6 Key Points: What To Know Before You Go
The Adirondack State Park is an expansive six million acres. This means you should probably have a general sense of what you want to do or where you want to be before you come, otherwise it can feel overwhelming. There are plenty of activities from strenuous outdoor exploration to flying with a parachute behind a speedboat in Lake George. Choose what excites you and find a place to match those passions.
Wildlife and humans don’t mix. If wildlife is important to you, then maybe the High Peaks Wilderness is less suitable than some of the flatter and less trafficked areas southwest of this area. Matching a place with an activity can be difficult and Pickle Knoll Outdoors can help. There are maps that are specific to activities so it is helpful to know if you want to hike or paddle or climb. Guide books from local libraries are a great way to start your research if you are looking to do that on your own.
Take it slow. The park has an amazing way of rewarding you for being observant. If you have the time, go slower than you normally would and appreciate the beauty of this place. Use all your senses and soak in the environment. Remember that humans are not the only ones in the forest and wildlife is usually as curious as we are. Do not yell or disturb creatures by being destructive or disruptive in their growth and DO NOT FEED WILDLIFE.
Look at town websites and online bulletin boards. The Adirondacks are chock full of free events that are posted on a variety of online platforms. Towns are pretty good at advertising local events to drum up tourism, so that is always a good place to start.
Hiking safety is multifaceted. There are a few precautions everyone should follow when coming to the Adirondacks. First is an essential anytime you are going into a situation without access to definitive care/emergency response. Tell someone or several people where you are going. This can be a parent, a best friend, a relative, or at the very least a local stranger. This could save your life. A small description on where you are going, how long you will be out, when you will be back, who you are going with and what supplies you are bringing. This little bit of forethought as well as signing in at trailheads can be the difference between you coming out of the woods with a silly story and you becoming the news story.
Always pack essentials. I always have two ways to clean water, usually a filter and a stove. Iodine tablets are a great thing to have in a first aid kit and double as a water treatment. Food is another essential item. Stuff happens and I always plan to have enough energy even if my stove breaks/can’t start a fire. Calorie dense foods like nut butters and processed meats can go a long way if you find yourself in a less than ideal situation. Lastly, make a backup plan. If you haven’t hiked or gone canoeing in a year and don’t know your limits, give yourself a short and a goal campsite to avoid setting up camp in the dark. Know the nearby trails/waterways in case there is an emergency situation and you need to take the shortcut out.
Enjoy your explorations!
Aaron and Lily
