The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Four Thousand Footer Club was formed in 1957 to introduce hikers to some of the less known sections of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. At that time, peaks such as Hancock, Owl's Head and West Bond were trail-less and rarely climbed. The problems of overuse were unknown, except along the heavily visited Presidential Range and Franconia Ridge.
The creation of "the list" provided a reason for hikers to explore new areas, and in turn lessen the concentrated use of the aforementioned areas.
Today, the Club is composed of active hikers whose travels in the mountains continue to keep us informed with the changing conditions of the White Mountain backcountry. Each year, individuals, friends, and families, take up the pastime of hiking. Somewhere along the way they get hooked on the pursuit of hiking the four thousand footers. For some it is done as a physical challenge. For others it's an opportunity to pursue a shared goal. For families, it's a way to build bonds that will last a lifetime.
It is the hope of the Club that these experiences will keep our members working for the preservation and wise use of wild country, so that it may be enjoyed and passed on to future generations undiminished.
2013 Award's Night Highlights…
Photograph: Gary Tompkins
Upcoming Event…
Image provided by the USFS.
The White Mountain National Forest is teaming with the AMC Four Thousand Footer Club for the 2013 National Trails Day on Saturday June 1. Volunteers are needed for three work projects on Mt. Carrigain--bog bridge building and rock step work on the Signal Ridge Trail and maintenance on the summit fire tower. Members of the Committee will be participating in the work parties. We hope to see you there!
Committee Change…
It is with fondness and gratitude that we bid farewell t0 Committee member Lyn Beattie, who served on the Committee for 15 years. She was program director, arranging the dinner and Award's night for all those years. Lyn and her family moved to New England in 1965 and her hiking career began soon after. After attending the AMC winter leadership workshops, she proceeded to lead winter hikes for the club for 15 years. Over the years she completed the NH4K, NE4K, NE100, NHW4K, NEW4K, and NE100 in winter. Lyn was the first woman to complete the NH 200 highest peaks in three-season, and, the first woman to then do them all in winter. Her hiking pursuits outside New England included climbing Mount Blanc--the highest mountain in western Europe, and enjoying many multi-day trekking trips in Europe, South America, and Nepal.
Photograph: Gary Tompkins
A Quote…
In the mountains of truth, you never climb in vain. Either you already reach a higher point today, or you exercise your strength in order to be able to climb higher tomorrow.
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900)