Warren
Member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2003
- Messages
- 775
- Reaction score
- 21
There are many reasons.
The highland center appears to have been a turning point for many on their feelings towards AMC, but as far back as the climbing scene in the gunks during the 60's there has been friction between the AMC and non AMC members (Yankee Rock & Ice, a NE history of rock Climbing by the Watermans should detail this, it's frequently mentioned in mountaineering and rock climbing histories). The reaction was so strong on this board to the Highland center that when I finally saw it, my initial reaction was along the lines of "that's it?". From the furor and even in places, rage, I was expecting a much more imposing building.
Others rustle at the large numbers the AMC hikes can bring into the woods, the presence of huts in the Whites, located on public land, often very near the border of a wilderness area. Some may have tried to contribute by working on a trail or lean to and have been told they needed to join the club and sometimes pay for the training. Others have complained of the little to no support given to hike and backpack leaders thinking that the AMC should provide some sort of funding. Thru Hikers have resented the fees at AMC campgrounds and Huts, others have felt intruded on when caretakers search their possessions worried that it was two hours after dark and you've not yet returned. I've heard many comments of political correctness run wild.
I'm sure many are just suspicious of big organizations or have had an issue important or dear to them opposed by the AMC. I sure there are many more reasons; some as simple as that the AMC is one big impersonal target.
For me, I've never been a club person and the AMC reflects a lot of the why's I'm not a club person. When I was member I didn't find them terribly transparent as an organization, my regional chapter was unimpressive to me. I was very disappointed in a (non regional ran) class.
It's hard to talk about here because the topic is always so heated and emotional it inevitably breaks down. If one side doesn't rave and state something out and out offensive and unreasonable the other try's to paint all those with opposing views in some sort of less than glamourous way. From one side or another or another a label, usually derogatory, is applied to a post or poster and it all spirals into something personal. Furthermore any comprehensive discussion here would almost have to delve into the political and so would invite a moderators intervention.
It's a shame because organizations such as the AMC are very likely to have increased say and lobbying ability on how public lands are used more so, I think, than in past as the voices of smaller groups and concerns are drowned out by the larger groups with more savy and dollars.
Anyway, I don't know if a whole lot of people hate the AMC, hate is after all a strong word. I think a lot of folk don't like some of things they do and in some ways are scared of them. There's lot's of strong feelings about them both positive and negative.
The highland center appears to have been a turning point for many on their feelings towards AMC, but as far back as the climbing scene in the gunks during the 60's there has been friction between the AMC and non AMC members (Yankee Rock & Ice, a NE history of rock Climbing by the Watermans should detail this, it's frequently mentioned in mountaineering and rock climbing histories). The reaction was so strong on this board to the Highland center that when I finally saw it, my initial reaction was along the lines of "that's it?". From the furor and even in places, rage, I was expecting a much more imposing building.
Others rustle at the large numbers the AMC hikes can bring into the woods, the presence of huts in the Whites, located on public land, often very near the border of a wilderness area. Some may have tried to contribute by working on a trail or lean to and have been told they needed to join the club and sometimes pay for the training. Others have complained of the little to no support given to hike and backpack leaders thinking that the AMC should provide some sort of funding. Thru Hikers have resented the fees at AMC campgrounds and Huts, others have felt intruded on when caretakers search their possessions worried that it was two hours after dark and you've not yet returned. I've heard many comments of political correctness run wild.
I'm sure many are just suspicious of big organizations or have had an issue important or dear to them opposed by the AMC. I sure there are many more reasons; some as simple as that the AMC is one big impersonal target.
For me, I've never been a club person and the AMC reflects a lot of the why's I'm not a club person. When I was member I didn't find them terribly transparent as an organization, my regional chapter was unimpressive to me. I was very disappointed in a (non regional ran) class.
It's hard to talk about here because the topic is always so heated and emotional it inevitably breaks down. If one side doesn't rave and state something out and out offensive and unreasonable the other try's to paint all those with opposing views in some sort of less than glamourous way. From one side or another or another a label, usually derogatory, is applied to a post or poster and it all spirals into something personal. Furthermore any comprehensive discussion here would almost have to delve into the political and so would invite a moderators intervention.
It's a shame because organizations such as the AMC are very likely to have increased say and lobbying ability on how public lands are used more so, I think, than in past as the voices of smaller groups and concerns are drowned out by the larger groups with more savy and dollars.
Anyway, I don't know if a whole lot of people hate the AMC, hate is after all a strong word. I think a lot of folk don't like some of things they do and in some ways are scared of them. There's lot's of strong feelings about them both positive and negative.
But I thank the ones who can afford to listen to the snoring and are willing to pay the bucks so that the trails are kept in good shape. Let's face the reallity of supply and demand. If the huts cost $10 a night, either waiting list would be 3+ years or first come-first served would involve fist fights. 
