Inspiring Stories

Doug’s family made their first visit to the White Mountains of New Hampshire when he was just nine months old, connecting him to the land from the start. Though he grew up in New York City, he was always happier in the woods. Frequent vacations to New Hampshire proved to be the perfect way for Doug and his brother to get outside and burn off energy.

With AMC, it was love at first sight for Gordy Hall. When he was 10, along with his best friend, Fred Preston, and their respective fathers, they took the “Snow Train” to spend a fall weekend at Pinkham Notch, hiking the Old Jackson Road, and up the Fire Trail. The following summer, much to Gordy’s delight, the foursome returned, this time to climb Mt. Washington and spend the night in the Tip-Top House.

Self-proclaimed peak-bagger Philip Trent kept pins and posters, mementos of his adventures hiking mountains across the globe.

Rich’s connection to AMC began with his summer camp days in the late 1970’s. The camp, centrally located near Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, allowed for a plethora of outdoor excursions throughout the state. The first mountain Rich hiked was Mt. Major, where, at the time, you could see the summer camp from the summit. From there he signed up for trips that took him all over the White Mountain National Forest, with many culminating with a trip to one of AMC’s huts.