WMC 2022 – Remembering Jean Haigh

By Ami English

Two sleeps away from the 2022 Westmore Challenge and I am finally getting around to talk about what it means to me. I have yet to finish the entire challenge. I have been content with just bagging the 5 peaks. Last year I had decided that I was done trying. 

And then life happened, the stars aligned and I am now the recipient of the first-ever Jean Haigh Memorial Westmore Challenge Fee Scholarship. How could one turn down such a noble offer? After all, there is no one on the planet that makes one feel like she did, and to be taking on this challenge one more time in her honor is nothing short of wonderful. She reignited my love for the mountains and spent countless hours roaming the forests of Westmore and beyond with myself, and my best friend Angela Smith. I am honored to push myself in her memory.

Many people only know of Jean and I as hiking friends. We were far more. My first encounter with her was in a graduate class called Special Education Law at Johnson State College. I was a single mother, trying to better my position in life for myself and my children. She was my cheerleader. She believed in me and made me believe in myself. With her gentle guidance and enthusiasm, I finished the graduate course needed to get my teaching license. Her signature is literally on my portfolio!

Next stop- Holland Elementary School. We were slated for school improvement and in walks the almighty Jean Haigh to save the day! She was so dedicated to the work Vermont was doing to promote positive behavior in schools and she happened to be assigned to us as we navigated the creation of behavior management systems in our small rural school. Again, she gave me the encouragement I needed to do the hard work.

And then finally, the Green Mountain Club connection. It is through this chapter of our stories that we bonded forever. Jean talked endlessly of her love and devotion for the Long Trail and the mountains we cherish in the Northeast Kingdom. Even in the end, when her description of our hikes became less accurate and we often got lost, we would follow her anywhere. She led through influence; I mean who didn’t want to be Jean? So smart, so athletic, so influential, so loved. 

Jean was supposed to meet my new granddaughter the day after she left us. I got together with Angela and Madilynn as planned, but the sheer loss was overwhelming.  I wanted my granddaughter to know her and to be in her aura. I can assure you, my granddaughters will know her legacy and feel her love and protection their whole life through. They will be raised to cherish and protect the wilds and the footpaths that we all love.

I promised Jean to always love her mountains when we would have serious talks. They didn’t happen often, but our mortality was a topic now and then, sometimes between talk about boys and politics.  I think of her with almost every footfall, especially the grueling ones.  I know I will call on her strength and her love as I tackle this crazy challenge for the 5th time! These hills are my playground and the memories dance within the trees. I have walked all of these paths with Jean and I know she will be cheering me on from wherever she may be perched.