Meet Your Host Backcountry Cabins 4-Season Activities Private hiking trails Romantic getaway? Pet-friendly vacation Meet Our Guests! Rental Rates/Prices AvailabilityCalendar E-Z Inquiry Form Email Us Phone Help Desk Join Mailing List Maps & Directions Frequently Asked Questions Safety First!  and Guest Information Adirondack Photos Adirondack Poetry An Adirondack Miscellany Personal Potpourri The Fourpeaks Story 1968-present Select Link Pages

Please WAIT! Then SCROLL DOWN for SAFETY FIRST! and Guest Information   [ Are you in this picture? ] Dear Guest: The buildings at Fourpeaks are spread out on a 700-acre property, 2-1/2 miles end to end. To maintain a safe, orderly, and clean place to live, the good will and cooperation of our guests are essential. Visitors must familiarize themselves with gas safety, woodfire safety, water safety, housekeeping responsibilities, and other matters that will affect their safety and comfort at Fourpeaks.
Safety First! CLICK & GO!  (On this page.)  Gas lighting.    How to "push in."   Gas lighting and cooking safety.   Gas emergency information.   Heating with wood. Building a wood fire.   Maintaining a fire.   Closing down a fire.   Types of wood heaters.   Wood fire emergency information.   Shallow well water. Not for drinking.   No campfires at Fourpeaks.   No hunting or firearms.   Permission by owner.   "the process of making the reservation was problematic."  (A Letter With a Footnote.)   CLICK HERE for shortened, easily printed version of Safety First!
& Guest Information.
CLICK & GO!  (On the next page.)    Fourpeaks Guests have Housekeeping responsibilities.   About deposit payments and cancellation fees.   Limited occupancy.   If you bring your pet. Guest Information for Dogs.   No Smoking.   How to get here and what to do when you get here.   About arranging your arrival time.   "Very unhappy with the degree of hospitality we received." (An Email Exchange.)  
CLICK HERE for shortened, easily printed version of the Guest Information.

Safety is First!   Methods for heating, lighting and water use at camp will be unfamiliar to prospective guests. This makes personal safety a first and most important consideration in offering Fourpeaks vacation rentals. A working familiarity with these safety instructions is required for making a reservation.

GAS LIGHTING.  Cooking gas is a safe and convenient energy source which is used here not just for cooking, but also for refrigeration, heating (at two of the camps) and lighting.
Lighting the gas lamps is easy. (1) Light a match. (2) Push in valve lever. (CLICK HERE to see note about pushing in.) (2) Turn the valve lever 1/4 turn (90 deg.) counterclockwise. (3) At the same time, hold a lighted match near but not touching the mantle (which is extremely fragile). The gas-air mixture will ignite, burning along the margins of the mantle, creating light. (About the equivalent of a 50 watt incandescent bulb.)

A NOTE ABOUT "PUSHING IN." All the cooking stoves at camp and most of the gas lamps have a childproof safety feature that requires pushing in, in order to engage the valve, before turning the gas on or off. The cooking stove knobs are robust and most everybody knows about them. The gas lamp valve levers are light duty and must be engaged with care. Please push in thoughtfully and make sure the valve is engaged before turning the valve lever. Not sure? Use candles for lighting and wait for Martin to demonstrate how to "push in" to engage the gas valve. Please don't gorilla the gas lamps. Thanks.

More about gas lighting. Take care in applying the lighted match. Too close and you may touch the mantle which will break. Turn off the gas if that happens. To turn off, turn lever valve 1/4 turn (90 deg.) in a clockwise direction.
Kerosene or Coleman lanterns are not permitted. There are decorative (disabled) kerosene lamp fixtures at many of our camps. Very pretty. Please do not touch. Kerosene lamps are dangerous. They require expert attention and are unpredictable even then. Coleman fuel (gasoline) is explosive.
CAUTION! Gas lights and cooking stoves are not safe devices. They should not be operated unattended. If the gas supply were to be momentarily interrupted, or the gas regulator should fail, or the flame were to blow out, raw gas would be admitted into the air creating a poisonous and extremely dangerous explosive mixture. Do not operate gas lights or gas cooking stoves unless you are present and awake. (Gas heating appliances and refrigerators are all equipped with safety valves which turn off the gas if the flame is accidentally extinguished. They are safe to be operated unattended.)
PROPANE/GAS EMERGENCY INFORMATION.   Cooking gas is stored outside in steel cylinders in liquid form (propane), vaporized through pressure regulators and distributed in the camp buildings through copper lines. Guests must learn the location of gas shut-off valves and the method for shutting off gas in the event of an accidental discharge (gas leak).

HEATING WITH WOOD.
Building a wood fire.
1) Make sure flue is open. Check by burning a balled up piece of paper. Do not start a woodfire unless the smoke from the burning paper vents properly up the flue.
2) Ball up a supply of newspaper and place well split kindling (one inch or less in diamerter) on top. Light with match.
3) Do not use kerosene or other (petroleum-based) fire starting material, including commercially available "fire logs," fire starters, etc. Burn progress with these is erratic. They can superheat and torch out of control. Use only newspaper and wood kindling supplied. Split with axe from end grain.
4) Add additional kindling until a base of hot coals has developed and the chimney is well heated (200 deg.F. on woodstove thermometer.)
Maintaining the fire.
1) After a base of hot coals has developed, add firewood sparingly, starting with smallest pieces. Fourpeaks supplies hardwood (maple, oak, birch and some lesser varieties, cut 14-18 in. long and well split 3-6 in. diameter). Do not use other fuel.
2) Wood fires start slowly but build up heat and a flow of combustible gases as the burning progresses. There is serious danger if more than a moderate amount of fuel is added at one time.
3) Add fuel sparingly only after the fire has begun to die down.
4) Add more fuel from time to time as needed.
Closing down the fire.
Do not leave a fireplace or woodstove fire unattended after adding new fuel. It is ok to leave a woodfire unattended if the fire is clearly burning down. Allow the fire to burn out. Do not extinguish coals with water.
[CLICK HERE  for emergency instructions if fire gets out of countrol.]
Types of wood heaters.
Three types of wood heating devices are in use at Fourpeaks. Open fireplaces, freestanding fireplaces (parlor stoves) and airtight woodstoves. Open fireplaces and parlor stoves (with doors open) supply air to the burning fuel at low velocity and are therefore safer and easier to control than airtight woodstoves. Airtight woodstove operation takes considerable skill and great care must be taken with fuel and air supply. The restricted air opening can result in a high velocity air supply (tuyere effect) sharply increasing the temperature of burn. Not experienced with airtight stove operation? Keep the woodstove door entirely open and make a small fire. The woodstove will work like a small fireplace, but the mass of iron will radiate lots of heat.
WOOD FIRE EMERGENCY INFORMATION
(You won't ever need the information in this section if you have added fuel correctly and with caution. Not sure? Re-Read Maintaining a wood fire (above).
If fire is burning too hot (over 500deg. F. on parlor stove/woodstove flue):

FIREPLACE: Remove excess fuel with iron tongs supplied. Smother fire with ashes.

PARLOR STOVE: Remove excess fuel with iron tongs supplied. Close doors and make sure damper for airtight operation (if present) is closed.

AIRTIGHT WOODSTOVE: Remove excess fuel with iron tongs supplied. Close door and air supply shutter to shut off air.
Become familiar with location of ABC fire extinguishers in your accommodation and use if necessary.
FLUE FIRE (Roaring sound inside chimney): Use ABC fire extinguisher (not water) and direct flow of contents onto flames and up into the chimney.

FIRE RINGS, campfires or other fires out of doors are not permitted.
Outdoor charcoal grills are supplied at each accommodation.

DRINKING WATER.

Standards for drinking water for rental properties in New York State are very high.

Water from the shallow wells at camp do not pass water safety tests for coliform bacteria and this water may not be used for drinking by Fourpeaks guests.

Guests at Fourpeaks backcountry camps must supply their own drinking water.

Camp water should be used for washing and bathing only. [CLICK HERE for Frequently Asked Questions about limited water at Fourpeaks Backcountry Camps. CLICK HERE for fun bathing ideas Scrubbing up at camp: Hot showers & Oldfashion ways.]

FIREARMS. Guests are not permitted to hunt or carry firearms on the property.

PERMISSION BY OWNER. The owner reserves the right at his sole discretion to refuse occupancy if guests do not show a reasonable familiarity with the safety information and operation procedures on these pages and there is a consequent serious risk of personal injury or property loss.

---

"the process of making the reservation was problematic."

---

[Letterhead]
Michael V. P****
Lucy B. P*****, Ph.D.
Country Commons
Vergennes, Vermont 05491 March 11, 2002
Dear Martin,
You are doing something really wonderful with 4Peaks. We
were very pleased with our experience this past weekend.
The amazing weather helped as well. I realize that you
were away, but it reached nearly 70 degrees on Saturday.
The cabin was more than we expected with its lovely little
decorations and everything a person (Michael, in our case)
might need to prepare meals. It was cozy and we enjoyed
playing Scrabble by the gaslights in the evening. I was
impressed by how clean it was.
We took walks each day. The placement of picnic tables and
benches around the property was enjoyable. We had our
lunch on Saturday at one of those located at the rocky
outlook.
The trails were clearly marked, which we appreciated. We
saw tracks of turkeys, deer, fisher, snowshoe hares, grouse
and lots of small creatures. We heard owls, pileated
woodpeckers and ravens.
It was especially nice not to have human interactions once
we were there. After being greeted with jam and flour, we
were left alone. That was not only wonderful, but exactly
what we were looking for!
After returning, we went back to the website and noticed
that there appear to be very few reservations for the
summer. We wondered why. Is it too buggy? Fall looked
full. Are the guests primarily hunters or hikers?
If we have any suggestions about what to do differently,
they would be: 1) the map could be much clearer -it was
hard to read; and 2) the process of making the reservation
was problematic.Attempting to set up the reservation the
first time (two weeks earlier) fell through. We'd called
at the appointed time in the evening and left a message
that was never returned. We 'were all packed and ready to
go and never heard from you. That was disappointing.
Fortunately we were very motivated to check out 4Peaks, so
we tried again. This time there was a misunderstanding
about whether the e-mail registration needed to be done.
Michael understood that we were registered by phone and
then got the message that we hadn't done things right.
That was awkward. We're intelligent and have never had
those kinds of problems in making reservations elsewhere.
Perhaps it was a timing issue.
We will probably think of returning to 4Peaks. We hiked up
to see Wolf's Nest which you so highly recommended. It was
wonderful and very private. Our vehicles (Saab 900 and
Saab 9-5 wagon) would not be able to make it up that drive.
We would happily pack our stuff in. The only question was
water for washing dishes, etc. How is that handled?
We also wondered if Sugar Camp would have a private feel.
All the camps that we saw looked great. We liked the idea
of the water systems that probably get used in the summer
with solar heating potential and gravity feed. The outside
shower looks like great fun.
We saw that you are a Peugeot aficionado. We are as well,
having had three of them. Our 1989 wagon was just given to
our youngest daughter in January. Michael worked for the
bicycle division of peugeot when they were here in the
states.
We've enclosed a check for payment. We thought that
someone would come by for it, but didn't feel comfortable
just leaving it on the table in the open cabin. We stopped
at the Stone House on Sunday morning when we were leaving,
but no one was there.
I hope you had an enjoyable trip to California. Thank you
for having us as guests at 4Peaks.
Sincerely, Mick and Lucy P***

---

A footnote from Your Fourpeaks Host.
Some vacationers must feel making a reservation here at Fourpeaks slows them down a bit. They're used to booking hotels that do it in a minute with a credit card and a confirmation number. We're sorry about that and if we were renting cabins by the side of the road, we'd do the same. But our Adirondack Backcountry Camps don't have standard amenities. Pretty and secluded, with great views and open space all around, beautifully decorated and very comfortable, the style of living is like folks lived a hundred years ago. Not for everybody! We have to be sure our guests will be happy and safe with heating with wood, gas and water safety and using a privy (outhouse). So we ask them to carefully read our Safety First! information before we'll make a reservation. Then we give them a short quiz just to be sure. For most of our guests it's fun and educational. They quickly forget the little extra trouble in making a reservation when they experience the quiet and natural beauty at our Adirondack getaway.

---

More about them. (Keep reading.)
"We saw tracks of wild turkey, snowshoe hare, deer and coyote. We saw and heard ravens and heard owls at night."

---

Subject: Guestbook Entry
Date : 4/8/2002
Name : Mick and Lucy P***
Email : l****@sover.net
Location : Vergennes, Vermont U.S.A.
Comments : We had a wonderful and very private time at
4Peaks. The weather was amazing for March. We were able to sit outside in
shirt sleeves on the porch and take an outdoor shower. I loved the
accommodation itself. It was tasteful, very clean and well-cared for. The
grounds were spectacular. We saw tracks of wild turkey, snowshoe hare, deer
and coyote. We saw and heard ravens and heard owls at night. We even had a
picnic on top of one of the peaks.
My only suggestion for change would be to improve the map. It was difficult to read.

---

CLICK HERE for more Fourpeaks Email Exchanges. Verbatim email exchanges with guests and prospective guests. Many of them informative. All of them good clean fun, even those about very serious subjects. Great if you like to read other people's mail.
"Is it dangerous to operate the wood stove . . ." (An Email Exchange.)

---

Subject: wood stove operation
Date: Sat, 6 Jan 2001 09:50:16 EST
From: Just*******@***.com
To: Martin@4peaks.com
Hello,
Is it dangerous to operate the wood stove with an open front
door (to enjoy the fire)?
I am concerned about carbon monoxide accumulation in the hut.
Thanks for your information.
Best regards,
Justin

---

Subject: Re: wood stove operation
Date: Sat, 06 Jan 2001 11:02:01 -0500
From: Martin fourpeaks@whiteface.net
Reply-To: VisitUs@4peaks.com
Organization: Fourpeaks--Adirondack Backcountry Camps
To: Just*****@***.com
Justin--
Check with the woodstove manufacturer for the best answer to
your question.
Concerns about carbon monoxide accumulation and other dangers
to personal safety are particularly well placed if you're staying
in a hut.
Best wishes,
Martin

---

CLICK HERE for more Fourpeaks Email Exchanges. Verbatim email exchanges with guests and prospective guests. Many of them informative. All of them good clean fun, even those about very serious subjects. Great if you like to read other people's mail.
. 
Are you in this picture? Fourpeaks hosts now welcome paying guests to a 700-acre rest and playground for vacations in the Adirondack Great Camp tradition. Couples appreciate Fourpeaks secluded settings. Adventure families have fun exploring our accessible wilderness. Folks with dogs enjoy the open spaces to run their pets. A private nature retreat, a place for restoring personal energies. Are you in this picture?  CLICK HERE to find out!    [More about this at Frequently Asked Questions.]

Inquire about a Fourpeaks Adirondack Vacation/Getaway.   (Easy Inquiry Form.)

Email us  with questions or feedback.   (Easy Email form.)

Phone our Help Desk with  Tollfree or  Cell phone contact any time.

No time for Fourpeaks right now?
Keep up with us through occasional newsletters. CLICK for sample.
"Hints of Balsam and Pine from our Corner of the Adirondacks"
Join our mailing list!  (Easy form.)

Enjoyed your Fourpeaks visit?  CLICK to Tell a Friend!  (Easy popup Email form.)
Please Rate Our Fourpeaks Website. Whether you're an experienced webmaster or just a novice surfer, you may have feedback or suggestions to help us improve. We well remember the visitor a year or so ago who complained about the unpleasant glare from the HTML default royal blue links. That lead us to entirely revamp our background and link colors, making them softer, more eye pleasing. And the Florida expert who warned us about frustrating visitors with blind links. We followed his advice and now carefully identify each link so visitors know before they "click" exactly where they're clicking to.
Your comments or suggestions will be equally appreciated. 
[CLICK HERE for easy email form for your feedback/suggestions.]  Thanks.