Almanack Contributor Tracy Ormsbee

Tracy Ormsbee is the publisher of the Adirondack Explorer. When she’s not working – and it’s not black fly season – you can find her outdoors hiking, running, paddle boarding or reading a book on an Adirondack chair somewhere.


Sunday, May 21, 2017

For Your Adirondack Calendars

Honey bee by Larry Master24th Annual Conference on the Adirondacks May 24-25

Wow, there have been 23 of these conferences already. The next one is titled: “Transitions and Connectivity in the Adirondacks and the Northern Forest.” The two-day conference will be at the Conference Center in Lake Placid.

Keynote speaker is Aaron Mair, president of the Sierra Club, who will talk about the Veterans Memorial Trail from Fort Drum to the Adirondacks. Other topics on the agenda include a look at and discussion of uses for the Adirondack Atlas Project, recreational uses on public and private lands and clean water. Register here. » Continue Reading.


Sunday, May 21, 2017

It’s Mud Season in the Adirondacks: Get Into It

Adirondack Mud SeasonWhen it comes to mud and the Adirondacks, you really need to think like your children, according the experts (Adirondack Mountain Club and Department of Environmental Conservation), and hike directly through it! When you walk around it, you are actually widening the trail, and that’s a problem.

Both the ADK and DEC have advice for us right now as ice and snow are melting and making trails slippery and vulnerable to erosion by hikers. The two organizations ask that we avoid the higher elevations (DEC says trails above 2,500 feet; ADK says over 3,000). » Continue Reading.


Friday, May 19, 2017

‘Adirondack Explorer’ Shares 16 Good Ideas for Outings

It’s time to start planning out what you’re going to do in the Adirondacks this summer and beyond, right? We at the Adirondack Explorer offer plenty of inspiration with our upcoming 2017 Annual Outings Guide. » Continue Reading.


Wednesday, May 17, 2017

For Your Adirondack Calendars

boreas pondsLooking for ways to get more involved with the Adirondack Park? Mark your calendar with these upcoming courses, public meetings, and next steps in ongoing issues. » Continue Reading.


Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Don’t Go Out Without A Net: It’s Black-fly Season in the Adirondacks

Bug net photo of and by Tracy Ormsbee

With the blooming of the first spring flowers comes another rite of spring: black flies. Consider this a warning, since you may have a little time before they start biting, according to scientist Curt Stager, a professor at Paul Smith’s College.

“They’re out already,” he said, adding, “Often they don’t bite right away. They just swarm and see what’s on the buffet.”

And that’s us. » Continue Reading.


Monday, May 8, 2017

Paddle Pics Next Up For Adirondack Explorer Photo Contest

The ice is gone, the air is warm and the bugs aren’t out yet: Time to hit the water!

The Adirondack Explorer is continuing its Views of the Park photo contest with the theme “Out for a Paddle” — whichever kind of paddling you do, wherever you do it (as long as it’s in the Adirondacks). Post your photos to Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #adkexplorerpix

Explorer staff will choose their favorite photos to be included on the Adirondack Explorer website and highlighted in the bimonthly magazine. If yours is chosen, you’ll receive a free one-year subscription to the Explorer. » Continue Reading.


Thursday, March 9, 2017

Explorer Launches Adirondack Photo Contest

We know you have a good shot of the Adirondacks in that phone full of photos. The Adirondack Explorer is beginning a new photo feature, Views of the Park, which will highlight readers and the scenes they love in and around the Adirondacks. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a professional. Just get out your phone and snap a pic.

The Explorer will provide the theme—the first is “My Dog Loves the Adirondacks” — and you post your photo to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using the hashtag #adkexplorerpix » Continue Reading.



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