Ep. 30 - ADK Ranger - Scott van Laer

When you want to learn about safety in the backcountry there is no one better to talk to than a forest ranger. In this episode, we sit down with Adirondack Forest Ranger Scott van Laer about the Adirondack High Peaks, search and rescues and how you can be safer in the mountains. Scott has been a ranger for 20+ years so he has seen a lot of changes in the traffic to the mountains and the increased demand on the rangers.  We talk about how people can help advocate for more rangers to match the increased traffic the park is seeing. Plus you get to hear about why peeing on each other isn’t a good way to stay warm in the cold.  

 

Show Notes:

Follow Scott van Laer at ADK Ranger on Twitter, ADK Ranger on Instagram or on the Adirondack Almanack

NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) - High Peaks Wilderness  

Adirondack Almanack

Adirondack 46ers

Epic Search & Rescues:

• Feb 2018 Saddleback Rescue: Adirondack Explorer - How 34 rangers and 12 volunteers saved a hiker’s life
• Dec 2016 Algonquin Rescue: NCPR – A Life or Death Rescue on Algonquin – We Had To Get Them That Day and Dramatic Helicopter Rescue
• Memorable, Hair-Raising NYC Forest Ranger Rescues During the Past 80 Years

Adirondack Explorer - Guardians in the Woods Feb. 26, 2008

Want to Help Preserve the Adirondacks and Support the Rangers?

• Contact the ADK https://www.adk.org/
• Let Governor Cuomo that the Adirondacks needs to add more budget towards infrastructure and rangers. https://www.ny.gov/agencies/office-governor

For more information about backpacking, we have a bunch of information on the Adirondacks in the LiveWild Radio Adventure Library.  Also, check out Ep. 28 on Adirondack Adventures. 

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