Top Adirondack stories of the year

Explorer top 10

Here are the 10 most-read stories of the year on the Explorer’s website:

1. OLD FORGE GRAPPLES WITH ABSENCE OF KEY BUSINESSES: The pandemic led to the temporary closure of Enchanted Forest water park, a major seasonal employer. Old Forge and other Adirondack communities tried to make the most of an upside-down summer. https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/closures-hit-some-adirondack-businesses-hard-but-there-are-silver-linings
   
2. JEEP AT MARCY DAM: The story that launched 1,000 memes. https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/jeep-drives-to-marcy-dam-via-forest-preserve
   
3. MAKING HIKING HISTORY: These two women broke the glass ceiling of Adirondack hiking challenges, completing an unsupported thru-hike of all 46 High Peaks. https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/breaking-records-making-history
   
4. MIXED WELCOME: As COVID-19 unfolded in March, communities offer conflicting messages to seasonal residents. https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/seasonal-residents-get-mixed-welcome-in-return-to-adirondack-communities
   
5. OPEN THE FLOODGATES: Summit stewards report what its like to deal with High Peaks hikers during a pandemic. https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/a-different-kind-of-summer-atop-high-peaks-where-troubling-trends-persist
   
6. RGB IN THE ADK: A look at Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s summers spent in the Adirondacks. www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/how-the-adirondacks-helped-shape-a-justice
   
7. THE $180M QUESTION: Whitney Estate owner John Hendrickson confirmed he will not sell to New York State, and promised the 36,000 acre estate will also not be developed or sectioned off. https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/36000-acre-long-lake-estate
   
8. DEBAR POND LODGE: The DEC proposes to remove a historic structure in the northern Adirondacks. https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/proposal-would-remove-historic-adirondack-camp
   
9. BUSTED ON THE UPHILL AT WHITEFACE: Former Explorer editor Phil Brown’s attempt at one more run during Whiteface shut-down. https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/busted-on-the-uphill-at-whiteface
   
10. HIGH PEAKS RESCUE: A first-person account of a hiking companion’s injury and the help she received from forest rangers. https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/in-their-own-words-a-high-peaks-rescue

Almanack top 10

Here are the Adirondack Almanack’s 10 most-read stories from 2020:

1. WOOLLY BEARS: The humble and beloved seasonal caterpillar had its moment in the sun, when contributor Jackie Woodcock’s look at the folk stories around the woolly bear went viral. https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/11/the-woolly-bears-winter-weather-prediction.html
   
2. CANCEL YOUR HIKING TRIP: As COVID-19 started to make its presence known, Peter Bauer’s commentary about staying put struck a nerve. https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/03/cancel-your-hiking-trip-to-the-adirondacks.html
   
3. COVID OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS: Our ongoing list of cancelations and re-openings throughout the pandemic has attracted a lot of views to date. https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/04/covid-19-related-closings-and-delays-in-the-adirondacks.html
   
4. SPLIT UP ON THE TRAIL: A reader shared his personal story of getting separated from his hiking partner. https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/09/left-behind-a-lesson-in-the-dangers-of-splitting-up-on-the-trail.html
   
5. FISHERS’ BAD RAP: Wildlife expert Steve Hall gave an up-close look at this often-maligned weasel https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/02/fishers-dont-give-a-damn-about-their-bad-reputation.html
   
6. BELOW THE SURFACE: History writer Gary Peacock dove into the making of Great Sacandaga Lake. https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/10/great-sacandaga-lake.html
   
7. POSSUM POWER: Another gem from Steve Hall of the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge, on the humble possum. https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/02/dont-make-fun-of-possums.html
   
8. SECRET SPOTS: Explorer multimedia reporter and outdoor rec enthusiast Mike Lynch got us thinking about our favorite “hidden gems” and what happens when the secret gets out. https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/08/the-secrets-out.html
   
9. MOOSE SIGHTINGS: Contributor Jackie Woodcock shared her experience seeing a moose on the road.https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/09/adirondack-moose-sightings-rare-and-majestic.html
   
10. AVOIDING TICKS: Longtime Almanack reader Worth Gretter wrote this piece on using permethrin in the battle against ticks. https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/05/more-tips-for-avoiding-ticks-and-tick-borne-disease.html