The Laurentian Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club will offer several outings this winter. Chapter outings are led by club volunteers and range in difficulty from “easy” to “very strenuous.” For winter outings participants should dress in layers and be ready for sudden changes in weather. To participate in an outing, or for specific trip information, contact the trip leader. Further information can also be found at www.adklaurentian.org/.

• Jan. 1 Annual New Year's pot luck at Adirondack Lodge, Clarkson University; short, easy walking, snowshoeing, or skiing tours on scenic trails; walk starts mid-afternoon, snacks at 4 p.m.; contact John Barron, 613-828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico.ca.

• Jan. 5 Cross country skiing for beginners; very easy skiing on well-groomed trails of Higley Flow State Park; optional late lunch at Hide Away Café, Colton. Contact John Barron, 613-828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico,ca.

• Jan. 12 Phelps Mt. Winter climb; from ADK information center parking lot/trail, head into Marcy Dam; continue on Van Hoevenberg and Phelps trails; nine miles round trip; winter climbing gear required, snowshoes, crampons/micro spikes and suitable clothing; strenuous; contact Brian Baston 600-1282 or brian.b.goode@gmail.com.

• Jan. 13 Snowshoe St. Regis Mt.; 6.6 miles round trip; moderate; mostly open summit with fire tower; 9:30 a.m. start, bring lunch; contact Art Boni at 613-728-7455 or primo@rogers.com

• Jan. 19 Snowshoe Azure Mt.; fairly easy 1-mile trail; summit fire tower near St. Regis Falls; easy but with occasional steep sections; Contact Gene and Carolyn Kaczka at 265-4806 or gckaczka@twcny.rr.com.

• Jan. 26 Ski and lunch at the Spencers'; depending on the snow, ski at SUNY Canton in the morning, then to Spencers' for lunch; soup, bring your own sandwich; ski around trails on Spencer property; level two; contact Armond Spencer at 379-1383 or aaspencer@verizon.net.

• Feb. 3 Winter Climb of Esther and Whiteface; leaving from Adirondack Science Research Center, attempt to climb both Esther and Whiteface; 11 miles round trip, 3500’ elev. gain; very strenuous, potentially difficult winter mountaineering; back country snowshoes, crampons required; contact Toni Towle/Peter Blood at 613-387-2829 or blackrapids@ripnet.com.

• Feb. 9 Stone Valley Snowshoe; start at the north end of valley and snowshoe up to Colton, then back down; mid-morning start, bring a lunch; seven miles round trip; some steep spots; moderate; contact Tom Ortmeyer at 265-8219 or tortmeye@twcny.rr.com.

• Feb. 16 Skiing, Wanakena to High Rock; easy terrain, but long and remote; eight miles round trip, level 3-4; optional supper afterward, possibly at Pine Cone; contact John Barron, 613 - 828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico.ca.

• Feb. 17 Snowshoe to Avalanche Lake; 10 miles round trip, 1,500' elevation gain, all day; easy to moderate, could continue on to Lake Colden, a 2 mile round trip, 300' add-on; strenuous to very strenuous; contact Mark Lowell 386-3945 or markl@stlawu.edu.

• Feb. 23 Great Camp Santanoni; 10 miles round trip, mostly flat; ski to Great Camp; cook a hot lunch on backpacking stove; strenuous; contact Blair Madore at 265 0602 or email madorebf@potsdam.edu.

• Mar. 2 Floodwood Mountain; end of the Floodwood Rd., head up the mountain; four miles round trip; dress in layers; fairly easy; contact Duncan Cutter at 328 4675 or dcutter@twcny.rr.com.

• Mar. 9 Skiing at Paul Smiths VIC; trails are well maintained; difficulty varies; trail-use fee; skis for rent; may be entertainment at VIC; five miles, minor hills, moderate; contact John Barron, 613 - 828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico.ca.

• Mar. 30 Spring Road Walk Hike Near Grasse River; celebrate early spring mud season with an afternoon walk on quiet back roads in upper Grasse River area; five to seven miles; fairly easy; contact Tom Ortmeyer, 265-8219 or tortmeye@gmail.com.