What were you doing 17 years ago? For Brood X cicadas, 2004 was the last time the notoriously loud insects saw the light of day. But this spring, the skies will be buzzing across the…
Read More
How to Love Winter
The first snow has fallen. Temperatures are dropping. For many people, this time of year comes with a low-key sense of dread. You bundle yourself into thick layers, dig out the ice scraper and shovel,...
Read more
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…
Read More
Above tree line, conditions can be extreme. Temperature swings, high winds, icy winters, blowing snow, and acidic soil all make the so-called alpine zone a tough place for plants to live and grow. Yet many…
Read More
Editor’s note: Each spring, AMC volunteer and professional trail maintenance crews take to the trails across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to get them ready for the summer hiking season. The following article is excerpted…
Read More
Update: Imp Shelter renovations were completed in October 2021. The entire shelter was disassembled to replace the rotting floor and sills, plus a new roof was installed. It is now open and welcoming visitors and…
Read More
Reaching the summit after a long hike can feel like entering another world: amazing views, occasionally wild weather—and unique plants. Despite the harsh conditions associated with being above tree line in the so-called alpine zone…
Read More
A multitude of messages tell us we need the newest, nicest, and most expensive gear if we want to be comfortable (and look good!) in the rugged outdoors. We see this in advertisements from…
Read More
Note: “Redlining” also refers to the discriminatory practice of denying services, such as bank loans, to residents of a certain area based on their race or ethnicity. For this reason, this story will use…
Read More
From virtually the moment the Appalachian Mountain Club formed in 1876, members were trying to make maps of the White Mountains. “Being unable to find a reliable map of the White Mountains, I made…
Read More