From now until the New Year we’re counting 2020, looking back month by month at the most popular stories that ran in the Almanack. In September, we were able to step back a bit from coronavirus news and look at some “big picture” issues. Notably, land-use issues dominated the headlines, such as high peaks use and discussions around the feasibility of hiker permits in the High Peaks Wilderness.

Here are the top five posts from September (ranked by number of comments made):

1. ATTRACTING YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE REGION: Commentary from an actual young person. https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/09/commentary-attracting-young-people-to-the-region.html
2. HIGH PEAKS USE: Commentary from Dave Gibson. https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/09/we-are-seriously-degrading-the-resource.html
3. MORE THOUGHTS ON PERMITS: https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/09/more-thoughts-on-permits.html
4. HISTORY OF LAKE LILA: From new history writer Gary Peacock. https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/09/hermits-and-a-millionaire-the-story-of-lake-lila.html
5. FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNT: On the dangers of splitting up with your hiking partner. https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/09/left-behind-a-lesson-in-the-dangers-of-splitting-up-on-the-trail.html

In case you missed it, here’s a review of January’s top stories.

And here are the top five from February

• And March.
• April, 
• May
• June
• July
• August

Pictured here: Connor Smith, 2020 ANCA Graduate Fellow

Melissa Hart

Melissa is a journalist with experience as a reporter and editor with the Burlington Free Press, Ithaca Journal and Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. She worked as a communications specialist for the Adirondack North Country Association and runs her own New York State Women owned Business-Enterprise Bootstrap Communications, which includes digital marketing, strategy and design. She enjoys hiking, camping and other outdoors activities, and spending time with her husband, their twin daughters, and rescue animals -- two dogs and a cat.

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