Top 5 Points of Conflict

123-Money, Power, Respect. With apologies to L’il

Kim, these three need to be considered together when

sorting out the clash of cultures that takes place in the

White Mountains in general and with the AMC huts in

particular. To this point, thru-hikers have ruled the

roost and have been the reason for having a trail in the

first place. Not so in NH. For them, the AT is like the

annoying teenage grandson demanding his allowance

while those who gave birth to the conservation

movement have to bite their tongue. A trail completed

in 1937, 300 years after the first recorded ascent of Mt

Washington just doesn’t impress. Thru-hikers, on the

other hand, feel like a system designed to serve hikers

doesn’t serve them. They’re expensive, work for stay is

awkward and camping options are limited.

4-Shelter Terminology. Going from shelter to lean-to
wasn’t a big deal. Calling a shelter a lodge in Vermont

was kind of cute. Distinguishing between campsite and

campsite however, is downright confusing. Campsite in

the Whites Mountains means shelter. On all other parts

of the trail it means tent camping (and not a shelter).

5-Trail Names. When is the Appalachian Trail not the
Appalachian Trail? When it uses older trails to get

through the White Mountains. You’ll have to rely a little

bit more on the blazing since the signage will make only

passing reference to the AT.