This has been an interesting thread. I have lived in southern Vermont 2 years now after 30 years living in New York and hiking mostly the High Peaks. It has taken me awhile to make the adjustment, but I have been appreciating the differences. The hiking is more trail hiking and lends itself to great thru hiking more than peak bagging. It would be more typical in the Adirondaks to pitch a tent and hike up different mountains over a few days and I have not found that here. It is great having the AT ten minutes from my door. Many of the AT thru hikers I meet say Vermont is the muddiest state they hike through, but I guess we should expect to get our shoes dirty when we hike. I have also enjoyed exploring the state, and finding places the the area around Somerset Reservoir. It does seem that Vermont made a decision long ago as part of preserving its uniquely Vermont economy and culture, to exploit the mountains more than other states. So many of the mountains have those stripes cut out of them for ski resorts. It is an awesome state and the beer is great. Now I just have to try the swimming holes.