[at-l] Bascom Lodge

I've just read an article in the local paper reporting that the AMC 
will no longer operate Bascom Lodge on Mt Greylock.  It seems to be 
an issue with the State DEM. The lodge needs about $1 million of 
repairs including new water and septic system.  AMC claims they are 
leaving for environmental reasons.   Personally, I think they are so 
focused on the Whites and the spandex and sneakers crowd, that they 
don't have time for the country cousins out here in the Berkshires.

   AMC operates the lodge and has office space at the Visitors Center 
(7 miles S of the lodge) in exchange for providing a certain amount 
of trail maintenance and conducting outreach programs.  Both of which 
are successful and greatly needed.  AMC claims: "We intend to 
continue our full commitment to our conservation and trails program 
out here.  Our maintaining the trails will not change at all.  We 
have a trained staff that are experts at trail maintenance, and we 
have a very active volunteer membership.  But wether we'll still be 
leading hikes remains to be seen.  We have an extensive program and 
[its future] is still to be determined."

The subtext and scuttlebutt from local AMC staff that I heard is that 
they are loosing so much money that they don't want to continue to 
operate.

The article did not mention wether the lodge would be open in the 
summer with a different operator.  More news when I know more.  I'll 
have all the skinny after the next AT Committee Meeting in early Jan.

Cosmo
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