Season of Gratitude

As we enter the season of gratitude and Thanksgiving, we're delighted to share recent highlights from our community. This month, we celebrate volunteers whose dedication strengthens our chapter and inspires others to enjoy the outdoors. We honor Appie of the Year, Janine Papesh, and recognize our 2025 Most Valuable Committee Members — each deserving of our heartfelt thanks. We're also spotlighting the wonderful work of our Mountaineering Committee, which continues to offer year-round opportunities for climbers to learn, grow, and explore the classic cliffs of Western MA. If you are new to the AMC or to our Western MA Chapter, welcome! We're grateful you've joined us. There are many ways to get involved — join activities, volunteer, connect with a committee, or explore leadership opportunities. We also have two openings on our Executive Committee for 2026: Conservation Chair and Vice Chair. If you're interested in helping shape the future of the chapter, we'd love to hear from you. Thank you for being part of the AMC Western MA community during this season of appreciation! Kathy Martin, Western MA Chapter Chair

Appie of the Year Janine Papesh

Janine Papesh was awarded the Appie of the Year at the Chapter's Annual Meeting and Celebration last month. Janine has worked tirelessly for many years in both the Boston and Western MA Chapters. She was most recently the Bicycling Committee Chair, which she started after moving to the area in 2016, and has led over 50 cycling trips in western MA. In Boston, she led both cycling and skiing trips. For more than thirty years, Janine has exemplified the spirit of the Appalachian Mountain Club by being someone who inspires joyous, meaningful outdoor experiences. Her leadership has built community and encouraged countless people to get outside on bikes and skis. We'd also like to congratulate the 2025 Most Valuable Committee Members for the WM Chapter:

• 20s/30s: Kevin Morgan-Rothschild
  
• A.T. Management: Gary Adamson
• Bicycling: Robyn Maislin
• Communications: Lisa Taylor
• Family Programs: Dawne Piers-Gamble
• Hiking: Margot Lacey
• Mountaineering: Danielle Rich
• NET Management: Patrick Henry
• Paddling: Ann Gillard
• Training and Education: Hew Hart

Congratulations to all! We'd like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for their dedication and commitment to furthering the mission of the AMC!

Mountaineering Committee

The Western MA Mountaineering Committee offers year-round opportunities for climbers and aspiring climbers to develop skills, find partners, and enjoy the classic cliffs of our region. We organize instruction and trips in top-roping, sport/trad climbing, anchor building, ice climbing, and mountaineering fundamentals, always grounded in AMC's emphasis on safety, stewardship, and good judgment. Our leaders are trained volunteers who know the local crags — places like Chapel Ledge, Rose Ledge, and the Keene Rail Cut — and who are committed to helping people progress in a responsible way. We also support trip planning for bigger objectives, encourage Leave No Trace practices at the cliff, and work to build a welcoming climbing community in Western MA through trainings, social events, and collaboration with other AMC programs. For more information visit the Mountaineering Committee's webpage. You'll find helpful information about climbing, upcoming events, a resources page with informative articles like Beginner Resources and Favorite Climbs. Feel free to reach out to the mountaineering committee if you have any questions: mountaineering@amc-wma.org.

Share your talents with the Western MA Chapter

Are you passionate about the outdoors and looking to make a tangible impact in the community? The AMC Western MA Chapter has two opportunities on the Executive Committee for 2026: Conservation Chair and Vice Chair. The Conservation Chair is a member of the Western MA Executive Committee, responsible for organizing and directing the Conservation Committee, coordinating conservation events, managing related budgets and supplies, and serving as the liaison to the Chapter Executive Committee. The Vice Chair position is a 1-year term as Vice Chair, with the expectation of stepping into the Chapter Chair role afterward. It's a unique chance to learn about AMC leadership, support outdoor programs in western MA, and make a real impact in the outdoor community. You'll collaborate with committees, help with events and recruitment, and represent the Chapter in the broader AMC network. Full support and orientation are provided. Curious or interested? Email us at info@amc-wma.org.

Nature for MA Event

AMC is a proud leader in a nearly 100-member coalition working to create a dedicated, annual funding stream for water and land conservation, urban greenspace, climate resilience, and outdoor recreation — without raising taxes. The initiative would set aside revenue from the existing state sales tax on sporting goods to generate $100 million each year for conservation, recreation, trails, and protecting clean water, and will appear on the 2026 ballot. Thanks to incredible volunteer support, we've collected 75,000+ signatures from MA voters. To celebrate, join us on December 1 for an urban hike from AMC's Charlestown office to the State House, where we'll deliver signatures and hold a 10:30 AM rally on the Statehouse steps demonstrating strong public backing for the initiative. Gear is available to borrow. EVENT DETAILS Help AMC lead the way — register today! Can't attend? Sign up for AMC's Conservation Action Network for updates on the Nature for MA campaign. Questions? Email AMCConservation@outdoors.org or visit Nature For MA on the web and Facebook to learn more.