Simon Akam

Photography: Mountains: Vermont

At the height of the Great Depression in 1933 US President Franklin Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps, with the joint aim of creating jobs and addressing national environmental issues. Across America the CCC built roads, parks and irrigation schemes, and provided disaster assistance. However, in Vermont, 'Roosevelt's Forest Army' took on a different project. Under the supervision of State Forester and fanatical skier Perry Merrill, CCC contingents cut backcountry ski trails through the New England forests.

In January 2009, shortly before Barack Obama's inauguration as president, I traveled to the resort town of Stowe in Vermont on an assignment for the Guardian newspaper. With all the talk of a second 'New Deal,' my aim was to explore the evergreen legacy of the first by skiing the CCC trails on Mt. Mansfield. The story ran on inauguration day and is available here.

Mark Puleio skis the upper section of the Teardrop Trail on Mt. Mansfield, Vermont (Simon Akam/The Guardian)
   
In temperatures of - 18 centigrade the Amtrak Vermonter slows to a halt beneath the icicles at Waterbury station, Vermont. The descendant of the original 'Snow Trains' that first opened up the New England mountains, the Vermonter runs daily between Washington, DC and St. Alban's (Simon Akam/The Guardian
   
The Stowe Community Church in midwinter. Built in 1863, the Greek revival structure stands in the centre of the Vermont resort town (Simon Akam/The Guardian)
     
  
Mark Puleio skis through snow covered Spruce trees at the head of the Teardrop trail on Mt. Mansfield, Vermont. His skis are equipped with touring bindings allowing him to unclip his heel for ascents (Simon Akam/The Guardian)
   
Mark Puleio takes a break while climbing the Teardrop Trail on Mt. Mansfield, Vermont. The orange touring ski is equipped with 'Harscheisen', ski crampons used for purchase on steep terrain (Simon Akam)
   
In deteriorating weather Mark Puleio skis beneath the 'Forehead' summit of Mt. Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont, to traverse between the Teardrop and the Bruce Trails (Simon Akam/The Guardian)
     
  
Dave Richards shoulders his telemark skis while climbing the Teardrop Trail on Mt. Mansfield, Vermont. The red strips attached to the base of the skis are climbing skins, used on ski touring ascents to avoid slipping backwards (Simon Akam/The Guardian)
   
Mark Puleio takes to the air during a ski descent of the Teardrop Trail on Mt. Mansfield, Vermont (Simon Akam/The Guardian)
   
Brooke Kasman takes a moment's break after reaching the base of the Bruce Trail, on Mt. Mansfield, Vermont (Simon Akam/The Guardian)
     
  
Michael Evan pauses on a ski descent of the Bruce Trail on Mt. Mansfield, Vermont (Simon Akam)
   
The Stowe Community Church. Built in 1863, the Greek revival structure stands in the centre of the Vermont resort town (Simon Akam
   
The Stars and Stripes flies over a Vermont homestead on the road between Stowe and Waterbury. (Simon Akam)