Celebrating of Women

Celebrating 105 years of Women on theLongTrail The mission of the Green Mountain Club is to make the Vermont mountains play a ­larger part in the life of the ­people by ­protecting and maintaining the Long Trail System and fostering, through education,­ the stewardship of Vermont’s hiking trails and mountains. ADAM DEAN HECKLE ADAM Quarterly of the Burlington Section member Catherine Hinojosa hiking through misty, moss-covered spruce Green Mountain Club c o n t e n t s Michael DeBonis, Executive Director Jocelyn Hebert, Long Trail News Editor Spring 2015, Volume 75, No. 1 Richard Andrews, Volunteer Copy Editor Brian P. Graphic Arts, Design

Green Mountain Club 4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road 5 / Remembering Don Hill Waterbury Center, Vermont 05677 Features Phone: (802) 244-7037 By Jane Williams & Rolf Anderson Fax: (802) 244-5867 E-mail: [email protected] 6 / Suffragette, Pianist, Traveler: Website: www.greenmountainclub.org Some Remarka­ble Women in GMC History The Long Trail News is published by The Green Mountain Club, Inc., a nonprofit organization found- By Reidun Nuquist ed in 1910. In a 1971 Joint Resolution, the Vermont Legislature designated the Green Mountain Club the 9 / Some Remarka­ble Girls and Women “founder, sponsor, defender and protector of the Long Trail System...” on the Long Trail Today Contributions of manuscripts, photos, illustrations, and news are welcome from members and nonmem- 14 / Backdrop from Vermont’s Iconic Peak bers. Copy and advertising deadlines are December 22 Photographs by Sheri Larsen for the spring issue; March 22 for summer; June 22 for fall; and September 22 for winter. 16 / Search & Rescue in the Green Mountains The opinions expressed by LTN contributors and advertisers are not necessarily those of GMC. GMC By Neil Van Dyke reserves the right to refuse advertising that is not in keeping with the goals of the organization. 20 / GMC’s 105th Annual Meeting The Long Trail News (USPS 318-840) is published quarterly by The Green Mountain Club, Inc., 4711 22 / Annual Election of General Directors Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury Center, VT 05677. Periodicals postage paid at Waterbury Center, VT and additional offices. Subscription is a benefit for GMC members. Approximately $5 of each member’s dues is used to publish the Long Trail News. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Long Trail News, 4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury Center, VT 05677. 3 / From the PresidentDepartments 24–25 / Sections Copyright©2015 The Green Mountain Club, Inc., 4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury Center, VT 4 / Mountain Views 26–27 / GMC Outdoor Programs 05677. Permission to reproduce in any form any of the material in this publication without prior writ- 13, 22 / Volunteers 28 / James P. Taylor Series ten approval of The Green Mountain Club, Inc. is granted only to individuals for their own personal 17 / Field Notes 29 / Board Report hiking ­convenience. 18–19 / Trail Mix 31 / Journey’s End

Cover Photo: End-to-ender Morgan Irons taking a break at Lockwood Pond. Photo by Alan Paschell

Long Trail News Spring 2015 2 From the President

es, spring is our fickle season. We find it difficult to relin- quish winter hiking in the high mountains, yet look forward Yto warmer days, the smells of earth and flowers. Mindful of fragile muddy trails high up, we choose lower yet kinder paths. Each spring I look forward to a Mother’s Day hike up Elmore Mountain with my daughter Jackie, a twenty-year family ritual. I probably hike Elmore five or six times a year, but I never tire of our Mother’s Day venture. We ooh and ahh Spring in Vermont our way from the trailhead to the founda- tion of the old stone cabin overlooking is contrary, equivocal, the adolescent of the seasons. Lake Elmore, our goal to find as many We suffer from growing pains, gathering hope from differing icicles and a few spring flowers blooming along the trail as possible. Trilliums have nearly passed bare glimpses of bare ground, only to be thrown by the unexpected blizzard at lower elevations, but are just begin- into a midwinter’s gloom. Then everything happens at once. ning to bloom at the top, sometimes with leftover snow in their shadows. It is akin – Reeve Lindberg & Richard Brown, View from the Kingdom to watching spring unfold into summer before our eyes. CHRISTIE DALE This spring the Green Mountain Craftsbury. But her service to the club be found doing trail work on weekends. Club celebrates the first anniversary of is legendary. She was a revered environ- She was and still is a strong advocate the arrival of Mike DeBonis as executive mental activist and spirited fighter for for getting children out on the trail and director. Mike has shown a natural ability Vermont’s ridgeline, as well as GMC’s first teaching them the importance of trail to manage, solve problems, and lead with woman president. She was instrumental maintenance skills and Leave No Trace confidence. His thoughtful quiet man- in establishing GMC’s ranger natural- ethics. Her daughter Kate began working ner and his ability to quickly understand ist program, reviving the backcountry on the trail at a very early age, and be- the challenges facing GMC continue to caretaker system, and starting a trail came southern field assistant for the GMC impress everyone. He climbed a steep ethics education program. The epitaph on when she graduated from college. Marge learning curve pretty darn quickly. her gravestone in the Craftsbury Common is a tough lady! She once fell and broke Now that Mike and the staff are Cemetery says it all: “Lover of the Moun- her leg in umpteen places while hiking settled, my thoughts turn to other mat- tains and Their Trails.” near Montclair Glen Lodge. A nurse and ters. It’s hard to realize that this is my When I joined the board as the North- rescue squad member, she managed to sta- next to last president’s message, but as I east Kingdom Section director in 2002, bilize herself and direct her own rescue. reflect on my tenure, I realize how much Marty Lawthers was president. I remember Four days later, with nineteen screws in I have benefited from those who served thinking, “Wow, this woman is one smart her leg, she rolled into a club meeting in a before me. individual.” Marty led with grace, humor wheelchair. Her presidency continued in and enthusiasm. She facilitated board that fashion. At last year’s annual meet- GMC Women Presidents meetings in a collaborative style, yet ran ing she was honored with a well-deserved In this edition of the Long Trail a tight ship with high expectations for GMC Life Membership. News we celebrate women who have board participation. She helped begin I applaud not only my three predeces- broken stereotypes and contributed to the Second Century Capital Campaign, sors but all women who have supported the protection and maintenance of the formed partly to raise funds to rebuild and encouraged the vision of building Long Trail since the club’s inception in the visitor center after a fire in 2003. and maintaining a long-distance hiking 1910. I immediately think of three past Marty frequently travelled from her home trail in Vermont. presidents: Shirley J. Strong (1969-1971), in New York to Vermont to attend GMC Ladies, and gentlemen, get ready to Marty Lawthers (2000-2003) and Marge meetings. She was passionate about hik- grab your tools and get out there to do Fish (2009-2012). ing, and is a Long Trail end-to-ender. some spring cleaning! I wasn’t fortunate enough to have met In 2011 Marge Fish became president. Shirley Strong, although we both lived in The ultimate volunteer, Marge can reliably – Jean Haigh, President

Long Trail News Spring 2015 3 Mountain Views

I’ve hiked the Long Trail GMC would like to share nearly twice, once as a thru- the sad news of the hike, and I’m nearly done a GMC Officers passing of Northern Frontier second pass as a section hiker. Section member Don Hill… Jean Haigh, President In the process I’ve stayed in John Page, Vice President Stephen Klein, Treasurer thirty-one of the shelters. Thank you for posting the Tom Candon, Secretary They are all very nice in their two pictures of my father, Don own right. They have offered GMC Directors Hill. When I was much young- warmth, comfort, and protec- er we spent quite a bit of time Ted Albers, Burlington tion from the elements, inter- Lee Allen, General on the trail. In fact, our first Michael Chernick, Northeast Kingdom action and friendship with a hike was the now infamous one Marge Fish, Manchester diverse group of hikers from to Tillotson Camp as chronicled Chris Hale, Laraway around the globe, great views George Hall, General in the video made about him Allison Henry, Killington and entertainment from mice a couple of years ago. He even Paul Houchens, General with world class athletic abili- corralled me into a few “work” General ED EPSTEIN Lynda Hutchins, ties….All priceless stuff! The hikes in my teenage years. Anne Janeway, General GMC does a great job with all Wayne Krevetski, General Tell us: which is your ­Hiking with my father was Sheri Larsen, General favorite shelter on of the shelters. Thanks for the always a unique experience. Ron Lucier, Sterling incredible work that you do. His attention to detail and Doug McKain, Bread Loaf the Long Trail? – Terry Lovelette, his awareness of everything Millie Mugica, General Saint Albans John Oliva, Worcester It’s so difficult to pick just around him lent a perspective Walter Pomroy, Northern Frontier one favorite. Governor Clement to the woods I may not have Dick Ruben, Ottauquechee Staying Connected to GMC Lexi Shear, General has the most atmosphere, Glen found with anyone else. He Laurene Sorensen, Connecticut Ellen Lodge is new and lovely, My son gave me a Green could also imitate the call of Martha Stitelman, Bennington Skyline Lodge has a pond on Mountain Club membership a white-throated sparrow like Dann Van Der Vliet, General nobody’s business. Like you, I Mike Wetherell, Montpelier one side and a short walk to when I first came to Wake Richard Windish, Brattleboro great sunset views. Robin Life Care Community will miss him very, very much. John Zaber, General My choice will be an odd from Massachusetts. I have so – Christopher Hill, Saint Albans GMC Staff Directory one: Cowles Cove. This was enjoyed the publications and the only shelter where I didn’t news, even though I Main Telephone: (802) 244-7037 have company. It was in the can’t ­participate in the Pete Antos-Ketcham, Director of Land and middle of a twenty-four-hour- ­Facilities Management outdoor activities. E-mail: [email protected] plus period when I didn’t see I read the Long Trail Phone: (802) 241-8217 a single living soul. I loved the News cover to cover Jason Buss, Business Manager solitude. Not so keen on the E-mail: [email protected] (I can’t say I do that for Phone: (802) 241-8214 privy with a view, but that’s most mailings), Michael DeBonis, Executive Director another subject. and find it most inter- E-mail: [email protected] The Long Trail is truly esting and well writ- Phone: (802) 241-8212 blessed to have so many won- ten. I enjoy the way Alicia DiCocco, Director of Development derful shelters. Thank you to E-mail: [email protected] the articles are placed, Phone: (802) 241-8322 the GMC for all of their work and the writing is Jennifer Donley, Visitor Center Manager building and maintaining all of exceptionally out- E-mail: [email protected] these structures. Phone: (802) 241-8210 standing. – Lance Clarke, I feel close to the Jill Haas, Database Manager Toronto, Ontario E-mail: [email protected] club through the Phone: (802) 241-8325 Long Trail News. For Dave Hardy, Director of Trail Programs E-mail: [email protected] Long Trail News those of us who aren’t Phone: (802) 241-8320 welcomes your comments. ­actually on the trail it Jocelyn Hebert, Long Trail News Editor keeps us engaged and E-mail: [email protected] ­Letters received may be edited Phone: (802) 241-8215 for length and clarity. interested. Matt Krebs, Publications Coordinator/ GMC reserves the right to Congratulations on a Stewardship Assistant decline to publish those con- job well done. I appre- E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (802) 241-8321 sidered inappropriate.­ Not all ciate the coverage of Caitlin Miller, Group Outreach Specialist letters may be published. the club’s comings and E-mail: [email protected] Send to: Jocelyn Hebert, goings. Phone: (802) 241-8327 [email protected] – Natalie Albers, Jenny Montagne, Membership Coordinator Shelburne [email protected] or Letters to the Editor, Phone: (802) 241-8324 GMC, 4711 Waterbury-Stowe Rd., Don Hill Waterbury Center, VT 05677

Follow Us: Long Trail News Spring 2015 4 c Remembering Don Hill d onald Hovey Hill 242 to Journey’s End, if two of Swanton was a respond he will adopt the beloved friend to whole stretch from Hazen’s GMC. He was born Notch to Journey’s End. Con- Din St. Albans in 1927 and passed tact the GMC if interested.” away on January 1, 2015 at I said to myself, “I have his home in Swanton. He was to meet the person who only an outstanding GMC member needs one other person to help and volunteer since 1965. Don’s him maintain over 18 miles of contributions to the club and trail.” I called the GMC. Soon Long Trail, especially throughout I received a call back from the northern section, will have a Don Hill, and set a date to go lasting impact. He built shelters, out on the trail. We liked each outhouses and hiker log regis- other right away. Don and tration boxes, routed wooden I spent many days working trail signs and maintained long together on the Long Trail portions of the trail. And, in the in the north. For ten years twenty-fourth (1996) edition we enlisted help from many of the Long Trail Guide he is Don Hill at northern others as well, removing blow credited for “painstakingly” up- ­terminus of the Long Trail downs, cutting brush, repaint- dating the division maps and the ing blazes and helping to state of Vermont map, originally maintain shelters. drafted in 1977. In addition to Don’s physi- I remember Don’s animated account of Don helped build Corliss Camp and cal work on the trail system it is clear he Tillotson Camp’s original toilet. A board maintained the former Parker Camp. He inspired and deeply touched those around was nailed across two trees at the edge also helped build Round Top Shelter and him. The following memories are from two of a precipice in front of the shelter. A Spruce Ledge Camp, which was later of Don’s countless admirers in the hiking piece of sheet metal roofing provided dedicated to him. He helped improve community: cover from rain. “You sat there and liter- access to water at Laura Woodward and ally dumped off the cliff while you hung Shooting Star shelters, and installed and I met Don Hill about twelve years ago onto the trees on either side,” Don said. maintained composting outhouses. And, when I became involved with the North- Maybe this explains all the outhouses he was famous for his handsome trail ern Frontier Section. Don became my trail Don built, including those at Tillotson signs; eventually Don either made or guru and friend, teaching me everything Camp, Jay Camp, Roundtop Shelter and reconditioned almost every sign from the I needed to know. I had the privilege of Journey’s End Camp. He built them at Lamoille River Valley to Journey’s End. hearing Don tell many wonderful hiking home, dismantled them, and rebuilt them He also painted most of the blazes on that stories, always with a smile and a twinkle on site. same stretch—in both directions. in his eye. It seems impossible for one person to We organized the Northern Frontier Don first learned of the Long Trail have accomplished and given so much, Section in 2000. For the next eight years when he was growing up in St. Albans but Don Hill did. He cherished his beau- Don and I continued to work on the trail from his letter carrier, Robert Domey, tiful and loving wife Pixley, his family together. He was my favorite companion namesake of the mountain Domey’s Dome and his dear friends, who loved him back out there. I enjoyed his warmth, gentle in Westfield. But it wasn’t until Don had just as well. humor, sincere interest in others, compas- his own children that he started hiking. – Jane Williams, Northern sion, intellect, dedication and energy. I In 1965 Don took his son Chris up the Frontier Section President am very fortunate to have known Don. Frank Post Trail to Tillotson Camp for the He was a great friend, and I shall miss night. The camp had recently been coat- I joined the St. Albans Section in 1978 him forever. ed with creosote to preserve the wood, but never met Don Hill, who usually did – Rolf Anderson, and it smelled terrible. It was a rainy trail work by himself. Years later I read GMC President 1997–2000 night, so they couldn’t camp outside. In a notice in the winter 1987 issue of the spite of this experience, Don said he “got Long Trail News that I will paraphrase: Jane Williams and Bobby Flack produced a the bug” and joined the Green Mountain “A GMC member is looking for two short video about Don’s contributions to the Club. He made regular trips to check people to help maintain the Long Trail Long Trail and GMC titled “Don Hill on the on Tillotson Camp long before the club from Hazen’s Notch to Journey’s End. If Long Trail.” It can be viewed on the GMC ­developed the shelter adopter program. one person responds to this notice, the website, www.greenmountainclub.org. member will adopt the LT from Route

Long Trail News Spring 2015 5 1914 Emily Proctor contributes $500 1926 Edith Esterbrook (equivalent to $10,000 today) & Mabel Brownell, to build Long Trail shelters first women on GMC 1910 GMC founded Board of Trustees

1916 Joanna Croft elected president 1920s Katherine Monroe, one of Burlington Section of the earliest trail workers

Joanna Croft Read in 1905 settled on Ledge Road in Burling- ton, then farmland. In 1916, when the Burlington Section was We know Judge Cowles as the pre- in need of restructuring, it elected Miss eminent trail builder on Mount Man- Suffragette, Joanna D. Croft as president. Established sfield; less known is the role his wife as the Mount Mansfield Section the played in the GMC’s early decades. Her year the GMC was founded, it had been husband named her “the pioneer in open- Pianist, floundering. (The online section history ing the Green Mountains of Vermont for suggests members were too busy build- the recreation, good health and pleasure ing the Long Trail to have time for section of women as well as men, in winter as Traveler: business.) well as summer.” A fit former basketball Not much is known about Miss player and cyclist, she climbed the six ­Joanna Croft. She appears in The ­Bulletin highest peaks in the state. With a Miss Some of the Vermont Free Public Library Com- Guthrie, she may have been one of the mission, where she is listed as head of first women to ascend Mount Mansfield teacher training and as speaker at a in winter. Her son John describes a photo Remarkable­ library meeting in Charlotte. She next of the two: “in their great wrap of long turns up as Mrs. Joanna Croft Read, state dresses, wool dresses, and the toke [sic] secretary of the National American Wom- on the head and the big muffler and all, Women in an Suffrage Association (later League of on snowshoes going up onto the forehead Women Voters) and an authority on mu- of Mansfield.” More commonly, she hiked nicipal suffrage, granted by the Vermont in knickers borrowed from her husband. GMC History Legislature in 1917. Two years later she Laura Cowles was also a patron of mu- testified in favor of universal women’s sic and a pianist; she gave concerts and suffrage at the Vermont State House. lessons. James P. Taylor, whose home was We can be proud to have had a real a Burlington hotel room, was a frequent suffragette in our midst. guest on Ledge Road, a favored ‘uncle’ to the Cowles children. John Cowles remem- Laura Cowles bers going to sleep listening to his mother f you are familiar with club accompanying Taylor, an accomplished While Miss Croft was Burlington Section flute player, on the piano. Both favored history, you know that all president, Mrs. Clarence P. Cowles was in German composers. twenty-three incorporators charge of section entertainment. In 1918 Laura Cowles is remembered with a of the Green Mountain Club she took the gavel, serving as president trail on Mount Mansfield. Her husband wereI men. In 1910, a woman’s place for two years. Of Laura Cowles, spouse was instrumental in naming the infor- of a GMC founder, we know much more, mally known ‘Cowles Cut-Off,’ his direct was still in the home, where she was partly thanks to a 1987 oral history inter- way up the western side of the mountain, expected to find fulfillment in Kinder, view with John T. Cowles, one of her four the Laura Cowles Memorial Trail. Today Küche, Kirche; or, children, kitchen offspring. the name has been shortened to the Laura and church. She would not have the Laura Golden Cowles (1878–1958) Cowles Trail. was from Wisconsin, the daughter of a right to vote until 1920, when the Canadian father and Vermont mother. Laura Woodward U.S. Congress finally ratified the Nine- She graduated with an English degree teenth Amendment. Meanwhile, a from the University of Minnesota in If the Burlington Section occupies a Vermont woman who campaigned for 1902—“unusual for a girl in those days,” special place in GMC history, so does the her proud husband later wrote. The New York Section. Founded by Profes- woman suffrage became the GMC’s couple married on Hosmer Pond in Crafts- sor Will S. Monroe—he of the Monroe first female section president. bury (he was from nearby Albany), and Skyline and the Monroe Trail—in 1916, it

Long Trail News Spring 2015 6 1927 Hilda Kurth, Catherine Robbins and Kathleen Norris (The Three 1932 Mary Beardsley Fenn, youngest Musketeers), first women thru-hikers end-to-ender at age twelve

1926 Lula Tye, GMC corresponding 1933 Marion Urie and Lucile Pelsue secretary and treasurer hike end-to-end southbound

attracted some remarkable people, many Katherine Monroe “The dear sister Katherine was buried of them women. In fact, New York Sec- at 3 this afternoon, beside the sainted tion membership was for a while evenly I have long had a soft spot for the ­Scottie [a favorite collie], in accordance split between genders. professor’s younger sister, who seldom with her wishes.” Her gravestone stands Laura E. Woodward (1874-1960), a gets a mention. below the Monroe Trailhead. friend and colleague of Monroe’s from Katherine Monroe (1873–1934), born the New Jersey State Normal School in in Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania, was Mabel Brownell Montclair, was a charter member. She the seventh of eight children. Like her served her section in many capacities: as brother Will, she was well educated, The Long Trail News for July, 1927, secretary, newsletter editor, outings chair attending teacher’s college in her home carried a notice in connection with the and president. One year, according to state and Barnard College. Also like her trustees meeting: “Misses Brownell and Monroe, she helped organize ninety-five brother, she lived for several years in Estabrook [sic] drove to Brandon Sunday events, many of them centered around Europe, taking courses at three French and did the DuVal trail, underestimating Camp Thendara in Harriman State Park. universities. slightly the time it would take and miss- In addition to being a trip leader, Wood- According to the Burlington Free ing the train, but well satisfied neverthe- ward was a bird watcher—she headed Press, Katherine was “keenly interested less.” Was this a get-acquainted hike for the annual bird census—and a botanist, in outdoor activities and made arduous the GMC’s first two women trustees who collecting specimens on Jay Peak, among hikes in the French, Italian and Austrian had joined the board a year earlier? other places. Richard M. Abbott, a flori- Alps, and also worked several summers Mabel Brownell (1879–1971) was the culturist, became her husband. I use her on the Long Trail in Vermont.” She was daughter of Chauncey W. Brownell, a maiden name here: she is best remem- thus one of our earliest trail workers founding member of the GMC and its first bered today for the Laura Woodward of either­ sex. We find her in old pho- treasurer. A pillar of Burlington society, Shelter, north of Jay Peak. tographs by Theron Dean and Herbert he was an attorney, a former secretary of Yet this energetic outdoors woman did Wheaton Congdon, sometimes the only state and state senator, who resided with not set foot in Vermont until 1927! She woman in the party. his family on South Willard Street. From came north then to report at the GMC an- When Professor Monroe retired Continued next page nual meeting, combining it with a visit to to Vermont in 1925, Katherine soon Professor Monroe at Couching Lion Farm. ­followed. In the aftermath of the devas- She clearly made up for her late arrival: tating 1927 Flood, she helped affected upon her death, the Long Trail News ran neighbors by making sheets and by gath- her obituary on the front page: ering blankets from Long Trail lodges. The two siblings, neither ever mar- Her love of the Green Mountain ried, had much in common. But I have Club, her enthusiasm for its aims and sometimes wondered what it was like for activities, her ebullient good spirits and Katherine at remote Couching Lion Farm. her high Quaker ideals have been for Did she live in the shadow of her famous long years an inspiration to us all … brother? Did she participate when he Her enthusiasm for the out-of-doors, for held forth on Walt Whitman, the Balkans conservation measures and all aspects or dog breeds? Did she have to entertain of nature inspired all who knew her. She section members who appeared on week- brought many members into the Club, ends? Was she lonely when her brother both from her large circle of friends and was in Europe? We shall never know. from her students at Montclair Normal Katherine died after a brief illness. In School. the farm guestbook, Professor Monroe During the second year of Wood- wrote: “Sister Katherine passed away ward’s presidency, the New York Section at 3:15 this morning. Had she survived had an impressive 362 members. Sadly, ­until tomorrow, she would have reached the section dissolved in 1999. her 61st birthday.” And two days later: Mabel Brownell

Long Trail News Spring 2015 7 1940s First end-to-end reports 1951 to 1960 Mary Perkins, first female arrive from solo women hikers Long Trail News editor

1955 Lula Tye retires after 29 years

the published memoirs of Miss Brownell’s a.m. she was up to see the sunrise. Tye’s successor, nephew, Lincoln Chase Brownell, we Upon crossing Bolton Mountain, she Honora Minerva know something about his “very bright” gave generous credit to Judge Cowles Hinchey (1895–1979), aunt. and James Taylor, who had blazed was also from Rut- She was selfless, religious, and active the trail just days before. land, where she lived in local charitable organizations, as well Esterbrook’s articles are great with her widowed as the Green Mountain Club. (She also ap- reading: she was intelligent, obser- father; both parents pears in Congdon’s and Dean’s Long Trail vant, and knew her birds and flow- were born in Ireland. photographs.) Frugal, she never spent ers (she was active in the Vermont Minerva Hinchey An insurance profes- money on herself, her only indulgence Botanical and Bird Club). Her writing sional, she served as club secretary and being a riding horse kept at the Brownell must have inspired many women, includ- business manager for twenty-two years, homestead in Williston. ing the Three Musketeers (three young from 1955–1977. When she retired at Upon graduation from the University women who thru-hiked the Long Trail in age eighty-two, the GMC used the op- of Vermont in 1902, she was invited to the face of mutterings of disapproval), as portunity to move its headquarters to spend a year in Greece with the family well as men, to try the young Long Trail. Montpelier to be closer to the seat of state of a faculty member on sabbatical. This The GMC was lucky to have this Bos- government. trip was a highlight of her life, writes her ton-based Long Trail ambassador, with Between them these two loyal women nephew. Back home, she went to work as family ties to Brattleboro, as a trustee. kept the GMC humming for five decades. YWCA secretary in Hartford, later trans- Alas, many years went by before other Lula Tye was honored with a shelter ferring to Burlington to take care of her women joined the board—that is, other (since demolished) near Little Rock Pond, father, as she promised her mother before than secretaries Lula Tye and Minerva the Minerva Hinchey Shelter is still in she died. Miss Brownell herself died at Hinchey. use south of Clarendon Gorge. age ninety-two from Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s. Lula Tye and * * * * * Minerva Hinchey Women have been active members Edith Esterbrook since the club’s founding in 1910. They As the club’s have hiked, snowshoed, camped, and Brownell’s fellow trustee, Edith Ester- first paid, done trail work alongside men. For many brook, has not received the recognition part-time staff years, they were more likely to serve as she deserves—beyond a Long Trail News member, Lula section secretaries than as presidents, and article by Theresa Davis twenty years ago. M. Tye (1888– it took six decades before the GMC board In the decade from 1913 to 1923, 1962) replaced of directors elected its first woman presi- Edith M. Esterbrook wrote a series of James P. Taylor dent, Shirley Strong, in 1969. She was excellent articles for The Vermonter as correspond- followed by Marty Lawthers, Marge Fish magazine about her extensive hikes and ing secretary. and Jean Haigh—in fact, three of the last other travels around Vermont. In 1912(!) From 1926 she five club presidents have been women. she trekked from the Callahans’, later ran the club of- It took some time for the board to Couching Lion Farm, to Moscow, and ex- Lula Tye fice for twenty- reflect the club’s overall gender makeup. perienced the Long Trail before Professor nine years, writing letters, sending out The most recent membership survey Monroe moved it up on the ridges where dues notices, collecting money, keeping (2012) shows that women make up 34 it is today: “the fire warden’s 15% grade the books, and compiling scrapbooks. percent of the overall membership. (It is being carried over the range toward She had started as financial secretary to might be higher within sections.) To- Killington … On the trail, when complet- the Rutland Businessmen’s Association, day’s board of directors reflects well the ed, each fire warden is to patrol 20 miles then became manager of the Rutland club’s gender ratio. a day.” In the Camel’s Hump clearing she Chamber of Commerce from which she – Reidun Nuquist slept in a tent provided by the Camel’s retired: she was the “thread that bound Reidun Nuquist of the Montpelier Section Hump Club of Waterbury; club members Rutland’s business community together is a librarian with a special interest in also served supper and breakfast. At 3:30 for nearly half a century.” Vermont and Long Trail history.

Long Trail News Spring 2015 8 1955 Minerva Hinchey succeeds Lula Tye as 1964 Dot Myer volunteers to become corresponding secretary Burlington Section hike leader and treasurer

1969 Shirley J. Strong, first woman president

I raise the sledge. Clank! It makes Then I hear once more the clink and Some Remark­able contact with the spike, embedding it in the clank of the hammer and spike. Girls and Women the wood. I strike it a second time. Clink! – Kelly Gebhardt And a third. Once it is sturdy I let go. I on the Long Trail feel the weight of the hammer and take Kelly is a sixth grader at The Pomfret a bigger swing. Again a metallic sound School. She has two older siblings and Today rings through the valley as the spike many barn animals that her family keeps spears the board. I feel like one of the as pets. She loves to hang out with her seven dwarves mining. I lift the sledge friends, spend time outdoors and enjoys again and take another hard swing, but athletics, especially ski racing. Kelly was this time I miss my target and pound happy to lend a hand making bog bridges the wood instead. Then I try again and so hikers will have a better experience on the same thing happens, except that the the trail. swing bends the spike slightly. I knock it back in place, and swing and swing until it is almost in. Unexpected Trail Meanwhile I hear my classmates Lessons cheering me on. “Go! Just a few more Thank You GMC hits!” “Almost in!” honestly don’t know what I expected Although I am tired from the heavy when I signed up to hike the Long Donors! swinging, their encouraging words push ITrail through the Farm & Wilderness me on. One, two, three, and the spike is Questers Program. Fifteen had been an his winter seven children from in! I drop the sledge hammer like a soldier unmemorable age, carrying me through the Apple Tree School in Stowe surrendering his weapon. “Woohoo, I did the end of the school year in the sluggish T stopped by the Visitor Center. it!” way life does when it must proceed with They learned about the Long Trail and the As I move on and help stabilize the little excitement. Caught between fresh- wildlife that calls the Long Trail home. next bog bridge I hear, “Who wants to man and sophomore year, I was ready for Each child painted their favorite wood- spike next?” And of course the students something to disrupt that dull academic land critter or mountain scene and created reply: “Oh me, me!” “NO, me!” “You’ve rhythm and force me to react to new thank you notes to send to some of GMC’s already gone.” “No I haven’t.” situations. I was glad when friends who donors. The bunnies above were painted had been through the program struggled by a little girl in kindergarten. to describe their experiences. I liked that there was no instruction manual, because it promised the unpredictable. No two Work Day on the journeys on trail will ever be the same. So it is oddly appropriate that the most AT in Vermont valuable thing I gained was not what I lunk! the wooden board known expected—it was the mistakes I made. I as the stringer drops on the am proud of the way I handled some situ- C rectangular cube called the sill. ations, but I handled some others in ways I pick up the sledge hammer that weighs that make me cringe. Often the grittiest, my arms down. I grip it tightly, grab a messiest, grayest areas of life end up stick- long spike from Dave Hardy, turn it over, ing around, and for that I am thankful, and blunt the tip so it won’t split the because each represents an opportunity wood. As I hold the spike in place on the to better myself. The Long Trail gave me board, the metal’s cold seeps through my laughter, sunshine, music, good food and priceless glimpses into the wonder of hu- Kinco gloves and chills my fingers. Kelly Gebhardt man nature. But I will always thank the ROB HANSON ROB Continued next page Long Trail News Spring 2015 9 1973 Wendy Turner & Susan Valyi, first women caretakers, stationed at Taft Lodge

1977 Minerva Hinchey retires at eighty-two.

Remark a­ ble Girls and Women Continued from previous page trail most for teaching me that I would be So when you bring friends on that endangerment for women. Most of us foolish to forget that rain, mud, frustra- first summer hike, mention both kinds have also hiked hundreds or thousands tion, mistakes and tears were also an of summit stewards: “At the top, look for of miles with or without companions. ­important part of my experience. They the woman or man in the GMC cap. That’s True, women long-distance hikers are a hold their own, different kinds of beauty. the caretaker.” This opens a conversa- minority (25 percent of Appalachian Trail You just have to learn how to see it. tion about protecting alpine areas and thru-hikers, according to the Appalachian —Luna Skeet Browning acknowledges women rangers. Trail Conservancy), but that’s not a recent Or mention the Long Trail Patrol: development (shout out to the first female “This staircase was built by a GMC crew Long Trail end-to-enders in 1927, the of only five men and women. How cool Three Musketeers!). is that?” Being casual or preemptively If you see us in the field, a friendly positive about women in the woods helps “Thanks for the work!” makes our day, normalize it for less experienced hikers. no added “sweetheart” required. And I Because here’s the thing: we are no encourage any would-be hiker or trail more or less remarkable than our male worker to resist thoughts of pepper spray coworkers. Each year about half of the or gender compensation. If you have Green Mountain Club’s field (and office!) trained sufficiently and are equipped Sunset on the LT by Luna staffs are women, and women have been properly, the trails are yours to explore. working in the Green Mountains since Go for it! Luna spent her first ten years in Spain be- the club was founded. All employees on – Ilana Copel, GMC fore moving to the United States. She is cur- the trail are professionals who’ve gone backcountry caretaker rently a junior at The Sharon Academy. In through trail work and first aid train- Ilana has been a GMC backcountry care- the future Luna would like to find a way to ing. Axes, saws and sledgehammers are taker for two seasons on Mount Mansfield balance her love of travel and new experi- tools. Asking whether we carry weapons and one season on Camel’s Hump. She will ences with her passion for art. for self-defense demeans not just our return this season as a lead caretaker on independence, but the trail community at Mount Mansfield. In the Backcountry large, by assuming a state of heightened with GMC Women Backcountry caretakers Ilana ou’re out here by yourself?” Copel (L) and Camille ­Robertson “ Yes! I’m a backcountry care- (R) on Camel’s Hump Y taker. “Aren’t you scared?” No more so than in a city. “Do you ever have bad interactions?” Sometimes folks don’t like shelter fees…“No, I mean—you know—as a woman alone.” After three field seasons with the Green Mountain Club as a backcountry caretaker and a Long Trail thru-hike in 2011, I’ve had that conversation count- less times. So has every one of my female coworkers. Part of our job is interpreting the backcountry lifestyle to folks unfa- miliar with professionally managed areas. We realize people are just curious, but being considered an anomaly can get old. LAURA COPEL LAURA

Long Trail News Spring 2015 10 1986 Sarah Alden Gannett becomes honorary co-chair of the Long 1990 Sue Lester, first woman field supervisor Trail Protection Campaign

1990 to 2013 Susan Shea, first GMC director of conservation

Millie and south from the parking lot to Seth Maxine Warner Shelter carrying her own Tuesdays with the little pack. She stayed the night and Women of UVM hiked out in the morning. The following year we did a here is a silent and effective or- hike to Lake Pleiad, an overnight ganization out there. Well, silent at Tillotson Camp, and day hikes in Tuntil we get on the trail. Then we the Jay Peak area. At age four, she yak. If you see a group of women in rug- backpacked to Stratton Pond and ged hiking gear hugging in a parking lot, also to Skyline Lodge on her own. it’s probably the Women of UVM. Once So I supposed she knew something upon a time membership required ties to about the trail. We talked, and she the University of Vermont but now other set her goal: six days and five nights women are welcome too. One of its many on the Long Trail. We had some- branches is for women who like to hike, thing to work on. snowshoe or cross-country ski. On Mother’s Day and on my Outings are on Tuesdays. Each week birthday it’s my privilege to choose an email goes to women who have signed and plan our adventures. I decided up and paid a nominal fee, stating the on two three-day backpacking trips, times, places, descriptions and levels of one to Little Rock Pond and north difficulty for a handful of adventures: over White Rocks Mountain, a you seek your own level, like water. We second south from Little Rock Pond try to keep the groups small (dividing Early Bird and to Mad Tom Notch. Hiking one- to seven- into smaller groups if there are too many mile days, Pink Eagle was an energetic, Pink Eagle entertaining and strong little hiker. After Continued next page a final practice trip in the White Moun- y daughter Maxine is five, tains, we knew we were ready, and we and she’s already traversed Women of UVM, headed south for a six-day trip on the the Long Trail from Canada to SHERI LARSEN Debbie Page (far right) M Long Trail. Massachusetts. I carried her in my belly. Our epic trek included just about But we all know that doesn’t count. She everything a thru-hiker would encoun- knows this. She also knows her mom has ter: a hike up Killington, a town day at hiked the Long Trail end-to-end nine the Inn at Long Trail, a rainy day, a hitch times. Still, it was somewhat of a surprise to the Whistle Stop for lunch and ice when I asked her what she wanted to do cream, swimming in Clarendon Gorge, one summer, and she answered, “I want encounters with deer, and porcupines to hike the Long Trail.” and toads galore. It even included trail “Two hundred seventy-two miles?” I magic which, while walking a dirt road asked. “Yes,” she replied with the surety and drinking a serendipitous ginger ale, of a five-year-old who believes anything caused Pink Eagle to proclaim, “Ah, a is possible. “She has no idea what this cold drink. Just what every hiker wants.” means,” I thought. “How do we begin?” – Millie Mugica, GMC board member I pondered more. She was two the first time she hiked on the Long Trail. Millie (aka ‘Early Bird’) is a nine-time I was beginning a northbound end-to- end-to-ender who plans to finish her tenth end, and she and her dad met me at the Long Trail end-to-end at the same time her County Road parking lot. Pink Eagle, as ­daughter completes her first. she named herself, walked the half mile

Long Trail News Spring 2015 11 2012 to present Jean 2014 Dot Myer leads last 2000 Marty Lawthers, second Haigh, fourth section hike (50 years!) woman president 2009 Marge Fish, third woman president woman president

ILLUSTRATION BY THORIN MARKISON Remark a­ ble Girls and Women Continued from previous page

people) so we don’t damage trails, and we no sleeping bag, no cooking gear—just • Trailheads at road crossings are often car pool like mad, reimbursing drivers. a map, food and water, some clothes. very poorly marked and hard to find It’s all very jolly. And there’s no need to Would that work? when you arrive by car. RSVP. Just show up or not. This is what I learned on my hikes • Using blue-blazed side trails leading We thank the Green Mountain Club over the last two summers: to the Long Trail adds to the miles and by financial donations, and by doing trail • Setting an absolute limit of 15 miles sometimes to the elevation gain, yet work each year. UVM honors us by invit- per day still left me one stretch that also allows you to see the Green Moun- ing us to a fancy tea each December. required an overnight stay (Glasten- tains from a different perspective. The outings group is so wildly popu- bury Wilderness), and three sections • Although I tried to choose days when lar with the fifty- to eighty-plus crowd where it seemed more convenient to good weather was predicted I still had that we have developed a healthy net- camp. to use rain gear a number of times. work of hundreds of tomboys. We leave • A hiking partner with a second car or dogs and other responsibilities at home. • Ultimately you hike every foot of the somebody covering the other end of We get exercise and time to chat about trail, but still don’t develop the trail the trail is really needed. what’s on our minds: how to deal with legs of a thru-hiker. The reward, how- grumpy partners; what on earth to have • But even with that help, you will put ever, is plenty of down time to recover for dinner; worries about parents and many miles on your vehicle and many and reflect on the green tunnel, the children near or far; the thrill of grand- gallons in your gas tank. beaver ponds, the mud, or the wonder- children. ful views of the stretch Being in the woods among tall, just completed. protective trees with no ears or mouths • After flip-flopping ­creates a natural sense of ease and com- between sections and fort, a safe place to share stories. Health north-south directions, care at its best. And talk about network- and after thirty indi- ing! Everywhere I go in Chittenden vidual hiking trips, my County I see someone I at least recognize end-to-end map had no from the group. It’s a lovely feeling. gaps left. It can be done! – Debbie Wolf Page – Inge Trebitz, Debbie Page is a retired Burlington Ottauquechee Section ­Elementary School teacher. She loves to Inge Trebitz was born spend time outside and write about her and raised in Germany. adventures. She fell in love with hiking as a child during a trip with her mother One Day at a Time to the Austrian Alps. From her student years in hiked the Long Trail once in the Austria, to meeting her late 90’s doing sections consisting of future husband Heinz in I three- and four-day outings. But it the German Alpine Club, is a different story so many years later: I to moving to New Jersey get tired and out of breath easier; I have and later to V­ ermont, two artificial knees; I cannot carry as hiking and mountaineer- much; I need longer intervals to recover. ing have always been a And yet, I really wanted to do the whole very important part of trail once more, before I turn eighty. Inge at Long Trail her life. I wondered if it could be done in northern terminus

day trips with a light pack—no tent, HEINZ TREBITZ

Long Trail News Spring 2015 12 Volunteers

Volunteer Profile: Kathy Astrauckas

he Ottauquechee with fellow O-Section Section couldn’t members Patty Spencer offer 175 outings and Marcia Dunning on a year without the section’s 44.6-mile someoneT managing its stretch from the Long Trail schedule. And who bet- to New Hampshire. ter than a well-organized They first had a piece retired teacher? of the corridor that crosses Kathy Astrauckas, the U.S. Route 4 north of Kil- O-Section’s outings coordi- lington Peak. nator, was recruited nearly The crew has recently eleven years ago to succeed switched areas, to a less Trina Perkins, who couldn’t rugged one closer to New be promoted to section Hampshire. “The first president until her old job one we had was suicidal,” was filled. “That’s how Kathy explains, noting they conned her into being that she is the youngest president,” Kathy says, sug- of the three, and none are gesting her own elevation getting any younger. “I to office was something of found one really steep sec- an afterthought. tion I got up by clawing Since then Kathy has presided over idea why the people above me never fig- on trees. I called back and said, ‘Don’t go scheduling at the section’s quarterly plan- ured that out. It was way more work than here!’” ning meetings, constructing schedules you could possibly imagine. It was [GMC The GMC isn’t the only beneficiary of with Post-It notes on a large board as Executive Director] Ben Rose, it was his Kathy’s energy. With her husband Bob leaders propose outings (some by phone charisma that did it. At a meeting Ben Hagen she has adopted two miles of the or email before the meeting) and negoti- just said, ‘We need this,’ and he made it Cross-Rivendell Trail, which traverses the ate dates. The method works, though it sound so great.” four townships (Fairlee, Vershire, West isn’t electronic. Maybe because it isn’t Qualified or not, Kathy and Trina Fairlee and Orford, N.H.) of the Rivendell electronic. pulled it off. Kathy worked out most of Interstate School District. “It’s closest to After the meeting she sends open the hikes, and Trina signed up most of where we live, and it’s the prettiest sec- dates (most outings are on Saturday, Sun- the leaders. tion,” she says. “You can see the Franco- day or Tuesday) by email to leaders, hop- “The most popular things were Appa- nia Ridge on a good day.” ing for more proposals. Then she emails lachian Trail sections, and they [attend- But it’s still work. “We don’t do chain- the schedule to Inge Trebitz, editor of the ees] wanted to bang out the miles,” Kathy sawing. We clean water bars, clip brush, section newsletter. says. “Rating the hikes was very difficult. clear blowdowns. The hard part of trail “I’ve had calls from other sections Terrain alone could make a hike hard for work these days is that you have to clean asking, ‘How do you get so many people the kind of person who would sign up water bars during hunting season. The to lead things?’” Kathy says. “It’s owing for it. But you couldn’t insult people from leaves don’t fall as early as they used to.” to other people who volunteer. It’s not the South by saying [in effect] ‘Your AT Like most volunteers, Kathy volun- anything I do.” is really easy,’ but that’s the fact. I started teers because “I want to contribute to A year before the 2009 Appalachian the AT in the South because it was so maintenance, keep the thing going. Being Trail Conservancy biennial meeting in easy. We couldn’t include Glastenbury; outings coordinator provides an oppor- Castleton, Kathy found herself in a vastly that’s a 23-mile day hike. tunity for people to hike. It fills a need. It expanded version of her section job: she “There was no time to think about can’t be all done by paid employees.” and Trina volunteered to be hikes co- things. It was full speed ahead, and keep – Dick Andrews chair for the week-long meeting, which on going. I had people writing driving attracted 900 people. She and Trina orga- directions, and I had to hand-check them Dick Andrews is a member of the Ottau- nized a schedule of sixty-one hikes, each all myself. Most of them were pretty quechee Section and of the GMC Executive repeated several times. good, but some weren’t.” Committee, and is the volunteer copy editor “I volunteered stupidly,” she remem- In another team effort, Kathy monitors of the Long Trail News and the adopter of bers. “I was totally unqualified. I have no a piece of the Appalachian Trail corridor Peru Peak Shelter. He lives in Springfield.

Long Trail News Spring 2015 13 Tawabodi- e-wadso… Le Lion Couchant… Camel’s Hump… Backdrop from Vermont’s Iconic Peak Photographs by Sheri Larsen

mar apr

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Sheri climbed Camel’s Hump, Vermont’s third highest peak (4,083 ft), every month in 2014. dec

Long Trail News Spring 2015 15 Search & Rescue in the Green Mountains

Lessons Hiking with a partner or in a hike, and where it would have been very Tragedy on Burnt Rock CHRIS DIEGEL group is always safer; it provides a larger hard for searchers to find them. On the morning of May 6, 2014 a margin for error than hiking alone. Once twenty-two-year old man was dropped cotton clothing becomes wet it is virtu- Lessons Think ahead and be prepared off at the Hedgehog Brook Trail in ally impossible to dry, and loses any for the worst weather conditions you may Fayston to start a multi-day hike on the value as insulation. In fact, its evapora- encounter given the season, not just what Long Trail. While conditions were mild at tive qualities actually accelerate chilling. it’s like at the trailhead. Carry at least a the trailhead, several feet of snow covered Always wear layers of wool or synthetics, map, compass, food, water, an extra layer the spine of the Green Mountains. That which keep some insulation value when of clothing and a headlamp. If you find afternoon he called his family and said wet. And keep them dry if you can. unexpected conditions, turn around and he was wet and cold. He was advised to Learn how to recognize the early stages of try again another day! The mountain isn’t leave the trail. When he did not return hypothermia and how to treat it. going anywhere. home by dark a family member and a lo- cal resident went to search for him at his Unprepared for Conditions Emergency Beacon Activations last known location, near the junction of on Hunger Mountain the Long Trail and the Hedgehog Brook On June 1 near Kid Gore Shelter, Trail. They were unsuccessful. The next In mid-May Vermont State Police and again on September 15 at Cooley morning authorities were notified, and received a call for help at 8:00 p.m. from Glen Shelter, hikers activated emergency a large-scale search began. In the early two women in their twenties on Hunger distress beacons, resulting in long emer- afternoon of May 7 the Vermont National Mountain who had lost the trail and be- gency response efforts. In both cases the Guard spotted the man’s body from a come wet and cold. Although they were cause of distress was minor injuries and helicopter. He was near a brook, about a unable to describe their location, their illnesses, and the hikers could walk out quarter of a mile off of the trail, and had cell phone signal was strong enough to on their own with some assistance. succumbed to hypothermia. enable the 911 operator to determine that Analysis Emergency distress beacons they were somewhere just below the sum- are hand-held satellite devices that are Analysis Spring and fall are arguably mit. The Waterbury Backcountry Rescue the most dangerous seasons for hikers in becoming more common in the back- Team found the women about 1:00 a.m., country, especially among long-distance Vermont. A sunny, 50- to 60-degree day and escorted them off the mountain. with green grass in the valley can give hikers. Since they connect with satellites hikers a false sense of security. Many set Analysis These hikers were woefully they have much better coverage in remote out unprepared for what can quickly underequipped, wearing only t-shirts, areas than cell phones. However, most do become midwinter conditions at higher shorts and sneakers. By the time the not provide details of the situation, and elevations. Snow is slow to melt in the sun went down the temperature was in are unable to cancel a call or tell respond- mountains, and travelling through several the 30s with a stiff breeze. They found ers if a situation changes. feet of soft snow can quickly lead to themselves in several feet of wet snow Lessons Used responsibly, an emergency becoming wet and exhausted. Especially that caused them to lose the trail. Fortu- distress beacon can be a valuable lifesav- with cotton clothing this can be deadly. nately they had a cell phone with enough ing tool. Used irresponsibly, it can impose Hypothermia is insidious. It impairs battery life to call for help, and had cell unnecessary burdens on emergency thinking, so it can be hard to self-diag- service. But a cell phone should NEVER responders. nose. If it’s not recognized and treated be one’s sole emergency backup. With- – Neil Van Dyke immediately, a downward spiral, difficult out cell coverage (still very common in to reverse, may begin. the Vermont backcountry) this incident Neil Van Dyke is the search and rescue coor- Since this hiker had a tent and sleep- would likely have had a different out- dinator for the Vermont Department of Public ing bag but did not use them, the search come. As it turned out, the women were Safety. He was a founding member of Stowe and rescue team believed he had become well off the trail on the opposite side of Mountain Rescue and has served as president hypothermic. the mountain where they had planned to of the National Rescue Association.

Long Trail News Spring 2015 16 Field Notes

he 2014 field season has ended, Hollow, and follow the forest edge along forward to a variety of hiking opportuni- but we have been monitoring the Winooski River just east of the new ties in Bolton. trail conditions for storm dam- Winooski River Footbridge. age, and preparing for the 2015 Open the Long Trail relocation and new fieldT season. Heavy snow in December Scout a trail between Gleason Brook parking lot on Route 108 in Smugglers’ damaged trailside trees between Killing- and the parking lot east of Honey Hollow Notch. The reroute will pass historic ton Peak and Camel’s Hump. Thank you, Road to reduce the Duxbury Road walk Barnes Camp, now the Barnes Camp section volunteers and trail adopters, still further, and to complete the new Visitor Center. There will be a short road for your work. Please let us know if you Long Trail route across the Winooski walk to the visitor center until a board- need help clearing the trail this spring. River Valley. walk across Notch Brook is built. The

CHRIS DIEGEL Winter has given us time to document existing roadside parking and trailhead last season and plan for the season ahead Celebrate the opening of the Win- will be closed, and a new side trail will when we will: ooski River Valley Long Trail Relocation link the picnic area on the north side of between the Winooski River and Stim- Route 108 to the Long Trail. Offer a Trail Maintenance Work Day son Mountain on Friday, June 12 (see Workshop and Picnic. Join us Saturday, pages 20–21). The old Long Trail route Mud season is around the corner, so April 25, at the GMC Visitor Center in ­beginning at Stage Road in Jonesville, please limit hiking to lower elevations Waterbury Center to learn trail safety and passing Duck Brook Shelter, crossing and drier trails whenever possible. Also, liability, and best practices for brushing, Bolton Notch Road, and climbing to please note that sunny dry conditions blazing and blowdown removal. Field Oxbow Ridge will become a blue-blazed can vanish at higher elevations. Hope work will probably take place on the side trail. for sunshine and a dry footpath, but be new rerouted section of the Long Trail prepared for ice and cold rain in spring in Bolton. We’ll finish the day with a Begin renovations to Bolton Lodge and on the Long Trail. cookout at the Visitor Center. We hope Bryant Camp in the new Bolton Nordic you can join us. (Registration details on block of the Mount Mansfield State For- – Dave Hardy, page 27.) est. We will also scout hiking routes from Director of Trail Programs each shelter to the Long Trail. We look Continue work with Stratton Mountain Resort to designate a hiking trail that will extend from the base of the ski area to Mud Season Reminder the summit of North Stratton Mountain. This will become an official Long Trail The Green Mountain Club reminds hikers side trail, providing an alternate route to and trip leaders that spring mud season begins the historic Stratton Mountain fire tower. April 15 and runs until Memorial Day weekend. And hikers will get great views north- Some trails are closed, and hikers are urged to ward when they take a break from the stay off all wet trails during this time. This will climb. allow the trails to dry and reduce erosion and maintenance. Please use your best judgment, Begin work on the East Dorset Trail, and avoid high elevation spruce-fir forest trails. connecting U.S. Route 7 in the Batten- Look for spring hikes on lower elevation kill Valley to Mad Tom Notch. The trail will reach the gravel forest road that trails with southern exposures on forested crosses the Long Trail at the notch, thus hardwood slopes. Be aware that while these providing access to Bromley Mountain soils dry out fastest, they also have the highest and Styles Peak from the west. (This fire danger. highlights the answer to a certain Long Cycling, paddling, and road walking are a Trail trivia question: What is the highest few other activities that will get you outdoors. public road crossing of the Long Trail?) Consider mountain roads (for instance, Ascut- The Volunteer Long Trail Patrol will start ney, Burke, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch), closed to work in late July. vehicles in spring, but mud free with nice views. For information on spring hiking alternatives, Relocate another mile of Long Trail please visit www.greenmountainclub.org. Thanks away from Duxbury Road in Bolton. The for helping protect Vermont’s hiking trails. reroute will begin at the fishing access parking lot east of the trailhead at Honey

Long Trail News Spring 2015 17 Trail Mix

• A Century of Vision• Completing the Winooski Valley Long Trail Relocation

Bridge crew on new footbridge

une 12 will mark a historic day for With the extended passage of time, ous donors and the perseverance of GMC the Green Mountain Club with the modern day challenges surfaced, and staff and volunteers. official opening of the Winooski the club had to plan and secure rights to We like to call the Long Trail the ­Valley Long Trail Relocation and its cross a railroad, a state highway, and an people’s trail—a very special gift to SHERI LARSEN J 224-foot suspension footbridge span- interstate highway. It’s no wonder the Vermont citizens and visitors. Please join ning the Winooski River. project took over a century. It’s the big- us on June 12 when we will celebrate Since the Long Trail was conceived gest undertaking since building the Long this gift and reaffirm the Green Mountain in 1910 by club founder James P. Taylor, Trail itself. Club’s commitment to protect the Long geographical and logistical challenges We wouldn’t be in a position to Trail System and ensure that Vermont’s have slowed, and at times stalled, prog- celebrate this historic event without mountains continue to play a role in the ress to build a suitable path connecting the consistent vision of club leader- lives of the people (see pages 20–21). the Long Trail from Camel’s Hump to ship through the years, from GMC’s first It took us a century, but we are almost Mount Mansfield. It took decades to find President James P. Taylor (1910-1916) to there. Congratulations GMC! and acquire land and easements for the current President Jean Haigh (2012 to new trail and bridge. now). But it took more than vision. It – Michael DeBonis took hundreds of supportive and gener- Executive Director

Mud Season Celebration and Egg Hunt with Laughing Moon Chocolates Saturday, April 4, 10:00 a.m. GMC Visitor Center, Waterbury Center Children of all ages and their parents are invited to take a walk on the Short Trail during our fifth­annual non-competitive Mud ­Season Celebration Egg Hunt. When the search is over, children can turn in the eggs for chocolate and other goodies from Laughing Moon Chocolates. Please come dressed for the outdoors and BYOB (bring your own basket)! Head to Laughing Moon Chocolates in Stowe between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to meet the Easter bunny. The hunt starts at 10:00 a.m. sharp and lasts until all the eggs are found. FREE. Open to the public.

Long Trail News Spring 2015 18 Trail Mix

Alicia DiCocco and Jason Buss Join the Staff he Green Mountain Club is pleased to welcome two new members to its staff. Alicia DiCocco became director of development in July, and Jason TBuss joined us as business manager in October. Alicia comes to GMC from Spectrum Family Services in Burlington with a strong background in development and communications. She hit the ground running, immediately organizing the club’s year-end appeal and its Win- ooski Valley Long Trail Relocation fundraising initiative. Alicia’s love for the outdoors, bright personality and positive attitude make her a great addition to the GMC team. She lives in Burlington with her husband Shay and new baby daughter Lane. If you have questions for Alicia, or would just like to say hello and welcome her, she can be reached by phone at (802) 241-8322 or by e-mail at [email protected]. As business manager, Jason works with the board and staff to make sure the club’s financial house is in order and the organization is run effectively and efficiently. While this is a big job, Jason is up to the task. He has years of experience in financial management from working at the Vermont Youth Con- servation Corps and Burlington College. When asked why he chose to work at GMC, Jason replied that he wanted to be part of something that made Vermont the place where he wanted to live. We are certainly glad Jason made the choice to join the GMC team! Jason can be reached at (802) 241-8214 or jbuss@green mountainclub.org. SHERI LARSEN – Michael DeBonis, Executive Director

Join the Volunteer Long Trail Patrol

he Green Mountain Club is looking for Re-opening the East Dorset Trail Volunteer Long Trail Patrol members! Crews will be reclaiming an old woods-road- TYou’ll spend one to two weeks work- and-trail route from East Dorset up to the ing with other volunteers and experienced Long Trail at Mad Tom Notch. Work will GMC staff to fix trails and build new ones. consist of vegetation removal and tread cut- We’ll provide food, group camping gear, tools, ting. Note: The spike (base camp) site will training and good times. The summer session be located along the new trail close to the runs Friday through Tuesday. The fall session roadside. Hikes from the trailhead to the spike runs Monday through Friday. Apply online site and from the spike site to the work will at www.greenmountainclub.org. Planned be short. projects:

Tread Hardening in the Peru Peak Wilderness Volunteer Opportunities Our work continues on a wet and muddy  Trail and Shelter Adopters section of the Long Trail/A­ ppalachian Trail  Corridor Monitors between Peru Peak and Styles Peak. Crews  Bark Mulch Packers will install stepping­ stones and crushed rock  Shuttle Drivers fill, so expect sledgehammers, rock bars and pick-mattocks. Note: The spike (base camp)  Outreach Ambassadors site is 2.5 miles from the trailhead, and the  Thursday Office Volunteers work site is another 2.5 miles from the spike, Full list of volunteer opportunities on the so the daily commute is a 5.0-mile round-trip GMC website: www.greenmountainclub.org hike.

Long Trail News Spring 2015 19 Green Mountain Club’s 105th Annual Meeting Saturday, June 13 Green Mountain Club Visitor Center • Waterbury Center, Vermont

he Green Mountain Club’s showing trail images from our southern with GMC friends. Or feel free to explore 105th Annual Meeting, co- sections. the eclectic recreational and cultural hosted by the Burlington Saturday, June 13, we’ll host a conti- attractions of Waterbury, Stowe and sur- Section and GMC staff, will nental breakfast and get you registered rounding areas on your own. beT a lively weekend for hikers, pad- for the day’s outings before the business Reassemble at headquarters to freshen dlers, families and friends. The weekend meeting gets under way. Please join us up and enjoy a 5:00 p.m. reception with will include the long awaited opening to catch up on club events and honor refreshments, followed by a catered celebration of the Winooski Valley Long recipients of the President’s Award and dinner at 6:00 p.m. We will conclude the Trail Relocation and its centerpiece, our honorary life memberships. weekend with author and story teller new 224-foot hiker footbridge! This year you can also congratulate Willem Lang sharing tales of the Ver- After more than 100 years of resolve, and thank President Jean Haigh for her mont backcountry and the Long Trail. a road walk north of Camel’s Hump has herculean efforts guiding the club before You may know Willem as the author of been replaced by a handsome suspen- she passes the gavel and completes her his column, A Yankee Notebook, and of sion bridge across the Winooski River three-year term. numerous books including Tales from in Bolton and a new trail north of the There will be a silent auction fun- the Edge of the Woods; his commentar- river over Stimson Mountain. Please help draiser running throughout the day. If ies on Vermont Public Radio; and his us celebrate this historic event. Join us you have lightly used outdoor gear or New Hampshire Public Television show, Friday, June 12, for a ceremonial Long clothing, drop it off at the visitor center “Windows to the Wild.” Trail blazing and ribbon cutting. We’ll between 8:00 and 11:30 a.m. to be en- For directions to the Green reconvene later at the GMC Visitor Center tered in the auction. Of course donations Mountain Club Visitor Center and for refreshments and evening entertain- of new gear or clothing are also welcome. camping and lodging options, please visit ment with music by Full Circle ­Recorders, Lunch will follow the board meeting. www.greenmountainclub.org. featuring the Burlington Section’s own Then come hikes, paddles or bike rides Maeve Kim, and a photo slide show JOCELYN HEBERT JOCELYN

Vista from Mount Hunger Long Trail News Spring 2015 20 Schedule of Events See page 29 for Registration Form • Friday, June 12 • 9:00 a.m. Work hike. Meet at the Bolton Town Clerk office on Route 2 at 9:00 a.m. Work will end around 2:00 p.m., in time to attend the Winooski Valley Relocation opening celebration. Tools provided. 2:30 p.m. Carpool to the Winooski River Footbridge from the Visitor Center. 3:00 p.m. Winooski Valley Long Trail Relocation Celebration at the site. (Easy, level walk is approx. 0.5 mile roundtrip.) 7:00 p.m. Evening entertainment with music by Full Circle Recorders, Maeve Kim. Beer, juice and light snacks. 7:00 p.m. Silent photo slide show featuring Long Trail images from southern Vermont.

• Saturday, June 13 • 7:00—8:00 a.m. Birding with Maeve Kim, location to be determined. Easy. 8:00—9:00 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast. Sign up for afternoon activities. 8:00—11:30 a.m. Donate used (or new!) gear at the table for the silent auction. 9:00—11:30 a.m. Annual meeting. Outside under a tent. 11:45—1:00 p.m. Board of Directors meeting. 11:30—1:00 p.m. Lunch. Prepared by Edelweiss Mountain Deli in Stowe. By reservation only. 12:30 p.m. Information table with a description of activities and local hikes. 1:00 p.m. Afternoon outings. Meet in the parking lot outside the GMC Visitor Center. ­Leaders will identify trips and set up carpools. Bring water and appropriate gear. Distances below are round trip.

 Sterling Falls Gorge. Hike to beautiful falls in a lush setting. Easy, 3.1 miles, 700 ft. elevation gain.

 Sterling Pond. Hike from Route 108 in Smugglers’ Notch to a serene pond nestled among Moss Glen Falls ­evergreens. Some steep sections. Moderate, 2.8 miles, 900 ft. elevation gain.  Waterbury Reservoir. Paddle your own canoe or kayak. Easy. Length and route to be determined by the leader.  Stowe Recreation Bike Path. Cycle a paved path winding through woods and meadows, crossing the West Branch of the Little River. Easy, 11 miles. Cyclist to determine distance.  Moss Glen Falls Trail. A short but scenic hike to a spectacular waterfall. Easy, 1 mile, minimal elevation gain.  Lake Mansfield rail.T Hike to the Long Trail and Taylor Lodge, with excellent views of Nebraska Notch and Vermont’s only glacial cirque. Moderate, 3.2 miles, 710 ft. elevation gain.  Stowe Pinnacle Trail. A moderate, steady climb to a bald summit with exceptional views of Camel’s Hump and Mount Mansfield. ­Moderate, 3.6 miles, 1,520 ft. elevation gain.  Mount Hunger. A long steep climb to an open summit with views stretching from Camel’s Hump and Mount Mansfield to the White ­Mountains of New Hampshire. Difficult, 4.4 miles, 2,290 ft. elevation gain.  Long Trail to Taft Lodge. A steep climb to the largest and oldest shelter on the Long Trail, with an option to continue and climb to the Chin (the summit of Mount Mansfield) if time allows. Difficult, 3.4 miles, 2,050 ft. elevation gain.  Stimson Mountain Long Trail Relocation. Hike the newest section of the Long Trail, north over Stimson Mountain from the new Winooski River Footbridge in Bolton. Moderate, 4.5 miles, 1,600 ft. elevation gain.

5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Reception. Light refreshments and beverages. 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Dinner. Catered by Cider House Barbecue and Pub. By reservation only. 6:45 p.m. Silent auction ends. Highest bidders collect their items. 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Speaker: Author and storyteller Willem Lang: “Tales from the Long Trail and the Green Mountains.”

Long Trail News Spring 2015 21 Annual Election of General Directors

How to Vote: t GMC’s annual meeting on June 13, four general seats will open on the Faith Brown has spent much Please vote for up to four club’s board of directors. General of her life in the woods. From her teen directors. If you have a A directors represent the Green Moun- years hiking the Long Trail with Sky family membership, you tain Club membership as a whole, and serve Acres Girl Scout Camp to her end-to- end section hike on the Long Trail in may vote twice. All section with directors elected by the sections. Each 2010, she is happiest outdoors with a year, the nominating committee recruits and and at-large members are backpack and miles to go before she eligible to vote. recommends candidates in the spring Long sleeps! Trail News. E-mail your vote to gmc@ When not on the trail Faith can Directors are elected to three-year terms, be found at the Vermont Agency of greenmountainclub.org, with a two-term limit. This year Paul Transportation, where she works with “Voting for General Houchens and Sheri Larsen will complete as the director of finance and Directors” in the subject administration, or at her home in their first terms; both have been nominated for line. Please be sure to Montpelier. She is a long-time GMC second terms. Faith Brown and Lars Botzojorns include your member member, a Second Century Campaign have been nominated for first terms. number. Ballots must be donor, and an ardent believer that The GMC Nominating Committee presents access to the woods is one of the most received by April 1. the ­following candidates for approval: important essentials to save our minds, our souls and our planet. • Faith Brown • Paul Houchens Faith’s experience in nonprofit

JOCELYN HEBERT JOCELYN governance and finance and her • Sheri Larsen • Lars Botzojorns passion for the Long Trail make her an excellent candidate.

Long Trail News Spring 2015 22 Lars Botzojorns Paul Houchens was Sheri Larsen was appointed to the GMC Board grew up in Massachusetts, introduced to hiking as a Boy in 2013 to fill a vacancy. Since then she has also but came to know the Green Scout in the flatlands of Ohio, but served on the Trail Management and Stewardship Mountains in his youth as he his passion really began during a Committees, and has helped the club on legislative pursued the New England college summer working in Glacier issues. She is a longtime GMC member, and 4,000-footers. After working National Park in Montana. He Burlington Section hike leader. She and her husband in the Appalachian Mountain moved to Vermont in 1992 with Richard have maintained the Long Trail from Lincoln Club hut system in the White his wife Cheryl to attend graduate Gap to Battell Shelter for many years. Mountains of New Hampshire school at UVM, and never left. Sheri is a Long Trail end-to-ender, and has in the 1980s he moved to His hiking adventures have climbed the hundred highest peaks of New England Vermont with his wife. included a thru-hike of the and the forty-six Adirondack 4,000-footers. In 2014 Lars has a master’s ­Appalachian Trail, a section-hike she hiked to the top of Camel’s Hump each month of degree in natural resources of the Long Trail, and numerous the year. planning. In 1992 he joined other treks and climbs throughout Now retired, Sheri worked as director of the GMC staff as director of the U.S., Canada and Mexico. He government relations for the Lake Champlain Regional field programs and became has climbed all the northeastern Chamber of Commerce. Before that she worked in the intimately familiar with 4,000-footers and almost all fifty utility and banking fields and in local government the Long Trail System and state high points. He also enjoys in Vermont. Sheri has a bachelor’s degree in political the Appalachian Trail in cross-country and telemark skiing, science and master’s degrees in public administration Vermont. During his tenure canoeing, cycling and geocaching. and business administration. She is a member of the with GMC he worked closely Paul has been active in the Vermont Land Trust Board. She has been chair of the with the club’s sections and Green Mountain Club since 1996, State of Vermont Community Development Board and management partners. and has been a trip leader and the the Catamount Trail Association. Lars was GMC’s interim outings chair for the Burlington Sheri enjoys traveling with her husband Richard, executive director for six Section most of that time. He is skiing, kayaking and photography. months. He left the club’s staff just finishing his first term on in 1999 to work as executive the GMC Board, during which he director of Keeping Track, a also served on the History and regional organization devoted Archives Committee. to wildlife conservation Though his degree from planning and education. In Bucknell University is in business 2004 his passion for education administration, he has worked as took hold, and he became a an elementary school educator fourth grade teacher. in Burlington for the past fifteen Lars is chair of the Bolton years. Conservation Commission and Paul lives in South Burlington over the past ten years has led with his wife and two children. efforts to protect and manage the town’s 400-acre Preston Pond Conservation Area, which includes a trail system contiguous with the current Long Trail. HEBERT JOCELYN

Long Trail News Spring 2015 23 Sections Section Directory

Bennington Bread Loaf ladies on section outing hiking Maintenance: Harmon Hill to Glastenbury Mountain President: Martha Stitelman, (802) 442-0864 Jerusalem Trail to Glen Ellen Lodge. Barb Hines, well known for investigating E-mail: [email protected] Photo, John Predom spring flowers. Photo, Lorna Cherington Website: www.bennington.com/outingclub Brattleboro Maintenance: Winhall River to Vt. 11/30 President: George Roy, (603) 381-7756 Bread Loaf E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.brattleborogmc.com Bread Loaf Location: Middlebury area Maintenance: Sucker Brook Shelter to Emily Proctor Shelter Board Representative: Doug McKain E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gmcbreadloaf.org Burlington Maintenance: Jonesville to Smugglers’ Notch President: Ted Albers, (802) 985-9064 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gmcburlington.org Connecticut Location: Hartford, Connecticut Maintenance: Glastenbury Mountain to Bennington Arlington-West Wardsboro Road President: Carol A. Langley, (860) 877-4449 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.conngmc.com Killington Location: Rutland area Maintenance: Vt. 140 to Tucker-Johnson Shelter site President: Barry Griffith, (802) 492-3573 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gmckillington.org Laraway Location: St. Albans area Maintenance: Vt. 15 to Vt. 118 President: Bruce Bushey, (802) 893-2146 E-mail: [email protected] Manchester Maintenance: Vt. 11/30 to Griffith Lake President: Marge Fish, (802) 824-3662 E-mail: [email protected] Montpelier Maintenance: Bamforth to Jonesville and Smugglers’ Notch to Chilcoot Pass President: Reidun Nuquist, (802) 223-3550 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gmcmontpelier.org Burlington Northeast Kingdom Mary Lou Recor (front) and Burlington Location: Northeast Kingdom Section members on winter solstice hike President: Chris Rice, (802) 748-0460 E-mail: [email protected] to Butler Lodge. Photo, Mary Keenan Website: www.nekgmc.org Northern Frontier Location: Montgomery Maintenance: Hazen’s Notch to Journey’s End President: Jane Williams, (802) 827-3879 E-mail: [email protected] Ottauquechee Location: Upper Valley, and New Hampshire

Maintenance: Appalachian Trail from Maine Jctn. to Montpelier the New Hampshire line President: Inge Brown, (802) 296-5777 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://gmc-o-section.org Sterling Location: Morrisville/Stowe/Johnson Maintenance: Chilcoot Pass to Vt. 15 President: Greg Western E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gmcsterling.org Worcester Long-time Montpelier Section member Location: Worcester, Massachusetts Pricilla Page reads poetry aloud to group at NEK Maintenance: Arlington-West Wardsboro Rd. Duck Brook Shelter. Photo, Reidun Nuquist to Winhall River President: Jennifer Solin E-mail: [email protected] Long Trail News Spring 2015 24 Sections Killington

Brattleboro Bonnie Haug-Cramp (l) and friend hanging out over Big Branch River. Angela Jones building bog bridge on Photo, Mark Brown Long Trail near Route 4. Photo, David Coppock

Connecticut Mandy Brink preparing for a night of camping on the trail. Photo, Dick Hart

Ottauquechee Manchester

Cathy Newbury on Sterling Group outing on Mount ­Mansfield Moose Mountain in summit ridge the Northeast during group Kingdom. Photo, hike. Photo, Dick Marge Fish Andrews

Dorcus Jones (l)  (l-r) Angela Marquis, GMC President Jean and the gang at Haigh and Ami English having fun at GMC’s Sterling Section Wheeler Pond Camps in Barton. May walk through. Photo, Rich Windish Photo, Greg Western NEK

Long Trail News Spring 2015 25 GMC Outdoor Programs

Our education program offers a wide variety of courses and outings to help you have fun, be safe, and learn more about the outdoors. Experienced instructors teach hiking and backpacking; wilderness first aid and medicine; conservation and stewardship skills; navigation by map, compass and GPS; outdoor leadership; and much more.

OUTDOOR SKILLS GMC Education Staff. Admission: FREE. Register at least one week in advance for Introduction to Backpacking both on- and off-site attendance. Wednesday, April 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m. GMC Visitor Center, Waterbury Center Do you want to try backpacking but don’t know where to start? Our instructors will guide you through the maze of gear options for your first overnight trip. Other topics are nutrition, mileage and route planning, and what to expect on the trail. Instructors: Caitlin Miller, GMC Education Staff. Limit: 20. Fee: $20. Register at least two weeks in advance. Hiking and Backpacking with Kids Tuesday, April 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m. GMC Visitor Center, Waterbury Center We want kids to love the Long Trail like we The Perfect Shot: Hiking and do. This workshop will cover gear, appro- Photography Workshop priate mileage and level of difficulty for young legs; how to encourage a tired little Saturday, May 16, 1:00 p.m. hiker; and how to help him or her (and to Sunday, May 17, noon GMC’s Wheeler Pond Cabins, Barton you) enjoy the outing. Instructors: Matt Krebs, GMC staff. Limit: 20. Fee: $20. Reg- Chris Diegel, professional landscape pho- ister at least two weeks in advance. tographer, will cover camera settings, lenses, lighting and other means to perfect End-to-Ender’s Workshop shots of memorable moments outdoors. This Friday, May 1, 6:30—8:30 p.m. exciting weekend of hiking and photogra- GMC Visitor Center, Waterbury Center phy will take place at Wheeler Pond in the or join us from home via a live webcast! Northeast Kingdom. This two-day work- Are you planning to hike the Long Trail shop includes one night at GMC’s rustic or another long-distance trail end-to-end Wheeler Pond Camps, with dinner Satur- this year? If you have questions for hikers day evening and breakfast Sunday. who have completed the Long Trail or are Instructors: Chris Diegel, GMC staff. Limit: looking for tips on planning, equipment or 6. Minimum: 3. Fee: $85. Register at least food, join us for this informative evening three weeks in advance. A gear list and with a panel of end-to-enders. Panelists directions to Wheeler Pond will be sent will answer your questions, describe their two weeks in advance. A carpool meeting experiences, and demonstrate their gear. place will be based on the locations of par- Instructors: Volunteer panel, Caitlin Miller, ticipants (Wheeler Pond parking is limited).

Long Trail News Spring 2015 26 GMC Outdoor Programs

Ultralight Backpacking Tuesday, May 19, 6:30—8:30 p.m. GMC Visitor Center, Waterbury Center Enjoy your next hike with a lighter pack! Learn to reduce weight, minimize strain, reduce environmental impact and save money with techniques and gear that maxi- mize usefulness and versatility. Instructors: Caitlin Miller, GMC Education Staff. Limit: 20. Fee: $20. Register at least two weeks in

advance. ALAN PASCHELL

Women’s Introduction to FIRST AID GMC Education Program Sponsors Backpacking Overnight Trip GMC’s Education Workshops are made ­possible PENNIE RAND Saturday, June 6, 10:00 a.m., SOLO Wilderness First Aid (WFA) to Sunday, June 7, 12:30 p.m. in part by the support of the business community GMC Visitor Center,Waterbury Center, Saturday and Sunday, and other friends of the club. To find out how you Destination: Long Trail north to May 9 and 10, 9 a.m.—5 p.m. can support GMC’s Education Program, please call Sterling Pond Saturday and Sunday, (802) 241-8327 or e-mail groups@greenmountain Want to backpack but don’t know where June 20 and 21, 9 a.m.—5 p.m. club.org. to start, don’t want to go alone, or just GMC Visitor Center, Waterbury Center want to learn more? This overnight course Sign up early—this course fills fast! This REGISTRATION will provide a solid foundation: gear, effi- sixteen-hour, hands-on course will prepare Contact our office to register. Full payment by Visa, ciently loading a pack, map reading, route you for backcountry medical emergencies. MasterCard, Discover, check, or cash is required selection, outdoor cooking and Leave No Its focus is on the prevention, recognition, before attending workshops. Trace practices, while having a great time and treatment of injuries and illnesses. and enjoying the company of adventurous Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification or Phone: (802) 244-7037 women. Saturday we will hike approxi- Wilderness First Responder (WFR) recer- E-mail: [email protected] mately 4 miles on the Long Trail to Sterling tification is provided upon completion. Mail: 4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Pond, returning the same route on Sunday. Instructors: Stonehearth Open Learning Waterbury Center VT 05677 Opportunities staff. Limit: 30. Fee: $190. Instructors will provide a suggested gear Register online at Please contact GMC if you need WFR recer- list two weeks in advance. Using your www.greenmountainclub.org. gear is best, but GMC may be able to lend tification (additional fees apply). Register at things you don’t have. Pack your own least two weeks in advance. FEES snacks, lunch and dinner for Saturday. A GMC members—ask about your member discount. group breakfast will be provided Sunday. NATURAL RESOURCE Not a member? Join and save. Transportation to and from trailhead will PROTECTION SKILLS be provided. Instructors: GMC back­ CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS country caretakers Caitlin Miller, Emily Refunds (minus a $10 processing fee) will be Benning. Limit: 8. Minimum: 4. Fee: $65, Trail Maintenance 101 Work Day and Picnic provided if cancellations are made before the reg- student rate $45. Register at least three istration deadline. Cancellations after the deadline weeks in advance. Saturday, April 25, 10:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. will be refunded 50 percent of the workshop fee only GMC Visitor Center, Waterbury Center Plant Identification Workshop and Hike if the space is subsequently filled. No refunds will Learn skills to maintain hiking trails by be made for reservations cancelled less than three Saturday, June 27, 11:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. joining seasoned GMC field staff for this days before the workshop. GMC reserves the right GMC Visitor Center, Waterbury Center one-day workshop. Topics include pruning, to cancel a program at any time, in which case the Hiking is a great way to explore and learn clipping, blazing, maintaining drainage, club will notify registrants and make full refunds. about Vermont’s fascinating plant commu- and removing blowdowns. After the work- nities. After an hour at the visitor center day, we’ll return to the GMC Visitor Center Note: Workshop dates and venues may change discussing plant identification and vertical for a light picnic and refreshments. No due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. succession we’ll have lunch and carpool to prior experience is necessary, and tools will Please call or e-mail GMC before any workshop for the Pinnacle Meadows Trail in Stowe. On be provided. Instructors: GMC Field Staff. the latest updates. Updates, additional workshops Limit 20. FREE. Register at least two weeks the hike we will identify plants, learn how and more information can be found online at www. they change with elevation, and have an in advance. greenmountainclub.org. identification scavenger hunt! Moderate, 3.0 miles round trip. Instructors: Joe Bahr, AGE REQUIREMENT Caitlin Miller. Limit: 12. Fee: $20. Register The minimum age to participate in a workshop is at least two weeks in advance. sixteen, unless otherwise noted.

Long Trail News Spring 2015 27 23rd Annual James P. Taylor Outdoor Adventure Series

For more than 100 years, the Long Trail has inspired V­ ermonters to seek adventure in the Green Mountains and beyond. The James P. Taylor Outdoor Adventure Series, named after the man who first envisioned the Long Trail, brings such adventures to you through stories, photographs and videos. Join us for inspiring presentations that will transport you to mountains and waterways near and far as we celebrate twenty-three years of the Taylor Series—a great way to spend an evening! Admission to most presentations is $5 for members or $8 for nonmembers; kids under 12 are free. Tickets are available at the door only. All proceeds support GMC’s local sections and the Tales from the Trail Education Program.

Mountains at 15 Knots: In years gone by, Hurtiguten was the lifeline mile trek across northern Spain with three Norway from the Deck that tied isolated northern communities children in tow promised to be less about of Hurtigruten together. Today’s modern fleet of twelve spiritual enlightenment than day-to-day ships are working vessels that carry cargo survival. Mystical mothering moments Reidun and Andrew Nuquist and cars, but increasingly they have become encountered along the way were a bonus. Friday, March 6, 7 p.m. popular with tourists, who want to expe- Join Jennifer and her children for an GMC Visitor Center, Waterbury Center rience “The World’s Most Beautiful Sea ­evening of photographs, story telling and Every day since 1893, a Hurtigruten (coastal ­Voyage.” lessons learned along The Way. express) ship has left Bergen on Norway’s Montpelier Section members Reidun and Road Trip to Gaspe Peninsula west coast for the country’s far north. On Andrew Nuquist have taken three round its way, it sails past the Seven Sisters peaks, trips onboard Hurtigruten. Join them for an Sheri and Rich Larsen ties up at the medieval pilgrim site of Nida- evening of dramatic scenery and Norwegian Friday, April 10, 7 p.m. ros (today’s Trondheim), crosses the Arctic history. Richmond Free Library, Richmond Circle, wends its way through the Lofoten Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec Province has a archipelago, and rounds the North Cape at Tales from the Trail: A Mom’s Quest lot of attractions—beautiful scenery, great 71º N—before docking in Kirkenes, near for Closure through Five Hundred hikes, wildlife and more. Sheri and Rich the Russian border. From there it returns to Miles of Forced Family Fun Larsen decided to road trip there last sum- Bergen, a spectacular round-trip voyage of mer with stops in Quebec City and along twelve days. Jennifer Borch and her children the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. Foster (16), Brianna (15) and Nolan (10) The ships berth at thirty-four ports, large On the return they hiked the high points and small. The length of stay varies from Friday, April 3, 7 p.m. of New Brunswick and Maine. Their slide- ­fifteen minutes to six hours. Passengers GMC Visitor Center, Waterbury Center show presentation will feature photos of the eager to sightsee―– and keep in shape―– Active parents dream of the day that their places they visited, the wildlife they saw stand ready to walk, as far and as fast as children will, at last, stop whining and (including whales, caribou and a colony they can, returning before the ship’s horn embrace the great outdoors. El Camino de of Northern Gannet birds) as well as their blasts for departure. (Hurtigruten adage: Santiago, The Way of St. James, is touted hikes in Gaspe Peninsula, New Brunswick “There is no such thing as a late ship, only as the most popular Christian pilgrim route and Maine. late ­passengers.”) in the world. However, surviving this 500-

The Taylor Series is sponsored by GMC’s fourteen $1,000+ Business Contributors $500—$999 Business Contributors sections, local businesses, and other friends of the CCOutdoorStore.com club. To find out how you can support this impor- The Waterwheel Foundation (Phish, Inc.) Northfield Savings Bank tant community outreach, please call (802) 241-8327 Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa or e-mail [email protected]. Trapp Family Lodge Rock Art Brewery Vermont Smoke and Cure Thread Rolling, Inc. This is a partial list of business contributors to Woodchuck Hard Cider GMC’s Annual Fund. A complete list and informa- Long Trail Brewing Company The Alchemist Brewery tion on how businesses can support GMC are posted at convio.greenmountain.org/business. ArborTrek Canopy Adventures

Long Trail News Spring 2015 28 23rd Annual James P. Taylor Outdoor Adventure Series Board Report

ey vacant slots in the Green tions. He summarized the fiscal year 2016 Dave Hardy, director of trail pro- Mountain Club staff have draft budget, which had been unani- grams, reported on a trailhead parking been filled, Executive Direc- mously endorsed by the GMC Budget lot proposed in Bennington for the Bald tor Mike DeBonis said at the and Finance and Executive Committees, Mountain Trail. Dave also noted that, as Kboard’s winter meeting January 31. Mike and Mike explained the budget develop- part of the Winooski Valley Long Trail introduced Jason Buss, the club’s new ment process. Mike predicted that recent Relocation, the existing Long Trail across business manager, and announced that staff turnover, combined with operational the valley (including Duck Brook Shelter) Jenny Montagne has been hired as the adjustments associated with completion of will become a blue-blazed side trail. He new membership coordinator. the Winooski Valley Long Trail relocation, said the new Long Trail route north of Mike also said that the opening cele- would make it a challenge to meet bal- the river should be completed by the bration of the Winooski Valley Long Trail anced budgets through fiscal year 2016. June 12 opening celebration. Relocation on June 12 will be part of the However, operations should become more The board voted to place two recent 105th GMC Annual Meeting weekend. stable and predictable after that. unrestricted bequests in a dedicated He said he was pleased to have attended At its spring meeting the board will ­account to be used at the discretion of the recent events held by the Burlington, approve a final budget, which will be ­executive director to minimize long term Montpelier, Northeast Kingdom, Man- presented to the membership at the club’s debt. chester, and Ottauquechee sections. ­annual meeting. Matt Krebs, publications coordinator, Treasurer Stephen Klein reported President Jean Haigh introduced the said a new edition of 50 Hikes in Vermont that the fiscal year 2014 audit had been club’s newest board member, Dann Van is in the final stages. Work will begin this completed on schedule in October with Der Vliet, who was appointed to fill the year on the 100th edition of the Long Trail no adverse findings. Bret Hodgdon, a seat recently vacated by James Mitchell. Guide, planned for publication in 2017. principal of the accounting firm of Davis She expressed her gratitude to members of The board recognized the passing of & Hodgdon, presented highlights of the the board and the staff for their personal Don Hill, a wonderful friend and dedi- audit. financial contributions to the Winooski cated member of the Northern Frontier Stephen said this year’s financial Valley Long Trail Relocation project. ­Section. results so far are close to budgeted projec- – Tom Candon, Secretary

2015 GMC Annual Meeting Reservation Annual Meeting is Saturday, June 13. Please register no later than June 1.

Name: ...... Registration (Required) ______@ $ 14.00 ...... Includes continental breakfast Guest(s): ...... Saturday Meals: Lunch prepared by Edelweiss Mountain Deli ...... and dinner catered by Cider House Barbecue and Pub

Section: ...... Lunch: ❑ Vegetarian ❑ Meat ______@ $10.00......

Address: ...... Dinner: ❑ Vegetarian ❑ Meat ______@ $20.00 ......

...... Total: $......

$500—$999 Business Contributors Phone: ...... CCOutdoorStore.com Payment Northfield Savings Bank E-mail: ...... Make checks payable to: Green Mountain Club Rock Art Brewery Thread Rolling, Inc. ❑ Check ❑ MasterCard ❑ Visa ❑ Discover ■ Mail payment and form by June 1 to: Green Mountain Club, Woodchuck Hard Cider 4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury Center, VT 05677 The Alchemist Brewery Card number:...... ■ ArborTrek Canopy Adventures To register by phone: Call GMC’s membership coordinator (802) 241-8324 Exp. Date:...... 3-digit security code ...... ■ To register online: www.greenmountainclub.org/annual_mtg_reservation.php Signature ...... Date......

Long Trail News Spring 2015 29 Advertise in the LongTrailNews call Jocelyn: 802-241-8215

Long Trail News Spring 2015 30 Journey’s End Fifty Years Leading GMC Hikes ot Myer, Burl- had to count off occa- ington Section sionally to make sure we historian didn’t lose anybody.” and member- Dship coordinator, and a The Green Mountain Club longtime GMC hike leader, is sorry to be losing Dot as announced last season a Burlington Section group that after fifty years of leader, but would like to leading outings she was thank her for fifty years of ready to step back: “I’m volunteering and for shar- retiring from hike leading, ing her sense of adventure but I hope I’ll never have with new members who to retire from hiking.” were just finding their way Dot started her hik- in the Green Mountains. ing career when she was We wish her many more a student in the outing miles of pleasurable hikes club at the University of and maybe even a corn Vermont. She graduated roast or spaghetti ­supper in 1955, and joined the with friends. Green Mountain Club in 1956. Shortly thereafter (Long Trail News Editor she became a volunteer Jocelyn Hebert adapted the GMC hike leader. foregoing from an article by Her hiking resume is impressive: the and all sorts of other foods in addition to Dot Myer in the Fall 2014 edition of Ridge Long Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and the makings of oyster stew, usually on Lines, the newsletter of the Burlington the Northeast 111 4,000-Footers twice— snowshoes.” The outings were so popular Section.) once as the sixth person and first woman there were sometimes wall-to-wall people to complete the peaks in winter. One can in Taylor Lodge. One year hikers packed only imagine how many additional miles in “eleven pies, two pounds of butter, she’s covered in Vermont. two gallons of oysters, seventeen quarts Dot has made many observations of milk, three pounds of cheese, two jars about the changes she’s seen in GMC of pickles, four boxes of oyster crackers, hikes. Among the most striking has been two pints of coffee cream, celery, radishes a decrease in the frequency of sharing a and sugar.” sociable meal, a tradition that used to go Parties celebrated the end of winter. hand in hand with group outings. Many “We had sugar parties every spring, usu- excursions were combined with “hot dog ally a hike followed by a visit to a sugar- roasts and corn roasts, spaghetti sup- house,” she remembers. “One year Shirley pers, chili suppers and even a breakfast Strong brought boiled syrup, and poured or two.” Burlington Section work hikes it out on the snow during the hike for us almost always included a meal on the trail to scrape up and eat.” at the end of the day, prepared by a cook, Dot led GMC group outings outside usually someone who couldn’t or didn’t Vermont, often to cabins in the Adiron- want to do trail work but still wanted to dacks in winter. Not surprisingly, a meal help. and a festive atmosphere were planned: She calls the annual oyster stews held “We carried food up on snowshoes, some at Taylor Lodge from 1952 to 1977 (except years using toboggans. We usually had for one year) “the granddaddy of all food chicken or some other big main meal. hikes.” Sometimes we decorated the cabin and “They were always held in winter; sang songs. The hike usually included one year it was fourteen below zero,” bagging a peak or two. One year we had she remembers. “People carried up pies nineteen people on a bushwhack, and

Long Trail News Spring 2015 31 Periodicals Postage PAID Waterbury Center and Additional Offices

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Gorham Lodge, a popular shelter on Camel’s Hump, was removed from the Long Trail System in 2001. If it’s time to update your maps or Long Trail Guide visit the GMC Visitor ­ Center gift store in ­Waterbury Center or purchase online at www.greenmountain club.org.

ILLUSTRATION BY EMILY BENNING