Untamed Vermont

First-time skiers on the beginners' lift at Vermont's Killington Mountain must pass a sobering and scary sign as they ride up the hill: "These mountains will be as cold and lonely tonight as they were 200 years ago. Do not ski alone." While intended to discourage skiers from risky and dangerous schussing, that notice also serves to remind many of us that, despite its small size, Vermont has a huge number of remote and desolate locations, even though many of them are exceedingly beautiful and scenic. Other than backpackers and ardent nature lovers, few will ever have an opportunity to visit many of those sites in person.

Fortunately, nature photographer Blake Gardner has made it easy for us. With his large-format camera tucked into a specially-equipped pack, Gardner has tromped Vermont's wilderness areas for more than a decade, chronicling their beauty in every season and all kinds of weather. Here are 65 of his full-color photographs, from all parts of the state. Some are close-ups of rare and wondrous flowers and foliage; others show spectacular vistas. They are accompanied by an explanatory text by the eminent and readable ecologist, Tom Wessels, and introduced by native Vermonter and avid amateur photographer, U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy.

Untamed Vermont was a finalist for 2004 Book of the Year in both the art and design categories of the Publishers Marketing Association and in the art and nature categories of ForeWord Magazine's national competition the same year.