The Western MA Exchange
The online newsletter of the Western MA Chapter
Updated: 21-Oct-2024 | View Archive »
In This Issue
How Many Ways Can We Care? ✧ Share Your Passion! ✧ Know Before You Go ✧ Climbing and Dry Tooling ✧ Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day! ✧ Check Us Out: AMC's New Look ✧ Northern Lights at Noble View ✧ Monday Morning Mindfulness Moment ✧ Expanding Access to the Outdoors ✧ October Volunteer Spotlight ✧ Tuesday Hiking Group Celebrates 25 Years! ✧ AMC's New Logo ✧ Happy October! ✧ All For Fall ✧ Celebrate with Your AMC Western MA Chapter! ✧ Will 2024 Be a Good Year for Fall Foliage? ✧ Spot Invasive Insects: A Massachusetts BioBlitz ✧ Top Three Climbs Near Us ✧ All For Fall ✧ A Fortuitous EncounterHow Many Ways Can We Care?
Monthly Chapter Message
[21‑Oct‑2024] I've been honored to serve an organization that goes way beyond what I thought AMC meant, and honored to witness the dedication of the people who are drawn in to the mission and vision, and to support their amazing work. Read on for some examples! VIEW ARTICLE »
Share Your Passion!
AMC Weekend Feature
[20‑Oct‑2024] Get involved by helping to maintain and repair public trails, leading a trip, sharing your skills, speaking up for conservation, or participating in community science. Hands-on options abound in every corner of AMC! AMC VOLUNTEER »
Know Before You Go
[19‑Oct‑2024] Fall is undoubtedly the most popular time to go hiking. Here are some important tips for planning a hiking trip.
Climbing and Dry Tooling
Chris Neil, Mountaineering Committee Chair
[16‑Oct‑2024] Climbing has long been a beloved pursuit among outdoor enthusiasts, offering a unique blend of physical challenge, mental focus, and an appreciation for nature's beauty. Among the various climbing disciplines, dry tooling has emerged as a captivating and challenging extension, allowing climbers to use ice tools and crampons/or traditional climbing shoes on rock faces. VIEW ARTICLE »
Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day!
Jay Levy, Mohican Archeologist
[14‑Oct‑2024] We wanted to take this opportunity to share this acknowledgement of the land surrounding the AMC's Noble View Outdoor Center written by Jay Levy, a Mohican archeologist, who has worked with the Western MA Chapter and has completed an indigenous site survey of the New England Trail. VIEW ARTICLE »
Check Us Out: AMC's New Look
AMC Weekend Feature
[13‑Oct‑2024] If you visit outdoors.org to book a program, stay at one of AMC's destinations, or join a chapter-led trip, you may notice a fresh vibrancy in your experience. A new logo takes center stage on our digital presence, a new color palette graces everything from our dinner menus to this blog post, and members will embark on adventures with a new sticker on their water bottles. AMC RESOURCES »
Northern Lights at Noble View
[11‑Oct‑2024] Did you catch any photos of the northern lights last night? These were taken at the Noble View Outdoor Center by the Noble View Caretaker. MORE PHOTOS »
ExCom Opportunities
Chapter Member at Large - Bring your curiosity and creativity to support the Chapter's mission! The Member At Large is a key member of the ExCom and learns about the workings of the Chapter, while helping deepen member engagement with AMC's mission and Chapter activities at the local level. VIEW »
Chapter Vice Chair - Looking for the satisfaction of using your skills to help people Be Outdoors in western Massachusetts? Explore chapter governance in this support role, learning about all areas of the AMC Western MA Chapter, its activities, and the AMC organization. VIEW »SEE ALL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES »
Monday Morning Mindfulness Moment
[10‑Oct‑2024] Take a deep breath and enjoy this Monday Morning Mindfulness Moment courtesy of the East Branch of the Westfield River at the Chesterfield Gorge. VIDEO »
Expanding Access to the Outdoors
AMC Weekend Feature
[06‑Oct‑2024] Explore where the outdoor spaces are near you and how we can improve access and use for all. AMC STORYMAP »
October Volunteer Spotlight
[04‑Oct‑2024] This month, we're featuring AMC Western MA Chapter volunteer Josh Weeks. Josh has been the Chair of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) Management Committee since January 2023, a member of the Chapter's Executive Committee since January 2021, an AMC Hike Leader since 2023, and a trail maintainer since 2009.
Tuesday Hiking Group Celebrates 25 Years!
[03‑Oct‑2024] Mother Nature provided perfect fall weather and scenery as the Chapter's Tuesday Hiking Group gathered for the 25th anniversary hike at Chesterfield Gorge. The 6-mile hike along the East Branch of the Westfield River was followed by a potluck lunch.
AMC's New Logo
[02‑Oct‑2024] We're stepping out in style today! Please join us in celebrating the new Appalachian Mountain Club logo! With our new look, AMC is taking a bold step into its vibrant and welcoming future. AMC »
Happy October!
[01‑Oct‑2024] Temperatures are cooler and the leaves are changing – it's a great time to come out and play with us! We have a full schedule of guided activities including cycling, climbing, trail maintenance, history walks, and of course, hiking.
All For Fall
[01‑Oct‑2024] It was a perfect fall day as we celebrated the new All Person's Trail at the AMC Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell this weekend. The day started with expressions of appreciation from AMC and local officials for the professional trail crew and volunteers who worked for two years to build the trail, and to those who provided grant funding, including the Springfield Water Commission and the Massachusetts Department of Recreation.
Upcoming Activities
Hidden Sunderland - Quiet Cycling [22‑Oct‑2024] See the rural aspects of Sunderland and enjoy some very quiet roads. REGISTER »
Tuesday Hike - Appalachian Trail [22‑Oct‑2024] This is an end-to-end 8-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail from Webster Road in Tyringham to Route 20/Lee. REGISTER »
Wednesday Night Climbing - CRG Hadley [23‑Oct‑2024] Join the Western MA Mountaineers for an evening climbing at Central Rock Hadley. REGISTER »SEE ALL UPCOMING ACTIVITIES »
Celebrate with Your AMC Western MA Chapter!
Monthly Chapter Message
[29‑Sep‑2024] As I was sitting on my porch, working – favorite place to work – I heard a sound that seemed ... different. Like it was starting to rain, but not exactly. VIEW ARTICLE »
Will 2024 Be a Good Year for Fall Foliage?
AMC Weekend Feature
[29‑Sep‑2024] It's that time of year: days are shorter, temperatures are cooling, and the sweet, earthy smell of fall is in the air. Across the Northeast, trees are bursting into color. What's the reason behind the changing leaves? Story by Jenny O'Connell and Gabriella Gurney. Photo by Mat Trogner, courtesy of Allagash Brewing Company. AMC BLOG »
Spot Invasive Insects: A Massachusetts BioBlitz
[28‑Sep‑2024] Want to do a little scientific research with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources? They are asking participants to pick a spot in Massachusetts where trees are growing, and record all the living things you see on or near those trees with a focus on host plants of spotted lanternfly and Asian longhorned beetle. The event runs from October 1st-15th and through iNaturalist. LEARN MORE »
Top Three Climbs Near Us
[27‑Sep‑2024] Our Mountaineering Committee organizes and leads climbing activities (sport, traditional, multi-pitch, ice climbing, indoor wall climbing, and backcountry ski trips) throughout year. Some are day trips or after-work evening trips to local climbs, others are multi-day trips to more distant venues. Check out our Committee Chair's top three climbing spots near western MA! ARTICLE »
All For Fall
September 28, 2024
[25‑Sep‑2024] The weather looks perfect for Saturday's event at Noble View in Russell! The day will start with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new All Persons Trail at 10:00 am, including some comments about the trail, followed by a walk on the trail and some refreshments in the Double Cottage.
A Fortuitous Encounter
[24‑Sep‑2024] Kevin Pelosky, Chair of the Chapter's NET Committee, a NET thru hiker (Jonathan, aka Money Maker), and Jeannette Pierce, Chapter Communications Chair, coincidentally ended up at the same spot on Section 6 of the New England National Scenic Trail at Mt. Tom on Saturday. Kevin was clearing a blow down, Jeannette was hiking with her son, and Jonathan was on his thru hike to Mt. Monadnock.
The Western MA Exchange
communications@amc-wma.org
editor: the communications chair ✧ reporter: the chapter webmaster ✧ proofreader: the chapter chair ✧ contributors: our chapter members