At age 80, Raymond Burgher still enjoys hill walking. Here he is caught descending Spring Hill in St. Andrew before daybreak. - Photo by Avia Collinder

Avia Collinder, Outlook Writer

A brisk breeze is blowing and Spring Hill, St. Andrew, is still softly clothed in darkness when, at 5:45 a.m., we rendezvous with Raymond Lloyd Burgher, veteran of the hill who has been treading this route between 4 a.m. and daybreak for the last 35 years.

Looking more like a good 65 rather than his 80 years, Burgher is clad in a red T-shirt, sturdy walking shoes, and on his head is a miner's lamp for lighting the way on moonless nights. When the moon is out there is no need for artificial lighting.

Today, Spring Hill is heavily clad in trees, but nowhere as much as it was two decades ago before construction crews and hurricanes changed the canopied covering which sheltered walkers.

The hill has changed but Burgher has remained committed to it. On February 2, the day he celebrated his 80th birthday, this man was greeted with handshakes from fellow walkers when he arrived at the pinnacle of the hill.

The retired businessman, who has been living on Widcombe Drive in Kingston since 1972, says that he has been climbing the hill since this time, and even before this he would jog.

He explains, "Wherever I lived I would jog around the neighbourhood but, as the years advanced, I started walking. It was nothing more than a desire to keep fit."

Later, while he quaffs freshly brewed mountain coffee (which he grinds himself) he adds, "Walking has been good. I keep quite fit. I have had surgery at intervals for prostate, hernia, etc.., but I do not even have a personal doctor even at this age.

"I keep in good health. I have had problems with sinusitis for years, but when I get colds I just throw them off."

First job

The father of two started his first job at The Gleaner Company which was then on Harbour Street, downtown Kingston. He was age 16. After leaving there he worked at several other printing companies and then formed his own company - Valbee's Printery Limited.

Retired for the last seven years, the morning walk is now one of the highlights of his week.

Burgher leaves his home at 3:30 a.m., after completing 20 minutes of warm-up exercises on an upstairs balcony at his home.

He gets out this early, he says, to avoid traffic and pedestrians who use the road, as his routine involves running backwards.

Running backwards, he explains, was his solution for exercising his knee after one of them gave way several years ago while he was running down the hill.

Burgher said he is not afraid to get out at 3:30 in the morning. He has had several pleasant encounters with the police, who often stop to greet him.

Now that he is in his 80th year, the mile and a quarter trek to the top of Spring Hill takes one and a quarter hours to complete - to and fro. When he was younger, the journey only took 35 minutes.

Thirty-five years ago, he notes, there were only himself and one other walker, but now the hill is a favourite route of many, including women who, he says, seem to be much fitter than the men.

Over the years he was also joined by his daughter and grandsons on his walks. His wife prefers to do yoga and walk at the Mona Dam in the mornings.

Burgher, who makes the journey around three times each week, says that he never sets out with the intention to make it to the peak. But, if he gets there, he is happy.

"I will continue walking as long as I can."

Although he was diagnosed with angina in late 2006, it was a condition which was cleared up with medication and therapy.

His doctor has given him the green light to walk again. A good thing, he says, as there is little else he does since retirement. Burgher, who also enjoys bird feeding and gardening, says the early morning exercise is an important part of his day.