About Chrissy Raudonis

Chrissy Raudonis is an avid outdoors enthusiast who lives in the Adirondacks. When she's not at work, she's hiking, trail running, canoeing, kayaking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing--often with her canine partner in adventure, Boomer. She is a member of her local Fire Department and Search & Rescue of the Northern Adirondacks. Chrissy is an alumnus of the National Outdoor Leadership School and a former caretaker for the Green Mountain Club.

ALL POSTS BY THIS AUTHOR:

Winter Beauty in the Adirondacks: Mount Gray, Lake Colden, and Avalanche Lake

Avalanche Lake

Deep in the middle of the eroded dome that is the Adirondack Mountains lies Mount Gray and a series of alpine lakes, including the humble source of the Hudson River. One late January Sunday morning, I set off on a … Continue reading


Gear Review: Walk on Ice with Improved Kahtoola MICROspikes

Kahtoola Microspikes

Nightmarish icy hikes: we’ve all been there. You’re on a late fall hike up a mountain. The trail conditions were fine at the bottom, but as you get closer to the top the path is covered in ice. Each step … Continue reading


Gear Review (and Interview): Gyde Battery-Heated Women’s Calor Jacket and S4 Gloves

Gyde Gear

This gear review starts with a warning. Once you have a battery in your jacket and gloves, there may be no going back.

I’ll admit to being skeptical when I first heard about battery-heated clothing. Is it really comfortable to … Continue reading


Gear Review: Wear Bamboo with the Bambool Thermics Baselayer

The name Bambool Thermics sums up the new company’s products rather tidily.  Bambool Thermics uses a mix of 68% bamboo, 27% merino wool, and 5% spandex in its baselayers that were designed by a husband and wife team based in … Continue reading


Food Review: Clif Energy Food Provides New Fuel Options for Snowshoers

Fueling yourself in the winter can often be frustrating. If its cold enough, traditional summer treats like apples and oranges become frozen by the time you need them. While I’ve had my fair share of frigid peanut butter and jelly … Continue reading


Three Generations Race at Saranac Lake’s Winter Carnival

On February 11, Dewey Mountain in Saranac Lake, New York hosted its largest snowshoe race of the season, the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Snowshoe Race. The event has been a part of the Winter Carnival for over 11 years. With … Continue reading


Empire State Games Tests Speed and Endurance

On Saturday, February 14th snowshoe racers competed in sprints and a 5K in Paul Smiths, NY as a part of the Empire State Games. The snowshoers raced in 100, 400, and 800 meter sprints in the morning. In the afternoon, … Continue reading


Chilly Temperatures Don’t Slow Racers at ESSRA Championships

On Sunday, Jan. 25, snowshoe racers from across New York State participated in the Empire State Snowshoe Racing Championships at the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) in Paul Smiths, N.Y.  The competition was a qualifying race for the … Continue reading


Gear Review: LOWA Trident II GTX WS

When I first lifted up the box with my new LOWA Trident II GTX winter boots, I was really surprised by its light weight. The boots, when I removed them from the box, were small and compact. Although the Trident … Continue reading


Gear Review: GSI Outdoors Wine Glass Gift Set

Tote

I love roughing it in the woods, but sometimes it’s nice to bring along some luxury as well.  Prior to getting a Wine Glass Gift Set, my experiences with wine in the woods were pretty mediocre.  I had taken bottled … Continue reading


“I Thought You Were a Ghost” – A Late Fall Hike of the Northville-Placid Trail

Bridge over the West Branch Sacandaga River

I’d heard a lot of warnings about hiking the Northville-Placid Trail (NPT) in the fall. The stream crossings would be difficult and cold. I imagined myself wading knee-deep through rivers. Hunting season would be in full-swing. My boss, an Adirondacker, … Continue reading


Gear Review: Oboz Bridger BDry

Oboz's Bridger BDry

I tend to choose footwear that goes to extremes when hiking. Sometimes I’ll wear my heavy, all-leather boots, at others just a pair of sandals or trail runners so that my feet feel light. When I first tried on a … Continue reading


Gear Review: Sherpa Nangpala Hooded Down Jacket (Women’s)

Nangpala on Jay Mtn., NY

When I received my new Nangpala Hooded Down Jacket, I was surprised by how small it was. I brought the jacket on a nine-day backpacking trip during cold, rainy Adirondack fall weather and was greatly impressed by the jacket’s warmth … Continue reading


Gear Review: BloqUV 24/7

24/7 Jay Mtn

I was pleasantly surprised when I took my new BloqUV 24/7 long-sleeved shirt on a recent nine-day backpacking trip. BloqUV touts its clothing’s design for activities like boating, golf, tennis, and swimming, so I was doubtful of the shirt’s utility … Continue reading


Exploring the Adirondacks: Saranac Lake 6, Jackrabbit Trail, and the Visitor Interpretive Center

For many outdoor enthusiasts, New York’s Adirondack Park, the largest in the lower 48 states, conjures up images of black bears, bugs, mud, and the famous 46 High Peaks. However, during the harsh winter months the park changes its tone: … Continue reading