NOLS Hudson River Paddle—June 3

Join NOLS-NYC Alumni for a day-kayak in the Hudson River Valley!

The Atlantic Kayak Company will lead an amazing trip in the Bear Mountain area.  Check out the information below.  For more details, including directions, a map of the area, and a ‘What to Bring’ list, download the pdf file: Download KayakPopolopen_CreekDescription.pdf

What:      Popolopen Creek Paddle
When:     Sunday, June 3
                9:30am Meeting time
               4:00pm Approximate end time
Where:    Annsville Creek Paddlesport Center  (see blog for directions and map)

Tour Description:
Depart from the Annsville Creek Paddlesport Center and head north with the current toward the Bear Mountain Bridge.  Crossing the river, paddle past Iona Island and Bear Mountain State Park.  The historic site of Fort Montgomery is a great spot to have lunch and take a self-guided tour of the site or walk to the Bear Mountain Zoo.  After lunch, paddle to the end of the creek, for a beautiful view of the cascading Devil’s Hole waterfalls.  Then turn south with the current for the paddle back to the Paddlesport Center.  Total distance:  6-10 miles.
Cost:      Price of tours is $55, plus $45 equipment fee, if needed. 
To RSVP and pay:
Go to the AKC’s web site, http://www.atlantickayaktours.com/, download the registration form and sign up as the NOLS Alumni June 3 Tour.  Then, send a confirmation email to Sarah Eustis at sarahe2345@yahoo.com.  Only 14 spots are available and the sign up is first-come-first served.

Canoe the Bronx River.. Saturday, May 13

On Saturday, May 13th, the Bronx River Alliance is hosting one of its regular full river canoe trips. The event is *free*, and the Alliance provides canoes, paddles, and lifejackets for all participants. Join some of your fellow NOLS alums and get a glimpse of nearby wilderness that many New Yorkers never see.

When: Saturday, 5/13
Where/How: The Bronx River! (details to follow by e-mail for participants)

RSVP: Participants must register, so contact Matt mggurgel@hotmail.com  or Sarah saraheustis@lycos.com if you'd like to canoe the river.

Take a Hike! Sunday, April 30

 

Want to get out of the city this weekend? Join us for a day hike in the Gunks on Sunday. Chris Saxman and Matt Gurgel have both volunteered their cars for the trek out and back. Dinner/drinks are an option for weary hikers afterwards...

When: Sunday, 4/30
Where: The Gunks (aka The Shawangunk Mts, in the Catskills)
How: Cars leaving Manhattan Sunday morning. Let us know and we might even pick you up in Brooklyn...

RSVP: If you haven't already contacted Chris, send an e-mail to Matt at mggurgel@hotmail.com

Winter Camping: Live Freeze or Die

No that's not an endorsement that we go to the White Mountain State,  but come to Kabin on 2/6 to find out more.

Howdy y'all, Welcome all interested potential winter campers and then some to the blog. 

The details: Weekend winter camping adventure
When:  the weekend of Feb 18
Who:  many
Where: tbd

Logistics:
Step One:  Planning and get-to-know-ya get togetha! 
When:  Monday, February 6th starting at 7:30
Where: Kabin, 92 2nd Ave, between 5th and 6th Streets (212-254-0204)
Transit:  F, V to 2nd Ave or 6 to Astor Place
More Info:  Contact Dan Lilienthal at god781@yahoo.com

Take the NY NOLS Alumni Survey

In order to provide alumni services that NOLS grads value, we're conducting a web-based survey of alumni in the New York area. Please click here to take our 5-minute, anonymous survey. We don't track individual responses and no spam will come your way because of your kind help; however, there's a good chance your thoughtful responses will help us provide better service to our global NOLS alumni.

Thanks in advance for your help.

By the way, we've been rolling this survey out region-by-region. The Chicago area NOLS alumni have already been responding— and they've been trash talkin' the NYC grads. They claim they'll have more responses than y'all will generate... Time will tell.

/s/Rich Brame
NOLS Alumni Relations Manager

New York Alumni Paddle Baja

Two New York area NOLS Alumni participated on an Alumni Sea Kayaking Trip on Baja's Sea of Cortez in mid-March. Exploring the Sonoran desert ecosystem and marine environments under Baja's warm sun makes a nice break from New York's early spring weather.

Thirteen participants from around the US practiced new outdoor skills and/or polished their kayaking tecniques during this week-long adventure from NOLS' base in Mulege, BCS. (photos courtesy of Renee Sicchio)

Explore Wild Staten Island - Saturday April 23rd

Want to explore the wilds of New York City with other NOLS folks?

Yes, that's right, the wilds of New York City.

Tom Perlman and David Haiman are leading a hike through the Staten Island Greenbelt in and around High Rock Park. In addition to incredible vistas from one of New York City's highest elevations we will be hiking through wetland refuges during peak bird migration and have an opportunity to visit the neighboring Museum of Tibetan Art (time permitting). So, pack a lunch and join us at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal (Manhattan side) on Saturday, April 23rd at 10A.M.

For more info on the Staten Island Greenbelt visit:
http://www.sigreenbelt.org/

or the trip, call Tom Perlman at (212) 531-3335.

Where: we will meet outside at South Ferry Terminal, then take ferry and S74 and 57 buses to the Greenbelt Nature Center.

When: Saturday, April 23rd at 10A.M.

What to bring: lunch/trail snacks, water, appropriate clothing (trails aren't too rugged, but account for weather), binoculars if you're into birding etc., metrocard.

If you're planning on joining us, call Tom Perlman so the group will know to look out for you at the entrance to South Ferry.

NOLS Guerilla Gorillas in NYC

Hey:

The NOLS bus, powered by vegetable oil and solar, will be "monkeying" around the floor at the New York Times Travel Show on March 5-6, 2005. The bus highlights NOLS’ educational programs and scholarships and features a climbing wall, speleo-tour, fly-fishing, movies and more. See: NOLS on the Road for more information.

HERE’S THE COOL DEAL: If you’re interested in being a guerilla marketer for NOLS, and can spare at least four hours at the show displaying NOLS gear, buttons and flyers, and you RSVP to deidre_ferguson@nols.edu, we’ll cover your admission. In fact, we’ll line you up with stickers, buttons, and even a pair of free NOLS windpants or gaiters.

Continue reading "NOLS Guerilla Gorillas in NYC"

Banff Mountain Film Festival Comes to NYC!!!

The Banff Mountain Film Festival is back in town!!!

WHAT:

An evening of acclaimed short films on mountain themes from the international competition. Every year, it's an amazing celebration of the adventure, wildlife, culture, and sport inspired by the mountains!

WHO:

All NOLSies, friends, and family who love film, seek inspiration, or like eating popcorn!

WHERE:

Peter Norton Symphony Space (Peter Jay Sharp Theater) at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, NYC.
Try to wear a NOLS item of clothing if you can, so the group is so easy to spot!

WHEN:

Tues, March 8th at 7:30 pm. Try to arrive a little early if possible.
Event consists of approximately 2 1/2 hours of award winning films.

HOW:

Tickets: $17 in advance, available at
Paragon Sporting Goods (876 Broadway at 18th Street, 212.255.8036)
Extra Vertical Climbing Center (61 West 62nd Street at Broadway, 212.586.5382)
Peter Norton Symphony Space (2537 Broadway at 95th Street, 212.864.5402)

QUESTIONS:

http://www.chestnutmtnproductions.com/banff/nychome.htm for more program information.
Or email Elizabeth at ewerbe@verizon.net

Mtn. Bike in the Grand Canyon

Getting the itch to test your "inner Lance Armstrong"? Are you craving warm sun and scenic vistas? While crammed on a subway, do you ever get nostalgic for your NOLS wildlands experience? Does your vision of riding off into the sunset involve a bicycle?

If you answered, "Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!" to any of the above, consider the NOLS Alumni Grand Canyon Mountain Bike Trip on June 6 - 10. See: http://www.nols.edu/alumni/events/trips/index.shtml for more information.