Bear-Phobia

Fear is an interesting topic because it differs from person to person. When adventuring out into the Adirondack park one thing that strikes fear in the minds of some adventurers is the black bear. What creates this fear? Fear originates mostly from media and misconceptions that have been thrown about in this day and age. There is an abundance of black bears in the Adirondack park. In fact, there are about 4,000 black bears in the park today. That means that there is a pretty good chance of running into a bear. That being said, there is also a pretty good chance of encountering inclement weather without proper preparation. 

The black bear is a mysterious mammal that we don’t hear much about. Black bears are mostly herbivores, meaning that they get about 90% of their diet from plants. The rest of their diet comes from insects, carcasses that they happen upon, or from small animals they attack if the moment presents itself. Although black bears are strong they don’t want to put in the work to hunt. 

Bears typically become aggressive around issues of food or safety for themselves. When humans don’t plan ahead and leave out their food, bears can become desperate for what the humans have to offer. Similarly, if they feel that another mammal is threatening their family, they won’t hesitate to act. If you think about it, this is how most creatures act on earth. Humans are barely different from bears in the sense that they also get defensive over food and protect their families. At the campground I frequent in the Great Smokey Mountains, there are many warnings and instructions about black bear encounters. These warnings draw attention to the aggressive aspect of black bears and produce unnecessary fear of black bears. It is definitely important to learn how to deal with black bears but they shouldn’t be a source of fear. There are some bears that are inherently more aggressive like the polar bear and the grizzly (brown) bear. Both of these bears act impulsively and defensively although only for food or defense. With the large number of black bears in the Adirondack park, it is crucial to understand the fear associated with the black bear and why it is unnecessary.

http://spsullivanmedia.com/photo/smokies/

http://westernwildlife.org/black-bear-outreach-project/black-bear-ursus-americanus/

http://www.esf.edu/pubprog/brochure/bears/bears.htm

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/?adfg=livingwithbears.bearcountry

http://wiseaboutbears.org/about-us/why-do-people-fear-bears/

Miracle on Ice… Wait, Where?

In 1980, the US National Men’s Hockey team, as underdogs, defeated the Soviet Union in the Olympics in an instantly iconic moment. Because the Winter Olympics were held at Lake Placid that year, the town itself has seen a tremendous tourism boom from the Olympics and even specifically from that one hockey game. But Lake Placid is different from most modern Olympic sites. As put by one of the members of the team himself: “Lake Placid is a village of around 2,500 people; Main Street, which is still just two lanes, is nearly 25 miles west of the nearest interstate. The town hosted the Winter Olympics in both 1932 and ’80, but today, there would never be a Winter Games in a town so small and so remote. “My favorite thing about Lake Placid is the people,” O’Callahan said. “Always has been. It’s a love affair, and I want to come back here until the day I die.”

Since the turn of the century, Winter Olympics have been hosted in Cities (with a capital C): Salt Lake City; Turin, Italy; Vancouver; Sochi; and scheduled ahead are Pyeongchang and Beijing. With Pyeongchang representing an outlier. Each boasts populations exponentially larger than Lake Placid. The Summer Olympics are no different. Since 2000 the sites have included: Sydney, Athens, Beijing, London, and in the future will include Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo. These are all booming, industrious, populous cities.  

So who cares? Well, for players like Jack O’Callahan who made the above statement, the smallness and remoteness of Lake Placid probably gave it a uniqueness. In addition to the players, the town itself has been transformed, and for better or worse it seems that is an unlikely trend to continue for small towns (although the winter side of Olympics certainly provides much more potential). Through the Olympics, countless more people have been exposed to the little known Adirondacks and the quality of the impact is imprecise, but nonetheless absolutely present.

This however, begs the question, should a small town, or even any town, want to host the Olympics? There is much debate on that topic, but for now the answer has been a resounding YES as cities continue to spend billions of dollars to showcase themselves to the world. It seems likely that the trend of the “showcase” model that China implemented in 2008 will continue and countries on the brink of “development” will vie for the spotlight.

http://www.si.com/nhl/2015/02/23/1980-usa-olympic-hockey-team-miracle-on-ice-35th-reunion-at-lake-placid#

http://olympicstudies.uab.es/lectures/web/pdf/cashman.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Olympic_Games_host_cities

A Spoonful of Soil

"Always wash your hands before you eat."

"Employees must wash their hands after using the rest rooms."

"Go wash that dirt off your hands."

We've all heard it.

Nearly everybody in the western world is caught in the germ cleanse, or the belief that bacteria is the harmful bad guy and that people should strive to make themselves as clean as possible to avoid disease. However, what these people don't understand is that bacteria aren't actually all that bad. In fact, the average human body is composed of about 90% bacterial cells. These bacterial cells are significant in aiding with digestion, and have shown strong links to immune health and allergy prevention.


Similarly, the soil of the Adirondacks is not just all dirt. Yes, there are probably worms and other creepy crawlies squirming around under the ground, but what we don't realize is that a single teaspoon of Adirondack soil can contain over 5,000 different species and over six billion different living things. That's nearly as many living things in one teaspoon of soil as there are humans on this planet! Additionally, soil bacteria plays a significant role in breaking down built-up detritus into gases and nutrients that can be reused by plants.


With all of the good that certain bacterial species provide for our species and our planet, it is ridiculous how little we know about our distant prokaryotic relatives. The next time you go to take antibiotics, wash your hands, or fertilize your lawn, consider the implications of your actions on the microbial ecosystem present in that environment. And by all means, let your child play in the dirt. It will actually benefit their health.

Sources:
The Adirondack Wild Center

Olympic Chances

If you’re approaching adulthood, have athletic experience, and are dreaming of becoming an Olympian, Lake Placid, NY is the place to be. The village is home to the US Olympic Training Center, which is specifically the headquarters for team USA’s sliding sports (boblsed, skeleton, and luge). These sports, which have low numbers of participants worldwide, compared to ice hockey and soccer, give you some of the best chances of becoming an Olympic athlete.

Albeit some of the current members of Team USA started bobsled, skeleton, or luge during their adolescence, most didn’t pick up the sport until after college. They did not, however, lack prior athletic experience. All of them were well trained and built to become sliding athletes. Annie O’Shea, for example, a current member of the USA skeleton team, was a track athlete in high school and college, and was only introduced to the sport when she was a sophomore in college. Additionally, two members of the USA women’s bobsled team played division one field hockey in college and started sliding after those college careers. Even though the sliding sports can be picked up later in life, it is difficult to start any of them, let alone make the Olympic team, without prior athletic experience and strength training.

The Lake Placid Olympic Sports Complex is home to the only combined bobsled, luge, and skeleton track east of the Rockies, making it one of the best and only places to train. Situated in the same village where perhaps the greatest underdog story of all time, the Miracle on Ice occurred, Lake Placid is the place to take your chances and pursue your Olympic dreams. 

http://www.lakeplacid.com/do/family-fun/olympic-sports-complex

http://www.teamusa.org/usa-bobsled-skeleton-federation/athletes/womens-skeleton-national-team

The Power of Poop

Poop is nasty. No one really likes to think about poop and to be fair, it’s gross and disgusting. The emotions we get when we come across poop make sense. Poop can really be dangerous. If a human comes into contact with feces through something like contaminated water or food, the result be life threatening. Giardia, tapeworms, and other nasty things can all result from coming into contact with feces. By sampling some feces and drinking from ground water nearby, we did put ourselves at risk for some of these problems.

There is actually more to the subject than meets the eye. One example of this is a new medical procedure known as a fecal microbiota transplant or an FMT for short. The process involves taking the fecal bacteria from a healthy human and giving to another human with any number of diseases. So far, FMT has been mostly used to treat Clostridium difficle, a bacterial infection that kills around 14,000 people a year.  Your poop can actually help someone else stay alive.

Cow manure and manure from other animals can be used for so many things. In some areas of Africa attacks from insects can be particularly devastating as they can carry many fatal diseases. In order to combat these insects, some people actually burn cow dung to ward off the insects. In just about every corner of the world, farmers use manure from a whole host of animals to fertilize their fields. This practices returns nutrients to the land and makes it more suitable for growing. Another use of manure is as biofuel. Some nations such as Denmark use the animals’ waste to power their homes. This helps to counter the large impact raising animals has on the environment. Basically, by sampling the cow manure, I wasted it. There are just so many uses for it and feces in general. Waste doesn’t need to be so wasteful after all.

Manure can be combined with soil in order to increase the amount of nutrients in the soil.

Sources:

http://denmark.dk/en/green-living/sustainable-projects/cow-dung-a-source-of-green-energy/

http://www.ilri.org/biometrics/Publication/Full%20Text/cattle%20keeping%20Orma%20people.pdf

http://thefecaltransplantfoundation.org/what-is-fecal-transplant/

http://www.greenfingers.uk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Mulch-Hands.jpg

Marathon Canoe Racing in the Adirondacks

Race at Long Lake (Fall 2012)

When I signed up for a 10-mile race at Long Lake with Hamilton’s Marathon Canoe Racing Team my freshman year, I was in for a rude awakening. In my naiveté, I believed that marathon canoe racing was comparable to recreational canoeing, only with a faster pace. My experience paddling at summer camp did not prepare me for those grueling 10-miles. Never before had my forearms felt so agonizing as the lactic acid built up in my muscles with every stroke. My entire body felt as if it was going to give out. Mid-race I asked myself, “Who in the right mind would voluntarily sign up for this physical torture?” In the end, I survived the race and, to my chagrin, my boat was dead last. Still, I am grateful for having had the opportunity to participate in one of the most unique experiences in the Adirondacks.

No event better exemplifies marathon canoe racing in the Adirondacks as the Adirondack Canoe Classic. Fondly known as “The 90-Miler,” the Adirondack Canoe Classic is an annual three-day race scheduled in September. Competitors traverse 90 miles following a route through lakes, ponds, and rivers from Old Forge to Saranac Lake. This route was a historic “highway” traveled by Native Americans, trappers, and guides in the 19^th century. Today, the Adirondack Canoe Classic welcomes all participants from as far as Florida and New Zealand. Moreover, its participants’ ages range from preteen to senior citizens. With 275 boats on the water and spectators on the shore, the event inevitably fosters friendly competition and camaraderie.

            The 90-Miler was inaugurated in 1983 with the intent of boosting Adirondack tourism. Incredibly successful, the event has brought together various communities and each year local businesses look forward to the profits brought in with the paddlers and their spectators. The event is so important to the region that it is even sponsored by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Central Adirondack Association, and the Adirondack Watershed Alliance.

Boats competing in the 90-miler. Photo by Nancy Battaglia.

            Although that brutal race at Long Lake will burn in my memory, I am considering joining the Hamilton Marathon Canoe Racing Team’s pit crew. Members of pit crew are given the responsibility of keeping the racers well nourished and rested between each leg of the race. I would love the opportunity to be a part of the 90-Miler, even if it is from the banks. Supporting my Hamilton peers as they participate in such a popular Adirondack event would be incredibly exciting and fun, especially after taking this class.

Sources:

http://www.macscanoe.com/adirondack-canoe-classic---the-90-miler.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adirondack_Canoe_Classic

http://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/46552.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=canoe+classic+adirondack&espv=2&biw=1087&bih=597&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjn4oPopY7LAhXFNT4KHTPpA-sQ_AUIBygC#tbm=isch&q=canoe+classic+adirondack+map&imgrc=bNwmnTW27--RGM%3A

http://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/a-classic-challenge

The Economy of Tupper Lake: Is the Wild Center helping?

Tupper Lake, NY (From NY Times)

Having spent my orientation trip in Tupper Lake and volunteering at the Wild Center, it wasn't hard to notice the glaring economic disparity between the center and the village. As you traverse through the streets, you will quickly notice the abandoned businesses, the run-down houses, and occasionally a "Make America Great Again" sign. However, just down the street, there lies an eighty-one-acre facility that is packed with families and tourists all summer long who are eager to spend extra money at the gift shop and concession stands. So why does it seem that Tupper Lake isn't benefitting from such a hot spot in the Adirondacks? 

The Wild Center (From TupperLake.com)

To be honest, I don't know the answer to that question. Let's start by learning more about Tupper Lake. What was once a proud logging town filled with beautiful lakes, forested mountains, clean air, and trout-filled streams, it has since become almost a ghost town. After a string of economic blows, the current population has less than 3,500 people and the economy is in a pretty bad shape. The town supervisor, Roger Amell, has stated that Tupper Lake will turn into a ghost town unless something changes. 

Well, something is changing. A project called the Adirondack Club and Resort was approved by the Adirondack Park Agency in 2012. The resort development would be over 6,300 acres and includes 650 units of housing, a hotel, a ski area, a marina, and an equestrian center. The plan was approved after almost a decade of disagreements between environmentalists and pro-development residents. The environmental advocates want to protect the land from development while local officials believe that the resort would provide a four-season attraction which would help the failing economy of Tupper Lake and the surrounding small towns. 

Once the resort is built, we will be able to answer the question I brought up earlier. Why doesn't it seem like Tupper Lake is benefiting off the Wild Center? Could it be due to the one season boom, the lack of jobs provided by the Wild Center, or is Tupper Lake to blame for their own economic failures? 

Sources:

• http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/09/nyregion/in-struggling-tupper-lake-resort-project-creates-rift.html?_r=0

How "normal" is this stress?

            As I was waiting for a follow-up appointment at the health center, I picked up a brochure that caught my eye. It reads, “Stress in College: What Everyone Should Know”. The front of the brochure features students with furrowed brows, a look most of us are familiar with, as the workload at Hamilton is notoriously stress inducing.  Stress is defined by the manual as “a normal physical, emotional and mental response to change-- regardless of whether the change is for the better or worse.” It continues to describe that some stress is actually beneficial because it induces physiological responses that help us complete tasks and meet challenges. However, when prolonged intervals of high stress become prevalent it can become hard for one to return to a healthy, relaxed state.

            Unfortunately, because of high expectations from the institution, teachers, parents and perhaps oneself, as well as a heavy workload, many Hamilton students experience prolonged intervals of stress. The brochure recommends ways to handle this stress. The list is extensive but ultimately focuses on a few aspects of lifestyle: staying healthy, staying positive and beating procrastination. While these are all helpful, accessible tips, it bothered me that none of the advice offered by the article emphasized a message that Mark Kimball brought to the surface on our visit to Essex Farm: Kimball reminded us that we have chosen to participate in this intense academic environment. We should be enjoying the unique benefits and opportunities that Hamilton offers every day to combat succumbing to consistent, high-levels of stress induced by thinking we must always complete our work “perfectly” to succeed in the world.

            Furthermore, many students refer to life, social and academic, at Hamilton as the “Hamilton bubble”. This idea of the bubble gets at how easy it is to live convinced that the expectations and challenges at Hamilton are essential to success and happiness. When we become absorbed in this bubble we lose sight of the fact that we are here to learn, but also to be inspired and passionate, and to enjoy the unique opportunities made available here. I enjoyed hearing Kimball’s humanistic approach to life and his ideals that learning, growing, experiencing, adventuring, making mistakes etc. are what truly fulfill us. If I were to add an endnote to the health center’s brochure on stress, I’d emphasize (with the inspiration of Kimball) the importance of looking at the whole picture rather than becoming consumed by the expectations and challenges at our small school. The world extends far beyond our campus, and it's unfortunate to think that many of us are blinded by stress and limited by the idea that academic perfection is the sole key to our futures.

If you or a friend are suffering from extreme stress or skewed ideals of perfectionism, talking to a friend, support system, or mental health center representative might help.

The National Mental Health Association can be reached at:

(800) 969-6642 or www.nmha.org

A Wild "American" Landscape

        I gazed out my window as we wove through the Adirondacks, a patchwork of villages, abandoned barns, wilderness landscapes and shops, an eclectic mix of places, which quilt the landscape. Several times and in several places my eyes were drawn to a object, which seemed to be everywhere. It's a rather simple and commonplace item, a piece of cloth on a pole rippling in the misty cold mountain air. But, its power and symbolism is undeniable. As we drove for hours exploring the landscape, ecology and culture of the Adirondacks, all around me was the American flag. I began to notice it in stores, outside the olympic center and even along the roads or by entrances of towns. In one particular instance, an abandoned barn sat in a slush of snow with a tattered American flag hoisted near its entrance. Its presence got me thinking. What is the relationship between "Americanness" and wilderness?
       If I have learned anything from the history of the Adirondacks, it's that as the nation changed, so did the concept of wilderness. In our nation's history, wilderness has been something man has "feared, romanticized, felt he had to conquer and change, wished to preserve, used as a refuge from an unsatisfactory culture, and in most cases despoiled." Thomas Pownwall, one of the first to explore the Adirondack landscape, reported it was "a broken unpracticable Tract; I own I could never learn any Thing about it" (Terrie, 5).  However, about a century later, Emmons accounts the natural beauty of the Adirondacks urging people to see it. The "echo from the thousand hills must be heard before all the truth in the scene can be realized" (Terrie, 9).
     Whether it be art or literature, some of the first depictions of wilderness were uniquely "American." Beginning in the early 19th century, paintings began to emerge that glorified the American landscape, romanticized nature and shaped Americans' notions of wilderness. Thomas Cole, the founder of the Hudson River School in 1820, made paintings that became national images giving a young america the opportunity to create a cultural identity around the environment. Around the same time, several writings and teachings of novelists and philosophers emerged including the works of Emerson, Thoreau and Leopold. By tying the landscape to narrative, these writers gave it value in American society.
     In peeling back these layers, what has become clear is the fact that wilderness has been constructed, articulated and depicted in congruence with a national sense of place. The Adirondacks in many ways exemplify this relationship. There is a sense of pride that Americans and Adirondackers possess for conquering and surviving despite the odds and for believing in the American landscape.

Sources:

Kelly, Franklin. "Hudson River School." Grove Art Online.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/3985063

Terrie, Philip G. "Contested Terrain". Syracuse University Press. New York

http://www.jstor.org/stable/489986?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents