Organizations share safety messages ahead of eclipse, state anticipates financial windfall

March 29, 2024  |  By Sandy Yusen 

Jim Bosek sets the context for the upcoming eclipse, explaining the unique conditions for a total solar eclipse. Photo by Sandy Yusen

With just 10 days until the total solar eclipse, the town of Waterbury and various state and local organizations are putting final preparations into place and conveying messages of excitement and safety.

The town has created an eclipse information map, available online and via a QR code, that illustrates recommended viewing areas, parking locations, the location of portable toilets, and the location of the town’s world map to capture where visitors to Waterbury are traveling from. Area businesses are encouraged to use the map to direct visitors looking for amenities.

State Treasurer anticipates eclipse windfall for Vermont

A report issued by Vermont’s State Treasurer Mike Pieciak estimates the economic impact of the eclipse could range from $12.9 million to $51.8 million. The figures are calculated by estimating the number of visitors who will travel to Vermont — between 52,000 and 208,000 visitors—multiplied by the amount each visitor will spend while in the state, estimated at $249.28 on average. 

The report is based on economic analyses completed by Wyoming, Nebraska, and South Carolina after the 2017 total solar eclipse. These regions experienced a surge of visitors who spent money on lodging, food and beverage, and transportation. 

While the actual economic impact on Vermont will largely depend on the weather, any boost of travel to Vermont is unusual for this time of year, according to Pieciak. “The economic impact of the total solar eclipse could be significant for Vermont, and the benefits will be even greater considering April is generally a slow period for Vermont’s tourism industry,” he said. “This will be a boon to our state’s coffers, with millions of dollars in tax revenues likely to be collected.” 

Outdoor organizations issue backcountry safety warnings 

Emergency responders have shared a flurry of cautionary messages for those who might be tempted to seek out more secluded spots for viewing the eclipse. In a letter to outdoor hikers posted in the Waterbury Roundabout, Eric LaRose, president of the Waterbury Backcountry Rescue Team, strongly cautioned readers to think about safety, and to refrain from hiking to remote areas or higher elevation in search of a better view.

The reasons are twofold, according to LaRose. First, the ice, snow, and mud on the trails make for treacherous, unpredictable conditions that can lead to falls and injuries. “These trails are not like those found in city parks,” warns LaRose. “They demand the utmost caution and preparation.” In addition, LaRose is concerned that eclipse-related traffic and road blockages, combined with potentially limited cell service, could force potentially long delays in any rescue operation throughout the state. 

Richmond Rescue Director and Camels Hump Backcountry Rescue Team member Michael Chiarella issued a similar cautionary message on social media this week echoing the same concerns. “Many of our backcountry rescue members also work at healthcare facilities and ambulance/fire departments so we expect to have fewer rescuers available,” he wrote. “If a rescue is required, expect to be on your own for longer than usual. If there are concurrent rescues, you will be on your own for many hours.”

Underhill and Huntington will be closing key access routes to popular Mt. Mansfield and Camels Hump trailheads on April 8, he noted. 

In addition, the Duxbury Selectboard this week agreed it would close Camels Hump Road to resident traffic only from noon on Sunday, April 7, until 5 p.m. on Monday, April 8. 

“Our concerns are a lack of parking at the trailhead with only the lower winter lot open, and the potential damage to an already fragile road from an unknown volume of traffic,” wrote Selectboard Chair Richard Charland in a community bulletin on March 29. Camels Hump Road has been plagued with muddy conditions multiple times over the past several months, requiring emergency repairs. 

Signs will be in place with Duxbury town road crew members assisting on Monday, Charland said adding that the fine for violating the road closure is $100. 

Chiarella said he will settle for seeing the eclipse near Camels Hump. “We advise people to stay away from the higher summits on eclipse day. While I would love to experience an eclipse from a mountaintop, early April is a challenging time for that in Vermont. I'm going to settle for viewing it from below with Camels Hump in the background.”

Joining the local backcountry first responders, the Green Mountain Club has been strongly recommending avoiding backcountry trails on its social media, in interviews and on its website. It also has a detailed eclipse guide, as well as FAQs, all of which advise people to stay away from remote and high-elevation hiking areas for eclipse viewing. 

Chloe Miller, communications manager for the Green Mountain Club, suggests eclipse viewers stick to what she calls “front country” areas—wide open spaces near cities and towns with unobstructed views of the sky. “This is really a once-in-a-lifetime event and worth seeking out, and your best views are going to be from waterfronts, fields, parks and lakes,” she says. For local residents, she adds, “You don’t have to go far from home to experience this.”

According to Vermont’s Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation which operates the state parks system, all hiking trails on state lands are normally closed at this time of year to protect them from damage during mud season. Some Vermont state parks, including the Little River and Waterbury Center state parks, will be open for viewing with limited parking. The state has a list of open parks online. Facilities in both parks will not be open for the season yet, although portable toilets will be available.

Miller reports that the department will be placing signage at closed parks and trails. She noted the Duxbury road closure as well. 

Even as she urges caution, Miller admitted she is excited about the upcoming eclipse.  “I’ve never seen one but from everything I’ve read and come across, it really is an unimaginable experience,” Miller said. “We’re really lucky to be right here in the path.”

Eclipse talk attracts a crowd, shares expertise at the library 

Vermont Astronomical Society board member and Eclipse Committee Chair Jim Bosek speaks to a packed room of nearly 50 people at the Waterbury Public Library. Photo by Sandy Yusen

This past week, the Waterbury Public Library hosted an event with the Vermont Astronomical Society, which promotes amateur astronomy in the state. Speaking to a packed room of nearly 50 people, society board member and eclipse committee chair Jim Bosek set the context for the upcoming eclipse, including a literal deep dive into the makeup of the sun, details of what viewers can expect on April 8, and how to view the eclipse safely.

Bosek explained that in the gradual darkness as totality takes hold, stars will brighten. Jupiter and Venus will be visible, as well as Mars and Saturn towards the horizon. A comet, called the “Devil Comet,” may appear dimly. The temperature may drop by as much as 20 degrees, the wind may change, and animals normally on the move at night may become active. Even in inclement weather, the eclipse is worth experiencing “If you have a cloudy day and you can’t see the sun, be outside anyway,” he said.

Using balls of yarn, Jim Bosek involves third grader Veda Pfeifer in demonstrating the relative size between the earth and the moon, and the distance between the two, using balls of yarn. Photo by Sandy Yusen

In the final moments before true totality hits, Bosek said, there is an effect called “Bailey’s beads,” where the sun’s disk shines through the peaks and valleys of the moon. This is followed by totality, which is, as Bosek said, “the only time you can witness the sun’s corona without the aid of high science.” 

Bosek shared that eclipses have their own Snowflake Bentley effect -- referring to the Vermont photographer who documented the uniqueness of snowflakes. Each eclipse has its own unique corona fingerprint, in which the white ring around the black moon takes on a different shape each time.

Bosek encouraged the audience to imagine how ancient civilizations, such as Mayan sun worshippers, reacted to the eclipse. “Can you imagine being a stone-age person hunting or gathering, the sun goes dim in the middle of the day and you look up and see a big black hole in the sky?”

He concluded by emphasizing the importance of eye protection while viewing the eclipse, particularly during the stages before and after totality when the sun is still visible. “Nothing is more important to us than our eyes,” he said. “Never look directly at the sun without a filter.” He described how our eyes are like a highly sensitive, easily damaged magnifying glass, and that the sun can easily burn the central area of the retina that allows us to see.

Bosek stressed that viewers use glasses marked with ISO 12312-2; 2015, which indicates that the glasses meet international safety standards, and protect the glasses from being scratched or creased. “Put them in your dictionary if you still have a book at home under ‘eclipse’ or an astronomy book,” he advised. All attendees were offered free glasses by the library. 

In a presentation at the Waterbury Public Library, Jim Bosek of the Vermont Astronomical Society points to Waterbury on the map indicating it will experience nearly 2 minutes and 30 seconds of darkness during the eclipse. Photo by Sandy Yusen

Bosek involved third grader Veda Pfeifer in demonstrating the relative size of the earth and the moon, and the distance between the two, using balls of yarn. After the event, Pfeifer shared that she was excited to share the information she learned with her 4-year-old sister. “She doesn’t know what the eclipse is,” she said.

The library hosts speakers from the astronomical society with some regularity. Judi Byron, the library’s adult program coordinator, said this visit aimed to offer community members more context. She said he also wanted to reach eclipse viewers who might overlook the need for eye protection in the excitement of the moment. “It’s tempting…that’s the problem,” she said.

The presentation is available on the Vermont Astronomical Society website and a recording will also be posted on Orca media. 

See more local information about the total solar eclipse on the Waterbury Roundabout homepage.