Ridgewalker
New member
Mount Killington, VT via Bucklin Trail
March 11, 2006
There are times when hikers are called to the woods and the they whispered to the ears of Marty, Ray, and I. My comrade Marty has been climbing the peaks in Vermont and Killington was the hike of the day. At dawn Marty drove his infamous Tocoma Silver Bullet to the manse of Ridgewalker where I was greeted by the warm handshake of the driver. I felt so happy to be around him that moment, it was last November when I had the pleasure of hiking with him.
Then we drove to Georgetown to pick up Ray. Ray my mentor, immortalized as the "dear and glorious Colonel" in my book An American Original, to me he is the Colonel.
In due time we were passing over the Quechee Gorge. However there were surprises along the way to the trailhead. Marty drove into a private road which we thought was the correct road. We the triumvirate made the call to locate the right road, that we did. When I jumped out of the truck to suit up for the hike, I breathed the air and the lure of the woods was alive and then we were off.
These woods going to Killington were as Marty noted "untouched by the woodsman's ax" indeed they were. During the climb up the trees were ubiquitous and so beautiful to look at. During the climb we had to don stabillicers and then switch to snowshoes. I was making postholes and that annoyed me. I was a tyro when it came to putting snowshoes on. Ray and I fiddled with these shoes as they came off after a short yard. That moment I was silently miffed that the snowshoes were coming off. Then I assured myself that Marty would help out, as he was breaking trail for us, and returned to stabillicers until we met with Marty.
In due time we merged with the Long Trail with skiers zooming down it. After allowing them to move on we then came to the ski resort which disturbed the pristine silence of the woods. We climbed on a very steep sloop, similar to Jackson's. But I knew that we were close to the top and did not complain. After meeting up we made a retreat into the balsam woods. Today the snow was free of debris and did not wetten our gear.
The summit was a large rock that afforded views of the surrounding country. One should see it for themselves, words do not justify the view witnessed.
The descent down was uneventful save that I slipped twice without injury. I reflected on the beauty of the woods, the experience sliding down the mountain in snowshoes, and the birds singing. As we came closer to the bottom of the mountain I recalled the history of the monarchy in Maine, a fictional invention to my book. The experienced writer knows the value of revision, and a hike is a golden oppertunity for that.
Weather that day was gorgeous, sun and no horrid winds. Temperature was good for a first winter 4K for me and a great introduction to them. Finally the hike ended, as all things must end. I did not want to stop and was like a Timex watch, never ceasing. That day to me was a reminder that the woods are a sweet and silent place, prepare well and you will be rewarded.
March 11, 2006
There are times when hikers are called to the woods and the they whispered to the ears of Marty, Ray, and I. My comrade Marty has been climbing the peaks in Vermont and Killington was the hike of the day. At dawn Marty drove his infamous Tocoma Silver Bullet to the manse of Ridgewalker where I was greeted by the warm handshake of the driver. I felt so happy to be around him that moment, it was last November when I had the pleasure of hiking with him.
Then we drove to Georgetown to pick up Ray. Ray my mentor, immortalized as the "dear and glorious Colonel" in my book An American Original, to me he is the Colonel.
In due time we were passing over the Quechee Gorge. However there were surprises along the way to the trailhead. Marty drove into a private road which we thought was the correct road. We the triumvirate made the call to locate the right road, that we did. When I jumped out of the truck to suit up for the hike, I breathed the air and the lure of the woods was alive and then we were off.
These woods going to Killington were as Marty noted "untouched by the woodsman's ax" indeed they were. During the climb up the trees were ubiquitous and so beautiful to look at. During the climb we had to don stabillicers and then switch to snowshoes. I was making postholes and that annoyed me. I was a tyro when it came to putting snowshoes on. Ray and I fiddled with these shoes as they came off after a short yard. That moment I was silently miffed that the snowshoes were coming off. Then I assured myself that Marty would help out, as he was breaking trail for us, and returned to stabillicers until we met with Marty.
In due time we merged with the Long Trail with skiers zooming down it. After allowing them to move on we then came to the ski resort which disturbed the pristine silence of the woods. We climbed on a very steep sloop, similar to Jackson's. But I knew that we were close to the top and did not complain. After meeting up we made a retreat into the balsam woods. Today the snow was free of debris and did not wetten our gear.
The summit was a large rock that afforded views of the surrounding country. One should see it for themselves, words do not justify the view witnessed.
The descent down was uneventful save that I slipped twice without injury. I reflected on the beauty of the woods, the experience sliding down the mountain in snowshoes, and the birds singing. As we came closer to the bottom of the mountain I recalled the history of the monarchy in Maine, a fictional invention to my book. The experienced writer knows the value of revision, and a hike is a golden oppertunity for that.
Weather that day was gorgeous, sun and no horrid winds. Temperature was good for a first winter 4K for me and a great introduction to them. Finally the hike ended, as all things must end. I did not want to stop and was like a Timex watch, never ceasing. That day to me was a reminder that the woods are a sweet and silent place, prepare well and you will be rewarded.
Last edited:
