Fees
Q. Why does the AMC charge an $8 fee at some backcountry campsites?
A. Operational and maintenance costs at the AMC's 14 shelters in the White and Mahoosuc Mountains include caretaker salaries, airlifts, capital improvements, transportation, and food for our caretakers. The $8 fee is meant to help cover roughly 50% of these expenses; the rest of the operational costs are absorbed by the AMC using income from membership dues, endowments, and fundraising.

Q. What does my fee pay for?
A. User fees at AMC backcountry sites help to pay for the wages of the caretakers and shelter staff, along with other operating expenses. The caretaker's responsibilities include:

• Educating hikers on low-impact camping and hiking methods.
• Dispensing trail and AMC information.
• Providing trail and shelter maintenance.
• Managing human waste at the shelter sites. This is an unpleasant, labor-intensive task involving composting the waste with bark chips in stainless steel bins. We estimate that caretakers treated 2,500 gallons of raw human waste in 2005 — all by (gloved) hand!!

The revenue from some of our sites helps offset operational costs — such as repair and maintenance and airlifts, which in 2006 cost $950 an hour for the helicopters — at all of our 14 sites. The fee also helps to cover the cost of our capital investment projects. In 2006, we added a group platform and enlarged 3 existing platforms at Kinsman Pond Campsite.

Q. Do you give anyone a discount at the shelter and tentsites?
A. Because the shelter program runs at a deficit, we ask everyone for the same fee in exchange for site use. The only exceptions are AMC volunteers who stay at the sites while working on nearby trails.

Basics
Q. Why do you have shelters and tentsites?
A. Shelters and tentsites serve to concentrate overnight use and impact in one area. Shelters and tent platforms also serve as a "hardened" area where a person can tent or camp with minimal impact. Concentrating use in these sites gives us the opportunity to educate users about low-impact camping. Outhouses and privies help to protect water sources by serving as a collection point for human waste, which is then treated by composting.

Rules
Q. Why do you have all these rules regarding camping?
A. Actually, the regulations are developed and enforced by the U.S. Forest Service or Maine Bureau of Public Lands; the AMC does not make the rules. However, we support them by helping to raise awareness of the regulations. Caretakers have more information on backcountry camping regulations in the White Mountain National Forest and will be happy to answer campers' questions.

Safety
Q. Is the water safe to drink in the campsite areas?
A. You should consider all water taken from streams, springs, or other surface sources suspect. We strongly suggest you boil, filter, or treat with iodine or other effective chemicals any water from sources other than taps. (Read an article about drinking water treatment).

Q. What can you tell me about bears? Should I be concerned?
A. The bears in these woods aren't a problem everywhere. Still, you should hang your food wherever you camp in the White Mountains to protect it not only from bears but also from mice, raccoons, and squirrels. Eleven of our sites have metal food storage boxes, or "Bear boxes" for wildlife protection and camper convenience. Please refer to the individual Campsite Profiles for a complete list of sites with bear boxes. The caretaker at any site can explain how to hang or store your food properly and answer your questions about bears.