buy Where You Ride – Support Your Local Bike Shop

By Skip Holmes

It is June and the weather in the great Northeast is perfect for another great cycling season. If you like hot and humid, wet, and muddy, windy or just a perfect warm day with no bugs, we have it all. 

All we need is a bicycle or two to fit the conditions and the roads or trails we love to ride on. The backroads are perfect for a road bike, the dirt and gravel roads and trails beckon us to ride on a gravel, MTB or even a hybrid bike. Or even the latest e-bikes that come in so many configurations. READ MORE

“Tricam Project” First Ascent – Reaching new heights at Thacher

By Jeff Martino

A major milestone has been achieved for the John Boyd Thacher State Park rock climbing community. The park, along the Helderberg Escarpment near Voorheesville, is 15 miles southwest of Albany. The route previously known simply as the Tricam Project was first ascended on May 24 by Ryan Almeida of Manorville. The route difficulty is rated at 5.13 which is near the top of the 5.1-5.15 Yosemite Decimal System scale. Routes at this rating are typically only climbed by elite and professional-level athletes. “It was super fun climbing throughout, but the culminating top section itself left for a pretty stressful conclusion,” Ryan said. “I didn’t expect to experience that level of climbing based on other routes in the area.” READ MORE

Lisa Chase – Embracing Opportunities as They Come 

By Kristen Hislop

Have you ever wondered what might have been like if you had had someone who saw something in you early on? Did Lisa D’Aniello Chase ever think she would be on the National Team USA lightweight double sculls (rowing) as a U23? Did she ever imagine she would be vying for a Guinness World Record with her kids? As a high schooler the answer would be a resounding no, but she’s done both and more! READ MORE

Enjoy Open Water Swimming

By Kathy Meany

“Open water swimming” means different things to those of us who live in Upstate New York. For many, open water swimming means jumping off a dock or the side of a boat into a quiet lake or river for a refreshing dip on a hot, summer day. For others, it’s those opportunities for steady, but leisurely recreational swims for exercise and to enjoy nature during time spent at a state park, a lakeside family camp, or while away on that coveted summer vacation. For the more fitness conscious, an open water swim might offer an occasional alternative in our weekly schedule of visits to the gym or pool. And finally, for athletes, open water swimming means regular trips to a lake for specific workouts while training for a triathlon or open water swim race. READ MORE

Bikes in Schools – Shredders Launch New Program

By Josh Clevenstine

The mental health crisis that is rising in our society, especially when it comes to smart phone addiction, is a scourge. Middle school was hard enough mentally and socially when I was a kid without having social media and smart phones. The difficulties of the early teen years are exponentially turned up to an unhealthy degree thanks to the constant connection of smart phones, social media and the overall net-negative these things bring. All that said, it is one thing to point the finger at a problem, but it is quite another thing to step up and be a part of the solution. Well, it is time to give some serious credit where credit is due – thanks to Saratoga Shredders, the Saratoga Springs City School District, and some very generous donors, the world of cycling is being brought to students as a deliberate step towards improving mental and physical health, promoting healthy social activities, community and purpose, and bringing equity in this cost-prohibitive sport to ALL kids at SSCSD. READ MORE

Matt Primomo

By Gene Primomo

My nephew, Matt Primomo, fell and died while rock climbing near his home in Leavenworth, Washington on March 7, 2024. Matt, 40, is survived by his wife, Stella, 18-month-old son Milo, parents Bill and Linda, and sister Kara.

Matt was my brother Bill’s only son. The shock and grief that everyone who knew Matt is only tempered by the shared memories of Matt and all the lives he touched. I wish to share these thoughts with my friends and the outdoor community because many of you embrace Matt’s love of the outdoors coupled with the need to challenge yourself daily both physically and mentally. READ MORE