From Madison to Crawford

Looking South from the Highland Center in Crawford Notch. (AMC Photo)

A Presidential Traverse, it's the best known long-hike in the White Mountains, 19.2 miles if you hit all the summits—an elevation gain of almost 9000'. Typically hikers start with Mt. Madison and hike south, ascending Mt. Washington in the middle of the hike, then finishing with the Southern Presidentials, descending into Crawford Notch.

Now I am on my way, from Madison to Crawford Notch. One week after my time on Madison ended, I accept a full-time position with the AMC as the Maintenance Supervsior for the Highland Center in Crawford Notch. A nationally recognized adventure lodge—Outside Magazine placed it in its top 10.

The seed for all of this began in September 2009 while I was, appropriately, doing a Presidential Traverse. Just after sunset, with a full moon rising, I took a rest stop at the OLD Madison Hut. I tied Espresso outside and made my way inside to the bathroom (now the Star Lake bunkroom). On the wall I saw a sign, soliciting funds for the upcoming Madison rebuild project. I filled the information away.

Six-months later, frustrated with my job and sitting at home, I wrote a letter (e-mail).

I began the letter with:

I am writing to enquire about the possibility of joining the AMC construction crew that will be renovating the Madison Hut this coming fall and spring. I am a full-time carpenter with 10-plus years experience, I have a passion for the White Mountains and am experienced in the Northern Presidential Range in all seasons...

And ended it with:

I enjoy my current work as a carpenter but am looking to make it both more challenging and more rewarding. Working with the AMC on the Madison Hut would fulfill both of these goals while also getting my foot in the door with an organization I admire and would love to work for.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

I sent the e-mail to any AMC address I could find with hopes that it would eventually be forwarded into the correct hands. It was, and I got the job as a seasonal employee. However, I was warned at the time that the chances of it leading to a full-time position were slim to none. Staff jobs with the AMC are few and far between and highly competitive.

Well, less than a year after writing the letter, here I am, AMC Staff, and I feel happy of myself (click for video). Thumbs up for rock and roll!

The Photo above is looking South from the main Highland Center Lodge. The lake is Saco Lake, the headwaters for the Saco River. The two buildings that can be seen are train depots used by the Conway Scenic Railroad, which my great uncle, Dwight Smith, founded in 1974 and has since sold. The depot buildings are two of the seven buildings that I will be responsible for. I'll post more about the history of Crawford Notch...sometime.