About The Crew:

This popular program is designed for teens, ages 15-17. This crew takes you to the Northeast’s highest peaks and also to some of the most heavily impacted trails in the Northeast.  This program provides a unique opportunity to learn about alpine regions and do trail work unique to this ecosystem and environment, and be a proactive part of their stewardship.

The week will begin on Sunday evening with dinner and an orientation at AMC Camp Dodge. On Monday the crew will pack all food supplies, tools, camping equipment, and personal belongings into their basecamp location on a near by alpine peak, with their crew leaders for the next four nights. Packs usually weigh 40 to 60 pounds.  Be prepared for what is sometimes called “the worst weather in the world,” even in the summer season, while working in the alpine zone.  Projects may include building cairns and scree walls, weather permitting, as well as installing drainage, rock steps, bog bridges, or a variety of other activities. Please remember that the hike and the work will be strenuous and demanding, more than our other week-long crews, and that we’ll be out rain or shine. This is the most challenging one-week program offered in the White Mountains. 

The crew will return on Friday to Camp Dodge in time to clean up and join the Friday night barbeque at 6 p.m.  Participants may leave Friday evening or Saturday morning– Friday night stay and Saturday morning breakfast is included in program cost.

Camp Life:

These crews are not all work; there are plenty of opportunities to hike, see the views, eat great food, and more. After leaving the project each day the crew heads back to camp. Our Alpine Spike Teen Crews may be based out of Hermit Lake Shelter, or will be camping off trail, below tree-line, working on other alpine summits scattered throughout the White Mountain National Forest.

Each morning the crew gets up and helps prepare breakfast. Our crews in the backcountry are contacted each morning by handheld radio to check in to see if any additional food or tools are needed. After breakfast the crew takes what they need for the day, including water, rain gear, lunch, tools and safety gear, and heads to the project site. The hike each day from camp could be a strenuous two and a half miles from camp. This is our most challenging week-long program for teens.

All participants assist with meal preparation in the backcountry. Participants will learn to cook quality meals in the woods, and there will be plenty of it. The crew builds quite an appetite over the course of this active week. After dinner and cleanup, the crew plays games, tells stories, and discusses conservation and environmental ethics — but most of all they just kick back and enjoy the evening. The memories of a beautiful day up on the alpine summits is not easily forgotten.

What The Volunteers Say:

"There was a good balance between hiking and work, and a good variety of different trail work." Kate (2011 Alpine Teen Spike Crew Participant)

"What I liked the most was working above treeline, and I can’t wait for more. Loved hiking Mt. Washington." Hunter (2011 Alpine Teen Spike Crew Participant)

"I loved building a staircase and reaching the summit of Mt. Jefferson!" Megan (2011 Alpine Teen Spike Crew Participant)

"Being above tree-line and getting blown around by the wind was really wild. There was a lot of challenging hiking, but the work and the views were incredible. What an amazing experience." Lucy (2011 Alpine Teen Spike Crew Participant)

 
2012 Dates:
July 8-13
July 15-20

Contribution:
$240 (AMC member)
$265 (non-member)

Register Today!

View Full 2012 Schedule