The New Year wasn’t even 10 hours old, the snow that blanketed Bend the night before was still on the ground and there was a steady stream of walkers and joggers ringing in 2025 with a trek up Pilot Butte on Wednesday.

But for a couple of walkers on New Years Day, they aren’t out starting new year’s resolutions, but rather keeping up with the daily routine of making the roughly 2-mile trek up and down Bend’s hallmark cinder cone that’s been going on for weeks, months and decades.

“Every time I try to do that, I end up breaking it,” said Leanna Johnson, who was with her two dogs, Stevie (Nicks) and Penny (Lane). “My big thing is being positive and trying to have a positive year. Have positive thoughts instead of negative thoughts.

“I’m just hoping for the best in 2025,” Williams added.

When new calendars need to be broken in, it is a time for some to make wide-sweeping changes, whether it’s getting more exercise, eating healthier, reading more, sticking to a budget or trying new things to step out of a comfort zone.

What is it that brings people to Pilot Butte on a day with near freezing temperatures and a light snow falling?

Routines need to keep going.

Manya Williams, a dispute resolution coach who moved to Bend from New York City a decade ago, only misses her daily walk up Pilot Butte with her dog Zeus when the trails are too icy. Climbing Pilot Butte did not start as a resolution, but has been a positive way to start each day.

“There is no resolution. It is about treating today as though today is precious,” Williams said. “I’m a rhythmic person and consistency and small measurable things is what has worked for me.

“I just love nature, and I didn’t get to do that when I lived in the city,” Williams added. “It’s my walking meditation. The more that I can be outside as much as possible — I try to do this 365 days of the year — it opens up thoughts and intuition. And that is how I want to start my day, start my work day, start my day as a parent. Keep it simple.”

Jim Schotwell, a fire lookout, has been making the daily climb since the mid-1980s.

“It’s not a routine that I have to keep, but it is one that I do every day for my health, and to watch the changing of the seasons,” he said.

Some days are easier than others to keep the routine going for Schotwell, especially after his wife, Cheryl, died four months ago from Parkinson’s disease.

“That was a difficult thing to deal with,” Schotwell said. “But this helps keep me healthy.”

Johnson, a recent retiree, is rather new to the daily hikes up Pilot Butte to try and get prepared for an upcoming knee replacement surgery.

“I’m trying to get in shape,” Johnson said. “The last month has kicked my butt. But it’s getting a little bit better.”

For those seeking a to start a new routine this new year, perhaps a walk up Pilot Butte might do the trick.

“It is accessible,” Williams said. “I’m a big proponent of doing what you can do. Along the line of the theme of what is the goal of the year, do what is available and what you can do.”

What concerts are coming to Central Oregon in the first quarter of 2025?