Reading Poll

[Sasquatch]

Okay, I have recently given up my subscription to Backpacker Magazine. I got sick and tired of reading all about Yellowstone, Glacier, and Yosemite. I'd love to visit there, but right now, I can't afford it. So, why read about it. I'm looking for some other periodical to subscribe to, but am unsure which would best fit my needs. What magazine/paper do you read that is concerned with the Adirondacks and how would you rate it?

[Boreal Chickadee]

Adirondack Explorer -excellent! hiking, paddling, issues, you name it, they cover it-Phil Brown is the editor9sometimes posts here)

[JClimbs]

I come here for the best news on hiking, paddling, fishing, etc. Magazines are so yesteryear!
Seriously, I've pretty much given up on magazines. They are so tied to retail sales that the articles don't really apply to me. If you're not making 60K and wanting the best of the best of all the gear, they're irrelevant. Sad but true. Online blogs, BBS's, and such have taken their place as relevant media for smaller-niche interests.

[fvrwld]

Adirondack Explorer -excellent!

I second this. I love the Explorer and usually read it cover to cover.

I also really like the New York Conservationist. It is the magazine put out by the DEC. There is always interesting stuff in there.

[Kevin]

I come here for the best news on hiking, paddling, fishing, etc. Magazines are so yesteryear!
Seriously, I've pretty much given up on magazines. They are so tied to retail sales that the articles don't really apply to me. If you're not making 60K and wanting the best of the best of all the gear, they're irrelevant. Sad but true. Online blogs, BBS's, and such have taken their place as relevant media for smaller-niche interests.

There's a lot of truth in that statement. I've seen the digression of a few computer hobbyist magazines over the past 5 years (slaves to commercialism/advertising revenue). But this could be a greater trend overall, magazines spending less time on content and more time on where to place their advertiser's content. Most magazines nowadays don't make 10% of their operating costs on the subscriptions. They're operated by the advertising dollars.

I agree that the ADK Explorer is a good zine. I also enjoy "Peeks" (the 46R Club) and also read cover to cover "Adirondac" (from the ADK Club).

[pondhopper]

I come here for the best news on hiking, paddling, fishing, etc. Magazines are so yesteryear!

I also, agree alot with that statement. I used to subscribe to a ton of mags, including some mentioned above. Now: http://nyoutdoornews.com/ is the only one in that vein I'm currently subscribed to....even if they are sometimes, prone to misquoting.

[Hobbitling]

Most magazines nowadays don't make 10% of their operating costs on the subscriptions. They're operated by the advertising dollars.
(from the ADK Club).

exactly
What people dont realize is that we arent the real customers, the advertisers are. We are the product. They are selling the attention of the readers to advertisers. Articles are just the bait on the hook. Its the same with all media these days. Its the same with the photography magazines. Even the articles are full of obvous brand name plugs. its the only way they can stay in business. (end of rant)

but back to the subject.
Adirondack Life is pretty good too, but it only comes out 8 times a year (twice a season, like early spring, late spring etc...) very good photography!
there is also Adirondack sports and fitness, which is a pretty small operation, but has interesting articles sometimes.

[Kyler]

Okay, I have recently given up my subscription to Backpacker Magazine. I got sick and tired of reading all about Yellowstone, Glacier, and Yosemite.

I don't subscribe to Backpacker, but I do pick it up once in a while. (I bought the December issue because of the article on the Adirondack trail crew). The December issue has a Northeast Edition logo on the front cover, but is still filled with content from the West, including the Yosemite cover. The other thing that I find annoying is that there aren't a lot of articles, it's mostly blurbs. For example, the Yosemite story is two paragraphs, and then a bunch of hike route recommendations. Since I'm in the Northeast, I would rather read a whole article with a general overview on Yosemite, without the specific routes, and then have some info on specific routes in the Northeast. Oh well, I don't subscribe, so I guess I can't complain too much.

[redhawk]

It's not about the Adirondacks, but I do like the national geographic Explorer. Great articles about all sorts of interesting people and places and I usually learn a few new things every issue.

It's doesn't have an unreasonable amount of advertising, less in fact than any I have ever see. So, it's interesting and educational if that's something you're looking for.

Locally? Yep the Adirondack Explorer is the publication to subscribe to. If I could afford to, I'd subscibe to it.

[Pete_Hickey]

Can't please them all

Several years ago, I was talking to a couple friends from our west. They told me that they didn't like Backpacker, because it was too Eastern. Not enough Western coverage. I told them the opposite.

It really is hard to have a national magazine of that type. Gear and technique is about the only thing that all areas have in common, but it doesn't take long to run those subjects dry.

[Wldrns]

Several years ago, I was talking to a couple friends from our west. They told me that they didn't like Backpacker, because it was too Eastern. Not enough Western coverage. I told them the opposite.

It really is hard to have a national magazine of that type. Gear and technique is about the only thing that all areas have in common, but it doesn't take long to run those subjects dry.

We did at one time have an eastern version, edited by one Harry Roberts right out of Schenectady. I liked it very much. Then it got bought out and absorbed by Backpacker. From that time I always thought Backpacker was extremely western-centric so I don't subscribe.

Another gripe I have is, as a member of the ACA, you get "Paddler" magazine. Funny how the American Canoe Association with it's Paddling magazine only gives very brief token mention of canoes in the mag. It is 90% slick stories and advertising for young kayakers, not canoeists.

I subscribe to Adirondack Explorer and actively support it's associated Adirondack friendly causes and organizations. But I always cringe when I receive every issue that publicizes previously little traveled backcountry destinations where I roam.

Adirondack Life is nice, catering more to city-folk with lots of money, those who would be occasional tourists to resorts rather than to most who would read this forum.

[adkdremn]

I subscribe to Backpacker and Adirondack Life. I agree with all the startements regarding Backpacker, but I still enjoy it. Most likely I'll never make it to most of the places in there, and I'll never be able to afford the gear they talk about, but I still enjoy reading about them. In a way it's kind of weird that the magazine is geared to a lot of places out west because the magazine is printed right here in the town I live and some of the staff is from around this area.
I love Adirondack Life, but I'm thinking of letting that subscription run out and subscribing to Adirondack Explorer instead.

[Kevin]

I subscribe to Adirondack Explorer and actively support it's associated Adirondack friendly causes and organizations. But I always cringe when I receive every issue that publicizes previously little traveled backcountry destinations where I roam.

I've noticed the same thing. And you figure in time they're going to publish detailed info on just about everything available to fill those pages...

While I'm an advocate for inclusive use of the park, I don't know how much 'good' it's doing by opening every single acre of it to the world. When I heard they ran an article recently on Lilly Pad Pond I felt genuinely scared. It's a very nice hike and it doesn't see much traffic when compared to the rest of the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. Abuse and/or overuse will completely ruin going there.

With the proliferation of hiking books, trail guides, and magazines covering the ADKs you wonder how long until even these things need to be managed to save the ruggedness of the wilderness areas. I'm glad many of these resources exist, but you have to wonder if the money and/or time spent maintaining the magazine or publication could have been better spent towards preservation.

[Grandpa Paddler]

Another gripe I have is, as a member of the ACA, you get "Paddler" magazine. Funny how the American Canoe Association with it's Paddling magazine only gives very brief token mention of canoes in the mag. It is 90% slick stories and advertising for young kayakers, not canoeists.

I AGREE !
I think the name should be changed to 'American Kayak (& Occassionally Canoe) Association'. The magazine should be 'The Dark Side of Paddling'.

I don't have anything against kayaking, it's fun to watch WW. But I canoe and that's what I want to read about. Done venting.

[Sasquatch]

Thanks for the imput all. I was leaning toward Explorer, but not sure. I agree it can be a pain when your "secret" spot is plastered across the pages of a magazine. In my experience though, the invasion lasts a season, then gets back down to normal. Besides, I like to head further in and that seems to solve most of the problems.