We are saddened to hear of the passing of Torrey Sylvester, former board member, avid hiker, and friend.
In early 1994, when Torrey Sylvester learned of the IAT, he called Don Hudson and expressed his interest in getting involved and suggesting that the trail go over Mars Hill. Like so many enthusiastic Maine hikers of the AT, Torrey had dreamed about extending the trail into northern Maine. Don called Dick Anderson and Dick called Torrey moments later. By the end of that conversation, Torrey was recruited to the Board of Directors.
A few months later, after we had learned that potato farmers were not keen to have soil borne fungi transferred from field to field on muddy boots, Don asked if it would be possible to walk on the international border instead of finding a path through the network of potato fields in that corner of Aroostook County. Torrey jumped on the idea, and within days he had confirmed that there was no restriction for use of the boundary, so long as hikers do not wander back and forth from the US to Canada during their journey.
A few months later, after we had learned that potato farmers were not keen to have soil borne fungi transferred from field to field on muddy boots, Don asked if it would be possible to walk on the international border instead of finding a path through the network of potato fields in that corner of Aroostook County. Torrey jumped on the idea, and within days he had confirmed that there was no restriction for use of the boundary, so long as hikers do not wander back and forth from the US to Canada during their journey.
A few years ago, Bill Duffy documented the timeline for the construction of campsites. We paid for the first lean-to, built on the top of Mars Hill ($2,500 if we recall correctly). Torrey managed single-handedly to procure each new lean-to up to the last acquired for the Katahdin Brook campsite. In addition, Torrey did the legwork to secure the Ft. Fairfield campsite, Roach Farm campsite, the Monticello campsite, and the now abandoned Wright Farm campsite.
It’s fair to say that Torrey leaned into the establishment of the trail. He was pivotal to getting the shelters established and there are many fond memories of him at meetings and trail work and shelter building trips. We will miss Torrey’s booming voice along the trail, at meetings, or special events. And, the kilt. Torrey was in full regalia when we met with the Northwest County Council in Fort William, Scotland in June 2009!
To give a gift in memory of Torrey, please visit the link below.
