The Middlebury Mountain Club (MMC) has been around since 1931, providing Middlebury students with guided outdoor trips, including hiking, backpacking and canoeing. The Gear Room allows all students to participate on these trips, regardless of experience level or whether they have their own personal gear. Students run and operate the gear room, and are always friendly faces on campus!

Gear hours are held weekly in the FIC. If you don’t know where it is, it’s the building to the right of BiHall and in front of Coffrin Hall. Students can borrow sleeping bags, sleeping pads, hiking boots, tents, bear canisters, stoves, fuel, rainwear, headlamps, water purification kits, first aid kits, nordic skis and more. Gear can be checked out for one week intervals, although it can be renewed. Make sure to return your gear on time, or you’ll face a $5 per item overdue charge that can pile up, depending on the number of items you’ve checked out! 

The Middlebury Mountain Club (MMC)’s website has some great information on How to pack for backpacking. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned veteran, this can be a great resource before going on any of their trips, especially overnight trips, or if you choose to plan a trip yourself. 

Check out 9 of the best hikes in Middlebury and the surrounding area under the Resource page and add them to your Middlebury bucket list!