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The Deerfield Valley Pilgrimage Experience
How to Prepare for Walking the Route
Physical Preparation: Most plan to do some walking during the summer to prepare for the September event, but usually they don’t get around to it, and it doesn’t seem to make all that much difference. We are all very busy. I try to walk 6,000 – 10,000 steps a day (3-5 miles) but often don’t. Since most of us walk about 4,000 steps a day walking around the house, at work and on errands, this isn’t much different. I have found this adequate, but I would not hesitate to participate without any special preparation. There are always rides throughout the walk if there is a hill you don’t want to climb.
· Shoes are the most important item. Experienced hikers have well-worn hiking boots, but about an equal number of participants wear sneakers or running shoes. The important thing is that your footwear is well-worn and comfortable from use. New shoes might be a problem.
· Socks are also important. On the past pilgrimages I wore normal heavy white athletic socks, the type that you buy in bundles of five or ten at Walmart, and they were fine. The important thing is that they are higher than the top of the shoe or boot and thick to avoid chafing. Some regular hikers have special “hiking socks,” which are better but expensive. It is good to have an extra pair of socks in your backpack.
· Rain gear. We ask that you bring a poncho or other rain gear. We supply disposable ponchos for those who forget. This is the fourth pilgrimage, and we haven’t had rain yet, but who knows? September is usually one of the better weather months in terms of sunny days, but it does rain from time to time.
· Reflective vest. We don’t encounter much vehicular traffic, but there is some. We have vests for those who forget to bring one because we think it is important.
· Clothing Layers. It may be cool in the morning. (This morning, August 22, it was 41 F. when I got up but rose to 76 by mid-afternoon.) Have a warm jacket or sweatshirt that you can take off if it gets hot. There could be a 30 degree swing in temperature during the day.
· Water bottle. There will be refilling stations at the rest stops, where you will also find individual water bottles if you prefer.
· Small backpack for your gear, water bottle, and lunch.
· Hiking Sticks. Hikers often have one or two hiking sticks although most walkers in prior years have not used them. Proponents of Nordic walking assert that using two sticks increases the efficacy of the exercise and can make it safer and easier on rough ground.
· Sunblock. You know what this is for.
· Insect repellent. There are not many mosquitoes along our route, usually, but Lyme Disease has come to Vermont. I use 25% DEET routinely when I go out. For tick protection, the CDC recommends repellents with 20%-30% DEET or 20% picaridin (which is derived from black pepper.) Please note that not all repellents repel ticks. Don’t neglect this precaution; we will have insect repellents available if you don’t bring your own.
· Lunch for two days. Sandwiches are popular, as are granola bars and the like. You can bring them or buy them locally. Shaw’s market and the deli at the Jolley’s Mobile Exxon next to Shaw’s are both in Wilmington’s downtown, not far from the start of the walk at the Old School.
Mental Preparation: As Yogi Berra is quoted as saying, “90% of thinking is mental.”
· Anticipate a great experience. This was the overwhelming reaction of participants in previous pilgrimages.
· Don’t worry about your fitness. Not everyone walks the whole way, and cars are never far away to provide lifts to the next stop or elsewhere. Most people, however, are surprised about how well they handle the challenges of the walk.
· Enjoy nature and spirituality. Be aware of the sights, sounds, and fragrances. Focus your attention on your surroundings; they can be inspiring.
Other Updates
There will be an informal gathering on Friday evening for walkers and volunteers to meet each other at a restaurant named “19 South Main,” which is also the address in Wilmington. We plan to be there around 5:30-7:30. Please stop by.
FYI: You may see a lot of people strolling around the downtown because Friday is also the Wine & Soup Stroll in downtown Wilmington, starting at 4 pm. (You would need to buy a passport at https://www.visitvermont.com/vermont-wine-harvest-festival if you want to sample the soups and wine.)
Please register for the pilgrimage if you plan to attend. There is no deadline for registration but it is useful to get an idea of the numbers for planning purposes. So far, registration is running well ahead of last year.
Yours truly,
Lincoln
Lincoln Rathnam, for the Organizing Committee
PS: If you would like to read or reread the previous updates, which provide some more general information about the walk,
For Update 1 (general information): please click here.
For Update 2 ("Bunyan's Progress," a walker's story): please click here.
For Update 3 (Are you the sort of person who goes on a pilgrimage?): please click here.
The next update will be about the Deerfield Valley.
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