Vermont – Trailblazing Next

Appalachian Trail Hiking Vermont

Hike #31 Forget the Views, I Found My Quartz

Kim Ford4 weeks ago126

Kim Ford Vermont Appalachian Trail Quartz Rock

Rain hid the vistas on today’s hike, but the quartz reminded me what really matters. Strong, steady, and shining through the storm, just like my husband, Carl. My rock in life’s adventures, big and small.

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Appalachian Trail Hiking Vermont

Hike #30 The Weather Queen Said Rain… We Said Game On

Kim Ford4 weeks ago121

We asked the Weather Queen (aka my pickleball pal Chris) if our hike would stay dry. Her royal decree? Rain from the trailhead until 3 pm. She was 100% right. Twelve soggy miles later, we were soaked, muddy, laughing,…

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Appalachian Trail Hiking Vermont

Hike #29 Suspended Between Struggle and Gratitude

Kim Ford4 weeks ago104

Kim Ford Vermont Suspension Bridge on Appalachian Trail

A suspension bridge, a mountain summit, and a sweet message from an old friend, this toughest day on the Appalachian Trail revealed that sometimes gratitude is the bridge that carries us through.

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Appalachian Trail Hiking Vermont

Hike #28 The Cairn Field | A Path Marked by Intention

Kim Ford4 weeks ago184

Cairns Vermont Appalachian Trail

Cairns don’t just guide the path, they honor the pause. On this cold morning, struggling for each breath, I thought of my son’s resilience and my father’s loss. I realized that intention isn’t just about how we live, it’s…

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- Appalachian Trail, Hiking, Pennsylvania
- December 4, 2023
Hike #2 | 8.71 miles | Pennsylvania | Bernheisel Bridge Road to Boiling Springs

I didn’t dare ask my husband if he would hike the Appalachian Trail with me again, at least for a couple of days. When I saw the weather forecast for the weekend, I could no longer resist. “Why honey, the weather looks really good this weekend. It’s going to be 60 degrees in the Carlisle area,” I said. Trying to not make the same mistake as the last hike. I figured out how to create a custom route on the Far Out app, in the correct direction, and found a section with a lot fewer squiggly lines. I screenshot the route and sent it to him. He showed up with a bag of supplies the next day. Boom!!! Without saying yes, he said yes! This time, we thought it would be wise to buy some cool headlamps and to start our next hike with additional daylight. My husband tested the headlamp out around the neighborhood when he walked the dog. I’m sure our neighbors think we are complete dorks now (if they didn’t already). We checked in at The Carlise House, a beautifully restored 1826 Civil War House in Carlisle, PA then walked to dinner at 1794 Whiskey Rebellion. I’ve,...
- Appalachian Trail, Hiking, Vermont
- September 24, 2025
Hike #31 Forget the Views, I Found My Quartz

Hike #31 | Day 4 Vermont | September 24, 2025 | Hiking with AGC | 12.32 miles, 2,136 ft ascent (3,458 ft including road walk) | Mad Tom Notch Southbound to Prospect Rock We didn’t need the Weather Queen today, the rain announced itself before we even loaded the van. It kept us company all day, soft and steady, a misty soundtrack for our return to Mad Tom Notch, this time heading south. Our first stop was Bromley Peak, part of the Bromley Ski Resort. On a clear day, hikers are rewarded with a full 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains. Today? Fog, rain, and more fog. No postcard views, just a reminder that sometimes beauty hides and you have to look closer. And closer I did. That’s when I noticed the quartz (quartzite), big, white rocks scattered among the colorful fall leaves. Some were so large I could sit on them, like nature’s benches. They shimmered in the rain, strong and timeless, and instantly made me think of my rock… my husband, Carl. As the water dripped from the brim of my hat, I thought about all the ways he has been steady and unshakable in my life. Every,...
- Appalachian Trail, Beginning, Hiking, Massachusetts
- June 9, 2024
Day 0 – Slackpacking Massachusetts

Today was arrival day, the day I got to meet the 11 strangers I would be spending the next 6 days with. I met Barb and her sister Linda in the driveway and instantly knew this group wouldn’t be strangers for long. Barb, whom I call water woman, is brilliant, and loves tech. Yep, loved her instantly. It was great to meet the other ladies throughout the evening as well as our 3 guides. I was impressed to learn how experienced each of the guides were with the Appalachian Trail and that they are all Woofers (see below) and one is an EMT. I certainly hope I don’t need to be carried off the trail. The home is quintessential New England, but happened to be built by the DuVal’s (a Pittsburgh family), in the early 1900’s. Pittsburgh always seems to find its routes in every small group anywhere I go in the country. After a delicious dinner, we sat down for our daily debriefing about the next day. I’m not going to lie, I felt a bit defeated as the guides talked about these hikes being a Level 5, the most challenging, Adventures in Company offers. I immediately started questioning,...