Anne Houser

Anne and her husband, Ron, moved to Vermont in 1987 determined to build a life in the mountains. With that idea, they opened Mountain Goat Outdoor Clothing and Gear store in Manchester. Managing the store for 33 years has given Anne a great platform for supporting the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail network. From her base in Manchester, she has been lucky to hike almost every inch of the Long Trail and spends a part of every day in the backcountry. Recently, Anne led the effort to establish Manchester as an Appalachian Trail Community, providing local support and amenities for hikers passing through on the trail.  This designation helped to rally the community to welcome the hikers and to raise awareness of the trail. Her long tenure in the outdoor industry has given her a broad view of the Green Mountain Club’s role in preserving the trails that we have the privilege of calling our own. This year Anne stepped back from everyday work at the Mountain Goat and moved to New Haven, Vermont, where new adventures await.