The Downstate NY Blog

Fahnestock Ski Swap 2013

Posted on by Peter Minde

The fourth annual cross-country ski swap to benefit Fahnestock Winter Park will take place from 9AM to 1PM this Saturday, November 2, at the Taconic Outdoor Education Center located at 75 Mountain Laurel Lane, Cold Spring NY.

Three-Nordic-Skiers

With 15 km of groomed trails near Cold Spring NY, Fahnestock is a great cross-country resource for skiers in the New York metropolitan area.

“We look at it as a service to our community,” said Paul Kuznia. A dedicated skier, Kuznia is director of both Fahnestock and Taconic Outdoor Center. “A lot of our customers aren’t experienced skiers. They come to the sport later in life, and they learn to enjoy the winter.”

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Hiking Beacon Mountain, NY

Posted on by ml242

For years I’ve had my eyes on Beacon Mountain but the time was never quite right. I always seem to succumb to the pull of other options in the Hudson Highlands.

Mount Beacon Wheel

Breakneck Ridge, just to the south, is one of the most highly regarded day hikes in New York and on many lists as the first choice in the area.  South of Breakneck is Anthony’s Nose and across the river Storm King Mountain ascends straight out of the river at an impossible clip.

I put those options aside, as my hiking partners called in late.  But even with our casual 10am start, I knew that the A-team was ready for a challenging loop.

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Watts Up: Climbing The Powerlinez

Posted on by ml242

Access issues have hampered recreational enthusiasts dreams of enjoying the outside world across the country the last few decades, but the NY metro area is on its way to claiming a new victory.

Powerlinez Workroad

 

Much like the North Brooklyn Boat Club, another community group has organized to fight the bureaucracy and cut red tape. The area in question — dubbed “The Powerlinez” due to the proximity to the massive and popping electricity towers that traverse the area — has long held the interest of local climbers. But the Palisades Interstate Park Commission or PIPC kept the area off limits due to liability and trail use concerns.

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