Author Topic: Solstice Day hike in Vermont  (Read 713 times)

John P

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Solstice Day hike in Vermont
« on: June 22, 2018, 05:19:46 PM »
The Solstice Hike took place on June 21 (of course) on the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail in the Mt Tabor area. There were 14 hikers, and although we started under worrying clouds, we had clear blue sky almost the whole day, with temperature in the 70s and low humidity. The air simply felt good! Some of the group spent the previous night at the Grout Pond campsites (for which they now charge $16 a night, not a pleasant innovation) and planned on returning there after the hike.

The trail was well-populated with hikers out on walks from days to months long, and they were almost all cheerful and friendly about "Naked Hiking Day", which some of them had heard of and some not. There was one woman we passed who clearly disliked the nudity, and stepped well off the trail to let us pass by, but that was the only negative reaction. In spite of encouragement, however, nobody stripped off after meeting us! We passed one hiker who was actually celebrating Naked Hiking Day, but he was doing it with some kind of tied-on rosette of leaves, which we tried to talk him into discarding. Two miles from the end, we reached Little Rock Pond, where again we talked to some textile hikers, and most of us had an excellent swim. We finished the walk just after 5pm.

Sorry, I can't show much in the way of photos, because I didn't ask people's permission to put pictures on the Internet. But here are two of our group with their backs turned, along with the fig-leaf guy and his buddy:


Greenbare Woods

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Re: Solstice Day hike in Vermont
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2018, 09:20:53 PM »
Sounds like a good time by all. 

Often a new idea like going naked takes months to grow in the mind of the observer.  You did good even if nobody suddenly changed their mind about needing to be covered.

Human bodies are natural, comfortable, and green.
To see more of Bob you can view his personal photo page
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John P

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Re: Solstice Day hike in Vermont
« Reply #2 on: June 23, 2018, 06:12:04 AM »
Message from Dan:

Late update John:    The through hiker with the faux fig leaf did loose it after encountering us.    Upon our return north to pick up our cars at our starting point, Lance and I encountered him passing through the parking lot headed north and now hiking entirely naked.   He said he had had an awesome day and thanked us for the encouragement.   

-Freewalkerma

jbeegoode

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Re: Solstice Day hike in Vermont
« Reply #3 on: June 23, 2018, 07:28:07 PM »
A story that warms my heart.

How was the male female ratio? The one stepping off of the trail would respond to more other women differently, or do you think not? I ponder what might have been going on inside of her. Did she show any signs of fear, or just being surprised. How many positive encounters would you estimate?

We were working that day and there was some solstice spiritual things going on for us, but we spent the previous three day weekend nude hiking and walking. Sunday, we had a pack of 7 on a short trail in Northern Arizona, which was the largest group of freehikers that I've been out with in a decade. Certainly a different experience. 14 is a large party. Did they stick together, or spread out splitting the group. Were there newbies, or did everyone have some familiarity? Was there someone as the responsible leader, or just a plan?

I think that you just got nailed with a trip report. ::)
Jbee

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eyesup

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Re: Solstice Day hike in Vermont
« Reply #4 on: June 26, 2018, 07:07:10 AM »
Sounds like a fun day, John. Especially that so many were aware that the solstice is also Naked Hiking Day, so they sort of expected to see that and weren’t worried. That’s good to hear.

The few that were bothered, most likely knew it but went out anyway. That sounds like progress of a sort. They knew the likelihood of seeing naked people yet didn’t allow that to stop them. And you were polite and well behaved which showed them that naked people are just fine.

The man in the fig leaf  was clearly inspired to take the plunge and benefited from the encounter with your group.

Duane