The Lean2Rescue crew, a volunteer group made up of hardy outdoors enthusiasts, has been busy this summer renovating lean-tos and a firetower in the Adirondack Park.

“We continue to make a significant difference,” said the group’s founder, Paul DeLucia, of Baldwinsville. “We were recently asked by the DEC to compile the days we have spent in the field in 2011 and 2012. The tally was 671 person days — more than 43 trips total.”

Since starting in 2004, the group has renovated (and in one case, built from scratch) more than 50 lean-tos across the Adirondack Park. This summer, the group has focused mostly on the eastern half of the Adirondacks, working on five structures at Wolf Jaw, Wallface, Spruce Lake, Woodhull Lake and Howard.

They also worked on a firetower at the top of Woodhull Mountain, a short distance from Old Forge. They fixed one of the tower’s cracked cement footings and replaced a broken rail.

“We also recapped the tower’s other nine footers,” DeLucia said.

The volunteers saw something unique during that Aug. 11 outing.

“While replacing the railing, three of us witnessed about 15 seconds of dime-sized snow — in 75-degree weather,” DeLucia said. “It could only be seen from the top, as it melted before hitting the ground.”

DeLucia said the Adirondack League Club, a private, exclusive organization, granted permission for the volunteers to cross their property to get better access to the firetower. As a result, equipment and supplies were carried in and out over a shorter distance.

“In true Lean2Rescue style, though, we brought about 200 pounds too much of cement to the summit, and we had to bring it all down,” he said.

Chuck Bergquist, of Camillus, who was on that outing, remarked, “My back is still killing me.”

The group also worked on a lean-to at Woodhull Lake — a structure they had initially renovated in 2008.

“It was hit by lightning,” DeLucia said.

Two lean-to efforts are being led by Boy Scouts for their Eagle Scout projects. The Henderson Lake lean-to work, which is still being planned, is being coordinated by Kellen Arnold, of Phoenix. Work on a lean-to at Spruce Lake is being led by Keith Dickover, of Skaneateles.

“We’re starting our next generation of rescuers,” DeLucia said.

To volunteer or for further information, email Pete Davis at .

To see a link to pictures of the group’s work, go to Davis's Web site.