more and more on Carson
Tom,
You have very eloquently demonstrated exactly why we must memorialize Russel M.L.Carson. Your mini dissertation on who Russ Carson was has shown once again that his contributions to the Adirondack history, lore, conservation and community are forgotten. His contributions are too numerous to quickly and off handily list for admiration. We will add a few here. He was born in Glens Falls and was a civic leader there. He served on his local school board for 35 years, served on the NYS school board. He served as the NYS School Board president in 1942 and was honored by the NYS School Board for distinguished service. His writings helped establish the Cloudsplitter and Highspots magazine. He wrote a newspaper column titled, " The Footpath". He served twenty years as a trustee for the "Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks." He was a Captain of the 105th National Guard. ...and oh yes, he served as President of the ADK.
Tom, I thank you again, because in fact you added a few of Russ's contributions that we hadn't discovered yet. We know another person that contributed to the Adirondacks in that same quiet, humble way. Her name is Grace Hudowalski #9. Rare is the occasion that our research or discussion about Grace and Ed Hudowalski doesn't turn up some new contribution that has been long forgotten. Both Grace and Russ were "True Blue Adirondackers", icons of stewardship, that deserve our "highest" praise.
If there is any doubt remaining, listen to what another ADK president had to say about Russ Carson. From the 1973 edited and reprinted, " Peaks and People of the Adirondacks."
"God give me hills to climb, And strength to climb them.
Latent in every adventurous breast, this yearning will out. If physically the expression is not possible or wise, it will come imaginatively. In either case, these unique sketches of forty-six peaks in a wilder*ness but a day's journey from New York City, will help materially to satisfy the longing to go where relatively few have been before, and to learn some*thing human about these odd places.
"How did the mountain get its name?" is scarcely less a universal question among those who see or hear about high peaks, than "How did the leopard get his spots?" Starting with this natural curiosity, the author found himself in a relatively barren field. Information available in any form of print was negligible. The trail led at once to "the oldest inhabitant," to that rapidly disappearing type, the true" Adirondack guide," than whom no other woods*man is likely to be more elusive, or more interesting for his nature lore, his skill, and his philosophy of life; and to the descendants of those heroic figures whose names some of these mountains perpetuate.
Only a lover of the woods and mountains, a born historian, an explorer persistent in research, and a personality which puts all men at ease, could possi*bly gather the fact and legend, anecdote and yarn, which are of the fabric of this book. To weave these together in a series of attractive tales, requires also a writer. All these in one, an amateur in the finest sense of the term, the Adirondack Mountain Club is for*tunate enough to have among its Charter members and officers. That Mr. Carson has chosen to honor the Club with the fruits of his happy enterprise, giving the book to the organization, speaks his recognition of the purpose of this Club, to foster the right use of these precious mountain possessions of the people of our state. Through this book those who already have formed an affection for the Adirondacks will find it enriched, and those who have before them the pleasure and privilege of coming to know this favored wilderness, will feel their interest quickened.
FRANK S. HACKETT.
Former President of the Adirondack Mountain Club
Peaks and People of the Adirondacks was first printed in 1928. It was edited by Dr. Philip Terrie ( for the ADK) in1973, reprinted 1986 and again in 1987.
So many mountains, too little time.
Doug Arnold #4693W Chair of the Grace Peak Committee
PS. The patches and educational brochure are available to all lovers of the Adirondacks at cost. The $5.00 fee includes mailing. Please write us or Phil Correll, we will forward you the set and be grateful for your interest.
