Appalachian Mountain Club

AMC has outstanding outdoor rock climbing and ice climbing programs.
I first started climbing in the gym with friends in Sydney, Australia. «When the route is so clearly marked in the nice, warm gym,» I thought, «why would I ever want to climb outdoors?» Luckily, I worked with climbing legend Will Crowther who put up some of the first routes in New Hampshire and he and his wife Nancy convinced me I wanted to do the AMC outdoor climbing class. Nancy even took me shoe and harness shopping so I could be safe, yet comfortable all day.
The rock climbing course is wonderfully comprehensive, covering what one needs to know, as well as good «worst case scenario» techniques. The instruction happens on four mandatory weekends and often one optional weekend, depending where Easter falls.
The first weekend covers climbing basics with rope, harness, and belay safety. In addition to the practice, practice, practice of tying the knots, belaying, and communicating, climbers can also learn the old fashioned ways of climbing safely in case one loses their harness or belay device. These bowline-​on-​a-​coil and body-​belay techniques are then useful if one goes on to the ice climbing course.
The second weekend covers getting down the rock with three different techniques for rappelling, including body-​rappel, in case you lose your belay device.
The third weekend covers getting up a rope, if you’re stuck.
The fourth weekend is a chance to test all the previous three weekends of knowledge, including practicing catching a simulated leader fall. This last weekend is also a way for the experienced climbers to see how well the newbies have learned the ropes, i.e., are they ready for New Seconds Weekend climbing at The Gunks.
And then for those who love being outdoors in the winter as well, AMC has a comprehensive ice climbing program. Again, instruction covers multiple weekends so one can practice self-​arrest (stopping one sliding down the mountain), setting up snow anchors, climbing with two, one, or zero ice picks (use the feet and balance), and get out on a real climb with a leader.
AMC — outstanding in the field? Out CLIMBING in the mountains. :-)

Great outdoor and nonprofit group. If you’re outdoor-​oriented you must become a member; they provide great services and oversee and protect a lot of land in the north east. I’ve been a member since 2001 and am always pleased with thier level of professionalism that I haven’t seen elsewhere in the nonprofit sector.

The AMC is an awesome group of outdoor enthusiasts who like to get outside, have some fun and protect the environment they’re traversing. I signed up for the AMC’s outdoor rock climbing class recently, and I can not say enough about how wonderful the members are. The class is run entirely by volunteers who are patient, enthusiastic and are there rain or shine. Seriously, these folks are amazing and their love for the outdoors even rubbed off a little on a couch potato fattie like me.
A lot of the members of the AMC are highly experienced, but there are some novices too. I think membership is $ 50 (which allows you to use some of the club resources I think) and is tax deductible. For those under 30, there is also a junior membership which goes is $ 35. As Jocelyn had said, they have quite a few programs so if you’re an outdoor enthusiast (or an aspiring one), the AMC is a great place to check out.

This venerable organization is a godsend to those living near Boston who want to experience the outdoors safer and with greater comfort and knowledge. Bring your friends along with you, or go to one of the group activities and make some new friends.

Made rsvp… lost group… Frank downgraded my site and then added meal package and refunded me difference a DAY BEFORE I HAD TO BE THERE. Awesome people. Very very nice.

Outstanding organization dedicated to the protection and use of the mountains and areas inside the Appalachian region. They maintain huts in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, run camps for inner city kids, over programs and workshops dealing with the environment, and maintain the trails that run through the region.