Category: Outdoor Resources
While there may still be some remnants of snow in the mountains, spring has gradually begun to creep up on us. With the first buds on the trees and warmer weather approaching, you might be itching to dust off the hiking boots and prepare for your first hike of the season. Getting out on the […]
The White Mountains compose a region of bare mountain summits; extensive views; deep, glacially scoured ravines; fascinating plants and animals; enchanted evergreen forests; and cold mountain streams tumbling over boulders in fantastic patterns. It’s no wonder that so many flock to the trails and summits of this Northeast region, and AMC is here to be […]
Spring has sprung! And even though these April showers may have you longing for warmer and sunnier days, the recent buds on trees and the appearance of purple blooms of crocus and yellow daffodils are harbingers of the nicer weather to come. We’ve all been cooped up during this winter, but things are looking […]
During early fall in 2021, I set out on a record-setting end-to-end “thru-hike” of the Bay Circuit Trail (BCT). I completed the 230 mile trail northbound between August 28th and September 3rd, 2021, for a total of 6 days, 7 hours and 7 minutes, which marks the current Fastest Known Time for a self-supported thru-hike […]
Snowshoeing is a fun way to get outside during the winter—it makes traveling in deep snow easier, opening the door to year-round hikes and walks. Snowshoeing is almost as easy as walking, but even so these tips and tricks will help any beginner get started. Should I rent or buy my snowshoes? If possible, rent or […]
Planning a hike with a disability is no easy feat. Information on trail accessibility can be hard to come by or inaccurate, even in the age of the internet. What’s wheelchair accessible in one part of the year may also be impassable mere weeks later, whether because of snow, ice, or mud. So, what’s an […]
Staying overnight at an AMC hut is a fun and enjoyable way to experience the White Mountains. Of the eight huts, three (Lonesome Lake, Zealand Falls, and Carter Notch) are open during the winter months for a self-service option, providing a roof over your head and a bed to sleep on, albeit without the warm […]
This is an excerpt from the guide book Best Backcountry Skiing in the Northeast, Second Edition, by David Goodman. Check availability and book your stay at Cardigan. Every time skiers glide from a trailhead and vanish into a winter wilderness, we feel like explorers setting off for the New World. Laying first tracks […]
The following is excerpted from AMC’s Essential Guide to Winter Recreation, by Andrew Vietze. A comfortable camp can make all the difference on a winter backpacking trip. After a long, cold day on the trail, the comforts of “home” mean even more than they do in summer, and replicating elements in this setup will […]
AMC volunteers are the driving force that moves AMC toward its goals. AMC volunteers touch all corners of conservation, recreation, and outdoor education and leadership with the work they do daily. From Maine to Virginia, volunteers maintain public trails, lead trips, and participate in conservation advocacy and community science. Looking for a way to […]
Help AMC expand the Community Snow Observations (CSO) network in the Eastern US. This community science effort engages winter recreationists in making snow measurements around the world and helps crowdsource mountain snow depth in the Appalachian Mountains filling in gaps where traditional measurements are scarce. Your measurements will help scientists improve snow cover estimates […]
Don’t miss out on peak colors this season! Get a head start on your autumn adventure plans by using our fall foliage tracker. Whether you’re headed out for a day trip, looking to join a guided adventure, or planning to set up basecamp at one of our huts or lodges, our tracker will help guide […]
Fall is a magic time for all of us, but is particularly magical for photographers as they try to capture this awesome but fleeting display. It is common for casual photographers to feel the urge to set out to capture the colors around them. It is also common to feel frustrated that the resulting […]
Herb Greenberg was an accomplished psychologist and a professional colleague who left an indelible impression on my life, not because he was blind, but because he had a “soft spot for those who have not been given an equal and fair shot due to prejudice,” as Patrick Sweeney describes in his 2015 biography, What […]
The White Mountain National Forest is one of New Hampshire’s most beloved outdoor playgrounds. Its world-class hiking, mountain biking, cycling, and fishing—not to mention Mount Washington, the Northeast’s tallest peak—draw visitors from around the world. But overuse and underpreparedness have both strained the White Mountain landscape and resulted in an increase in rescues in […]
You’re out in the backcountry, miles from the nearest AMC composting privy and without a toilet-in-a-bag, and nature is calling. It’s a bowel movement. Never fear: if you know how to dig a hole for your waste—known colloquially as a “cat hole”—that complies with Leave No Trace principles, you’re free to go whenever. Here’s […]
Trail running has experienced a boom in recent years. According to the American Trail Running Association, the number of Americans who tried trail running doubled between 2007 and 2017 to 3 million. Participation in ultramarathons—defined as any race longer than 26.2 miles, and usually on trails—has increased 1,676 percent in the past quarter-century to more […]
We’re a patient lot, outdoors people, putting in a morning’s work just for a mountaintop view of the miles trudged. But if mother nature offers a boost, a little speed, who’s going to turn her down? Biking, skiing, even snowshoeing a downhill stretch will have you effortlessly flying—literally. Canoeing and kayaking are no different, only […]
Excerpted and adapted from the newly updated Massachusetts Trail Guide and Map, 11th ed., out now from AMC Books. From the summits of the Berkshires to the sands of Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts is home to a multitude of natural areas and recreational opportunities. Massachusetts has a rich tradition in land conservation […]
Visitors to the northern forests of New England often have one wish: to see a moose. But even though an adult moose can weigh upwards of 1,000 pounds and stand over six feet tall, they tend to be elusive creatures. While wildlife is unpredictable, moose are more often seen in certain seasons and locations—intentionally […]