A LETTER FROM Cortney Worrall
As ADK continues to change and evolve, I want to thank the many members, supporters, and community members who have reached out to let us know the changes put in place are making a difference and show the way towards a better, stronger future for ADK.
It has been very exciting to work with ADK’s staff, board, members, and supporters to think through the fner details of change and what we hope for in the future. From a new website and new trip scheduling systems to opening more availability at the Adirondak Loj, it has been heartening to see how much can be done in a short amount of time. And by the end of this year, ADK will embark on a strategic planning process. We will be looking forward to hearing from you about your thoughts and hopes for ADK. Some of the biggest changes we are putting into place have to do with our standards for risk management and outdoor leadership. The feld of outdoor recreation and risk management have changed substantially over the last two decades, and ADK is up for the task.
ADK’s outdoor leadership staff are some of the best in the industry
As ADK continues to change and evolve, I want to thank the many members, supporters, and community members who have reached out to let us know the changes put in place are making a difference and show the way towards a better, stronger future for ADK.
as trained professionals in national, modern outdoor leadership standards. Recognized as leaders in their feld, they are working with many stakeholders to ensure ADK is meeting these challenges. ADK’s staff outdoor leaders are trained in the national standards that no longer depend on linear (step-by-step) causality as a model for understanding incidents. Things go wrong in systemic ways. Mistakes are made within systems—systems in play before, during, and after outings. Mistakes made in separate systems converge to create the conditions for multiple things to go wrong, leading to an incident.
One of the systems that ADK depends on is our Outings Leader Guide (OLG), which ensures all who lead and volunteer are trained and prepared. We are responding to the feedback about the OLG and continue to better understand where its strengths and weaknesses lie. We are excited that the updates to the OLG are ongoing and we will be looking forward to hearing from you about those changes before the guide fnalized.
Some of the newer ways of doing things include understanding how ADK trips are places for fun and
community, along with learning. The word “education” is found in ADK’s mission for this reason. On ADK trips, everyone can learn how to recreate safely and with less impact, even when they are not exploring with ADK. This will make a difference even in ways we may not see.
ADK outings are not only abundant and diverse in type, location, and level of diffculty—they are also insured, led by trained volunteers, and of the highest quality offered anywhere. With ADK, you not only explore and discover new places, you also learn how to recreate safely and with less impact within a great, regional community.
Don’t forget to check out the calendar with a tremendous number of trips and outings offered by chapters and by ADK in Lake Placid in and around Heart Lake. All trips are open to all members and prospective members of ADK no matter where they are located.
Thank you for being a supporter, member, chapter leader, and guest of ADK. We look forward to seeing you this summer!
Cortney Koenig Worrall
CORTNEY KOENIG WORRALL ADK Executive Director
New Staff 2026
Jennifer Durán
Senior Director of Development
Jennifer brings deep experience in major gifts, most recently as Senior Major Gifts Offcer at Climate Central. Previously, she fundraised for a global health organization in Geneva—spending her free time hiking the Swiss Alps. Jennifer was drawn to ADK’s mission and impact and genuine connections she can build with members and donors. We’re excited to have her on board!
Zach Campbell Trails Manager
Zach started with ADK as a volunteer in 2007–2008 and later worked on the Professional Trail Crew from 2010–2016, including as Crew Leader and Crew Boss. After spending several years building sustainable trails across New York State, he now returns with valuable experience and deep knowledge of ADK.
Syd Steger
High Peaks Information Center Manager
Syd brings boundless energy and strong leadership experience from her time as a college coach, Heart Lake Hospitality Crew Supervisor, and Supervisor at Eastern Mountain Sports. A dedicated hiker and runner, she’s completed the 46 High Peaks three times—including a single-season winter round—and holds two FKT records.
Katie Leton
Summit Steward Coordinator
We’re excited to welcome Katie Leton back to ADK as our new Summit Steward Coordinator! Katie is a familiar face, having spent three seasons with ADK as a Summit Steward, Botany Field Technician, and Chief Summit Steward. She brings experience, enthusiasm, and a strong passion for alpine stewardship—she even made headlines in 2023 for rediscovering the Dwarf Willow on Algonquin.
Adirondack Mountain Club
MISSION STATEMENT
ADK works to protect New York’s wild lands and waters by promoting responsible outdoor recreation and building a statewide constituency of land stewardship advocates.
LOCATION
Heart Lake Program Center 1002 Adirondack Loj Road Lake Placid, NY 12946
RECREATION AT HEART LAKE
` High Peaks Information Center
` Heart Lake
` Mount Jo
` ADK’s Van Hoevenberg Trailhead
` Hiker Parking Lot
` Family-friendly Trails
LODGING & FOOD
` Adirondak Loj
` Wilderness Campground
` Heart Lake Cabins
` The Hungry Hiker
Executive Director: Cortney Worrall cortney@adk.org
President: Mickey Orta board@adk.org
Communications: 518-739-0065 support@adk.org
Loj: 518-523-3441, ext.1 loj@adk.org
HPIC: 518-523-3441, ext.121 hpic@adk.org
Membership: 518-668-4447, ext.214 membership@adk.org
Gifts and Estate Planning: 518-668-4447, ext.211 lauries@adk.org
Advocacy Offce: 518-556-6671 cathy@adk.org
General Inquiries: 518-668-4447 info@adk.org
ADK Online Store: ADK.org/shop
ONLINE AT ADK.ORG
ADK’s Education department was very busy this winter Education Programs running from November through March partnering with 14 different school districts throughout northern NY.
21 winter classroom Lessons Taught
13 winter field trips
25 separate full-day school groups out at Heart Lake
Winter Highlights
This was our frst winter grooming ski trails at Heart Lake—and what a fantastic season to begin. With abundant snowfall, ski rentals at the HPIC, and exceptional grooming by the one and only Mike Battisti, there was so much to celebrate. Heart Lake now features eight miles of winter-only trails, including 5.5 kilometers of groomed terrain. Here’s hoping the snow gods bless us again next winter! Thank you for sharing in the joy of groomed cross-country trails at Heart Lake and the incredible conditions in the surrounding backcountry.
The Loj was full of visitors and merriment this winter, highlighted by a nearly sold-out New Year’s Eve celebration and a snowy, lively MLK Weekend. Guests returned from their outdoor adventures to enjoy festive après gatherings, crackling outdoor fres, and plenty of regular revelry with the culmination of each day’s outdoor adventures. The Loj crew is looking forward to building out winter weekend events even more next year.
Johns Brook Lodge celebrated an incredible winter, with three separate sold-out weekends—a milestone not seen in quite a few years! Zach Hyde, our JBL Property Coordinator, shared that it was a phenomenal season for both snow conditions and the sense of connection and community at the lodge. ADK is truly fortunate to welcome guests from near and far to experience the only backcountry lodge in New York State.
Our free naturalist programs also were completely full this winter with a variety of opportunities from animal tracking to snow shelter building.
Advocacy
Advocate Your Way:
Show Up, Speak Out, Send
a Letter
Looking to make your voice heard? This spring, ADK is co-sponsoring an upcoming lobby day in Albany, and we’d love for you to join our staff and volunteers in person to advocate for the protection of federal funding that supports the places we all care about.
When signing up, please list your organization as Adirondack Mountain Club.
Can’t make it to Albany? You can still make an impact. Raise your voice by taking action—contact your elected offcials and help ensure continued federal support for our public lands and environmental programs. Have questions? Email cathy@adk.org.
MAY 11TH
People Over Plastic Rally + Advocacy Day in Albany — Action Network
ADK and Beyond Plastics invite you to an in-person Advocacy Day in Albany on May 11, 2026, to support a cleaner, more sustainable New York by urging lawmakers to pass the Packaging Reduction & Recycling Infrastructure Act.
JOIN US TO TAKE MEANINGFUL ACTION.
ADK.org/people-over-plastic
Funding Cuts Fuel a Growing Climate Crisis
Proposed federal cuts to agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPF), National Science Foundation (NSF), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) threaten our ability to respond to a worsening climate crisis.
Across the Adirondacks and Catskills, extreme weather is already causing fooding, infrastructure damage, and increased risk to communities and public lands. We must urge Congress to protect climate action and the agencies that keep people safe.
TAKE ACTION NOW!
ADK.org/take-action-now/#/17
EMAIL CATHY PEDLER, ADK’S DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY, AT CATHY@ADK.ORG IF YOU SIGN UP TO GO.
Registration is open for ADK Cycle Outing 2026!
JUNE 14–19, 2026
North Country Community College Campus at the Saints Suites
140 Payeville Lane, Saranac Lake, NY
The Saints Suites are located directly adjacent to the Adirondack Rail Trail, which is now complete from Lake Placid to Tupper Lake.
ADK Cycle Outing is a bicycle touring event featuring Rail Trail and road rides ranging from 20 to 55 miles. Some trips focus on cycling, while others allow time for relaxation and sightseeing.
Rates are $475 for ADK members and $495 for non-members. This price does not include meals.
Visit ADK.org/adkcycle-outing-2026 to learn more & register today.
Latino Outdoors
From the summit of Mount Jo to the shores of Heart Lake, a contagious energy fills ADK’s Heart Lake Program Center each time Latino Outdoors visits.
With thirty-two chapters across the country, Latino Outdoors is on a mission to inspire, connect, and engage Latino communities in the outdoors and embrace cultura y familia as part of the outdoor narrative, ensuring Latino history, heritage, and leadership are valued and represented.
“Now more than ever, we must continue to preserve, protect, and uplift outdoor stories from marginalized voices,” says Mel Mendez, New York and Northeast
Regional Coordinator for Latino Outdoors. “Latine communities are not just passive recipients or participants in the outdoors or in the environmental movement— we have long-standing cultural and historical connection with the land that deeply includes conservation, recreation, stewardship, food production, political infuence, and so much more. We must prevent the erasure of these stories to help ensure future generations can see themselves as a natural part of outdoor culture.”
In collaboration with ADK and The Nature Conservancy, the organization’s New York City chapter holds events at the Heart Lake Program Center. Over the course of a weekend, participants hike Mount Jo, paddle on Heart Lake, explore other wild places in the High Peaks, and spend nights in ADK’s Yurt Village. For many, their weekend at Heart Lake is their frst time summiting a mountain or operating a human-powered watercraft.
“I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy snowshoeing atop Heart Lake during the frigid winter as well as canoeing across its glistening surface in the heat of summer,” says Mendez. “Seeing how everything changes and comes back to life each season—even differently or better than before—reminds me of how much the outdoors can teach and show to us as we go through life.”
ADK recognizes our moral obligation to ensure everyone feels welcome and safe on New York State wild land and waters. In order to achieve our mission and build a statewide constituency of land stewardship advocates, we must frst ensure that people of all backgrounds feel they belong here.
“If we want people to care for the outdoors long-term, we need everyone to feel welcomed and invested in its future. Sharing in different traditions, perspectives, and ways of connecting to nature enriches everyone in a community with new and bountiful experiences,” Mendez adds. “It brings me so much joy to share a green space or outdoor experience with someone else. It excites me to see their eyes light up at the awe and wonder that I feel when I’m here, and to know that they’ll likely share this or something special like this with someone else— to welcome them into the shared joy and responsibility of protecting these spaces, too.”
Scan the QR code to learn more about Latino Outdoors or visit https:/latinooutdoors.org/.
Latino Outdoors is the most fun adult group I’ve had the pleasure of working with. It’s really exciting to get to share the wonder of the Adirondacks with people that are experiencing this place for the frst time, especially when the group is so enthusiastic about being here.
— Eliza Phillips, ADK Education Manager
Staff at ADK’s High Peaks Information Center keep a binder detailing preventable rescues in the backcountry. As the binder says, “We don’t want to put you in here, but we will!”
Accident Report
UNSTABLE ANKLE INJURY ON AMPERSAND MT.
On a Friday evening last November, rangers were notifed of a hiker with an unstable ankle injury at the summit of Ampersand Mountain in Harrietstown, New York. The hiker was not wearing any traction devices and slipped on an icy section of the mountain’s trail.
After splinting the injury and providing pain medication and warm liquids, nine Forest Rangers used a sled to transport the patient to the trailhead, with resources clear at midnight.
LESSON: Even when it’s relatively warm at the trailhead, there is still snow and ice at higher elevations during shoulder seasons, and hikers should be prepared with the necessary traction devices. Remember, snowshoes or skis are required when there are eight inches of snow on or off the trail.
HIKER TIP: The National Weather Service’s Mountain Point Forecasts are a great way to check summit conditions prior to your hike.
LOST HIKERS ON LITTLE HAYSTACK
On February 1, a pair of hikers and their dog found themselves stranded and needing rescue on the 2878-foot Haystack Mountain in Ray Brook.
Their frst mistake was failing to bring proper traction devices for the icy and snowy trail conditions, slowing their progress. Their second mistake became apparent as the sunlight faded: the hikers had no headlamps to light their way in the dark.
With no ability to move forward or backward, the hikers and their dog spent another two and a half hours in the dark and cold while rangers located them and helped them out of the woods.
LESSON: This rescue was preventable. Proper preparation would have ensured an enjoyable day for the hikers and their dog, and mitigated any additional risk to their safety or the safety of the Rangers. No matter the length of your hike, bringing all 10 Essentials and proper footwear with you is imperative.
Nine Pin Cider 26er Challenge
Nine Pin and ADK Launch the Largest 26er Challenge Yet
The 2026 Nine Pin 26er Challenge is underway, continuing a decade-long partnership between Nine Pin Cider and the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) in support of the Summit Stewardship Program.
More than 3500 participants have registered for this year’s challenge, making it the largest to date. The opening pour on April 30 brought together Nine Pin co-founders Alejandro and Sonya del Peral alongside ADK leadership to mark the start of the program.
Participants will gather every two weeks to sample new small-batch ciders, with each release contributing to ADK’s stewardship efforts. Funding from the challenge helps support Summit Stewards who protect fragile alpine ecosystems, monitor rare plant communities, and educate hikers throughout the High Peaks.
The challenge will conclude in July 2027 with an end-of-year event where top ciders are featured and ADK receives a donation in support of protecting Adirondacks’ most sensitive summits for future generations. Curious fans can follow Nine Pin’s tasting room social pages for updates throughout the challenge.
ninepin_tastingroom ninepin.tastingroom
Fall Outing - September 2026
The 2026 ADK Fall Outing, hosted by the North Woods Chapter, will take place September 18–20 at Saranac Village Young Life Camp on Upper Saranac Lake. This weekend retreat offers guided paddling, hiking, and biking outings, along with evening live music and dancing, bringing together ADK members and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Registration includes options for lodging, meals, and a variety of outings. Visit ADK.org/fall-outing-2026 to learn more.
QUESTIONS? EMAIL ADKFO26@GMAIL.COM.
The challenge brings people together around discovery—and every glass helps protect the alpine environment we love.
–
Alejandro del Peral, Nine Pin cofounder
ADK’s Fire Tower Challenge
2026 marks the 25th anniversary of ADK's Fire Tower Challenge.
For the past quarter century, this hiking challenge has inspired hikers with stunning views and rich Adirondack history.
In 2024, ADK staff worked with volunteers from the Glens FallsSaratoga Chapter to introduce
a stewardship component, setting a new standard for hiking challenges in the region.
To complete the Fire Tower Challenge and earn a patch, participants must take a Fire Tower Pledge and submit proof of stewardship, like completing a Leave No Trace course or picking up trash along the trail.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the challenge, the Glens FallsSaratoga Chapter is organizing
a month-long hike-a-thon up fre towers across the Adirondacks and Catskills. These chapter-led trips are great opportunity to get started on your fre tower journey!
Scan the QR code to learn more about the Fire Tower Challenge or visit ADK.org/fretower-challenge
Trails Programs
Since 1986, thousands of volunteers have worked with trained ADK trail crew leaders to complete trail maintenance and reconstruction projects in the Adirondacks and Catskills.
As volunteers work together and form new bonds, they complete high-quality protects that will protect the natural resource for years to come.
Trail work is demanding, so volunteers should expect to be challenged physically and mentally.
One-Day Events
NATIONAL TRAILS DAY
June 6
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Heart Lake Program Center
The program is free to attend, but donations are encouraged to help support our Stewardship Department. Individual projects include bridge replacements and reconstruction, drainage maintenance on Mount Jo, and clearing blowdown and debris on the property’s ski trails.
FALL TRAILS DAY
September 12
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location TBD
CLEARING ADK’S SKI TRAILS
September 26
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Adirondak Loj
Join us to help us clear our backcountry ski trails in anticipation of winter. Volunteers will sidecut and remove any blowdown on ADK’s cross-country ski trails ahead of the ski season.
All-Age Trail Projects
ELK LAKE TRAIL WORK PROJECT
June 15–19
Volunteers will construct a new footbridge on a trail on Elk Lake property.
SIDECUTTING ON THE NCT
July 2–4
Volunteers will sidecut along a section of the North Country Trail and camp in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness during the project.
IRON MT. TRAIL BUILDING
July 17–21
Volunteers will work on a section of the new trail up Iron Mountain.
CALAMITY BROOK
TRAIL MAINTENANCE
August 5–8
Volunteers will dig drainages and improve the trail tread on the Calamity Brook Trail in the High Peaks Wilderness.
Scan the QR code to learn more about these programs and register to participate or visit ADK.org/volunteer-trails
Teen Trail Projects
RAGGED MT. BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION
June 23–28
Volunteers will build a footbridge on Ragged Mountain in Vanderwhacker Wild Forest.
BOG BRIDGING IN AVALANCHE PASS
July 28–August 2
Volunteers will build bog bridges on Avalanche Pass, helping recover the trail after last summer’s landslides.
ALL GIRLS TEEN CREW: MOUNT JO MAINTENANCE
August 11–15
During this all-girls program, volunteers will learn how to use rock for sustainable trail construction on Mount Jo. This program will be led by two female members of ADK’s trail crew.
A PUBLICATION OF:
Adirondack Mountain Club PO Box 867
Lake Placid, NY 12946
FirstName LastName
12345 Long Street Name Rd City Name, ST 12345
Essential Reads from ADK
Plan ahead and prepare to explore the Central Adirondacks with the fifth edition of Adirondack Mountain Club Central Trails.
As author Stephanie Graudons writes in the preface, “The region covered in Central Trails is comprised of countless bodies of water and rolling hills, punctuated by steeper mountains, which provide a range of year-round recreational opportunities….This area features challenging mountains and scenic views…, and also contains lakes, ponds, campsites, and cliffs that attract hikers, paddlers, anglers, and climbers. Several trails in this region allow for snowmobiling and mountain biking, while others are truly wilderness.” More than half of the 138-mile Northville–Placid Trail is found here.
The region is defined by the Adirondack Park boundary to the south and the hamlets of Blue Mountain Lake and Indian Lake to the north. It also includes the communities of Piseco, Speculator, North Creek, Raquette Lake, Northville, and Caroga.
Available now at ADK.org/shop
MOUNTAIN CLUB
Trails edited by Stephanie Graudons