Dear Directors,

It is with great sorrow that I share the news of the loss of our friend and coworker Dave Hardy. Dave passed away peacefully this morning, surrounded by family and friends, after a year-long battle with cancer.

Dave grew up hiking with his family, so the trail was in his blood from an early age. He referred to his job as GMC’s Director of Trail Programs as the greatest job in the world. To him, it wasn’t really a job at all. It was a special opportunity to connect people with the natural world.

It is hard to think of anyone whose identity is more interwoven with the Long Trail and the community of trail stewards throughout New England than Dave’s. Every mile of tread, shelter, bridge, privy, and waterbar on the 500-mile trail system is imprinted with his vision and unwavering passion.

Today, the Long Trail lost one of its greatest champions. Tomorrow, people will be able to get up, go hiking, and explore the natural world because of Dave’s twenty-five-year legacy at the Green Mountain Club.

We will all miss his wisdom, knowledge, sense of humor, and unique ways.

Our hearts are with his family and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

We hope that each of you will find the time to take a walk on the Trail in his memory.

Mike

Michael DeBonis

Executive Director

The Green Mountain Club