b'VAST NewsSTRANDED RIDERA message from VAST Vice President Mark ReavesRESCUEDBy Gary Nolan, Safety AmbassadorI received a call from a friend last night (Friday, Feb. 14) at 11 p.m., informing me that his son was stuck on the Johnson side of Sterling Mountain and was going to spend the night there. I warned him it would drop to -10 degrees and that his son couldnt remain there overnight. I assured him I would try to help and called him back shortly.I reached out to Bobbi and Matt Rooney from the Sterling Snow Riders Club, even though it was late. I explained the situation to Bobbi, who mentioned a groomer was in the area but was unreachable at the moment. While we were still on the phone, the groomer called back and estimated it would take about an hour before reaching the trail. Mud season has arrived oncedouble that of the second and Bobbi then informed me that she andagain. Although its my leastthird place statesNew York and Matt were heading out to try to locatefavorite time of year, it does offerMainecombined!him before the groomer arrived. Atbeautiful scenes of VermontsOver the years, snowmobilers 12:05 a.m., she called back to say theysecond greatest tradition have observed significant had found him and were working toafter snowmobilingmaplechanges in the process of dig him out. They believed they couldsugaring! As we often mention,sugaring. Where once we rode get him out, but if not, the groomersnowmobile trails allow ridersthrough sugarbushes filled with would be there soon. to access areas of the state thaticonic galvanized buckets, now are otherwise difficult to reachwe navigate along long stretches Around 1 a.m., Bobbi texted to confirmfor much of the year. These trailsof pipeline that transport they had successfully brought himwind in and out of sugarbushesmaple sap to the sugarhouse. back to the junction on the LVRT nearacross the state, showcasingIts important to note that the VT Flannel, and he was on his waythe extent of Vermonts mapleland we ride on serves many back to Morrisville. His mother textedindustry. purposessugaring, farming, me at 1:40 a.m. to let me know he wasIf you think youve noticedlogging, hunting, fishing, and home safe. an increase in sugaringcountless other activities. Heck, I wanted to take a moment to give aoperations in recent years,on my clubs trail system, we shout-out to Matt and Bobbi Rooneyyoure not mistaken. Accordingride past some of the largest for taking my call in the middle ofto the University of Vermontsgranite quarries in the world. As the night and for their quick actionExtension Service, the amountsnowmobilers, we have a unique in rescuing a fellow snowmobiler inof maple syrup produced inperspective on this working distress. This experience highlights theVermont has skyrocketed fromlandscape. importance and effectiveness of theroughly 500,000 gallons perMy point with this column is to VAST Safety Ambassador program foryear in the early 1990s to overhighlight one of the many uses our members and fellow snowmobilers3 million gallons in 2024aof the land our trail system across the state. remarkable 500% increase. Sincecrosses over. Our trail system 2007, the number of taps hasis a testament to our neighbors surged from 2.8 million to 8.4generosity in letting us access million. Vermont now accountstheir property. Next time you see for 53% of the nations maplea sugarmaker out tapping a tree, production, an impressivestop and say thank you!statistic considering the states size. In 2024, VermontsMark Reaves, production was more thanVAST Vice PresidentLate Winter 2025 | 5'