Syracuse.com - Extreme 'winter enthusiasts' push the envelope in Central New York

[HuntingNY-News]

Some might call them a bit crazy. They're confident, though, in what they do and embrace the challenge.

This past week's cold snap with its sub-zero temperatures and bone-chilling wind factor sent most folks indoors.

But there are many who embrace Upstate New York's cold weather and look forward to getting outside this time of year. Among them, a contingent of hearty, adventuresome individuals who engage in extreme recreational activities -- activities that would test the mettle and comfort level of most.

Some might call them a bit crazy. They're confident, though, in what they do and embrace the challenge.

Lawyer said ice can be unpredictable.Submitted photo 

ICE CLIMBING:

Who does it? Jim Lawyer, of Pompey.

What's involved? "I climb various ice flows varying in height from 50 feet to 500 feet. I look for difficulty, not height. I usually climb in the Adirondacks and near the Salmon River Falls, but occasionally in other areas, like New Hampshire, Vermont, Wyoming and Montana."

Scariest moment? "I avoid being scared. It's best when everything is safe and predictable. That said, ice is a changing, unpredictable medium and scary situations arise all the time."

Want to try it? Lawyer said ice climbing requires a lot of technical expertise, physical conditioning and expensive equipment. He said the best bet for the beginner is to "hire a guide. There's some in the Keene Valley/Lake Placid area of the Adirondacks. They'll supply all the equipment." He also noted many local colleges have outdoor clubs that do it and can help direct the beginner to the right places. For more, see Adirondackrock.com and click on "goodies."

Aurelien Bouche-Pillon catches a wave on Lake Ontario in Sodus Bay.Submitted photo 

OPEN WATER SURFING ON LAKE ONTARIO

Who does it? Aurelien Bouche-Pillon, of Rochester

What's involved? "The best time to go out is during a winter storm. I've been out when it's sleeting, snowing, the wind blowing up to 50 mph. That's when the waves are the biggest. I wear a wetsuit, booties, gloves, a hood and smear Vaseline all over my face to keep out the cold."

Scariest moment? "I once got a leg cramp. I was alone, about 500 to 600 feet from shore. I couldn't stand up on my board. That was very uncomfortable, painful. Sometimes when you dive underneath a big wave, you can feel a piece of ice going over you."

Want to try it? Bouche-Pillon stressed this type of surfing is extremely dangerous. "It requires a high degree of physical and mental skills, along with knowledge of the lake and its weather patterns," he said. ""The biggest danger is hypothermia." He advised starting off in warmer weather (the summer/early fall). For more, see surfontario.ca and the book "Surfing on the Great Lakes" by P.L. Strazz.

David "Buzz" Buzzelli, of Baldwinsville, doing some backwoods skiing down an avalanche shoot in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks.Submitted photo 

SKIING ADIRONDACK AVALANCHE SHOOTS

Who does it? David "Buzz" Buzzelli, of Baldwinsville.

What's involved? "We hike (ski) into areas as far as 8 to 10 miles. We get to the slide area and ascend on our skis, switching back and forth, kind of like cross country skiing. Sometimes we get as many as 10 to 12 runs in."

Scariest moment? I've never been in, or covered by a landslide, but there's always that risk. Sometimes you can actually hear a slope starting to give. Sometimes you just look at a slope and decide to bail. I do it mostly because I want to get away from the crowded slopes."

Want to try it? Buzzelli said this type of skiing requires "an expert level." He said beginners should hire a guide and recommended going to Keene/Keene Valley area in the Adirondacks. He recommended the guide services, cloudsplitterguides.com and rockandriver.com. He said the sport can be done with traditional alpine skis and boots or telemarking equipment. For more, read the book, "The Adirondack Slide Guide," by Drew Hass.

Mike Kearney, of Pulaski, gets some air while snowkiting with friends on the frozen Oneida Lake, near Sylvan Beach.Peter Chen | [email protected] 

SNOWKITING

Who does it? Michael Kearney, of Pulaski

What's involved? "It's an adrenaline buzz. You use a snowboard and you're attached to a kite by a harness and ropes. I often get up to speeds of 30 mph or more. It's really something when you get "lofted" (pulled into the air by the kite).

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Scariest moment? "I've never gone through the ice, but in my early years I got strung up in a tree on a bad launch and got a mild concussion. Another time I got caught in a serious snow quall on Oneida Lake, was completely lost and needed to pull out a GPS to find out where I was. "

Want to try this? Equipment-wise, one needs a pair of skis or a snowboard, a harness to attach the kite, the kite bar, lines - and of course, the kite. Good snowboarding or skiing skills help, but they're not crucial, said Jason Gordon, of Rochester, an experienced snowkiting enthusiast. For more, see rochesterwindsports.com.

Patti Pastella doesn't mind camping in sub-zero temperatures.to Nature's Wilde Photography 

EXTREME WINTER CAMPING

Who does it? Patti Pastella, of Tully

What's involved? "We put on 40-pound backpacks or load up a sled and go about 5 to 6 miles into the Adirondack woods. We either use snowshoes or put MICROspikes or crampons on our boots. We set up camp and go climb a high peak, come back and spend the night. If you're not moving, you're bundled up in your clothes or in your sleeping bag. We bring little cook stoves, heated with white gas. No camp fires. The coldest I've been out is minus-20 degrees. "

Scariest moment? "We were doing Algonquin (a High Peak) once and the winds were blowing an estimated 60 to 70 mph. At times you just couldn't stand up."

Want to try it? Pastella said a good starting point is to join the Onondaga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club or the Rochester Winter Mountaineering Society and connect with like-minded campers. The Adirondack Mountain Club offers winter mountaining/camping classes. See winterschool.org. "Essential equipment includes proper winter clothing, winter boots rated to minus -20 degrees, snowshoes, crampons, a good backpack stove, a good tent and a minus -20 sleeping bag," she said.

The Mandana boat launch on the western side of Skaneateles Lake is a popular spot for winter scuba divers.Submitted photo 

WINTER SCUBA DIVING

Who does it? Nick Wilson, of Syracuse

What's involved?: "There's a group of us who dive year-round. We often go in Skaneateles Lake. For the past 23 years, we've held a "Frozen Fin Dive" there on New Year's Day. This year 30 attended. The temperature was in the single digits, the wind chill was below zero."

Scariest moment? "None yet. You're taught if something happens - your mask falls off, your regulator starts to leak - how to control the situation so you don't panic. The only part of your body that's exposed is your lips and cheeks. You get a little of that ice cream headache feeling when you first go in, but you kind of get used to it."

Want to try it? "Wilson recommended starting with taking a regular scuba diving course. There's a number of shops and programs throughout Central New York that offer them. For winter diving, he advised getting additional training and getting "dry suit certified." Also, "make sure you have the proper gear for cold water diving, including special regulators, a dry suit, glove, booties and hood." He said the Mandana boat launch site on Skaneateles Lake is a popular spot with many local divers during the winter."

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog