Oh, yoolis night

December 23rd was so cold, we waited in our car for others to arrive, not sure if any would. Many people who had planned to walk called in regrets noting holiday preparations that still needed doing. Then people did begin showing up. We had four tried-and-true walkers and one first-timer. Our newbie had hiked the Rockies alone in his youth and knows Storm King Mountain better than any of us. He even ran part of the way!


These beautiful photographs are taken with a flash. They make the woods seem very dark beyond the scope of the light. Trust me, the woods were full of snowlight and moonlight. The mountain resonated for us, and on this night, we gratefully received what it gave.
Now that's the holiday spirit.

"Walking in the snow is slippery! I need new boots!"

"Snow is sublime! Crunchy and bright. A beautiful walk."


"The woods were filled with light, yet my mind whirred a bit loudly this time. Drifted until I would see the moon and remember where I was. Less color, more sound as the trees whined about the wind."

Thom Munterich takes all the photographs and sound recordings for the Silent Walks.
This picture compares to one he took in July.

"Snow--familiar distance and direction. Moonlight great. Overdressed. A little crunch, water, but quieter than usual."
Click above to listen to the water.

Reverse silhouette, lights in the distance.



Click above for snow walking.


A well catches the stream on it's way down.


"Brilliant white lights on the banks. Day of Giving. Happy Solstice."

Breath lingering in the cold air.

At the end, several people said they were surprised how warm they got as they walked. Two said they had a harder time keeping their thoughts from drifting this time, maybe because of the holidays, while another said this walk was her best yet. We shared Christmas cookies and well wishes for the new year.
The next Silent Walk is on January 23. Bundle up and come walk with us!

All is calm, all is bright

Join us for a silent night. Trail head on Mountain Rd. 6:00pm. December 23. Dress for cold and slippery conditions.

November's Walk-moonlight and blue shadows

Before Tuesday afternoon, my biggest concern was being clearly identifiable as a group of walkers, not a herd of deer. No hunting is allowed at Storm King, but you can't be too careful. Most walkers opted for flashlights or headlamps, but it was surprisingly bright. No clouds and no leaves allowed the half moon to light the way. Even so, the light was too dim to show the moon shadows in these photographs. Our photographer, Thom Munterich, took some shots with a flash and also made a few short videos to provide an idea of the sound. Everyone noticed how each walk has its own characteristic. Very true.
The following are the comments made by the participants. Thanks for walking!

The Start: Passing out flashlights, glow bracelets and discussing safety.

A strange silent walk. Different from others. A true half-moon.


(Dancing Half Moon.)

Walking in the starlight, I had many thoughts, starting with my day-a difficult but rewarding one, especially after yesterday. Then my day faded away. The woods were beautiful--looking from the outcrop over the river-seeing the beauty of the valley. Thanks.

Darkness all around. The sound of water rushing. Stars overhead. The sweet smell of leaves. Bright lights in the distance.

Serene, peaceful, well-needed.

A gorgeous night! It was fun getting lost, too! I appreciated the chance to quiet my mind.


(We are silent, but the walking is quite crunchy.)

I loved walking at night.


(Walkers approaching the bluff.)

Half moon like a black cat's eye. Her brightness will guide you but she'll pounce if you turn your back. And that distant, mournful train won't help.


(The view. Listen for the train.)

Walking the trail in darkness, I was completely focused. Placed each foot with some care. The boulders seemed larger, the trail more meandering (ha!), and the city lights more distant. Yet I felt no anxiety. The darkness protects as much as hides, and the moon beams cast pale blue stripes across the path.

Don't be afraid of the dark. Amazing! So much brighter than expected. And water-so much water! The view was alive with lights. The city/town sparkled with color. Half moon bright in the sky. Hey! Didn't get arrested.

After the walk, we shared clementines and our thoughts. Most of us had to rush off to continue preparations for Thanksgiving. This was a perfect way to start.
The next walk is December 23. Please join us and bring your favorite elf.

Walking in the Dark

We will be walking under the half moon this coming Tuesday, November 24th. Please join us at the Storm King trail head on Mountain Road in Cornwall-on-Hudson. We start at 6pm.
Bring a friend. Walking in the dark is an experience best shared with friends.

October 25th, Walking in the glow.

When I conceived of the idea of the Silent Walks, I was imagining a night like October 25th. Darkness makes the woods primordial. Our own lost contours were visual signs of the feeling of belonging: Whitman's dilation. Maybe the glowing colors of the trees in the fading twilight, and the luminosity of the river once we emerged on the bluff, and the return walk under the half moon, will be conveyed in these photographs, but the experience cannot. Consider these as documents of a memory we share but can never capture.

Note the glow-bracelet. That was important on the walk back.

The air seemed slightly colored, as if it took on all the gold and amber of the leaves overhead and underfoot. The aroma of fallen leaves and distant wood smoke filled the air. When we came out of the trees onto the bluff, I heard someone gasp and understood why--the unexpected brilliance of the evening sky reflected in the river. Lights sparkled from just below us all the way to the bridge. It was breath-taking.

Gilded domes in the forest canopy. The flat and luminous glow of October's twilight. I can forgive Maxfield Parrish.

My first Silent Walk exceeded all of my expectations...breezy, calm, meditative and incredibly inspiring and energizing!

We have to name this one, "The Glow Walk." From the glowing leaves to the glowing moon, to the flickering lights of our sleepy village, Newburgh and Beacon, to even our glow stick bracelets! The walk was the best one yet!

Red sun setting. Hearing animals and footsteps. Half moon in the sky. Darkness all around. Familiar trail. No fear.

Great sound.
(Sound recording to be posted shortly...)

At the end of the walk, we shared our thoughts and some apples. There was an awareness of the dark, but comfort in the group. The next walk is November 24, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Bring a flashlight and a friend.

Yellow tunnels

The next walk is this Sunday, October 25th at 6pm. It will be dusk, and the leaves will be both underfoot and overhead. Please come and bring a friend. This is meant to be shared.
We meet at the Storm King trail head on Mountain Rd.

September's Walk--green and gloaming

I needed this walk, almost had a thirst for the comfort of it.
Family, friends and new walkers arrived to participate, about 20 in all. The weather was perfectly appropriate--cool and a bit cloudy. Some leaves had changed, but it was still quite green. Here are the comments of those who chose to write and photographs from Thom Munterich.

We begin, youngest 9, oldest 77.

For me the Silent Walk combines the peace and tranquility of hiking alone with the comfort and safety of a group.

The silence prevented polite social chatter from overriding the energy of nature. It was just the thud of footsteps, pounding of hearts and the wonderment of the surroundings. An enlightening experience!

Thanks for the chance to step out of the 'real' world-with its endless nonsense and distractions--and into a better one.

Fourth time. New hiking shoes worked great. So many people, all trying to get the most out of it, all trying to absorb the surroundings as best they can.

A beautiful night--finally feeling like evening. Louder crickets-cooler breezes. Snakeskin on rock. Playing quietly with Max. A great way to spend a Saturday.

First Timer--It was easier to be quiet than I was afraid it would be! I was surprised. I only saw one live creature-a bird-when we were sitting. Very relaxing. I didn't want it to end!

Thanks for the opportunity to think for a while--I am so glad I came!

So cool. So beautiful.

Vines wrapped around a tree holding a gigantic broken branch precariously over the path.

Fourth time and I looked forward to the soft release, the unwinding of the day. Felt the peace well up inside and seep out. Then it all came in again--the voices in the neighborhood below, the boats, the snake skin, the clouds, the mountains and the river. Colors of dusk.

At times I felt alone, and for a moment, I felt that we were all one.

I saw a tree wrapped around another tree and I thought, "Cool, they're hugging." A couple minutes later I realized, "No, they're fighting."


Thanks to everyone who came out. The group makes the experience what it is.
Next walk is October 25, a Sunday! Please come and bring a friend.