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A.T. Parking Areas and Trailhead

[11‑Jan‑2025] Information on parking while hiking the A.T., including locations. READ MORE »

Hiking on the Appalachian Trail

[11‑Jan‑2025] The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is managed as a "primitive footpath". There are minimal facilities and terrain can be challenging. Hikers are expected to be self-reliant, and carry appropriate equipment for the season and terrain. READ MORE »

Group Hiking on the Appalachian Trail

[11‑Jan‑2025] This document provides information for groups hiking the A.T. READ MORE »

Campsites and Shelters on the Massachusetts A.T.

[04‑Jan‑2025] Campsites and shelters on the MA portion of the A.T., listed from north to south. READ MORE »

15 Exciting Birds You Can Find in Massachusetts

[19‑Sep‑2024] Spice up your birding wish list by seeking out the colorful, the rare, and the captivating. Here's a look at 15 exceptional and unusual birds found in Massachusetts. MASS AUDUBON »

Guide to Listing an AMC Event on Meetup

[19‑Mar‑2024] This document was created to help leaders use Meetup in a way that increases participation on their events and fosters awareness of AMC as a larger conservation, education, and recreation organization. AMC »

Dogs on AMC Activities: Scenarios for Leaders

[19‑Mar‑2024] AMC Leaders can include or exclude pets on their events according to their own preferences provided they are permitted by the land manager. Leaders who include pets should evaluate them accordingly. AMC »

Center for Outdoor Learning and Leadership

[17‑Mar‑2024] AMC's Center for Outdoor Learning and Leadership (COLL) offers accessible and affordable outdoor skill resources, workshops, and training, engaging thousands of people each year in industry-leading offerings. AMC COMMUNITY »

Volunteer Resources

[17‑Mar‑2024] Forms, manuals and resources for AMC volunteers and leaders. AMC COMMUNITY »

Winter Hiking Gear List: Track II – Intermediate to Advanced Gear List

[10‑Dec‑2023] AMC Western MA Hiking Committee's intermediate to advanced gear list for winter hiking. PDF »

Winter Hiking Gear List: Track I – Beginner to Intermediate Gear List

[10‑Dec‑2023] AMC Western MA Hiking Committee's beginner to intermediate gear list for winter hiking. PDF »

Reduce, ReUse, Compost, and Recycle in Western Mass

[10‑Aug‑2023] What happens to the materials we put in the trash, recycle, and compost bins? Do recyclables really get recycled? What is accepted in recycling and composting programs? How can households reduce trash and save money through composting and recycling? VIEW »

Join AMC!

[06‑Jun‑2023] Since 1876, we've made it our mission to protect the mountains, forests, waters, and trails you love throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. PDF »

Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risks & Release and Indemnity Agreement

[Jun‑2023] Release agreement for AMC's adventure travel. PDF »

AMC Help Center

[10‑Apr‑2023] Find information and ask questions about all things Appalachian Mountain Club. AMC KNOWLEDGE »

Cancellation Policies

[17‑Feb‑2023] Cancellation policies for AMC lodging, services, and programs. AMC DESTINATIONS »

Covid-19 Warning & Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risks & Release and Indemnity Agreement

[Feb‑2023] Release agreement for AMC's volunteer-led camps and cabins. PDF »

Volunteer Accident/Incident Report Form

[Feb‑2023] Use this form to report any incidents encountered during an AMC-led trip. PDF »

Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risks & Release Agreement

[Feb‑2023] Release agreement for volunteer-led activities, to be printed out, read, signed, and returned to AMC. PDF »

Photo Release

[Feb‑2023] AMC photo release form. PDF »

White Mountain National Forest Summary of Use

[Feb‑2023] Summary of use form for activities conducted in NH's White Mountain National Forest. PDF »

Photo Release: Groups

[Feb‑2023] AMC group photo release form. PDF »

Activity Rating System: Biking

[31‑Dec‑2022] AMC's activity rating system for biking. READ MORE »

Activity Rating System: Hiking, Backpacking, and Trekking

[31‑Dec‑2022] AMC's activity rating system for hiking, backpacking, and trekking. READ MORE »

Activity Rating System: Paddling

[31‑Dec‑2022] AMC's activity rating system for paddling. READ MORE »

Activity Rating System: Youth and Family Hiking

[31‑Dec‑2022] AMC's activity rating system for youth (14 & under) and family hiking. READ MORE »

Activity Rating System: Backcountry Skiing

[31‑Dec‑2022] AMC's activity rating system for backcountry skiing. READ MORE »

Activity Rating System: Climbing and Mountaineering

[31‑Dec‑2022] AMC's activity rating system for climbing and mountaineering. READ MORE »

COVID-19 Resources for Activity Leaders

[20‑Jun‑2022] Although the COVID-19 pandemic is by no means over, AMC and the Berkshire Chapter (now Western MA Chapter) are applying careful evidence-based risk management practices to chart a path forward for volunteer-led outdoor activities to resume safely. READ MORE »

Outdoor Leader Handbook

[Jan‑2022] The AMC Outdoor Leader Handbook provides information for leaders to assist them in minimizing risk while leading enjoyable trips; raises each leader's level of outdoor leadership awareness; helps leaders become aware of the skills they need to develop; builds confidence and enthusiasm about leading trips; and teaches leaders how to plan, organize, and lead trips. PDF »

Get Involved on the A.T.

[14‑Jul‑2020] The A.T. is your trail. It is primarily cared for by volunteers like yourself, not by paid professionals. Volunteers contribute over 6,000 hours of work every year in the Berkshires alone. READ MORE »

River Gauges

[14‑Jul‑2020] Useful links to river level and release schedule information for waterways in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. READ MORE »

COVID-19 Resources for Activity Leaders

[12‑Jul‑2020] Although the COVID-19 pandemic is by no means over, AMC and the Berkshire Chapter (now Western MA Chapter) are applying careful evidence-based risk management practices to chart a path forward for volunteer-led outdoor activities to resume safely. READ MORE »

How to Advertise Chapter Trips

[21‑Jul‑2019] Volunteer trip leaders, especially new ones, often ask "Where and how can I advertise/promote my upcoming chapter trip to maximize turnout?" It's a great question! This document offers tips and suggestions. PDF »

Guide to Listing an AMC Event on Meetup

[21‑Jul‑2019] Meetup has proven to be a wonderful tool for recruiting participants (not to mention new members and future leaders) of all backgrounds for AMC activities, and it works best when leaders who list events on the site understand how to use it to its full potential. This document was created to help leaders use Meetup in a way that increases participation on their events and fosters awareness of AMC as a larger conservation, education, and recreation organization. PDF »

Tips for Safe and Enjoyable Recreational Outdoor Cycling

[07‑Jul‑2019] Recreational cycling is a great way to have fun in the outdoors, while maintaining good health and fitness. Still, to enjoy the full benefits of outdoor riding, there are a few things you need to do before, during and after you ride. READ MORE »

Using MeetUp to Advertise Your Trips

[20‑Jun‑2019] This document explains why and how approved AMC trip leaders may use MeetUp to advertise their trips. READ MORE »

Appalachian Trail Links

[05‑Jun‑2019] There are thousands of A.T.-related sites on the Web. Here are a few of our favorites (with a distinct New England bias). READ MORE »

A.T. Monitoring

[05‑Jun‑2019] Trail monitors visit their section of the A.T. and report on boundary encroachments, misuse, the status of historical and cultural sites, and the existence of threatened and endangered plant species. READ MORE »

A.T. Maintenance and Shelter Adoption

[05‑Jun‑2019] Trail maintainers keep the footpath free of obstructions such as brush, and fallen trees. They also keep the white paint blazes that mark the A.T. fresh and easy to see. Shelter adopters take care of a particular shelter along the trail. READ MORE »

Tuesday Hikers Group

[06‑Apr‑2019] The Western Mass Chapter Tuesday Hikers schedule an outing somewhere in western Massachusetts every Tuesday, all year 'round. We explore a wide variety of hiking trails in the spring, summer and fall. READ MORE »

Code of Conduct

[14‑Jun‑2018] We invite and help people of all identities to explore, develop, and deepen their appreciation of the natural world. AMC's Code of Conduct is meant to help guide and inspire behavior that creates a welcoming community. AMC »

Bicycle Sales and Service Partners

[08‑May‑2017] The Western MA Bicycling Committee partners with selected area bike shops. Our partners support the Bicycling Committee in various ways, and also offer discounts on products and services. READ MORE »

A Tongue-in-Cheek Take on the International Scale of River Difficulty

[22‑Nov‑2016] Someone asked an anonymous boater about his class IV comfort level and he answered something along the lines of "I'm comfortable that I can usually find an eddy to swim to." Thus, the interviewer was inspired to offer this International Scale of River Difficulty. READ MORE »

International Scale of River Difficulty

[22‑Nov‑2016] Whitewater paddling rivers are rated as Class 1 through Class 6 according to their difficulty and the severity of the "consequences" ensuing from a mistake. READ MORE »

Crisis Communication Chart

[Jun‑2016] Use this form to report any incidents encountered during an AMC-led trip. AMC »

Leadership Requirements and Guidelines

[15‑Mar‑2015] This document establishes requirements and guidelines for volunteer units of AMC and its leaders. AMC »

Trailhead Talk

[13‑Jan‑2013] Assess, circle up, review! READ MORE »