Category: Adventures
I’m standing in the dining room at AMC’s Madison Spring Hut, and even though it’s late August, I can’t get warm. Two friends and I have just returned from Mount Madison’s 5,366-foot summit, where a sturdy gale-force wind battered our sweat-soaked bodies already weary from a climb that covered 3,500 feet of elevation in […]
When researching new trails, you often find results for hikes that, while beautiful, are sure to draw a crowd. You may find yourself sharing trails with too many hikers or fighting for parking spaces at trailheads—annoyances in the best of times, let alone an era of physical distancing. Thankfully, alternatives to these popular trails exist […]
You don’t have to venture far to get a taste of untamed nature, thanks to the efforts of more cities establishing urban wilds within their footprint. Often protected and managed through public–private partnerships, these areas are almost entirely unmaintained, allowing flora to grow with minimal human interference. They play a critical role in health and […]
Snowshoeing has evolved from a mode for winter travel 6,000 years ago to a recreational sport with more than 4 million American participants. Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced snowshoer looking to break in a new pair, it’s easy to take advantage of this workout and enjoy the crisp midwinter beauty on one of […]
Even if you’ve got the gear and have read all the books, winter camping can be intimidating. But don’t give up before you start! Winter may be the best time of the year to camp, even for beginners. Campgrounds won’t be overrun, and you’ll have the time and space to refine your newly acquired skills. […]
EDNA SAYS: When I graduated high school, I didn’t want to be a nurse. I didn’t want to be a teacher. I wanted to go to college for forestry, but women didn’t do that then. So I took a train from Buffalo to Ellicottville, N.Y.—what’s now Holiday Valley Ski Resort. I could stay and ski […]
The American craft beer scene is exploding across the Northeast, with new breweries popping up seemingly every month. Luckily for trekkers who’d like to wash down an accessible hike with a hoppy IPA, there are plenty of trails near breweries that make for easy day trips. 1. WOLFE’S NECK WOODS STATE PARK & MAINE […]
On July 25th, 2019, Katie Schide broke the women’s Hut Traverse speed record, completing the 50-mile hike in 12 hours, 23 minutes and 6 seconds. The Hut Traverse is a 50-mile route in the White Mountains of New Hampshire that links the Appalachian Mountain Club’s eight huts. Beginning at Carter Notch, hikers trek west along […]
Peak foliage, when leaves are at their most vibrant and colorful, is an unfailingly beautiful time of year. Why not prolong it and chase the changing colors southbound along the Appalachian Trail, with stops along the way for easy to moderate hiking? 1. GORHAM MOUNTAIN AND OCEAN PATH | Acadia National Park, Maine To begin your […]
Well, we did it. On Friday, August 23, two friends and I finished the adventure for which we’d been training for more than a year: we completed a single-day Presidential Traverse in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, running as much of it as we could. I’ll save the more harrowing tales for the magazine feature, scheduled for […]
Ranging from as low as 448 feet (Delaware) to 6,288 feet (New Hampshire), high points—or the location with the highest elevation in each state—in AMC’s region vary greatly. Whether you’re looking for a challenging day hike or want to see geology in action, these hikes provide a unique bird’s-eye view of each state. 1. KATAHDIN […]
From its headwaters in Crawford Notch, N.H., the Saco River flows 130 miles to Oxford County, Maine, and on into the Atlantic Ocean. With gentle water in some places and fast-paced rapids in others, there’s a section of river for everyone—and we do mean everyone. Known as the floating tailgate party, the Saco gets a […]
This story was originally published in the Summer/Fall 2019 issue of Appalachia Journal. The fight broke out on a narrow ridge somewhere high above Davenport Gap, and I’m only slightly embarrassed to admit the first thought in my head was that this was the most beautiful location in which I’d witnessed hand-to-hand combat. Embarrassing, because […]
With nearly 400 miles of coastline, it’s easy to understand how Rhode Island got its nickname, “the Ocean State.” Horseshoeing around Narragansett Bay, the U.S.’s smallest state provides plenty of places to explore, both on land and sea. Whether it’s hiking, biking, or paddling you’re looking for, Rhode Island has you covered. Add one or […]
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 […]
If you’ve mastered the basics of rock climbing and are eager to take your passion outdoors, you might be ready to graduate from indoor walls to real rock faces. First, research what type of climbing you’d like to pursue: traditional, top roping, or bouldering. Then, check with your local AMC chapter or climbing gym to […]
Rest easy, because sunny days and beautiful blooms have returned! Whether you’re in the White Mountains or the wetlands of the Mid-Atlantic, you’re bound to catch glimmers of red, yellow, pink, blue, and violet peeping through the trees. Pull up those galoshes, dust off that wildflower field guide, and celebrate the season by heading to […]
We may be full-on into springtime running weather here in Greater Boston, but further north, where a foot of snow still blankets most peaks and valleys, it’s still ski season. Lacing up our trail shoes and heading out for a run in the White Mountains, in other words, probably seems a long way off for […]
You know the feeling: Yesterday was rainy, but today the sun is out, the sky is clear, the temperature is creeping toward warm. It’s spring, and you’re ready to hit the bike trails. But hold up there, friend. Before you unleash your wheels on vulnerable backcountry mountain bike routes, think about whether there are other […]
Devoting a few months to completing an entire long trail may not be realistic for everyone, but hiking discrete sections of these trails is more doable—and much closer to home—than you might think. Try one of these eight section hikes for a day away from the hustle and bustle, all within a 90-minute or less […]