Mohican Outdoor Center

imported
#1

I was on an AT thru-hike attempt this year (2015). After reading a favorable description of the property in AWOLs book, I mailed a resupply box there, intending to tent there for the night, resupply, and re-forward my “bounce box”. I arrived about sunset on August 8, 2015, requesting my bounce box, and tent space for the night.

I was incredulous when told that the WHOLE property had been reserved for a wedding that weekend, and that I would have to move on into the night and find a place to wild camp. Of course, I was very experienced in doing that, since I had had hiked 1,304 miles before arriving there.

But, the issue is this: What indeed is the mission of the Appalachian Mountain Club, who owns the Mohican Outdoor Center? Despite their loftily stated goals, it obviously is merely to make money any way they can, rather than serving the needs of the hiking and outdoor community. I join the sentiments of a previous poster, who stated that AMC actually stands for American Money Collectors.

Of course there was ample space to tent camp on the property - they own what must be hundreds of acres. They could have offered me a place in their woods to set up my tent, go through and bounce box and mail it out again the next day, but NO! The manager was adamant that the WHOLE property was unavailable.

So, out into the evening I went, now carrying the heaviest pack of my whole journey because I now had the whole of my 15 pound bounce box strapped to the top of my pack, not being able to ship it forward.

I must say that in the whole of my hike, this was the ONLY time I was turned away for lodging, and this was from a place purportedly to serve the needs of outdoor enthusiasts!

In contrast, several small towns (Unionville, NY, Port Clinton, VA, and Glasgow, VA, to name just a few) provided free lodging to hikers at locales that they constructed just for that purpose, and several business establishments offer free tenting to hikers on their property (South Mountain Hotel in South Mountain, PA was a shining example).

No, I was not looking for “free” lodging at all - I was expecting to pay for my tent site, of course. But, to be turned away by an organization that supposedly serves the outdoor community was an insult, and shows the AMC and the Mohican Outdoor Center in a very poor light.

I would encourage AT thru-hikers to avoid this place like the plague - they obviously do not care about the AT hiker community. Take your money elsewhere, and let them cater to the needs of the well-heeled who can rent out the whole place to fill their coffers.

CheeseGrits

#2

I think you are being a little hard on the AMC. I stayed at Mohican Outdoor Center in May 2010. My brother, son-in-law and I all thought it was fantastic. We came in from a downpour with 40 degree temps. We were borderline hypothermic. There were only 2 other hikers in the cabin and with a capacity of 60, it was spacious with kitchen facilities. I also stayed at some of the AMC huts in NH, and each was a welcome sight after a day of hard hiking. The one AMC incident that didn’t turn out as hoped was in Maine, south of Monson. The lodge was closed to the public because of contractual reasons with the original owners of the property that was donated to the AMC. One week each year the lodge was only available to the family of the original owners. I asked to camp on the perimeter of the property, but the AMC manager said no. I then asked to buy dinner, which they said OK. They served me leftover London Broil, green beans, mashed potatoes and a delicious brownie. When I offered money, they refused and even took me back to the AT trailhead 10 miles away. Again, they accepted no money. For the Mohican Center and NH huts I did pay fees, which are used for the facilities and AMC programs which support the AT, other trails and outdoor education for youths. I have also seen AT hikers accepted at the Madison Springs Hut during extreme bad weather when space was available. The AMC must follow guidelines for the safety of guests with reservations and try to accommodate those hikers who just show up. As an AT section hiker with 8 years experience, I never assume a lodging has space or is open without having contacted them in advance. I think if you had called the Outdoor Mohican Center in advance they would have told you they weren’t open to the public on the day you eventually showed up. Did you ask them about mailing the bounce box for you? Having paid for 2 daughters’ weddings, I know that brides are adamant about having “the perfect day” and stinky hikers would not be welcomed. The AMC existed before the AT and without their help would not have come to fruition. There are motels, stores and individuals who do gouge hikers but I chalk it up as part of the AT experience and try to learn from it.

Happy Trails,
Steamer

Tom Moylan

#3

CheeseGrits:

You are the poster child for hiker entitlement - the dreaded, contagious disease that plagues the major US trails these days.

If you had called ahead, as Steamer mentions, you wouldn’t have been so surprised that Mohican Outdoor Center was closed for a wedding. In fact, you should rather be grateful that they actually allowed you to send a maildrop there & pick up your package. If you were getting married, would you really want ‘hiker trash’ hanging around the reception???

I’ve thru-hiked the AT three times & have always had wonderful encounters with the Mohican staff. As far as the AMC is concerned, you are never forced to spend a dime with them. I’ve been grateful every time as I walked thru the Whites to be able to pick up leftover soup or bread for a nominal donation.

Happy Trails,
freebird

freebird

#4

one small logistical note…bounce boxes work best when sent to post office locations. Any other location requires a special mailing request from the host.

stealth