The Western MA Exchange
The online newsletter of the Western MA Chapter
Updated: 13-Jul-2025 | View Archive »
In This Issue
Practical Tips for Preventing Tick-Borne Illness ✧ Backpacking in the Green Mountains ✧ See The Dark Open House ✧ 48 Miles, 3 Hikers, 1 Epic Trail! ✧ Mt Tom Hike ✧ Noble View Wood Day ✧ The Right Time to Bail ✧ Activity of the Month: Paddling at Littleville Lake ✧ Join the 20s/30s+ WhatsApp Group! ✧ Happy July! ✧ Relax and Recharge With Us ✧ Trail Magic: Well Intentioned But Potentially Problematic ✧ Privy Moves ✧ Commemorating Juneteenth ✧ Committee Reports ✧ Happy Summer Solstice! ✧ AT Hike Series: Tyringham to Becket ✧ June 2025 Volunteer Spotlight: Hiking Committee ✧ Find Your Wild: Explore Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness ✧ Save the Date: Women's Weekend 2025Practical Tips for Preventing Tick-Borne Illness
Weekend Feature
[13‑Jul‑2025] Did you know that one of the greatest risks to your health and safety while hiking the A.T. is contracting a tick-borne illness? Appalachian Trail thru-hiker and public health researcher Emma Getz shares practical, research-backed advice to help hikers stay healthy for the miles ahead. ATC »

Backpacking in the Green Mountains
[13‑Jul‑2025] Mike April, the Chapter's Hiking Chair, and Hew Hart, the Chapter's 20s/30s Chair, led a two-day backpacking trip last weekend in the Green Mountain National Forest. The group made their way through the forest passing by three ponds along the way, camping along the trail at the half-way point. MORE PHOTOS »

See The Dark Open House
[11‑Jul‑2025] If you're planning to head up to Maine this month, consider checking out this awesome family-friendly event at Little Lyford Lodge in Greenville on July 26th. LEARN MORE »

48 Miles, 3 Hikers, 1 Epic Trail!
[10‑Jul‑2025] Congratulations to these incredible hikers for completing all 48 miles of the Robert Frost Trail! From the rugged ledges of Mt Toby to the quiet beauty of the Holyoke Range, they've walked every step - and earned their RFT Completion Badges with pride.

Mt Tom Hike
[09‑Jul‑2025] The weather was warm and sticky, but that didn't prevent this group of hikers from enjoying their outing at Mt Tom yesterday. At least it didn't rain!

Noble View Wood Day
July 11-12, 2025
[07‑Jul‑2025] Noble View is looking for help from friends and neighbors, AMC members or non-members, to help with moving, splitting, and stacking wood for the fall season.
The Right Time to Bail
AMC Weekend Feature
[06‑Jul‑2025] Whether you're a seasoned hiker or are planning your first trip, understanding when to call it quits can mean the difference between a great story and a dangerous rescue. Here are some outdoor safety tips that will help you know when it's time to bail. AMC RESOURCES »
Committee Opportunities
Chapter Vice Chair - Are you someone who likes to see the big picture? Spend time getting to know your Chapter operations and how the larger AMC organization works while preparing to take over the role of Chapter Chair. VIEW »SEE ALL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES »

Activity of the Month: Paddling at Littleville Lake
July 2025
[06‑Jul‑2025] The Littleville Lake reservoir is located just off Route 112 in Huntington and offers a beautiful, serene location for paddling. The reservoir was created by the Littleville Dam, constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in the 1960s as a flood control and water supply project. VIEW ARTICLE »

Join the 20s/30s+ WhatsApp Group!
[04‑Jul‑2025] Are you in your 20s or 30s and looking to connect with other AMC members in western MA? Join our 20s/30s+ WhatsApp Group to hear about upcoming hikes and socials! Complete this form, and the confirmation page/message will contain the invite link. We hope to see you at an event soon!

Happy July!
[03‑Jul‑2025] Summer is in full swing, and we have a jam-packed schedule of adventures to join in - hiking, paddling, climbing, cycling and even some yoga on the mountain.

Relax and Recharge With Us
Monthly Chapter Message
[29‑Jun‑2025] When I stepped outside this morning to grab the newspaper, it was already over 80 degrees – and the forecast is calling for triple digits over the next few days! With this heat, my mind turns to cooler, more peaceful ways to relax and recharge. VIEW ARTICLE »
Trail Magic: Well Intentioned But Potentially Problematic
Weekend Feature
[29‑Jun‑2025] Five things to know about food and drinks left along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) and at road crossings and how you can support hikers and the A.T. ATC »

Privy Moves
[28‑Jun‑2025] A.T. volunteers Russ, Dave, Tom, and Cosmo got a lot of useful work accomplished on the A.T. pit toilets last Saturday – a rain-free day on the longest day of the year. Here is Cosmo's report. VIEW ARTICLE »

Commemorating Juneteenth
[25‑Jun‑2025] The Chapter organized a beautiful hike at Bartholomew's Cobble last Thursday to commemorate Juneteenth. This property was chosen because it was once part of Col. John Ashley's estate where Elizabeth Freeman, known as Mumbett, was enslaved for 35 years.
Upcoming Activities
[20s/30s+] Chesterfield Gorge Reservation & Northampton Brewery [15‑Jul‑2025] Join other folks in their 20s/30s+ for an early evening hike at Chesterfield Gorge Reservation! REGISTER »
Replace and Repair Bog Bridges Near Pittsfield Rd [15‑Jul‑2025] We will be replacing, resetting and relocating bog bridging near Pittsfield Rd in Washington, MA and other sites further south. Work will involve carrying lumber up to 1/4 mile on uneven, wet and/or muddy ground, some light carpentry, and digging with hand tools. REGISTER »
Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary [15‑Jul‑2025] Set amidst more than 1,000 lush acres in the Berkshires, the Pleasant Valley's varied trails wind through forests, meadows, and wetlands. REGISTER »SEE ALL UPCOMING ACTIVITIES »
Committee Reports
May 2025
[24‑Jun‑2025] From planning and leading recreational activities to seasonal trail work – here's what our committees were up to last month. VIEW ARTICLE »

Happy Summer Solstice!
[20‑Jun‑2025] We hope you've been enjoying the extra hours of light and getting outdoors a lot. Looking for new places to go exploring? Check out the Member Favorites page for interactive maps of some of our members' favorite places to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Just pick a map then tap on each pin icon to see what's there - hiking, paddling, cycling, or climbing. Lots of great places to go!

AT Hike Series: Tyringham to Becket
[17‑Jun‑2025] The Chapter's A.T. Hike Series continued Sunday with Section 7, a 9-mile stretch from Tyringham to Route 20 in Becket. This section goes around Upper Goose Pond and across the Mass Pike near the end in Becket. The mountain laurels were just beginning to pop, adding another lovely feature to the hike. This series continues along the A.T. northbound on consecutive weekends through September. Visit the Hiking Committee's webpage to register for the next section hike.

June 2025 Volunteer Spotlight: Hiking Committee
[15‑Jun‑2025] Each month, we highlight one of the committees in the Western MA Chapter, to showcase who our volunteers are and what they do, and to highlight Chapter programs, recreational activities, and volunteer opportunities. This month we're featuring the Hiking Committee.

Find Your Wild: Explore Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness
AMC Weekend Feature
[14‑Jun‑2025] Hike, bike, paddle, and stargaze. From secluded cabins to waterfront stays, AMC's Maine destinations put you in the heart of it all.
AMC MAINE »

Save the Date: Women's Weekend 2025
September 6, 2025
[11‑Jun‑2025] Mark your calendars for the AMC Western MA Chapter's fourth annual "Connecting Women, Connecting with Nature", a women's only retreat on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell, MA.
The Western MA Exchange
communications@amc-wma.org
editor: the communications chair ✧ reporter: the chapter webmaster ✧ proofreader: the chapter chair ✧ contributors: our chapter members