Almanack Contributor Randy Fredlund

Randy Fredlund enjoys hiking, paddling, and taking pictures of the area around his camp on Stewarts Landing. He is happiest when breathing Adirondack air.


Thursday, May 11, 2023

In praise of low peaks, lowlands

In his seminal 1869 book, Adventures in the Wilderness, William H. H. Murray is less than enamored with the southern Adirondacks. He calls the area “the least interesting portion of the Adirondacks. It is the lowland district, comparatively tame and uninviting.”

We lowland residents would not agree.

Is the Adirondack High Peaks region less appealing because the Rocky Mountains are higher? Do the waterbodies of the area suffer in comparison to the Boundary Waters of Minnesota? Do the splendid attractions of the High Peaks render the remainder of the Adirondack Park irrelevant?

» Continue Reading.


Thursday, December 29, 2022

A winter walk

Snow covered road

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Sunday, October 16, 2022

A Peek at Peak in The Peaks

All inadequate photos captured by the author

The mountains of Adirondack Park in northern New York are the high ground. Due to elevation and temperature, the fall change from green to multi-hued occurs prior to that in most other parts of the state. And the thinly-settled park provides opportunities to enjoy natural beauty unspoiled by the hand of man.

Lows lake calm day autumn colors captured by Author.
Yes, all of them were captured by the author, including this one on Lows Lake.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, September 30, 2022

Earning a back ‘wood’ badge of honor

Author photographed loading boards at the sawmill in progress.

What’s the primary building material when you live in the woods? Wood, of course!

Where do you get wood for projects when you live in the woods? At the local sawmill! There is always one nearby.

When wood is locally sourced, it’s significantly cheaper than from a corporate home store. Plus you are supporting the economy in an area where jobs and opportunities are in short supply. And there is no shaving of truth. A 2 by 8 (2×8) is the full two inches by eight inches.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, August 5, 2022

20 more reasons to go camping, in the backcountry

An article recently appeared in the Adirondack Almanack newsletter extolling the virtues of camping. In 10 Reasons Why I Camp, Melissa Hart recounts the joys of car camping. All are great and valid reasons to spend time at a Northwoods campground.

But there are some differences between Melissa’s recent experience and going a little deeper into the woods. Here is a list, in no particular order, of reasons to leave a few more comforts behind, and go backwoods camping.

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Sunday, March 20, 2022

When Easy Ain’t Easy: An injury at OK Slip Falls

ok slip falls

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Sunday, February 20, 2022

The Layman’s Guide To Watching Curling

curling
  •  Though you play on a team, you are really competing against yourself, which can be both highly gratifying and incredibly frustrating.
  • One can imbibe while playing. “What’s the point of a game without a wee draught?” asked one of the originators, while towing his rocks to the frozen Curling Pond early in the 1500s.
  • Aficionados compete in special shoes.

» Continue Reading.


Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Loon Lullabies on Lovely Lakes

Looking north across Essex Chain’s Third Lake. Photos by Author.

Geezers Paddle The Adirondack Essex Chain Lakes

“Is that rain or water bugs?” was the question upon arriving at the 3rd lake put-in, after walking a mile or so from the trail head.

Walking is not quite the right word. Carrying is more accurate. I am very glad I don’t carry an extra 60+ pounds all the time. A canoe and pack for a little over a mile is more than enough. And thank you, Peter Hornbeck, for keeping the canoe portion of the poundage to a minimum. May God rest your soul.

The gout is in retreat, but the large knuckle on my left foot’s big toe is still sore. Perhaps the modified gait to baby that joint was the reason for missteps, but twice I was happy to be wearing above-the-ankle hiking boots. The boot saved a rolled ankle both times.

» Continue Reading.


Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Caroga Lake Music Festival: Amazing music, beautiful setting

logoHow Amazing Music Has Come To A Beautiful Location

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Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Poetry: At 4 AM, I Took A Walk

full moonAt 4 AM, I took a walk
In sunlight, reflected off the moon.

Unmoving shadows blink with points of light
Broadcasting codes unknown

The water rests, completely still
’Til a V of ripples spreads backward from the beaver’s nose

Somewhere floats a sleeping loon
Unaware of the voice of the owl

I took a walk at 4 AM
In sunlight, reflected off the moon.

Photo by Randy Fredlund

Read More Poems From The Adirondack Almanack HERE.


Friday, April 23, 2021

Geezers Make a Raquette at the Falls

A hike to Raquette River Falls

(All photos are property of the author)

Raquette Falls walk

Since it is difficult to determine what the weather and conditions will be like in early April, the car was loaded with all manner of equipment. Snowshoes, crampons (spiky additions to boots), two flavors of hiking boots, hiking poles, and a sled filled the hatchback, along with the usual packs full of necessities.

Raquette Falls was the goal. A view of the cascade on a beautiful September day caused Jim and Randy to wonder what the river would look like during the spring runoff.

» Continue Reading.


Thursday, February 11, 2021

Stewarts Landing: Long dammed but still special

With the water down for the winter, it’s easy to imagine the channel as the Mohawks of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy once saw it.  Though the current dam on Stewarts Landing determines the summer level of the water, the top of the upstream rapids appearing when the level goes down is the determining factor for the winter level.  This waterway was suitable for canoeing long before any dams were constructed.

What we call Stewarts Landing is the 2 mile stretch of flat water carrying the outflow of Canada and Lily Lakes to a concrete dam. Once called Fish Creek, the stream through and below Stewarts Landing is currently known as Sprite Creek.  Below the dam, the unnavigable rocky stream flows into East Canada Creek, which joins the Mohawk and then Hudson Rivers.

» Continue Reading.



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