To avoid rescues, plan winter hikes

A crop of recent books about search and rescue in the mountains will keep you on the edge of your chair (or mountain crag), and give valuable insight on how to stay safe (see suggested reading below). Rescues are time consuming, expensive and dangerous, especially in bad weather and at night. Cell phones may have no coverage or dead batteries. The Green Mountain Club website, under “Trip Planning,” has great tips on safety, including the 10 essentials of what to bring, and the “Hikesafe” responsibility code … (read more)

VERGENNES — Trails are ready for use by mountain bikers and hikers on the wooded, city- owned, 12-acre MacIntosh Park that runs along Comfort Hill’s east side in northern Vergennes. “Most of the trails have been roughed in, and the outer loop is pretty we … (read more)

The end of May sees the start of the hiking season in Vermont. From its rocky summits to its gentle valleys, Vermont is home to hundreds of miles of hiking opportunities. This year, with COVID-19 as a dominant concern, Department of Forests, Parks and Rec … (read more)

This story originally appeared on the Vermont Sports website. On Friday, April 3, the State released a statement and formally reinforced the closure of a number of trail networks across the state. In Gov. Phil Scott’s press conference today, Secretary of … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — In celebration of the 28th anniversary of the Green Mountain Club’s Taylor Outdoor Adventure Series, the Bread Loaf Section will host speaker Mary Lou Recor on Thursday evening, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m., at the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universali … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — What if you were walking along a trail and thought for a just a moment you could hear voices from the past? Voices of people shouting, bantering and cursing as they struggled under their heavy loads. They were people who were following their … (read more)

ADDISON COUNTY —  The fall, for my family, has always been synonymous with hiking. With its blazing foliage, rustic trails and scenic mountain vistas, Addison County is a hub for autumn outdoor activities. We like to take full advantage. My wife Dottie an … (read more)