Category: Outdoor Resources

6 minute read     Excerpted and adapted from the newly updated Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide and Map, 5th ed., out now from AMC Books.   The trails in southern New Hampshire offer great variety, from easy strolls along the seacoast to strenuous trips ascending the bare, rocky crests of Mount Monadnock and Mount Cardigan. Notable benefits […]

2 minute read     David Haskell compares nature observations to breathing.   “With the lungs, you have to both inhale and exhale in order to be healthy. The same is true for the mind,” the Sewanee professor of biology and environmental studies instructs his college students—including me. “We need a process of opening our senses and then of closing….We need […]

10 minute read    Do you enjoy the challenge of negotiating bumpy slopes or tight treelines on skis, staying in perfect control, even when obstacles and gravity conspire against you?   Do you love riding roller coasters? Or getting tossed around by big waves at the beach?   Have you ever stood rapt in front of a front-loading washing machine […]

2 minute read   Dr. Tom: How do I recognize and treat waterborne illness in the backcountry?  Safe drinking water is a vital component of any successful outdoor trip for proper hydration. While it may be necessary at times, anyone who drinks surface water in the backcountry is at risk to develop a waterborne illness, regardless of how […]

3 minute read    Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) has exploded in popularity, and for good reason: It develops balance, strength, and endurance, without overtaxing a particular muscle or part of the body. According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, participation has swelled by nearly 24 percent in the United States in the past five years.  “SUP can be a serious sport […]

5 minute read   You love to hike, but do you know the names of different trail formats and the common components you’ll encounter on an outing? The following is excerpted and adapted from the newly updated AMC’s Complete Guide to Trail Building and Maintenance, 5th ed.   The general trail format will most likely be determined by […]

3 minute read This was adapted from an article that originally appeared in the spring issue of Footnotes, the quarterly newsletter of AMC’s Delaware Valley Chapter. Whether you’re a newly trained or veteran outdoor leader ready to cautiously start leading events again, consider planning a family-friendly event—even if you haven’t led one before. In doing so, you will be […]

6 minute read People tend not to climb New Hampshire’s Owl’s Head Mountain on a whim.  The remote mountain is deep in the heart of the Pemigewasset Wilderness, surrounded by some of the most popular summits in the White Mountains, and offers no view.  But for those certain goal-setters, Owl’s Head is a vitally important summit. At 4,025 […]

6 minute read Late last fall, Appalachian Mountain Club staff and volunteers celebrated the opening of a 3-mile rail trail that is an important link in a larger recreation initiative in eastern Pennsylvania. Taking nearly a decade to come to fruition, the conversion of this former commuter rail line into the Upper Bucks Rail Trail was a key […]

2 minute read Many outdoor enthusiasts have long known that time outside makes you feel good. In fact, spending 120 minutes a week in green spaces boosts your well-being, according to a 2019 study published in the journal Nature. Whether you decide to walk around your neighborhood for 20 minutes a day, take up birdwatching in a local […]

5 minute read There are many ways to get outdoors all year round, including winter. Amid the social, physical, and mental health challenges presented by COVID-19, spending time outdoors may be more important this winter than ever. (Check out our Winter Survival Guide for some great ideas you can do anywhere.) Knowing where to look for more organized […]

7 minute read   Winter hiking is ideal for those who crave the peaceful, restorative qualities of being outdoors. The crowds of tourists that flock to popular trailheads in the summer and fall—along with the occasional swarms of black flies and mosquitos—tend to vanish with the last of the foliage. Add to that a blanket of pristine, white […]

5 minute read   Maybe you’re feeling it already, fellow moms and dads: the dread of not knowing how you’re going to keep your kids occupied and active through the long Northeast winter and early spring. These feelings are expected and normal in a typical winter, let alone one where our social calendars are clear and mobility limited. […]

4 minute read   Leave No Trace is a practice that applies to any outdoor activity, providing hikers, bikers, skiers, and other users with the tools they need to ensure minimal impact on the environment during their trip. While this seven-principle strategy, developed by Boulder, Colo.-based Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, applies to all seasons, winter […]

7 minute read You’ve explored the backcountry, but have you done so on skis? Backcountry skiing is experiencing a surge in recent months given COVID-19 precautions at downhill resorts. While backcountry skiing can be a breathtaking way to experience the Northeast’s mountainous beauty, beginners to the sport need to be sure they venture out with the preparation, gear, […]

4 minute read   Excerpted and adapted from Essential Guide to Winter Recreation, from AMC Books. Getting lost in the woods can happen to anyone, especially in the winter and even to the most seasoned hiker. You make a wrong turn, you lose your bearings in whiteout conditions, or you accidentally get separated from your group. If you […]

4 minute read Getting outdoors in cities isn’t always easy; trust me, I live in a major city. Among the many things COVID-19 has taught me, one is that I absolutely took my morning commute for granted. My commute to work used to have me walking an average of 4 miles per day, and when COVID-19 hit I […]

5 minute read   Cross-country skiing, also known as Nordic skiing, combines downhill skiing’s fluidity, running’s cardio workout, and snowshoeing’s immersion in a winter landscape. It is an activity that engages the entire body—arms, legs, and core—so you generate your own full-body heat. You become one with the snow, your skis, and your breath. And it’s just as […]

4 minute read According to an old Norwegian proverb, “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” Winter throws its fair share of bad weather at those of us who like to get outside year-round. But, with the right clothing, you can safely and comfortably head outdoors in the cold and snow. Knowing the meaning […]

5 minute read   Excerpted and adapted from Essential Guide to Winter Recreation, from AMC Books. Making your way across brooks, streams, and open water carries hazards any time of year. There’s always the chance you’ll slip and end up in the drink. When it’s well below freezing and ice is involved, the dangers multiply exponentially, although there […]