Scott van Laer: Searching For Lost Adirondack Aircraft

In the time between when the snow clears and the leaves bloom, DEC Forest Ranger Scott van Laer will start up his seasonal hobby of trekking into remote areas to find things that would elude most hikers. Trained in search and rescue, Van Laer is writing a guidebook on lost airplane crashes in the Adirondacks. He’s discovered around 20 sites in the Adirondack Park and estimates there are around 50 undiscovered wrecks in the region. In the first of a two-part interview with WAMC’s Lucas Willard, Van Laer discusses how he began his work.