Winter in the sugar bush has a way of testing both grit and gear. This season’s snow has kept us on our toes, but it’s also pushed us to get smarter about how we collect sap.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been busy upgrading our mainlines to boost efficiency. With a transit level in hand, we mapped the route and confirmed the slope needed to let gravity do the work. The planning paid off, even though we occasionally found ourselves on a 10‑foot ladder, perched in several feet of fresh powder to attach tubing to the supporting wire. It’s a solid workout, but it’s also how we set the stage for a smoother season ahead.
Taps are getting ready, too. Each year, we replace some spiles to help ensure maximum flow from the trees. This winter’s pace has been a bit slower — every step through knee‑deep snow in our snowshoes is a reminder of how seasonal this work is. Still, progress is being made, one careful step at a time, and we’re hopeful spring will arrive soon enough to melt the snow and bring the sap runs to life.
There’s a lot of work left to do, and we’re not rushing the process. Spring will come, and with it the sweet reward of maple syrup. Until then, we’ll keep laying mainlines, checking taps, and sharing updates from the bush as the season unfolds.
