Crow Comes Back to Scene of Past Glory
The Vibrant Crew of AMC's Mizpah Spring Hut
As the sun paints the sky in hues of orange and gold, I share a hearty breakfast with a rambunctious bunch of Montrealians, beltin' out tunes on their ukuleles. These long-standing pals met here over 25 years ago, and the White Mountains have their hearts ever since. There was one unlucky year they missed the fun, thanks to you-know-what.
Fast forward to today, and the AMC Mountain Huts have reawakened post-pandemic, but things aren't entirely the same. The Croo, the heart and soul of these huts, has undergone a transformation.
The Croo isn't just about cooking meals and handling trash. It's tradition, camaraderie, and silly skits that make the hut feel like home. Passed down from Hutmaster to new hire, this rich history was almost lost when the huts closed during the pandemic. In 2021, most of the staff were rookies, which led to some challenges, but luckily the legacy continued, and the community grew stronger.
Remember, these folks aren't just colleagues; they're bunkmates, hiking buddies, and friends who gather for nightly singalongs. Bethany Taylor, AMC Huts Manager, sees them as the core group responsible for bringing the Huts back to life.
The Mizpah Spring Hut, built in 1965, has witnessed its fair share of history. In the dining room, observe the weathered strips of duct tape that once marked the social-distancing line. It's a relic of not-so-distant past. Max Schweik, a dedicated Croo member, laughs as he recalls those days.
Changes were plenty during the 2021 season. At the summer orientation for seasonal workers, plastic dividers separated the Croo members. Masks were required, and regulations varied from hut to hut. Some Croo members, like Lydia Burnet, expressed a sense of trepidation before joining. However, they found camaraderie during these challenging times, and many chose to return for another season.
Lydia Burnet, hailing from a high school that embraced outdoor education, felt lonely during online classes. The White Mountains were her escape, her new community during her time on Croo. As she put it, "It was so nice to not be cooped up in a house anymore."
So, expect to see a close-knit crew makin' the magic happen at the Mizpah Spring Hut. They hike together, they sing together, and they form bonds that are forged through shared experiences in nature and cold, hard work. The Croo is back, baby!
(Left to Right) Max, Rose, Ruby, Lydia, Jake, and Tom. Photo courtesy of Diana Captures Photography.
Returning to the Mountains
Built more than a century ago, Mizpah Spring Hut is a timeless structure made more popular by the cover of National Geographic magazine, thanks to a story by Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas. The boost in popularity led to the construction of more huts in the area, including Mizpah Spring, which opened its doors in 1965.
From faded duct tape to the well-worn names etched on packboards, this humble hut tells the story of the Croo, a tale of resilience, hard work, and camaraderie.
Photo Courtesy of Diana Captures Photography.
The New Crew Continues the Legacy
Although the Croo is steeped in tradition, the pandemic and its aftermath brought change. The logistics were confusing, and most Croo members in 2021 were newbies. Despite the challenges, Croo camaraderie came quickly. Today's Croo members bond over shared memories, hikes to neighboring huts, and spontaneous watermelon deliveries.
The Croo has undergone many changes, from being led by all-male staff to welcoming women during World War II. And while some traditions have evolved, the spirit of the Croo remains the same. As Max Schweik put it, "Every batch of Croo has a different energy to it."
Communal life, hard work, and the magic of nature weave together at the Mizpah Spring Hut, creating memories that last a lifetime. The Croo is back, stronger than ever.
(Left to Right) Max, Rose, and Lydia. Photo courtesy of Diana Captures Photography.
A Day in the Life
The Croo's work is demanding, balancing hard outdoor tasks with shared responsibilities like cooking and maintaining the hut. Pack days require hiking down the Crawford Path, strapped with heavy packboards laden with trash. Cook days are even longer, with Croo members waking up at dawn to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the guests.
After serving the meals and cleaning up, the Croo has a well-deserved break. Evenings can be spent with a good book, exploring the nearby trails, or gathering around the guitar for an impromptu song fest. With the unique energy and camaraderie of each Croo batch, the nights are never the same.
Photo Courtesy of Diana Captures Photography.
Spreading the Love For the Outdoors
Ruby Towne, the hut's naturalist, is passionate about the White Mountains. She aids researchers, educates guests, and encourages a love for nature among new hikers. As she puts it, the pandemic has given people a newfound appreciation for the outdoors, and she's eager to help cultivate that love.
As Rubes strums her guitar and the group gathers around her, the spirit of the Croo is palpable. The music may change, but the heart of this tight-knit group remains unaltered – a testament to the resilience and passion of the Croo.
A brand new Croo gathering for a singalong. Photo courtesy of Diana Captures Photography.
Enrichment Data:
The seasonal workforce, known as the Croo, at the AMC Mizpah Spring Hut in the White Mountains is part of a unique culture centered around outdoor adventure, community living, and shared duties in a remote alpine environment. The Croo typically lives together in bunkhouses, shares responsibilities such as preparing warm meals and maintaining the hut, and enjoys the camaraderie that comes from their close-knit, temporary community surrounded by nature.
Unique Traditions and Culture of the Croo:
- Communal Living: Croo members share bunkhouses and meals, fostering a strong sense of community and teamwork.
- Work and Recreation Balance: Days often involve strenuous outdoor work such as trail maintenance and guest services, followed by evenings spent relaxing together and enjoying alpine views.
- Connection to Nature: The Croo lives immersed in the wilderness, with access to hiking trails like those on the Appalachian Trail, allowing for daily engagement with the natural landscape.
- Seasonal Rhythm: The work is seasonal, often busiest from late summer through early fall, coinciding with peak hiker traffic, which shapes the social and operational dynamics of the Croo.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic:While direct detailed accounts of how COVID-19 specifically affected the Croo at Mizpah Spring Hut are not noted in the search results, the pandemic generally impacted mountain huts and seasonal workforces by:
- Reducing Guest Numbers: Limitations on travel and indoor gatherings likely reduced the number of visitors, affecting the hut’s operations and the Croo’s workload.
- Enhanced Health Protocols: Increased safety measures would have changed routines, possibly limiting shared indoor activities that are central to the Croo’s communal culture.
- Potential Staffing Changes: Some seasonal workers may have deferred or canceled their participation due to health concerns or travel restrictions, impacting the size and dynamics of the workforce.
These factors would have temporarily disrupted the close living quarters and social bonds typical of the Croo experience, altering how traditions like communal meals and evening camaraderie were practiced during the pandemic.
Overall, the Croo at AMC Mizpah Spring Hut is characterized by a unique blend of hard outdoor work, strong communal bonds, and deep connection to the natural setting of the White Mountains, with COVID-19 posing significant challenges to their traditional way of life[2][3].
- The Croo's lifestyle,Enrichment Data, includes communal living, work and recreation balance, connection to nature, and a seasonal rhythm, forming a unique culture centered around outdoor adventure, community living, and shared duties in a remote alpine environment.
- As the seasonal workforce, the Croo, continues to adapt, travel post-pandemic, their focus on education-and-self-development, such as Ruby's role as a naturalist, encourages a love for nature and sustainable practices among guests. Sports, like hiking, are also integral to the Croo's activities and community bonding experiences in the White Mountains.
