Like most runs on the mountain, life is not a straight line. It's curvy and complicated, but in those meanders we often find meaning, drive, or purpose. As time moves forward, we look to measure our progress clearly and incrementally, but even progress moves backward to get ahead. If we're willing to put time and trust in ourselves as well as faith in others, on our path we grow, we learn, we change. Along the way, it's easy to get lost in our fears, doubts or even failures, but ups tend to come with downs, and within the waves are life lessons. There's no set timeline for discovery. When something pulls at you hard enough, remember to follow the tug.

Introducing Jay Peak Terrain Park Manager, Larry Mundhenk. Larry's journey from building dirt jumps in Jersey to the driver's seat of a groomer at the northern tip of nowhere is all but a straight line, even though his corduroys are these days. After following his gut and a few friends, Larry made his way here to pursue working in the outdoor industry. He put in long hours and learned new skills to take on the challenges of the job, while discovering new perspectives on why he loves what he does.

A wise man once said, "I am hoping that if I stay present in the moment and stay positive, trust my feet, my head, and my heart, I think I can do it."

That man is Nick Ruschmeyer. Nick's unwavering work ethic, joy for life and the outdoors, and ability to motivate anyone around him, gave new life to our terrain parks and laid the groundwork for where they are now. In 2020 we lost Nick to his decade-long battle with cancer, but his legacy lives on. Within us. On the mountain. And through his vision to transform youth and remove barriers to accessing the outdoors with the Reeno Foundation.

The Reeno Foundation increases access to powerful transformative outdoor experiences for children and young adults. Focused in the northeastern US, Reeno enables young people to participate in experiential education or professional outdoor opportunities, and encourages a life-long connection to the natural world through several scholarship programs.

Learn more about the Reeno Foundation and DONATE HERE