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Radio Personality Ken Dashow
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Appalachian Mountain Club: A Gateway to the Outdoors for New Yorkers Print E-mail
By Wenying Shou
November 2006 Extracurricular Activities
Appalachian Mountain Club
photo courtesy of Robert Richardt
The main difficulty in exploring outdoors for New Yorkers who don’t own a car lies at the last mile—the connection between the bus/train stop and the trailhead. Since joining the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC, http://amc-ny.org), I have hiked often. Every weekend, AMC New York/North Jersey local chapter organizes about two dozen “Show-&-Go” day hikes within one hour of travel from the Port Authority bus terminal or Grand Central station. The logistics is simple: hikers on the same trip simply show up at the bus or train stop designated by the trip leader. Make sure that the bus driver understands where you want to get off. Sometimes the meeting place is actually a few minutes walk from the stop, and I find it useful to spot other hikers and simply follow them. Because most hikers from New Jersey drive, a car pool is organized to shuttle all hikers to the trailhead. At the end of the hike, hikers are shuttled back to a public transportation station.
Appalachian Mountain Club
photo courtesy of Robert Richardt
On several lucky occasions, hikers from the outer boroughs of NYC would offer rides so that I got dropped off at a subway stop instead. Most activities are free for members since AMC is a non-profit organization and the trips are led by volunteers.

The day hikes are classified according to pace (from 1 to 5, with 3 being brisk and 5 being very fast), distance (usually varying from 5 to 15 miles), and terrain difficulty (from A to F, with D involving possible rock scrambling). Telephone numbers of leaders are listed so that if the weather is in doubt, one can call. A list of trips is available online and is published quarterly in a booklet distributed to club members.

Most of my hikes had 8 to 15 people. I was told that some trips occasionally have as many as 50 people! The ages of hikers range from those in their twenties to those in their seventies. In fact, it can be depressing or inspiring to see hikers twice your age walking much faster than you. Hikers are friendly and helpful. Some hikers tend to be social and can be fun to talk to. Quiet people can enjoy solitude if they hike in the front or rear end of a group.

Since many hikes are C-level or higher, the most essential item is a pair of hiking boots—over the ankle with soles stiff enough to protect your feet from sharp rocks. Other recommended items are a knapsack or fanny pack, 2+ liters of water, lunch, rain gear, sunglasses, a hat, and a first aid kit.

AMC also organizes many other types of outdoor trips including backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, climbing, sailing, and skiing. I have only hiked with them, and all the trips have been wonderful and relaxing. The annual membership fees are $50 for an individual, $75 family membership, and $25 junior/senior (under 30 or over 69).

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