Weekly Peak

We've gotten a couple of great after work hikes in to some of our favorite summits in the past couple of weeks, with plans to hike more next week. What a great way to have dinner with friends: at the top of a mountain! And what a great way to explore and keep adventure in our everyday lives. ILoVermont!

Our recipe for success: Friends, dinner, beers, and an easy-going attitude. The best part about these hikes is we plan to be hiking down in the dark (though that doesn't always happen as our days are getting longer as we approach the solstice), so we bring headlamps. And we bring warm gear - often winter clothing - so that we're prepared to hang out at the top for awhile. And with dinner and drinks in hand, and friends and good views all around, what's there to be in a hurry about? We could stay up there as long as we want! 

The latest hike this past week was White Rock in the Worcester Range. This is a gem because it's a relatively quick up-and-down hike, with the option of a loop connecting it to Hunger Mountain, that affords fabulous nearly-360-degree views from its flanks and spire-y top. The trail is generally easy-going, but with plenty of rocks and short stretches of steep climbs to keep things interesting. Here are some pics from our excellent hike on White Rock:

 

 

 

One of the best parts of this particular night was seeing Venus traverse the sun, thanks to our luck in meeting up with these four wonderful hiking friends (some known, some new):

 Thanks, friends! And Happy Trails! We hope to see you out there soon.

Fall Back [Spring Forward]

As the weather reports roll in warning of the inches of snow that could accumulate overnight (eeeee!!!), I am warming up by the fire after a brisk walk with the dog looking back through pictures from some of our Fall adventures. Fall is a great time to reflect, to look back; Spring energizes us into forward motion (towards the garden, out the door, go, go, go). This contemplative feel to the season may be why I enjoy hiking in the Fall so much. It's a slower pace activity and it gives you time to mull, clear the head, get inspired. And, with the snow on the way, what better reason to go head up into the hills: To see the mountain-top winter wonderland! While that is on the agenda for tomorrow, today I will share some photos from a favorite fall hike: Hunger Mountain. For extra adventure, running the entire ridge is an amazing hike; but for those not up for the 12 miler day, even an side adventure over to Hogback Mountain or down to White Rock is a treat. The latter is exactly what we did with friends on a recent October outing. Enjoy! And Happy Trails.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ORS Harvest Moon Night Hike; the first of many.

Tristan led a crew of almost ten people into the evening on a beautiful fall day, to the top of White Rock Mountain. This is a great hike to give night-hiking a try on. The terrain is just steep and rocky enough to feel a little adventurous, and the scenery is classic Vermont mountain-top surroundings. Few, if any, of the participants had hiked at night before, so we hope this was the first of many forays into the night woods for everyone.

The night was complete with a beautiful full moon that rose as we hiked, streaks of stars and clouds, a shooting star, a fireworks show in the distance, and warm malted apple cider. Plus the great company of fellow adventurers!

It's hard to capture night hikes on camera, but we tried! Here are some pics to show for the evening.

Who needs shoes? Enter the barefoot revolution?

I had never ever had a foot problem, blister, hot spot, swamp foot, etc....until, that is, I was invited on a sunset hike up Mt. Hunger. All it took was a pair of new boots and a poor sock choice and there they were: not twenty minutes in half dollar sized blisters on both my heels - excruciating! However I took this in stride and decided I would not keep my hiking partners - especially Lauren who would make this her first hike up Hunger - from the summit. So I took my boots off, freed my feet, and proceeded to barefoot hike up the rest of the way to the summit of Hunger. What little mud there was I found soothing and cool between my toes as sweat dripped from my nose and forehead the whole way in 90 degree heat. As I reached the top no worse for wear, my feet bare, I think I might have learned a thing or two about my feet and myself. There is nothing better than good hiking company on a hot day with a beautiful sunset, PBR and you never know you might just forget your shoes.....

Loving the Riding...and the Living

Okay, so before you bust me I'll admit this picture is from last summer. Nonetheless, this is where Tristan and I found ourselves about sunset-time last night. This might be our favorite spot in all of Vermont - it's the hill just up from the intersection of Jacobs and Horn of the Moon Roads in East Montpelier.

Tristan and I have gotten out on the bikes the last two nights in a row (see below post about Tristan's new love), but last night's ride was by far the better one. A little longer, a little muddier, and much more scenic. Oh yeah, and we climbed a rock hill over by the dam, so this was even a multi-sport adventure! And while the intention of these rides is certainly to get ourselves back into the swing of things for trail riding, the scenery is what gets me out there in the first place. Ahhh, Vermont. And bikes. And dirt roads. I love you.

Although I love trails better.

Happy trails!