That’s what I found myself thinking a couple of summers ago, somewhere on the Carter Dome Trail.  I was hiking back (eventually) to my car after my first-ever two nights of serving as the Carter Notch Hut Volunteer Naturalist. I had just encountered a couple of lightly-equipped hikers who, noting my somewhat official volunteer labelling, asked questions for five minutes including “Is the top a long way from here?”  They took a photo of my paper map and pushed onward.  I enjoyed the satisfaction of helping someone’s day in the mountains go a bit more smoothly.

Don’t get me wrong:  The hours of cleaning water bars and lopping branches on my favorite hiking and ski trails are important, and they have their own appeal.   But I have found that I can satisfy my need for quality mountain time and my oh-so-strong teacher-y instincts by volunteering at the AMC campsites and High Huts.

Each year, the AMC places about 250 guest-interaction volunteers like me in the White Mountains.  Instead of wielding saws and loppers, the primary mission of these volunteers is to enhance the experience of hikers, skiers, and overnight guests by providing information – from safety to creature comforts –  thus helping to make a quality connection to the outdoors. 

Ted Loukides is an AMC Alpine Steward

Where:  Above treeline on Mount Washington, the Franconia Ridge, and in the Southern Presidentials.

What:  Helping and informing hikers, including weather forecasts, proper equipment, protecting alpine flora.  And, keeping count of visitors.

Why: “Stewarding the environment through all of my interactions with fellow hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. It’s an energizing experience connecting with people as you’re surrounded by such dramatic and majestic scenery.”

Mike Dailey is an AMC Volunteer Naturalist

Where:  Any of the High Huts.

What:   Prepare after-dinner (and perhaps after-breakfast)  programming.  Engage guests informally during mealtimes.

Why:  “To engage guests and hikers in aspects of the natural world. Not surprisingly, this is a two way learning experience as they often offer knowledge, share experiences and insights far more profound than my own. I love their stories and learn so very much from them.”

Nick Georgantas is an AMC Information Volunteer

Where:  Any of the high huts, Hermit Lake and Guyot Campsites, Pinkham Visitor Center or Highland Lodge.

What:   Staff the hut/lodge information desk:  Check guests in, change reservations, answer questions, sell merch.  Help campsite guests squeeze into available areas. Answer route questions.  Engage guests informally during mealtimes.

Why:  “I always enjoy the experience!”

Q: What’s a funny or weird or unexpected event from your time volunteering?

Ted, Alpine Steward: On the summit of Mount Jefferson in late October there was a 6-yr old chatterbox who was with his dad and brother. We met at the trailhead and then again at the summit. He told me he liked rocks and minerals (I’m a professional geologist) so I let him use my hand lens and showed him how to use it and what to look for, which gave him a real kick. After a minute he looked up at me and said, “you know, you’re kinda like me!”  Priceless. 

Nick, Info Vol: The time a couple of people came into Lakes before breakfast, concerned that they had passed someone above the Lakes in a sleeping bag on the Crawford path. It had rained that night. Eventually a young man (19?) came in carrying what had to be 60 lbs of gear. Unbeknownst to his parents he had left school and gotten a ride from a friend who was headed to Maine. Dropped off at Pinkham about 3pm, he had summited Washington with no real plans. He was carrying an axe, canned food and lots of stuff he didn’t need. Later in the day, a couple of the Croo had him empty everything out of his bag telling him what to keep and what to dump. Credit to him, he could actually carry all that stuff!

Mike, Vol Nat:  Madison Springs Hut was my one of my 2nd or 3rd volunteer stints. At that time I was still using index cards for my evening talks. The talk was to be held outside on a beautiful evening so as guests gathered, I left my intentionally sorted index cards on a rock as I went inside to fetch my water bottle. After returning, guests settled in to their places, started my talk and then being about half way through my talk when I realized my cards were no longer in sorted order. I momentarily lost my train of thought. It was then I noticed two kids giggling wildly in my audience as I struggled to order my cards and thoughts. As a good-natured prank, they may have resorted my cards in my absence. Good prank!

Mike’s carefully sorted index cards.  A volunteer naturalist probably has the most “down time” while on a gig, but makes up for that in preparation time.

Q: What’s the most challenging part of your role?

Mike, Vol Nat:  Bad weather – not being able to run a program outside.

Nick, Info Vol:  Honestly, I’ve been doing it for so long (23 years!)  I don’t consider any of the duties to be a challenge. 

Ted, Alpine Steward:   Being concerned about having all the extra safety gear I might need in addition to our issued items. I carry an emergency bivy setup.