Appalachian Mountain Club Western Massachusetts Chapter

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Appalachian Mountain Club Western Massachusetts Chapter

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The mission of the AMC is to foster the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. Website is www.amc-wma.org. Please join us!

The Appalachian Mountain Club is a leading organization in outdoor recreation, conservation, and education with 12 chapters in the northeastern USA. The Western Massachusetts Chapter alone has over 3400 members throughout the four counties comprising Western Massachusetts. We maintain trails and lead hiking, biking, climbing, paddling, snowshoeing, and other trips... and you don't need to be a member to participate.

10/28/2026

Your Vote Can Shape the Future of the Outdoors in Massachusetts
A Message from Mandy Warner, AMC Senior Director of Policy

This election, there is a lot at stake for the places we love. From critical funding for public lands to oversight of EPA clean air rollbacks, the people you elect will help shape the future of the outdoors.

Their decisions will affect whether forests and waterways remain healthy, whether public lands have the resources and staff capacity they need, and whether people can continue to enjoy the outdoors in ways that are accessible and safe.

At AMC, we’re looking ahead to the conservation priorities that will matter in 2027 and beyond. These include defending public lands, upholding clean air protections, investing in outdoor recreation and access, and advancing science-based solutions for a changing climate.

As a Massachusetts voter, you have the chance to make an impact through Question 6. If approved by voters, Question 6 would establish the Nature for All Fund, securing up to $100 million for conservation and recreation—all without raising or creating taxes. It's a generational opportunity to protect drinking water, forests, farms, rivers, lakes, coasts, and open space, while also creating and improving parks, trails, and outdoor recreation access.
This November:

📋 Learn what is on your ballot. Look at candidates’ positions on the issues that matter to you and your community, and make sure you know which ballot questions and races, from federal and state offices to local positions, will appear.

📅 Make a voting plan. Check your registration, find your polling place or learn about early and mail-in voting options, and put Tuesday, November 3 on your calendar.

💬 Talk about the issues. Share what you learn with friends, family, and fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Conversations help bring more attention to the issues affecting the places we all enjoy.

🗳️ Vote. Whether you vote early, by mail, or in person, make sure your voice is counted.

Public lands belong to all of us, and voting is an important way we can help shape its future

Click the link for the Voter Education Tool on the AMC website.
https://www.outdoors.org/conservation/how-you-can-help/vote-for-the-outdoors/?utm_source=sfmc&utm_term=&utm_content=763562&utm_id=65c6e037-4f6c-4bfb-be81-86d95f315c01&sfmc_activityid=e48cb8eb-5c1a-41c0-b087-375b05047790&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CAN%20-%20GOTV%20-%20OCT%2026&sfmc_journey_id=65c6e037-4f6c-4bfb-be81-86d95f315c01&sfmc_journey_name=AC%20N%20-OGVT-%20O%20TC2%206&sfmc_activity_id=e48cb8eb-5c1a-41c0-b087-375b05047790&sfmc_activity_name=AC%20N%20-OGVT-%20O%20TC2%206&sfmc_asset_id=763562&sfmc_channel=email

10/27/2026

October Committee Highlight- Mountaineering

The Mountaineering Committee runs rock climbing (sport, trad, and multi-pitch), plus ice climbing, drytooling, indoor wall climbing, and backcountry skiing trips, all year long. Our volunteer leaders organize everything from after-work evening climbs close to home to multi-day trips at more distant venues. We work to keep climbing accessible: if you are unsure about your skills or what gear you need, ask the trip leader, and the committee can lend much of the equipment.

Shout outs: A big thank you to our Committee Secretary, Kayla, for keeping the committee organized and on track. And a warm welcome to our newest committee member, Chithu. We are glad to have you both!!

Good news for local climbers: With Access Fund's support, the Western Massachusetts Climbers' Coalition has secured permanent conservation protection for Farley Ledges and Rose Ledge, two of the area's most popular crags. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (.amc.mountaineering) for photos and updates.

Upcoming Activities:

Oct 24: Top Rope Anchors Refresher and Hands-on Practice, Rose Ledge, Erving, MA
Nov 11 and Dec 16: Midweek gym climbing at Central Rock Gym, Hadley, MA (6:00 PM)
Nov 15: Drytooling Crag Day at the Keene Rail Cut, Keene, NH
Nov 28: SendsGiving, our Western MA Mountaineering social with potluck food, climbing trivia, and tall tales
Dec 18: Intro to Ice Climbing at Frankenstein Cliff, Crawford Notch, NH (two days of top-rope instruction, no ice experience needed)

Registration links and details are on the Mountaineering committee page: https://www.amc-wma.org/mountaineering-committee.cgi

Or you can search for activities on the Outdoors Connector:
https://activities.outdoors.org/s/?activityTypes=Climbing+%26+Mountaineering&chapters=0015000001Sg05xAAB

Come join the fun!

10/26/2026

We could not have asked for a more perfect day for the new member hike at the Audubon's High Ledges Wildlife Preserve yesterday. The air was cool and crisp, warmed by the sun as we progressed towards the gorgeous overlook of the Deerfield River Valley and the surrounding mountains.

We enjoyed a relaxed three mile hike to the overlook and a small pond then headed down to the sweet little town of Shelburne Falls for a walk along the Bridge of Flowers, a peek at the ancient glacial potholes, and a delicious lunch at a popular eatery, Baked.

What a wonderful day of sun, blue skies, beautiful views, and comraderie! Thanks to volunteers Kathy Kindness, Jeannette Pierce, and AMC staff member William Poole for planning and leading it!

10/24/2026

The Tuesday hikers enjoyed perfect weather and stunning views of the Connecticut hills, the Taconic Range, Catskills and the Hudson Valley in New York. Ten hikers joined leader Kathy Martin last Tuesday for a hike to the summit of Alander Mountain in the Washington State Forest for a total of six miles and an elevation gain of 1300 feet.

10/23/2026

AT Boundary Work
On Monday and Tuesday, October 19 and 20, Warren, Russ, Carrie, Tom, Neal and Cosmo were able to complete clipping back brush along boundary lines from Boardman St to Home Rd, and Rt 23 to Lake Buel Rd. The weather was outstanding!

On the way, we checked out a possible encroachment near Boardman St where a right of way, partially on AT lands, is being used to access a landlocked tract where other trails are being built. Work is ongoing and there are some issues that have been referred to the NPS AT office for further action.

Our route included some more or less open woodlands, but much of our time on Monday was spent clearing line of sight

We have a few more project days on the horizon:
Oct 31st we'll put the tool shed near the Mt Greylock Visitors Center to bed for the winter.
November 1st we'll continue our work in south County with line clearing near East Mtn State Forest
Nov 8th we'll wrap up line clearing on any sections we did not complete this fall.
No experience is needed for any of these.

We also have several Natural Resources Transects coming up:
Nov 10 near the MassPike AT bridge
Nov 21st west side of Jug End ridge
Dec 1st Beartown SF near Wilcox North Shelter

Go to the Chapter Activities page of our website and click on AT Mgmt for details and to register for these activities.
https://www.amc-wma.org/activities.cgi

10/22/2026

Want an easy way to stay abreast of the Chapter activities? Subscribe to our biweekly bulletin listing links to our upcoming activities. Every other Monday you will receive a newsletter from the Chapter with announcements and Chapter activities for the following two weeks. Subscribe here and stay up-to-date on what's happening in the Chapter. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/3w1E1dp/activities

10/21/2026

Annual Business Meeting and Social

It's that time of year again! We will gather to share stories about our adventures in 2026 - the 150th anniversary of the Appalachian Mountain Club, on Saturday, December 5, 2026. Please join us for a FREE social gathering and short business meeting of the Western MA chapter. We'll honor outgoing Executive Committee members, elect our new committee chairs, review the year's accomplishments, and share plans for 2027. We'll also recognize this year's Most Valuable Committee members and present the Appie of the Year award, which recognizes a volunteer’s ongoing, long-term service to and leadership in the chapter.

We are again meeting at the Polish American Citizens Club, located at 46 S. Main St., South Deerfield, MA 01373. Our gathering will include light refreshments and a cash-only bar. Please register here: https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UVX000001INX3/act00023668
Space is limited, so sign up today!

10/20/2026

Trail Stewardship Day on the New England National Scenic Trail - NET

Join us for a hands-on stewardship day of trail work on the New England National Scenic Trail! With this project, we will be constructing a rock staircase to improve trail sustainability. This event offers a welcoming introduction to the community while giving you a chance to get outside and make a direct impact on the trails you’ll come back to again and again.

When: Sunday, October 25, 9:00am - 3:30pm (if you can't stay for the whole day, that's okay! Just let us know)

Where: NET Sec 2 Trailhead Parking Lot located off of Feeding Hills Road at entrance to Longhis Executive Par 3 Golf Course, Driving Range, and Mini Golf.

What to Bring: Please come prepared for a full day of working out on the trails. Sturdy footwear/boots and Long Pants required, a day pack for carrying personal belongings, water (2L recommended), snacks and a lunch, insect repellent and sunscreen. Tools and PPE will be provided, but participants may bring along any of their personal gear if desired.

Click the link for details and to register.
https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UVX000001G5ft2AC/act00023091

10/17/2026

Work on the tent site on Section 2 of the NET is coming along well. After volunteers helped haul the lumber into the site back in August, AMC staff, with the help of volunteers, are building two tent platforms and a mouldering privy. This work will help minimize damage to the trails by the increasing number of hikers on the NET.

Address

Northampton, MA

Website

https://www.amc-wma.org/

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