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Time Tested: AMC's White Mountain Guide

AMC Outdoors, April 2007

1907  AMC White Mountain Guide, 1907First edition published under name Guide to the Paths and Camps in the White Mountains. Price is $1.

1911  Advocacy by AMC and other organizations leads to Congressional passage of the Weeks Act, which authorizes creation of eastern National Forests.

1917  Three-color maps by Louis Cutter added.

1918  White Mountain National Forest established.

1922  New chapter "Emergencies in the Woods" provides advice on dealing with "Hysteria and Homesickness" or a kidney rupture. ("A serious condition, apt to be rather urgent.")

1925  AMC White Mountain Guide, 1928AMC helps form the Appalachian Trail Conference.

1928  Official title changes to AMC White Mountain Guide.

1931  First reference to Appalachian Trail added -- "route is completely open in New Hampshire and Vermont" and is being scouted in Maine.

1934  Ninth edition includes significant revisions due to "explosive increase in the popularity of skiing and the intense activity of government agencies in building new roads and trails."

1936  Three binding options are offered in the 10th edition: with flap and pencil holder; without flap but with pocket on front and back covers; and with pocket on back cover only.

1939  Supplement to 10th edition includes listings of trails re-opened or partially open following destructive hurricane of 1938.

1940s  Editions include formula for hutsmen's Pinkham Notch Fly Dope with the disclaimer "not recommended for delicate complexions or sensitive nostrils." Ingredients include 3 oz. of pine tar, 2 oz. citronella, 1 oz. olive oil, 1 oz. oil of pennyroyal, 1 oz. creosote, 1 oz. powdered camphor, and one large tube of carbonated Vaseline.

1940  Descriptions of rock climbing routes removed due to safety concerns.

1946  Guidebook committee warns members that the 12th edition will have same bright orange color as 1940 edition. "Thick waterproof covering is practically unobtainable, but what we reluctantly accepted is pre-war stock." Waterproof maps offered separately for first time.

AMC White Mountain Guide, 19551955  15th edition notes the impact of Hurricanes Carol, Edna, and Hazel, which hit New England in 1954, creating washouts and blowdowns from Evans Notch to Franconia Ridge.

1957  AMC Four-Thousand Footers Club established.

1963  Introduction to Four-Thousand Footers Club added to 17th edition. Forty-six summits included in the official list.

1964  President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Wilderness Act into law.

1966  Guide notes relocation of U.S. Route 2 in Randolph, resulting in abandonment of several trails (Moosebank, Fordway, Bridge Route, Throughway, and part of Burnbrae) and creation of central Appalachia trailhead.

1968  Appalachian Trail protected under National Trails Systems Act.

1969  150th Anniversary of the Crawford Path.

1970  AMC partners with U.S. Forest Service to pioneer "Carry In, Carry Out" policy.

AMC White Mountain Guide, 19761972  "Guidelines for Wilderness Hikers and Campers" introduced in 20th edition, recommending that visitors don't cut boughs for bedding, camp in designated areas, use portable stoves, and take special care above timberline.

1976  First paperback edition published, along with final hardcover edition.

1980  AMC begins volunteer "Adopt-A-Trail" program in White Mountains.

1987  First cover to include color photography; new geology section added.

1998  First computer-generated topographic maps developed using GPS field data.

AMC White Mountain Guide, 20072003  Guide named "Work of Significance" by National Outdoor Book Awards.

2007  100th Anniversary edition of AMC's White Mountain Guide is released. New electronic companion introduced. White Mountain Guide: A Centennial Retrospective to be published by AMC Books in the fall.

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