[at-l] AMC huts, pros, cons, thru-hikers...

["richard mann" <hike-usa@email.msn.com>]

it is interesting that the AMC huts are getting so much discussion right
now, because i just stayed at 7 of the 9 huts.  soooo, here is my $0.02
worth, my opinion only...

pros -

the huts are spaced wonderfully for occasional hikers doing the AT in the
whites (presidentials).  the miles are tough, and the huts are friendly
waysides for the weary.  the food is excellent and plentiful.  the croos are
staffed by pleasant, hospitable, well trained, entertaining, efficient
people...

cons -

every inch of the huts are used for money making.  the bunks are stacked 3
to 4 high, with at least two bunkrooms, some room capacities at 24 people
(48 to 90 people is the overall capacity, depending on the hut).  some huts
have a number of small bunkrooms, but they are maximized.  generally there
is not enough room to sit up in the bunk.  generally, there is not
sufficient room for everyones gear...

the dining area is claustrophobic on a full occupancy night, literally
sitting elbow to elbow, with absoluely no room to get up and move about.
generally, most nights are full occupancy.  some of the more remote huts
have some empty space during the week, but not much space...

the huts are not clean, and the bedding is the same that was used the night
before, and the night before that, etc...

the most disturbing thing to me, though, was the croo asking for tips.
every croo does a skit at breakfast that is to teach you 3 things: 1) how to
properly fold your blankets; 2) pack out your trash; 3) tip the croo.
generally one of the croo would hold up some money and walk it over the the
tip box and put it in, thus showing the masses that this was expected.  at
one of the huts, it was vocalized that they were putting a $20 bill in the
tip box.  at another hut, a $10 bill was used.  i paid a lot of money to
stay at these huts.  if the croos need tip money to survive, then shame on
the AMC.  the average person pays $55 to stay at a hut.  multiply this by 48
people and you get $2640.  by 90 people and you get $4950.  that is one one
night at a full hut.  lets say $3000 average per night for 4 months, and you
get $360,000.  take that times the 7 full service huts and you get
$2,520,000 per year for the huts.  there are two more huts that are self
service that will increase that revenue.  then there are 8 or 10 shelter
sites that charge per the night that also increase the revenue.  i think the
tip system is disgraceful...

thru-hikers -

there does not seem to be a consistant policy towards thru-hikers.  i saw no
thru-hikers being fed.  i saw no thru-hikers being allowed in the huts until
lights out, except for brief visits to fill water bottles, or use the
toilets.  the exception to all of this is lakes of the cluds hut that seemed
to embrace the hikers, allowing them the run of the place at all times, with
some sitting and eating with the croo.  there is a 2 hiker max work-for-stay
option available, but this only allows a hiker to sleep indoors.  for this,
they often have to shovel shit.  the emphasis of the huts is the paying
customers.  thru-hikers are not paying customers, so they are not welcome.
unfortunately for thru-hikers, other options are limited.  they can hike to
an on or off trail shelter/tent sight that charges $6, or stealth camp...

i fell that the entire hut system should become self-serve, or be closed
down.  the pay shelters are nothing more than you would anyplace else on the
trail.  this greed that i see the AMC exhibit is counter to what i want or
need.  they have a new 30 year contract with the NPS to do what they do, so
nothing is going to change.  moving the AT from these mountains is an
option, and i feel a good option.  let the yuppies have the mountain, and
pay the overblown fees if they want, but don't force the thru-hikers to pay.
should thru-hikers get preferential treatment?  absolutely not, but why
punish them for hiking in the whites?  there is nothing more special about
the whites than anyplace else on the trail.  move the trail, or provide what
is provided everywhere else, free shelters...

my opinion, now back to hiking...

pittsburgh



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