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Bald (Rondaxe)
Mountain Summer 2004 - Project Completion DATE! Thanks to the generosity of individual donors - no corporate - no state or local government funds - the Volunteers of the Friends of Bald Mountain are making steady progress on the restoration of the Fire Tower on Bald Mountain just north of Old Forge, New York. This summit is the destination point for more than 20,000 hikers a year. Contact us below if you would like to make a donation or become a volunteer. |
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June 2003 Following 13 years of neglect, volunteer crew members begin the tower prep work by scraping rust from the metal components and removing dilapidated security fencing. The lower steps are dismantled and taken to the staging area. Measurements are made for stairs and landings to be replaced with new pressure treated lumber. Materials are ordered and pre-cutting of the treated lumber is coordinated by Jack Ball. |
July 2003 Five loads of supplies are transported via six-wheelers to the staging area 3/4 of a mile from the tower. The primer coat ($40.00/gal.) is mixed with a converter and applied to the tower - when weather permits. It takes a good 8-hrs for this coat to dry. Meanwhile - fundraising continues - patches are selling like hotcakes at the Old Forge Hardware Store - 2000 more brochures are ordered to meet the summer-fall demand. |
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August 2003 Volunteers from Old Forge area and the Genesee Chapter of ADK continue painting the tower - this month with the silver finish coat. Measurements are taken for the open bars for the windows. Committee members have a donor willing to custom make the windows for the cab. Once installed, the tower can be re-opened to the public. |
September 2003 Two more days of painting and finally on September 20th, volunteers are ready to begin installing the new steps. Materials need to be carried over from the landing site - 3/4 of a mile from the tower. The view over the Fulton Chain of Lakes at this time of year is spectacular! Climbers all extend their appreciation and encouragement to our volunteers. |
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The Bald Mountain Fire Tower Restoration Work is completely dependent on donated funds from all those who agree with us that the tower is an historic treasure, a destination point for thousands of visitors in the Old Forge region annually, and a tangible link to the dedicated foresters that help to preserve thousands of acres of forestland in the Adirondack Park during the past century. Please help us by sending in a donation today to: Friends of Bald Mountain |
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