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Poll: Have you ever been turned away at an AMC campsite because it was full.

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  1. #1
    ME => GA 19AT3 rickb's Avatar
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    Default Have you ever been turned away by an AMC caretaker because the campsite was full?

    Sometimes the AMC caretaker campsites are full to bursting. This is difficult for both hikers and caretakers alike. This poll asks if you have ever been turned away at one of these sites because it was at or overcapacity when you arrived.

    If your answer is "yes" how did you deal with the situation?

  2. #2
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    yes. i stealth camped 50 yards away

  3. #3
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    My preference to hiking in the off season makes this a non-issue. However I will say that I've seen the caretakers at Upper Goose pond cabin make some wonderful exceptions to their usual rules in order to accommodate a couple of college groups who's campsites completely flooded in the middle of the night during an unexpectedly rough storm. I really commend them for going out of their way to help and for preventing the rough night those kids had from becoming a complete disaster.
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    Never been turned away but most caretakers are pretty cool & know their are & if approached right can point you to a good spot.

  6. #6

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    Yes, Guyot Shelter on a holliday weekend. It was a zoo up there anyways with all the overflows up on the ridege packed real tight. I ended up stealthing off the Twinway between Zealand Summit and Zeacliff. Made for a long day. Would have been longer if I had my tent with me rather than my hammock.

    Witnessed the croo at Galehead direct a bunch of thru-hikers to 13 Falls on a cold rainy late August weekend. The hikers were pissed & made a huge scene which probably hardened the croo, cause when the hikers came back in a few times trying to plead their case it was still a no go. And there were a bunch of open bunks that night due to people canceling due to the weather

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    I am so irritated by the AMC it is doubtful I will ever repeat any hike I have done in the area. However, every caretaker at the campsites I have met in said area have been class acts. They were all friendly and accommodating. Guyot was packed to the gills when I was there. The guy was calm and smiling as if I was the only person there. I would have been pulling my hair out if I was him. The huts were a different matter. Not going to bash away. Just saying that I will never open one if those doors again. Never stayed at one. Won't even get water at one in the future.
    Last edited by BirdBrain; 04-24-2015 at 15:44.
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  8. #8
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    Had good luck.

  9. #9
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    Never had an issue, but I purposefully avoid such places on weekends and holidays.

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    Well I'll bash the huts. They often have empty bunks because people cancel. And they lord it over thru-hikers and other who would have used the empty bunks. I know, I know, thru-hikers can be jerks. I once paid for a bunk (no dinner) and listening to the CROO ask not very subtly for tips pretty much all evening long as they cooked, and sang songs. I felt that is not what this is supposed to be about. That was a long time ago. I think those expensive huts are a smudge on the AT. An elitist picnic in the Whites. They should let Marriot bid on the contract, at least then you would know what it's about.
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    I do not know if the AMC reads these things. Those that have issues at huts are not all crazy. There is a huge attitude problem at those things. I don't care about the cost. I would not stay at one if it was free. I imagine they meet many difficult hikers. I imagine the caretakers do as well. It puzzles me how the caretakers can be such wonderful people and have the croo not be similar. I could list the issues. However, this thread is about campsites. It seems the attitude is the complete opposite at campsites. Caretakers were chipper and helpful. They looked like they were having fun. The croo I saw looked like they hated their job.
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    Quote Originally Posted by BirdBrain View Post
    I do not know if the AMC reads these things. Those that have issues at huts are not all crazy. There is a huge attitude problem at those things. I don't care about the cost. I would not stay at one if it was free. I imagine they meet many difficult hikers. I imagine the caretakers do as well. It puzzles me how the caretakers can be such wonderful people and have the croo not be similar. I could list the issues. However, this thread is about campsites. It seems the attitude is the complete opposite at campsites. Caretakers were chipper and helpful. They looked like they were having fun. The croo I saw looked like they hated their job.
    Perhaps it has to do with the different types of people staying at each site? You can see where someone staying at a hut, having paid as much (or more) than they would for a motel room, expecting that they are going to get a similar type of service, and getting upset when they don’t.
    Whereas, a person going to a tent site knows that they are going camping and doesn’t expect nearly as much, and probably gets more than they are used to (in a regular backcountry camp site)?

  13. #13

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    Says AMC campsites which could also mean the shelters but I don't think the OP was asking about the huts.
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  14. #14

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    Only stayed at an AMC camp once and got there early so pretty much had my choice of sites. The caretaker was a cool hippie chick who reminded me of my California days. She settled me in like a bellman at a nice hotel, though I don't think she was fishing for a tip

    As for the huts I will drink their water but I don't want to stay there any longer than I have to. The Croo I've dealt with have most all been very friendly despite the fact that I wasn't a paying customer and I smelled funny. They deal with a lot of people so I can only assume they deal with a lot of crap from both paying customers and hikers. I get my water and get out; no problem.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Alligator View Post
    Says AMC campsites which could also mean the shelters but I don't think the OP was asking about the huts.
    Keeping my comments focused on the campsites, the caretakers are one of the greatest assets the AMC has. They make a difficult job look easy. I have been at very packed campsites. I have not seen a hint of someone being turned away. I have seen hikers not being happy with the options presented to them because of the crowds. I also have seen caretakers patiently trying to accommodate disgruntled hikers. I have seen hikers leave because what they wanted was no longer available. I don't do shelters. I have at campsites because it was the next available option. I would rather have used the overflow. It was not an option yet. Hikers need to subordinate their preferences at AMC campsites. The caretakers are following rules. They are good people trying to help. I know that I would do it worse.
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    I've never been at an AMC campsite that was full, even though our hiking is always in the summer time.
    The caretakers have always been friendly and helpful.

  17. #17
    ME => GA 19AT3 rickb's Avatar
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    Regardless of what one thinks of the huts, I think everyone will agree that far more people of all kinds spend more nights in the backcountry becuase of the work of the AMC.

    This thread is mostly about the AMC caretaker campsites/shelter areas, however. For all the talk of the monies charged at the huts, you hear little discussion about the propriety of an $8 fee at these caretaker site.

    Why is that?

    In part, it might be that (quoting the club here):

    The $8 fee is meant to help cover roughly 50% of these expenses; the rest of the operational costs are absorbed by the AMC using income from membership dues, endowments, and fundraisin
    In other words, the AMC is subsidizing the the average thru hiker who stays at 6 of these sites to the tune of about $50.

    Funny, how that never (ever) comes up in any discussion about the club.

    I have heard the club does other stuff too....

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    I actually spoke to two separate locals this year while heading over the Presidential range that both said the AMC was a status symbol for those that don't know any better.

    Personally I'm a little more critical of the AMC, but I found it interesting to hear the above sentiment concerning the AMC from a few regulars to the area.

    Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

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    Quote Originally Posted by Frye View Post
    I actually spoke to two separate locals this year while heading over the Presidential range that both said the AMC was a status symbol for those that don't know any better.

    Personally I'm a little more critical of the AMC, but I found it interesting to hear the above sentiment concerning the AMC from a few regulars to the area.

    Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk
    Opps, forgot to add that I did like the staff at the campgrounds. Very friendly and have seen them work to find everyone a spot.

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  20. #20

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    Quote Originally Posted by rickb View Post
    Sometimes the AMC caretaker campsites are full to bursting. This is difficult for both hikers and caretakers alike. This poll asks if you have ever been turned away at one of these sites because it was at or overcapacity when you arrived.

    If your answer is "yes" how did you deal with the situation?
    No. But I'm into some planning and preparing for hikes PRE-HIKE, and adapting for logistics and situations, AS I'M ENGAGED IN HIKING, so it strongly factors into my experiences. WOW, what a concept!

    IF I was to be turned away after working my seeking a solution mutually respectful NOT BEING SO SELF ABSORBED WITH ONLY MY IMMEDIATE NEEDS and WANTS mojo at the campsite I would hike on to LEGAL areas to camp while NOT SUCCUMBING TO A THIS SUCKS RESPONSE.

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