“The Appalachian Mountain Club was organized in Boston in January, 1876, to ‘explore the mountains of New England and the adjacent regions, both for scientific and artistic purposes.’ Its activities are directed not only toward the preservation of the natural beauty of our mountain resorts,—and in particular their forests,—but also toward making them still more accessible and enjoyable through the building of paths and camps, the publishing of maps and guidebooks, the collecting of scientific data, and the conducting of numerous field excursions.
“In the fulfilment of its main purpose it has built and maintained over two hundred miles of trails, three stone huts and nine open log shelters, all in the White Mountains, and a clubhouse on Three Mile Island in Lake Winnepesaukee. It has also acquired sixteen reservations, held purely in trust for the benefit of the public, in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. It annually conducts four long excursions: one in February for snowshoeing, one in July, one in August, for those who prefer camp life, and one in early autumn, besides the same number of shorter trips in February, May, early September, and at Christmas. These are mainly in New England and New York. In addition there are Saturday afternoon walks to various points of interest in the country around Boston and New York City, the latter under the New York Chapter. Occasionally there are special walks for those interested in natural history. Those wishing to go farther afield can obtain privileges in connection with the annual outings of the western mountaineering clubs.
“From October to May monthly meetings are held in Boston and to these members may invite friends. In connection with these meetings illustrated lectures are given upon mountain regions and other outdoor subjects of interest.
“Clubrooms are maintained in the Tremont Building [in Boston], where committee meetings and small informal gatherings are held, and where the fine library, many maps, and a large collection of photographs are kept.…
“Members are kept informed of the activities of the Club by a monthly Bulletin, and at least once a year an illustrated magazine, entitled Appalachia, is published.… In addition the Club has published a ‘Guide to Paths in the White Mountains and Adjacent Regions’ ($2.00), a ‘Bibliography of the White Mountains’ ($1.00), ‘Walks and Rides about Boston’ ($1.25), a booklet ‘Equipment for Climbing and Camping’ (10 cents), and a ‘Snowshoe Manual’ (10 cents).
“In January, 1919, there were about 2300 members (the New York Chapter numbers 145). Membership in the Club costs eight dollars for the first year and four dollars a year thereafter. No climbing qualification is necessary, but candidates must be nominated by two club members, to whom they are personally known, and approved by the Committee on Membership. Application blanks and further information may be had by addressing the Corresponding Secretary, 1050 Tremont Building, Boston.”
The Green Mountain Club
The Green Mountain Club, of Vermont, was organized March 11, 1910, with the object of making the remotest and wildest regions of the Green Mountains accessible to pedestrians. As rapidly as its income permits, it is building the Long Trail, which when completed will be a “skyline” trail for walkers, following the mountain ridges and ascending the peaks, throughout a course of about 250 miles, from the Canadian line to Massachusetts.
Two portions of the trail have already been built and are in use: one, a stretch of thirty miles, extending north and south near Rutland; the other, a continuous section of sixty-seven miles, extending from Middlebury Gap, fourteen miles east of Middlebury, northward, to Smugglers’ Notch, on the east side of Mount Mansfield. It requires eight days to cover this section of the Trail. There is a cabin of the Club, or a clubhouse, farmhouse, or hotel available at the end of each day’s hike. It is better to carry food and blankets, though blankets may be hired and food sent in under arrangements made in advance. There is good prospect that by the end of the summer (of 1919) new trails will be built, connecting the two portions mentioned, and extending the northern stretch some miles further, to Johnson. The Club will then have built and brought under its care 130 miles of continuous trail.
Some account of walking the Long Trail may be found in “Vacation Tramps in New England Highlands,” by Allen Chamberlain.