LOCALadk Magazine

ERIK Erik Schlimmer is the author of twelve books and is the dude behind Place Name Dude, a research endeavor that's historically decoding 1,000 Adirondack toponyms. As he likes to say, "Behind every name there's a story, and the story's usually pretty good." Find him at placenamedude.com. BEN Ben was born and raised in Albany, New York. As a kid, he spent as much time as possible in the Adirondacks hiking, camping and skiing. He attended SUNY Plattsburgh's expeditionary studies program where he learned to climb and paddle in the Adirondacks. He now splits his time guiding in Utah in the winter and spending the summer and fall in the Gunks of the Hudson Valley. CURT Curt Stager is a scientist, educator, and author whose research deals with climate change, human interactions with the natural world, and environmental history. His work has been published in Science, National Geographic, and The New York Times as well as in award-winning books, most recently "The First Adirondackers: 12,000 Years of Human Presence in the Adirondack Uplands." He currently teaches natural sciences and holds an endowed research chair at Paul Smith's College. In 2013, the Carnegie-Case Foundation named him Science Professor of the Year for New York State. PAUL Paul Post has covered Adirondack pro hockey for The Saratogian since 1995. He has written sports, news and human interest freelance articles for more than 60 publications and has authored three books — two sports biographies and "Soldiers of Saratoga County" (The History Press). He and his better half, Bonnie, and their cat, Popper, live in Glens Falls; are avid sports fans; and enjoy travel, nearing completion of their goal to visit every U.S. state capital. JACKSON Jackson Deeney grew up in Watertown, NY and moved to Lake Placid in 2015. He attended Lake Placid High School and participated in the NYSEF Freestyle program. After graduating one year early, he took a gap year and worked as an assistant coach in the same program before attending SUNY Plattsburgh's Expeditionary Studies Program. There, he began climbing, whitewater kayaking, and backcountry skiing. His mentors, Casey Hennely and Steve Maynard, helped him build the foundations to recreate in the outdoors as well as operate as a professional guide. Jackson now works as the Head Freestyle Coach for the NYSEF Freestyle program, Backcountry Skiing Guide for Skylight Mountain Guides, Rock Climbing Guide for Great Range Mountain Guides, and an instructor for the Northwood's Adventure Sport Program.

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