Category: Education

  • 8 Tips for Avoiding Search and Rescue Services

    There can be no denying that 2021 was been an active year for search and rescue (SAR) in Vermont. While no database provides exact numbers, there have been an estimated 25 percent more incidents than usual. A backcountry rescue can require more time and resources, so it’s important to know how to get yourself out…

  • 18 Recipes & Snacks to Try on Trail

    Arguably, food occupies the most brain space when it comes to backpacking trip planning. What will you eat on a multiday hike? How much should you pack? Fresh or dried? Hot food or stoveless? There’s so much to consider to appropriately fuel you while keeping pack weight low. And if you’ve ever planned a long-distance…

  • What a Day Looks Like for GMC Caretakers

    This article previously appeared in the Spring 2021 Long Trail News under the title “Day in the Life of a GMC Caretaker.” As many more people than usual took up hiking last summer, the Green Mountain Club had to manage their impacts while making them feel welcome. Fortunately our caretakers can tap more than 50…

  • Backpacking Advice from End-to-End Hikers, Part 2

    If you’re curious about the Long Trail or planning a thru-hike, learn from folks who have completed an end-to-end hike on the Long Trail. Panelists shared advice with the hiking community based on their recent experiences on the Long Trail. Check out attendees’ questions below — about technology, training, pacing, transportation needs, solo hiking, and…

  • Backpacking Advice from End-to-End Hikers, Part I

    Last week, seven end-to-enders took questions from the hiking community about their experiences hiking the Long Trail. Whether you’re simply curious about the Long Trail, or you’re actively planning an end-to-end hike over its 272 miles, browse the attendees’ questions and the answers from panelists and GMC staff. [Part One of this Q&A covers gear,…

  • Spring is here! Can you find it?

    Spring officially started March 20, but warming weather ushers in the real telltale signs of spring. Flowers are blooming and trees are budding. Birds are migrating back to Vermont to breed, or they’re stopping in for food and rest on their way further north. You don’t have to be an expert naturalist to observe these…

  • Winter Camping Do’s & Don’ts for a Successful Trip

    This article was written by John Plummer, VHCB AmeriCorps member & GMC group outreach & field coordinator. Winter camping can be very rewarding. There are no bugs, there are fewer crowds, you can see further through the forest. However, travelling in winter is challenging and poses risks that don’t exist at other times of the…

  • Winter Hiking Safety Tips From a VT Search and Rescue Coordinator

    This article was written by Neil van Dyke and previously appeared in the Winter 2020 Long Trail News under the headline “Winter Hiking Safety.” There are few times more beautiful for hiking than a crisp, clear Green Mountain winter day. The deep blue of the sky is experienced at no other time of year, and…

  • Problem Bears? Or Problem People?

    Vermont hiking trails have long been perceived as places where you don’t need to worry about bears. People hiked, camped, and cooked and stored food without concern. Times have changed, and with the increase in the black bear population, hiker behavior needs to change too. In recent years we have experienced bear problems at several…