A Boston Chapter hut-to-hut trip at Mizpah Spring Hut. Photo by Corey David Photography.
While getting outside is great, it’s even better when shared with others. Sharing time climbing, biking, or on the trail is a great way to bond with family and friends – making memories of epic summits, horrible weather, and trail meals gone so wrong (or so right!). One of the first things I ever did with my now-husband was go on a group hike in the Adirondacks of New York – once he heard I was an ecologist, he kept asking me about plants we saw along the trail, and we stopped to look at flowers and talk about our favorite outdoor spots for the entire seven miles. To this day, we credit our shared love of the outdoors for bringing us together.
Outdoor activities lend themselves to camaraderie: while on the trail, we let strangers know how close they are to the summit, to watch out for muddy spots, and to ask about the best places for an after-hike snack or drink. We offer to snap photos for folks and ask where they’re visiting from. We let our friends have some of our water and our favorite snacks.
Finding people to share outdoors time with can sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be hard.
AMC Lakes of the Clouds Hut. Photo by Corey David Photography.
Look for Community
One of the easiest ways to find folks to share outdoor adventures with is to find a group or club. The Appalachian Mountain Club has almost 90,000 members across 11 local chapters from Maine to Virginia. AMC’s chapters are built on community, offering many ways to connect, from local hikes to paddles or picnics. Within chapters there are even more ways to connect, like our 20s and 30s Young Members groups. There’s a place for everyone at AMC.
AMC Leadership Training at Mohican Outdoor Center. Photo by Paula Champagne.
The Benefits of Buddies
It’s more fun to get outside with a friend, but there are other benefits, too. Engaging in outdoor activities with other people is great for safety, creating an instant support network in case issues such as a sprained ankle or foul weather occur. Friends also help share the load – literally – by helping carry food, water, and other equipment.
Besides logistics, getting outside with friends encourages us to be brave and try new things. Maybe your friend is an avid birdwatcher or loves to stand-up paddleboard. They can teach you the basics for these new-to-you activities, and in the process, you might find an exciting new hobby or pastime.
Shaw Mountain Trail, Maine Woods. Photo by Cait Bourgault.
The Outdoors is for Everyone
When we give to our community, we foster strong bonds within that community. That’s why volunteering is such a great way to find new friends. At the Appalachian Mountain Club, it’s no different—whether you’re maintaining a trail or leading a trip of your own, the selfless act of donating your time and effort to connect someone else to the outdoors puts you in the right frame of mind to accept someone else’s friendship. “As with many volunteer endeavors, the more you give, the more you get,” says AMC volunteer Steve Cohen. “I found a wonderful community.”
With so many chapters and a huge database of free or low-cost activities to choose from, making new friends and getting outdoors has never been easier.
What are you waiting for? Join the Club! Join In and Get Out.
A Boston Chapter hut-to-hut group at AMC Lakes of the Clouds Hut. Photo by Corey David Photography.