Checking what VT sugar makers are doing

[blissville maples]

Well started tapping Tuesday. Glad I did!! Tapped my butt off 2900 taps in 3 days, average about 150/hr!! Moving!!
All leaks fixed up, squirrel were horrible this year, vac up to 27.5.
Looks like first boil today, should have about 3000 gals to play with testing at 1.7. nice to see it not start at 1.2!!

[VTfarmboy]

picked .25gpt tonight testing 1.5

[blissville maples]

Well first boil was as usual, alot of unexpected headaches but managed to pull thru and sweeten pans and make half a barrel. Processed about 4000 gallons of sap at around 1.6 brix. Made some nice medium Amber.

[TapTapTap]

Blissville,
I'm a little envious. I've been a little behind then I sprained my ankle in the sugarhouse last week which set me even further behind. Then yesterday, I was rebuilding a section of wet/dry line for my new CDL Saplifter and and cut my hand (right behind the thumb knuckle) while taking apart a SS Wye fitting. You know how sharp they are! Fortunately, I don't think I damaged the tendons to my thumb. But it's a contusion too so it's swollen, stiff, and sore - no problem unless I whack it today.
Ken

[randolphvt]

because there is so much snow... the taps are slow. Once the ground starts to heat up and permafrost goes away we'll get some good runs. Typically when in can see the ground around the trunk of the trees is when I tap. Only have 40 trees.

[Ultimatetreehugger]

1700 taps to go. Need to put the saddle loops on and the expansion will be complete. Beyond that, clean tanks, and setup cooling pump, change oil on the little woods vacuum pump, hit the power switch and away we go.

[blissville maples]

Blissville,
I'm a little envious. I've been a little behind then I sprained my ankle in the sugarhouse last week which set me even further behind. Then yesterday, I was rebuilding a section of wet/dry line for my new CDL Saplifter and and cut my hand (right behind the thumb knuckle) while taking apart a SS Wye fitting. You know how sharp they are! Fortunately, I don't think I damaged the tendons to my thumb. But it's a contusion too so it's swollen, stiff, and sore - no problem unless I whack it today.
Ken

Yeah it's still early, I didnt expect that much sap at all given the frost and snow. There's even good frost in most parts of the woods.

Geez having a rough go at it. I remember few years back I was having a rough start up and remember saying " wow how did I even make any syrup last year at all" when things just keep going from bad to worse!
Ahh I know how that all goes. I've cut multiple tendons! But sounds like you missed that! But it will still slow you down pretty good. I cut my thumb on roofing metal few years ago, cut nerve, that was weird for a while. Yes they are sharp I always have the multiple small minor slices in my hand when reefing on them! You'll get there eventually, alot haven't tapped down here, I just like to be on top of things and the weather just happened to take a wild swing!
Good luck with everything, keep working thru the thumb will heal stronger than if ya baby it!!

[tcross]

the season officially started for me today. closed the valve on the thank at 10 this a.m. after about 5-6 hours of flushing out the system. sap started trickling in at some point last night/early this morning and is coming in at an ok flow currently. good luck to all this season!

[VTfarmboy]

good haul last night .5gpt testing 2% exactly

[blissville maples]

Ran alot longer than I thought, took a long time for the cold to move in tanks had quite a bit this am after collecting yesterday afternoon and boiling. Hopefully wind didn't take any limbs down hate hearing it scream like that