A total of 234 people successfully hiked all 14 of Connecticut’s highest peaks and are eligible to receive a hand-crafted walking stick made by Connecticut Wood Carvers Association.
Fifty names will be drawn at 3 p.m. after the First Day Hike to determine the winners.
More than 400 participants hiked at least 10 of the designated locations and received a hiking staff medallion and certificate.
“DEEP held this hiking competition for the first time this year that encouraged families and friends to enjoy Connecticut’s state parks and forests any time of the year,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee.
“We learned that people like to participate in friendly competition to win prizes and by the high number of hikers who joined in we know the program was a success.”
Success Stories
The stories told by the participants proved that in this time of giving sometimes just an outstretched hand can be the best present of all.
One father shared his story of what this challenge meant to him and his very special little boy. http://www.ctmq.org/tstl9-macedonia-brook-state-park/ “At some point, I had to hold his hand to get him up the incline. I didn’t really let go until the summit… probably a good quarter mile of hand-holding. He didn’t fight me with it (very unusual.) When I’d let go to wipe the sweat or whatever, he’d silently reach out his hand again, accepting of my help.”
Sometimes we all just need a helping hand.
Others told us how fathers and daughters reconnected by doing the hikes, about a marriage proposal, how walking in the woods benefited a man dealing with “seasonal affective disorder” and inspired him to visit all the state parks and perhaps write a book about his adventures!
Young, and young at heart, who completed this challenge were very proud of their accomplishments and were amazed to see all the beauty that exists in Connecticut’s state parks and forests.
After hectic preparations for the holidays hopefully as Rachel Carson stated: “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will ensure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature - the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
Hopefully, we will all take time to enjoy the refrains of nature and renew our spirit.
Background on “The Sky’s the Limit"
Participants were required to hike any number of designated 14 peaks in Connecticut throughout 2015 and take two photos – one of themselves at a state park or forest sign and one at each location they hiked. Photos were emailed to DEEP for verification.
The 14 peaks were located in either a state park or forest and were located throughout the state.
Plans are currently underway to develop a new challenge for 2016.
For more information: www.ct.gov/deep/SkystheLimit.
This is a press release from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
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