Solstice hike in Vermont this June

[John P]

This year the solstice hike has the prospect of meeting friends who've traveled from far away, so I'm starting a thread well ahead of time. Perhaps as things become more clear, people will want to post here to coordinate plans.

There was a hike in 2020, but it wasn't very well recorded. Here's a report on the 2019 event, for the benefit of anyone who isn't familiar with what it's like:
http://freerangenaturism.com/forum/index.php?topic=1273

It's not yet clear when the 2021 hike will take place. You can't just say, "Summer solstice is on June 21", because it doesn't necessarily happen on that date. In fact this year the North Pole makes its closest approach to the sun on June 20 at about 11:30pm in the eastern time zone (Monday, June 21, 2021 at 03:32 UTC) so June 20 may be the date for the hike. As the date gets closer, we'll see what the consensus is for which day we actually walk.

[jbeegoode]

The "usual" spot seems to be a good one by your trip report. I like that other naked hikers were seen on the trail. That sounds like a more celebratory atmosphere. I like pizza and Italian. This is gonna be grreat!

So much has to be played by ear for us. Our (DF and I) constant, is her high school reunion in Buffalo on the 19th. We will be traveling on the 20th to get to the solstice hike. Maybe we sit like trail angels at the end, maybe, we get a shorter piece of the solstice hike in the afternoon. Maybe, it takes place on the 21st and we all wake up tired, after sitting up late by a fire. Then, there's weather and the unforeseen. Things will play out perfectly and we intend to stick around exploring and imbibing Vermont for a few days.

Vaccines are getting out there and I suspect that June will be quite a lot different from last June. I'd bet that Pizza in an enclosed space will be viable...unless an unforeseen plague-like version of variant comes roaring through.

I haven't eaten nude in a restaurant since Zipolite last February...Whoah! I haven't eaten in a restaurant, except some sushi, since then, now that I think about it!

After that reunion, our schedule becomes an open ended slightly educated vagabond jaunt, with the only firm piece of plan being a visit to my past and friends in Michigan on the way back to AZ.

I hope that this thread doesn't confuse with the "Summer Solstice 2021" thread that is here. Perhaps, we should choose one and note the other closed.
Jbee

[jbeegoode]

John P. I left you a PM.

With DF's Reunion cancelled for covid, we are determined to be in Vermont the 19th, Saturday afternoon, for the Solstice June 20th WNHD. Who else and where will it take place?
Jbee

[John P]

Yes JBG, I got your message and I'll be in touch with the details, making it more personal than I will here.

The Vermont hike used to be led by a guy named Ed from Albany NY, but it was clear 2 years ago that his health has declined, and we can't count on him to organize the hike again. Nothing was ever "official", but my friends Dan and Milt and I got together in a Zoom call a few days ago, trying to decide what we could do that would suit the situation--June 20 being Fathers' Day, and the virus crisis still being a concern. In the past we've done a linear hike from Wallingford to Mt Tabor on the Long Trail, but that requires people riding together in cars, and for those not vaccinated (probably because they haven't reached typical naturist age) that's a problem. And of course, we expect to meet friends from far away, who won't be coming straight from home.

We came up with a plan, and as usual, it was Milt who had the best ideas. What we'll do is go for 2 days, Sunday the 20th and Monday the 21st. The two hikes will be first on Sunday, an out-and-back walk at the Wallingford end of the usual trip, down to "White Cliffs" and return, featuring a waterfall along the way, and a "goblin village" of piled rocks. Then on Monday, we'll turn the southern part of the usual route into a loop, and go over Green Mountain and down to Little Rock Pond and back to the parking area. For anyone who really doesn't want to walk much, it would be possible just to walk to Little Rock Pond and wait there for the rest of the group.

After our Zoom call, Milt said he would send an email with the text of an announcement that we "can post on various lists and forums", but that hasn't come yet, so I can't give details of where and when to meet. That information will be coming soon.

See the report on the 2019 hike for a view of how this might look. Of course, since this is "all natural" and not a factory-made product, there's no way to predict how it'll actually turn out!

[jbeegoode]

I've been looking at satellite images (google maps) and all I can say is, "lots of trees!" Everywhere I look, it's the same thought, "Lots of trees!"

Yup, getting excited about Vermont's potential for naturism.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Jbee

[jbeegoode]

Found 2019 hike here:
http://freerangenaturism.com/forum/index.php?topic=1273.0

Same start point? Same campground?
Jbee

[John P]

Here is the public announcement. A small correction has been made since I first posted this--the starting time for the June 21 walk wasn't included, but has now been added.

The starting point for the Monday hike is the same as the meeting place in past years. On Sunday we'll start from a different location. Camping isn't part of the published schedule, but anyone who's walking both days can find opportunities. Groups of friends may have some plans.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Greetings naked hikers,

This year the summer solstice is at 11:31 pm EDT on Sunday, June 20, rather than on June 21 as it often is.  Sunday, June 20, is also Fathers’ Day, which may inhibit some participants.  So this year we are planning to hike on both Sunday June 20 and Monday June 21.  All are welcome for either or both days.

Because of the continuing risks associated with the pandemic, we will avoid carpooling this year, so we will do one day of out-and-backs and one day of a loop trail.

Note that Vermont has lifted restrictions on out-of-staters who are fully vaccinated more than two weeks before entering Vermont, but maintains travel restrictions on those who are not fully vaccinated.  If you have not been vaccinated, please wait for a future solstice hike, after the pandemic is fully controlled.

The June 20 hike will begin at 0930 from the AT/Long Trail parking area 2.7 miles east of Wallingford off of Route 140.  We will hike south on the AT/Long Trail two miles to the White Rocks Cliffs, and then return, passing the cairns area and the waterfall where there will be a skinny-dipping opportunity.  After we get back to the parking area, those who want a longer hike can continue north on the AT/Long Trail for as long as desired before returning.

The June 21 hike will begin at 0930 at the AT/Long Trail parking area 3.2 miles northeast of Danby VT.  From Route 7 in Danby, head east on Brooklyn Road (sometimes called Mt Tabor Rd, which eventually becomes Forest Road 10), through the village of Mt Tabor and past the Big Branch Picnic Area.  From the AT/Long Trail parking area, we will hike the 6.5 mile Green Mountain Loop Trail which begins running SW parallel to Forest Road 10.  The trail climbs to the top of Green Mountain, from which there are views of Little Rock Pond below.  It then descends to the pond for a skinning-dipping opportunity before returning south to the parking area.  Anyone wanting a longer hike can add mileage by heading north from Little Rock Pond on the AT/Long Trail or west on the Homer Stone Brook Trail.

We look forward to seeing all of you to celebrate Naked Hiking Day!

Milt

[jbeegoode]

As of May 14th, the State of Vermont states, "CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated, because travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19." The information in the announcement has already become outdated.

The announcement says, "Note that Vermont has lifted restrictions on out-of-staters who are fully vaccinated more than two weeks before entering Vermont, but maintains travel restrictions on those who are not fully vaccinated.  If you have not been vaccinated, please wait for a future solstice hike, after the pandemic is fully controlled."

Over a month away, the projections are saying that this extra paragragh will be old news. The info from the Vermont Gov says that what is to be posted to be already untrue. There are no restrictions.

By that time, there will be a choice to be vaccinated, or stick with immunities from previously having it, or take a risk to choose to not be vaccinated, or can't be vaccinated by doctors recommended care. If you got what it takes to avoid covid, you'll be alright and the rest may not.

My friend who ended up in ER on a respirator because of previous near death experience with covid will not get a second shot. There are many predisposed health issues that make the vaccine a risk, mostly not about hikers. Two younger people at DF's work got the vaccine, and haven't been hiking for around months, now. They have had various symptoms. They had been previously very healthy hikers. Study has pointed out that a second shot for people who have previously had covid is overkill. More study is ongoing.  Obviously, requiring one size fits all by mandate, is just not a good idea.

This pandemic will not be "'fully' controlled."

CDC isn't concerned with outdoor activity, unless you are just plainly cozy up, face to face with people. I think that we'll all need to learn to relax again. I've been getting more hugs the last two weeks than the last year. 

Otherwise: Cudos to setting up the hike with options. Well, thought out. Cool, very very cool. I'm excited today.
Jbee

[nuduke]

Good luck all, I hope the hike can take place.


You are, I think, right, Jbee, in remarking that the pandemic will not be fully controlled.  We have made a lot of progress in the UK but there is now a variant from India that is certainly more transmissible and may be evading the vaccine.  We'll see.  Even if the rich west completes its vaccine rollout before the winter flu season, there are so many poorer areas of the world that have neither the resources or the organisation to vaccinate people effectively for a long time to come.  Let us hope that the next few months see a further direction of mutations in the virus that attenuates the symptoms down to the level of other winter flus or better, no more troublesome than a cold, such that we can stop worrying about it and get back to normal (waiting for the next one to come along!).
John

[Greenbare Woods]

You are, I think, right, Jbee, in remarking that the pandemic will not be fully controlled. 
John

In the US it divides up between states controlled by Democrat Party Governors and States with Republican Governments.  Texas and Florida have been back to normal for some months now, and have little if any problems.  Texas recorded NO covid deaths last month despite being back to normal.  Democrat Governors in other states are still flogging the dead horse and holding onto "emergency" power.   Our governments are our worst enemies, for going naked or for living our life as we choose. 

[jbeegoode]

Our Republican Arizona governor lifted restrictions too soon twice for political reasons, and nothing to do with any of the science that I diligently looked for. People died, just as predicted by the science. Lots of people died, we had the nation's largest numbers, spiked at those times. The same happened in many other Republican controlled states, even Florida at one time.

When business interests push, Republican politicians lay down, roll on their backs and beg obediently.

On the other hand, some Democratic lead areas have grandstanded. Yup, let's be fair about this. Politicians mostly do things to stay in power. He who spends the most gets elected over 95% of the time.

Sanford, Arizona ignored the mask thing, for months and months. People were laughing at the rest of us. I wore a mask into a couple of businesses and they smirked. They had no problems, they were open for business. Then, the covid came to the semi-isolated town and they were suddenly listed as number one in the country. For years, they had billboards coming into town advertising funeral homes, a competition thing. We drove through a month or so ago and those were gone...for some reason, go figure.

This has been a very serious emergency. It would have been worse, incredibly, if the government hadn't stepped up and stopped people from infecting other people. That is why it hasn't been millions instead of more than all the American deaths in all the wars of the last 100 years. It cost a lot serious inconvenience and flat out trouble to confront the problem and keep it at bay.

People, like me, are still having effects from exposure, and more hidden issues may be happening already. I wear glasses because of measles as a child. There is evidence that complications are showing up for the longer term. Things like that can happen.  The same old story, we don't know yet.

Have you ever talked to a health worker that endured a hotspot hospital?

This shouldn't be played down. True, government that governs the least governs the best, BUT that isn't an absolute in practicality. Government intervention isn't always a bad thing. We are not free to go out and indiscriminately, selfishly risk our brother's and sister's lives. Naked bodies are not harming anyone, period. Simple nudity shouldn't compare to pandemic, death and suffering. That's bad PR and pretty much bad logic, to my thinking.
Jbee



 

[Greenbare Woods]

Yea, I haven't worn one of those silly face diapers at all.  Not a problem.  I'm so old I'm immune to bullshit, like a fakedemic. 

[nuduke]

I think you are unwise, Bob, in eschewing simple effective personal safety advice i.e. mask wearing and hand washing and not doing so potentially risks infecting others.  Surely even the most hardened libertarian would not wish to give covid to his fellow citizen?  Mind you, not even the hardier varieties of virus could survive for long in your beard! 
John

[Greenbare Woods]

I think you are unwise, Bob,...   
 John

I think you are unwise, John.  But lets not start a political argument. 

[jbeegoode]

I've very little time to mention how things went with the hike. Great, Together with John and Dan and Milton. Met others. 20 each day, not all the same. Great hikes. I won't laugh out loud when someone mentions the "mountains" on the east coast. We got tired and the vistas were more than hills.

DF and I have migrated south to hold up in a resort called Solaire in Conn. Dang nice place to roost for a free range bird, even as we wait out the rain. Dan was here yesterday and we will meet up with John P. on the 4th, before heading out to Michigan.

It's good in New England, so much so we have extended our stay.

Lots of trees, big trees, stunning grenenity, water everywhere, big waters, little waters without names, rain...
Jbee