Hiking Mount Greylock via Bellows Pipe Trail

A financial services professional with decades of experience, R. Scott Bushley joined Granite Point Capital in 2018, where he serves as COO and partner, overseeing all finance and business operations at the Boston-based hedge fund manager. Away from work, Scott Bushley enjoys hiking.

One of the most frequented hiking destinations in Massachusetts is Mount Greylock. At 3,491 feet, Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts and features diverse trails that challenge hikers with various levels of difficulty. Beginners and experienced hikers alike will find trails that fit their skill level at Mount Greylock.

One of the trails recommended by alltrails.com is the Bellows Pipe Trail, which is accessible from the Gould Road/Bellows South parking area. At the beginning of the trail, hikers can see a 90-mile path ahead, which connects to the Appalachian Trail. Bascom Lodge, a rustic stone and wood lodge, is located at the summit.

According to alltrails.com, guests should not hike the Thunderbolt ski trail at Mount Greylock on their return from the peak because the trail suffers extensive erosion from foot traffic. Rather than exiting on the Thunderbolt Trail, guests should take Bellows Pipe back to the starting point when descending from the peak.

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A Brief Description of the Evolution of Triathlon

Experienced finance professional R. Scott Bushley earned his MBA in finance at Boston College’s Carroll School of Management. Scott Bushley serves as partner and COO of Granite Point Capital, where he performs fiscal and operational functions. Outside of work, Scott Bushley loves to participate in triathlons. So far, he has done over 25 triathlons and looks forward to doing more in the future.

A triathlon is an endurance sport that combines swimming, biking, and running in one event without a break between the sports. Throughout the world, over 3.5 million people participate in triathlon events each year. Here’s how triathlon has evolved over time.

The first-ever triathlon took place on September 25, 1974, in San Diego. Two avid runners, Dan Shanahan and Jack Johnstone developed the concept of a race that incorporates swimming, biking, and running. The event was known as the Mission Bay Triathlon. The race was held on Fiesta Island near Mission Bay. Forty-six people, each bringing their own bike, suited up for the inaugural event.

The Mission Bay Triathlon had a quite complicated format. The race started with a run, followed by biking, then swimming towards the mainland. Once there, the participants ran barefoot along the seashore before swimming again. The last leg was another run.

The order of the triathlon was fixed to swimming, biking, and running to avoid injuries. Swimming is risky, so the triathletes should start the race while still fresh. Since the risk of exhaustion-related mishaps is higher in biking than in running, it is best to put biking ahead of running.

The world’s most popular triathlon brand is the Iron Man. It was the idea of John and Judy Collins, who participated in the Mission Bay Triathlon. When they moved to Hawaii from San Diego, they developed the concept of an endurance race, later known as Iron Man. The first Hawaiian Iron Man was held on February 18, 1978. Iron Man became the ultimate test for triathletes so that each one who completes the race is called “Iron Man.”

Hiking for Beginners

An MBA graduate from Boston College Carroll Graduate School of Management, finance professional R. Scott Bushley has more than two decades of finance experience. Scott Bushley’s free time pursuits include travel and hiking. Here are some fundamentals for beginning hikers.

To begin, avoid hiking with experienced hikers; you may not be able to keep up. Choose short treks with other beginners instead. It is advisable to start with a trail shorter than what you would walk on paved ground. After that, you can get a map of your chosen trail to acquaint yourself with its surroundings.

Pack light, especially essentials such as water, a first-aid kit, and appropriate clothing and footwear. What you wear will depend on the path you are hiking. It is also advisable to check the weather prediction a few hours or even minutes before your trek. This information can also assist you in selecting the appropriate attire and items to bring on your trip.

If you have never hiked before, embarking on a solo hike might be daunting, lonely, and even dangerous. Having hiking friends makes the experience considerably more adventurous, and they can also assist in an emergency. Also, keep your family or friends informed about your whereabouts regularly.

Common Hiking Hazards and How to Mitigate Them

A partner and COO at Granite Point Capital, Scott Bushley has more than 25 years of experience in the business operations and investment management industry. However, Scott Bushley always makes time for active hobbies, and he enjoys hiking.

Hiking involves going into an unfamiliar, generally harsh territory, and different kinds of accidents are likely to occur to a hiker, especially when hiking alone. The risks in hiking include extreme weather, wild animals on rarely used trails, feet injuries, and water poisoning.

Planning the hike before going on the trip is the best way for hikers to avoid accidents like water poisoning as much as possible. A hiker needs to understand the trail’s difficulty to know how much supplies to bring. They should be aware of camping and transport conditions in the event of a long hike. These factors will help the hiker calculate how much water they need on a trip and prevent them from seeking alternatives to clean water which may deliver bacteria to the system.

Hiking primarily involves moving the feet, and feet injuries are common hazards during the activity. It is necessary to buy hiking boots that are comfortable and suited for the hiking terrain to reduce the risk of injury. The hiker should also periodically take breaks while on the trail to prevent exhaustion and rest the feet.

To prepare for the risks of extreme weather conditions and wildlife visits, hikers should familiarize themselves with the wildlife in the area and other national laws surrounding hiking to know the spots suitable for camp.