Hi Folks,
(this is a rant but I just gotta get this off my chest so appologies in advance for the not very positive tone)
I was off hiking in the whites today and stopped in at Greenleaf Hut (that is on the side of Mt Lafayette) to cool down, rest, and chat with the hut master.
I inquired as to the rates of AMC mountain huts in the whites and was stunned at his answer. 78$ for AMC members and 85$ for non members. Not sure if these figures are exact but they are in the ball park.
This is on top of the AMC raising yearly dues to 50$ a year for individuals and the 20$ a year one must pay the Forest Service for a year long pass just to park at the trail heads.
Now I know that even here in New England one can drive to a hotel and pay less money. Huts in Europe (as of two years ago) were cheaper, provided better food, and even provided showers for a couple bucks extra.
I still don't see why the AMC has to charge these rates. Perhaps it is because they can charge any price and the huts will still be full (all those rich flatlanders from Boston and points south you know). I doubt that the hut boys and gals are getting much more than they did a few years back. Perhaps the helicopter costs to get supplies up to the huts? But isn't that just once or twice a year?
I am sure these prices are out of the range of most thru hikers. And there can be only so many work for stay options.
So what do you folks think? Is the AMC justified with these rates? or are they just on the take? I have been an AMC member for years and enjoyed it very much. However, I am seriously considering letting my membership lapse when it runs out next spring.
What might the White Mountains be like without all those AMC huts? Hypothetical I know..but somehow I suspect they would be a whole lot less crowded and yuppified!!!
I await your feed back
NHHIker (a low income hiker)