How much are the gas prices affecting your plans?

[Kevin]

This seems like an issue that will benefit the ADKs from a Naturalist point of view (fewer people = more "nature"), but will further aggrivate the already struggling economy for the local businesses.

So are the fuel prices affecting your plans and frequency of visits to the ADKs? Are they changing the type of plans being made? (more camping to get the most out of the drive?) etc
________________

Sub topics to discuss amongst yourselves:

How long until only the rich and die hards can/will afford to visit regularly? When we finally have alternative fuel sources, how long until the crowds return and before that resource becomes overpriced/monopolized? Will fewer visitors put the importance of Forever Wild on the back burner and lead to fueling the ongoing drive by oil companies to start drilling on currently protected lands? The Mets in 6?

[skins05]

I am more likely to go to the Adirondacks now than to travel to other mountain ranges. I am close enough to the Adirondacks that it doesnt really affect how often i go there though.

oh, and good luck with the mets getting to the playoffs this year. not that my team is doing any better, Atlanta.

[backwoodsman]

Haven't been " UP NORTH " since winter, we'll make the most out of our trips there,definitely no day trips anymore,life is still good though.

[procook131]

I say that they are not, but I know with all of my wedding bills' final balances due, trips will be less frequent. My "hard to get two days off in a row scheduele" does not make it any easier.

[Kevin]

oh, and good luck with the mets getting to the playoffs this year. not that my team is doing any better, Atlanta.

Yankee fan actually, but I would put more money on the Mets if given the choice of the two.

[Justin]

I voted No, but the gas prices have affected my financial situation after I've returned home.

I guess I'm the type of guy who likes to have fun Now, worry about problems later.

[Keithk]

you've got it all wrong

tourism is UP in the dacks because of the high gas prices, not down. people don't want to travel as far, and we're within 1 or 2 tanks of gas of many, many millions of people.

The state campgrounds are booked solid. TL is already gearing up for the tinman, which I'm told has record attendance this year. I drove to Keene today for the trail run, and there were hundreds of Iron-folk biking the course getting ready (of course it'd be nice if they didn't ride 3-across, but that's a different story).

I don't know where the idea that high gas prices hurt us has come from, but I've yet to see a single argument or figure backing it up. As far as I can tell, it's a better year than last year.

And as for the winter, like I said, it was the best year ORDA has ever had, so whatever.....

[DRIFTER]

High gas prices, BAH! I just got some new gear at Cabelas and I'm on my way up right now! It may take me a while though....

...........I would imagine high gas prices would slow the frequent weekend visitor and possibly increase the weekly vacation crowd for the reasons Keithk put forth!

[Kevin]

I don't know where the idea that high gas prices hurt us has come from...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=gas+prices+affecting+tourism+adirondacks

specifically:

http://www.adirondackdailyenterprise....html?nav=5017

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I think the tourism industry will see a shift from fewer weekend to more weekly visitors as already speculated. How few regulars compared to the increased revenue from more weekly tourists will take time to figure out. If weekly visitors stay about the same or only increase a small percentage, but the day/weekend visitors stay home 50% more than before (arbitrary number) I would think the numbers wouldn't be favorable.

Albany area is a huge source for tourism money for the ADKs, but just not the long vacation dollars. If you lose the 2-3 hour drive window visitor it can't be helping, just because of the sheer number of them. Quantity over quality usually wins out, look at Walmart.

That's my thnking on the subject. It's all speculation right now, we're in unchartered economic territory. There's still that nagging feeling I can't shake that things are likely to get worse before they get better for the middle and lower income brackets.

[pondhopper]

Prices have cut the # of my weekly daytrips by more than 1/2.

[Harvey44]

I took one less trip. I love the Adks. But that much cash for gas in bug season, when the weather is beautiful down here...it just wasn't worth it.

[Marty From SLC]

Gas Prices

I hope that the Adirondacks economy will not suffer because of this, but we will see. I would think camping and hiking would stay the same or increase for those who live nearby. I plan on going on an extensive drive around the park to hike and a float-plane trip for 10 days. Gas prices are not as important as enjoying the mountains. Its important to spend money on the local enomony, what ever the cost of gas.

Oh yeah.

Keep it fun!

[Neil]

This is a friendly reminder NOT to turn this thread into a bitch fest.

I would be interested in hearing from those who will not decrease their trips plan on compensating for the increased costs.

And now we return you to our scheduled programming.

[Neil]

Up here in Canada gas has been hovering around the 6 dollar mark for about a month. People just keep on commuting and doing whatever it is they do.

I head down to the Dacks with an empty tank and cross back into Canada with a full tank of Cheap American Gas.

My response: no change in frequency.

I do wish I had finished the southern Hundred Highest last year though. I drove 400 RT miles to do Little Moose. But it's still worth every penny to me.

When I have completed my quest I will probably stick to the Northern Dacks.

[Kevin]

But that much cash for gas in bug season, when the weather is beautiful down here...it just wasn't worth it.

That's been my thinking as well. Normally I'd do a dayhike every weekend as the weather permits, and maybe one overnighter a month. The bugs are definitely not an incentive to camp right now. If the weather's iffy then I'd rather just stay home considering those 2 factors. I'm picking and choosing a lot more than I used to considering the cost in money and time, both of which could be spent doing other things.

For example - I got the following things done around the house today instead of hiking:

* Fixed the riding mower (blade was hitting the front part of the deck which had to be bent back into place)

* Mowed and trimmed the lawn (no small feat, we have a big lawn and it's a chore April --> October)

* Installed a new screen on the storm door (been putting that off for 2 years lol)

* Patched a leaking connection on the roof (been putting that off for about 2 months )

* Pulled weeds in the small flower garden we keep

* Swatted at horse flies (at least this helped with the ADK seperation sickness)

* Did some shopping at Home Depot, Target, and Petsmart (in that order, total purchases were just a little more than what I would have spent on gas if hiking in the High Peaks instead)


And there's plenty to still do:

* Paint the house trim that was primed last summer

* Scrape and paint the front of the house (it's mostly brick, the painting is mainly needed on the front porch that we don't use)

* Repaint the steps using oil based paints or stain (latex didn't survive a single winter)

* Paint the bedroom, hallway, and living room

* Redo the 1960s style living room ceiling

* Finish reading a friend's screenplay (just haven't felt motivated)

* Buy and spread some grass seed for the few bare spots

* Clean and organize the gear room (yes, I said room )

* 3 sets of lyrics waiting for me to start working on guitar parts

* Catch a Yankees game on Yes (which I normally can't do when hiking because, well, I'm hiking! lol)

* Shower (optional)



Prior to this post I bet you thought only outdoors recreation was fun!

In all seriousness, if I was filthy rich with a staff I would love to hike 24/7.