Welcome to the
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY GUIDE
to the
Genesee Valley and Northern Finger Lakes Region
This information is provided by the members of the Genesee Valley Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club.
Outdoor activities in the Rochester area
Are you looking for outdoor activities in the Rochester area? Then
you came to the right place. Click on the activity below to see a list
of trip descriptions. Happy playing in the out-of-doors.
Taking a hike? Leading a hike?
Things to know about when venturing out into the out-of-doors.
The Route
Select a route that accommodates the physical abilities of the
group. Consult guidebooks, topographical maps, and other hikes
knowledgeable of the area. Plan to have as much or more time for walking
out as you spent walking in. Injuries are more likely to occur when
rushing, at dusk, or when going downhill.
Tell Someone Your Plans
Leave your itinerary with a reliable person. Include your
estimated time of arrival. Register at the trailhead where appropriate,
giving your name, address, number of people in the party, and your
route. Be sure to write “out” next to your name as you leave.
In New York State you need a permit from the Department of
Environmental Conservation if you have a group of nine or more who wish
to stay overnight in a wilderness area.
It is better to have under nine persons in a group to avoid heavy impact on woods.
Watch the Weather
Consult a local weather report. Even on a sunny day, include
non-plastic rain gear. Mountain weather can take a quick change for the
worse, making hypothermia a potential problem.
bring clothing such as wool or polypropylene which insulate even
when wet. Jeans and sweatshirts (100% cotton) absorb moisture, do not
dry quickly, and are, therefore, uncomfortable and dangerous in
inclement weather. Cotton/poly clothing is light weight and dries
quickly, making it a good choice.
Plan on drinking approximately a half cup of liquid for every mile you hike.
Footcare
Comfort and protection of the feet and ankles are essential to insure an enjoyable hike. Choose a shoe which :
- Supports the ankle, especially when carrying a pack.
- Has adequate space around the toe.
- Has a well-defined heel.
- Has a sole that will protect your foot from sharp rocks and continuous pounding.
- Flexes with the foot.
Take time to break in new boots. Be prepared for blisters. As
soon as a “hot spot” occurs, take time to stop and apply mole skin
around the sore or blistered area.
Equipment and Clothing
Although every equipment list will vary as to the activity, time
of year, and the individual, the following is essential for a summer day
hike:
- Pack
- Proper hiking shoes
- Insect repellent
- Wool or non-absorbent pile jacket or sweater
- Hat
- Full water bottle
- Trail food
- Guidebook, map and compass
- Jackknife
- Whistle
- Flashlight with extra batteries and lightbulb
- Waterproof matches
- Plastic trash bag
- First-aid kit (see next section)
First Aid
For safety reasons, a minimum of three people is recommended for a
hiking group. In case of an injury, one person can stay with the victim
while the other goes for help.
Keep victim comfortable and quiet. The location, time and nature
of the accident, and the height, weight, age, and sex of the victim
should be written down and taken by the person going help.
Consider the following items to carry in a first-aid kit:
- Elastic ace bandage
- Aspirin
- Moleskin
- Gauze
- Gauze pads
- Scissors
- Band-Aids
- Sanitary napkins
- Sunburn preventative
- Thermometer
- Antacid tablets
- Safety pins
- Tweezers
- Needles
- Antiseptic cream
- Salt tablets
- Chapstick
- Notebook and pencil
- Several quarters and a list of emergency phone numbers
Food
A trail lunch should consist of easily digestible food, high in
energy and moist in content. Try a sandwich, juice, orange, and candy
bars. Better to eat small amounts at intervals than to eat one large
mid-day meal.
Hard candies, nuts, raisins and other dried fruits, sunflower
seeds, granola, coconut, dried cereal, hard chocolate, and other readily
available supermarket items make good snack food (gorp). Avoid soft
chocolates that melt in hot weather.
Have a reserve supply of food for emergencies. Some “food sticks”
and “breakfast bars” found in supermarkets are balanced, relatively
high in calories, and have a reasonably long “pack” life.
Water
Unfortunately, the potability of backcountry water is not
certain. Boil water for at least three minutes. Suggestion: Boil the
next day’s drinking water at dinner, and set water bottle in stream to
chill overnight.
Be sure that you wash your dishes and yourself well away from the stream. Even biodegradable soaps take awhile to break down.
Bury all human waste 4-6” deep and away from any water or wet areas. Cover waste with soil.
Low-Impact Camping
Stay on the trail. Alpine vegetation is especially fragile. Try to “rock hop” where possible.
Camp at designated sites, below 4000’ and 150’ from trail or stream.
Use a camping stove rather than an open fire. If you must build a
fire, use wood that is “down and dead”. Be sure not to leave your fire
smoldering. And remember that aluminum foil doesn’t burn!
“If you carry it in, carry it out.” (This includes orange peel, egg shells, and even the tiny pieces of aluminum foil.)
Leading a hike?
The Adirondack Mountain Club recommends the following guidelines
to trip leaders. These guidelines are not hard and fast. Actual
situations and conditions require good judgment, but the following are a
good starting point for leaders.
- Group activities should be limited to total party size,
including trip leader(s), of 10. Check to see if the area you are taking
your trip in requires a permit for groups.
- Trips should be adequately described to potential participants prior to signing up. Descriptions should include:
Trip length (miles), trip duration (hours), elevation to be
climbed (feet), mention of any special equipment or other factors,
brief description of the level of difficulty to be expected during
average conditions and brief description of the trip plan, including
parking and possible hiking options.
Participants should select activities well within their capabilities.
- Trip leaders should count the number of trip participants at
the start of the trip, periodically throughout the trip, and again at
the end of the trip to insure that everyone is accounted for. A trail
“sweep” should be designated on hiking trips.
- Trip leaders and participants should carry equipment and
supplies appropriate to the trip description and anticipated weather
conditions. For significant, all-day hikes, a small pack with reasonable
food, water and clothing, including a hat, rain gear, suitable footwear
and extra garments suitable to the season are recommended. Participants
in significant, all-day hikes might also carry insect repellent, sun
screen, a whistle, matches, a knife, small flashlight, compass and trail
map. A basic understanding of the use of map compass is suggested.
- Trip leaders volunteer their time in order to help those less
experienced or less familiar with a region to enjoy an outdoor
experience. Cheerful cooperation with the leader is the best
appreciation a participant can give a trip leader.
- Standard safety procedures, appropriate to the type of trip,
and good common sense should be observed by trip leaders and
participants at all times.
- Individual participants should not go off alone during an
organized trip. A minimum party size of three (four during winter
conditions) is recommended at all times in wild land regions.
- The trip participants should share with the trip leader the
responsibility of making a trip safe and enjoyable and should respect
the trip leader’s advice and judgment.
This information was taken (with permission) from the ADK education pamphlet called "Taking a hike? Leading a hike?".
Other pamphlets available from ADK:
- Backcountry Tips For the Backcountry (French & English versions)
- For the Winter Hiker & Backcountry Skier
- Hypothermia & Frostbite
- Giardia (French & English versions)
- Hiking With Children
There is a charge of 25¢ per single copy, with quantity discounts available (plus shipping). Call (518) 523-3480 to order.
Contributors
The following GVC ADK members contributed to this
on-line Outdoor Activity Guide. We greatly appreciate their efforts.
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Don Baird
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Jim Bird
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Bob Borland
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Barb Brenner
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Al Bushnell
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Mike Dobner
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John Griffiths
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Jerry Hargrave
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Debi Holt
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Mike King
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Eric Oogjen
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Dave Newman
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Jim Coyne
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Mary Anna Russo
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Karen Köpfer
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