Carrying the AMC 150 pennant on the Appalachian Trail: Moose Mountain, NH, Backpack, July 13-14, 2026 – by John Williams
July 25, 2026
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Hauling the AMC 150 pennant!
This summer the Appalachian Mountain Club, founded in 1876, is relaying a pennant by hand from Virginia to ME to celebrate the Club’s 150th year organizing adventures, building trails, and conserving land to experience the outdoors. As part of this journey, hikers, bikers and paddlers are conveying the pennant over land and water through New Hampshire’s beautiful wilderness and countryside.
John Williams reports on a two day overnight up Moose Mountain, North Peak and Holt’s ledge overnighting at the Moose Moose Mountain AMC shelter on July 13 and 14. backpacking the pennant along the Appalachian Trail on July 13 and 14th.
You can track the relay and read reports from other segments on the Applachian Mountain Club website.
John Williams is a past Chair of the AMC New Hampshire Chapter Excursion Committee and leader of many AMC hikes.
Many thanks to co-leader Jon Tapply, hikers Stephanie Croteau, Jon Randall, Bill Thompson and Brian Hare, and to AMC150 coordinator Parker DePond. Additional thanks to Barry Matthews and Savanah from the Hanover Conservancy land trust for a warm greeting at the launch of our two day backpack on the Appalachian Trail over Moose Mountain and Holts Ledge. Other locals provided a welcome sign, appreciation for the AMC and good wishes.
The weather was good to us on these two days, with no rain, but we did experience very warm temperatures with uncomfortably high humidity. Back packs loaded, six of us followed the AT through mixed New Hampshire forest and field, bogs and bridges, and scenic overlooks. We shared knowledge of local trails, experiences, and history.
Traversing the Appalachian Mountain Trail from Trescott Road in Hanover, NH to Grafton Turnpike in Lyme, NH on July 13 and 14, 2026 camping overnight at the AMC Moose Mountain Shelter.
Plane wreck, Moose Mountain – At the south summit of Moose Mountain, the largest and most deadly plane crash in New Hampshire occurred in October, 1968. Flight 946 crashed near the summit and erupted into a fire ball with 42 on board, only 10 people in the tail section survived. Rescue efforts were very difficult due to lack of access and difficult terrain. While the wreckage was removed 58 years ago, we spent some time to explore the south-east slope to seek evidence of the site. Several charred and discolored rocks were visible, affected by the intense flames. Brian found a 10 inch fragment of aircraft aluminum which was badly scrapped and was left at the site.
Shared Meals – At the Moose Mountain AT shelter, accommodations were plentiful for our tents and hammocks. A Jambalaya group dinner was provided by Jon Tapply, and Breakfast burritos provided by Bill Thompson. Four AT thru hikers also spent the night. The thru-hikers were near the leading edge of the AT “bubble” of hikers. Hearty hike leaders stashed four gallons of water near the shelter in advance, good thing, because the local source had dried up in the last three days.
Orange Sun – The day two hike continued north bound on the AT following the Moose Mountain ridge down and the Holt Ledge up. Ridge views were appreciated, as were occasional needed breezes. Humidity was on the oppressive side both days. We hoped to see Peregrine Falcon known to nest on the cliffs of Holt ledge, but no luck today. After lunch, peaks of sun light illuminated the ground in orange spots, orange like a rising or setting sun. After the hike, we learned of the smoke in the atmosphere from Ontario fires was adding to the humid haze and filtering the suns spectrum.
Our hikers were proud to be a part of the AMC 150 relay, celebrating 150 years of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Well wishes to the next teams on the relay 🙂
