Un Poko . . . Mega Musings

“Guys, winter is not coming. Winter is here.” Says Brian, as we stomp into the main dining hall called The Poko Queen. It has been under 15 degrees for the past week and we are kicking off the new snow powder that has been quickly falling all morning.

It’s a place with a vibe that blends lumber-jacks, backwoodsmen, conservationists, hippies, gardeners, homesteaders, educators, adventurers, mountaineers, backpackers, party animals, camp counselors, rock climbers, dish-washing aficionados, house-keepers, teachers, time-travelers, actors, mechanics, ecologists, foodies, travelers, entertainers, and philosophers into one title:  Outdoor Education Instructors at Pok-O-MacCready Outdoor Education Center.

Long Pond on a September morning

You cannot get cell reception here at Poko, which is located within the beautiful six million acre Adirondack State Park in North Eastern New York.  Its lunch time and everyone piles their plates high with the rich left-overs from the previous meals. We all chat about our morning adventures with each other as we wait to heat up our food in the microwave. Three of us worked on the roof of the six story rock climbing center, scooping off the ice and snow which has been known to leak through the ceiling if left unattended.

It has been the banana peel type of icy here and we decided that since the roof doesn’t have railings, one person should belay the person scooping the snow while the third person holds a phone and radio ready to call EMS if need be.  I helped belay and thankfully we didn’t need to dial 911. I don’t think my fingers would have functioned well enough to punch numbers anyway, they were so chilled. I made a note to layer my glove/mitten layers better next time.

Setting routes at the climbing center

I arrived here in August, when the pond that we live near was a welcome oasis from the late summer heat. We canoed in the light of the full moon, jumped on the water-trampoline giddy from time-off and free Budweiser, skinny dipped off the diving board, swung like tarzan off of the rope swing and soaked up the sun on the docks. Nature is easily enjoyable in the summer-time.

The view from the summit of Porter Mt.

In the past couple of months, the North Eastern winter has slowly been introducing itself. I got to meet it earlier in October when I summited one of the Adirondack High Peaks early in the morning. My friend and I reached the summit of Porter as the sun was rising during an ice-storm. It was gorgeous, thrilling and powerful. Winter is not a season to be taken lightly, especially in our field of work where we are outside for the majority of the day. If you are not properly dressed with warm layers, it could be disastrous.

Winter, while being colder and more monotone than his sister summer does have his lovable traits. He whips you into a hard-ass very quickly, through activities that the elements dictate essential; such as: wood splitting, wood stacking, hauling wood, snow scooping and fire-building.  He also has a playful side offering activities such as snow-shelter building, snow angel making, ice-fishing, ice-climbing, snow-tubing down hills, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow ball throwing, winter mountaineering and tracking animals in the snow.

Poko is not just a place where people work, it is a lifestyle. Working and living within such a small community as this, we spend our days and nights working and playing together. From early morning activities, like a nature walk at 7 AM, to evening activities such as rock-climbing until 9 PM our team of Poko people are well humored and down to earth; working hard and playing hard. Almost every evening we gather in one of the houses called The Junior House for conversation, bananagrams and beer. We all have different stories, view-points, thought-processes, vocabulary, habits and favorite colors. But mysteriously, providentially or serendipitously we all enjoy each-others company. We all laugh more than we complain (sometimes that happens simultaneously). We all care for the welfare of our planet.  We all love being in the outdoors. And we all realize that the life we are living should not be taken for granted.

Early morning canoeing on Long Pond

There are several times throughout these past few months when I have stopped and said “We’re actually getting paid to do this.” Memorable times such as: kayaking into Lake Champlain and camping on the shore, summiting one of the High Peaks on a bluebird fall day when the autumn colors were the most vibrant, self-belaying while setting rock-climbing routes at the climbing center listening to Katy Perry on full surround-sound blast and playing wood-game while talking about the philosophy of Marcus Aurelius.

Pok-O-MacCready and the Adirondacks are becoming a part of my whatness. Being and working in this place is truly an incredible experience. I am continually astounded with the wonderful beauty of the natural world that surrounds me and hope to regularly post about the adventures that I have. If simply for the purpose of being mindful that my life adventures are a gift and I should stop and cherish the cold breaths of chilly snowy air just as much as I savor the warm summer dips in the pond. 

XC Skiing on Long Pond in the afternoon