Press Release: Appalachian Mountain Club to Reopen Historic White Mountain Hut

[Laura Hurley]

Save 30% with “Madison Madness” grand reopening savings

April 4, 2011

Note to editors: historical photos and other media kit materials are available at www.outdoors.org/about/newsroom/madison-reopen.cfm.

One hundred twenty-two years after first providing accommodations for White Mountain hikers, the Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) Madison Spring Hut will reopen on June 2, 2011 after being completely rebuilt to add new green technologies and create more comfortable dining and bunk spaces. The AMC is celebrating by offering 30 percent “Madison Madness” savings on two-night stays between June 5 and June 23, Sunday through Thursday, at all eight of its backcountry huts located along the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire. Lower elevation huts near ponds and waterfalls are ideal for families with younger kids, and alpine huts such as Madison are more challenging for experienced hikers.

The “Madison Madness” deal is available for reservations made by April 30, 2011 at www.outdoors.org/hutsavings.

Originally built in 1888 and opened in 1889 as AMC’s first hut, various versions of Madison Spring Hut have occupied the same site in New Hampshire’s Presidential Range throughout its storied history. Madison was modeled after the European alpine huts and is now part of AMC’s hut-to-hut hiking network, which is the oldest in the U.S. Madison’s 21st century makeover preserves the historic 1929 stone core of the hut comprising the bunkrooms and foundation, while enhancing the hut’s layout and “green” profile.

Larger windows in the dining room will provide lots of natural light, and a cathedral ceiling will create a more spacious feeling for guests. A new bunkroom layout will more comfortably accommodate hikers without changing the current capacity of 52 guests. Additional upgrades to energy and mechanical systems will include replacing flush toilets with a more environmentally advanced waterless system. Madison will continue harnessing solar and wind energies to provide its electric power, while taking advantage of newer, more efficient solar photovoltaic panels. New solar thermal collectors will pre-heat water for cooking and washing dishes.

“Madison Spring Hut has seen a lot of years and a lot of use since the current hut was last rebuilt,” said Paul Cunha, AMC Vice President for Outdoor Program Centers. “This new project is designed to provide a more energy efficient and environmentally sensitive hut, in keeping with AMC's Green Promise of sustainable operations. At the same time, we hope to improve the guest experience by providing more leg room and elbow room in key areas, and reducing the height of bunks in the bunkrooms.”

Perched at an elevation of 4,825 feet, Madison boasts sweeping, above-treeline views of the Presidential Range and the valley below. Madison has evolved from its early years as a simple stone cabin for 12 guests with no caretaker or meal service to one of AMC’s most popular huts, now staffed by knowledgeable hut “croo” who offer freshly prepared meals and daily naturalist programs during the summer full-service season. AMC's Hiker Shuttle also connects popular trailheads serving the AMC hut network to AMC roadside lodges—Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch and Highland Lodge in Crawford Notch.

LDa Architecture & Interiors, LLP of Cambridge, Massachusetts developed the Madison project design, which complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Lumber, native white cedar shingles, and other construction materials have been purchased from local suppliers, and AMC has hired extra crew members from the local community to complete the work.

To further celebrate the new Madison, AMC is giving away a free, two-night stay at Madison for its opening weekend, June 3 – 4, 2011. Register to win by April 30 on AMC’s homepage at www.outdoors.org.

Rates and reservations:
AMC’s “Madison Madness” deal offers 30 percent savings over regular AMC member and non-member rates at all eight AMC backcountry huts, for stays June 5 through June 23, 2011. This offer is good for stays of two or more nights, Sunday through Thursday, at any combination of AMC huts. Guests must mention promotion code “HUTS” and book by April 30, 2011 to get this rate.

The “Madison Madness” two-night special rate, per non-member adult, is $141.40 and includes bunkroom accommodations, dinner, breakfast, and naturalist programs. Discounted member rates and child and teen rates are available. Taxes not included.

Book online at www.outdoors.org/hutsavings or call [phone].

Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America’s oldest conservation and recreation organization. With more than 100,000 members, advocates, and supporters in the Northeast and beyond, the nonprofit AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of the Appalachian region. The AMC supports natural resource conservation while encouraging responsible recreation, based on the philosophy that successful, long-term conservation depends upon first-hand enjoyment of the natural environment.

AMC huts in the White Mountain National Forest are operated under a special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service. AMC’s Lonesome Lake Hut is operated in partnership with the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation.

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