Support Your Local AMC Caretaker!

Dylan from Dartmouth

Many people find themselves despairing when it comes to today's youth. Not me. Head out into the backcountry and stay at an AMC hut or shelter and you'll meet some great young people who will restore your optimism for our future.

Case in point: Dylan, the caretaker at Nauman tentsite, which is right next door to Mizpah Spring hut in the southern Presidentials. Dylan recently graduated from Dartmouth College and is spending his summer in the White Mountains, welcoming and educating hikers. He's a roving caretaker, which means he hikes to different sites to give the "regular" caretaker a few days off. Another part of his job is sifting the outhouse compost that can be converted into soil. Yuk. While he's hiking between sites, he carries an axe and clears trail.

He's full of exuberance AND full of tact/grace and people skills. I witnessed this first-hand when a scout group of 19 (Yikes-- 19 is a big-- and illegal- group to take into the backcountry). They slid into Nauman during the afternoon while Dylan was out, and kind of took over the tent platforms. He didn't let this phase him in the least, and was extremely gracious.

I had the pleasure of talking to him about his college days, his major, his European travels, and where life might take him after the summer.Plus, he's got really cool hair.

Do yourself a favor and plan at least one overnight hike that takes you to a backcountry shelter. You'll meet some "interesting" people and some great caretakers. Plus, if it's a shelter you're visiting, you can skip the tent (weight!). 

Never Leave Home Without.... A Map

Are hiking trails generally well signed? 

Yes... 

Most of the time. 

Is it still easy to get lost? No. You really do have to work at it.

Can you get "turned around?" Most definitely. 

And, to quote an old Yankee aphorism, you especially don't want to get "some turned around.

Ideally, you'd like to know where you are at all times. It is also helpful and interesting to know where you are  in relation to other landmarks, and what those landmarks are. Let's say you're on the top of a mountain admiring the view, and would like to know what that cool ledge/mountain/pond/fill-in-the-blank is. A good map can provide all this information and more. As long as you have it with you.

I always keep my map handy during the hike. It stays in my hipbelt  or Osprey Grab Bag pocket. When I want to know what hills, grades, switchbacks or landmarks I should be coming up on, I pull it out and take a quick look.

The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) produces some especially nice, helpful and attractive maps.The newer ones almost provide TOO MUCH information, if you're "old school." Having the mileage provided between points is almost like cheating.You can even get them in Tyvek, which are waterproof and last a long time. The word, "indestructible" comes to mind. 

To make full use of your map, you really should have a good compass (future post). Together these will give you 99% of the information you need to "stay found." Added bonus: does not require batteries.