The Western MA Exchange

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.

The AMC 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 webpage. You'll find helpful information about climbing, upcoming events, a resources page with informative articles like Beginner Resources and Favorite Climbs.

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 Conservation Chair works closely with AMC's Conservation Policy and Research Staff to educate and engage members and non-members in conservation action and stewardship activities. In addition, they report on opportunities for AMC to engage in local conservation actions such as providing comments for proposed legislation, writing letters relating to local issues, and responding to inquiries and requests from members and partners. To find out more or to express your interest, please write to chair@amc-wma.org. We'd love to hear from, and about, you!

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The first hike started at the William Cullen Bryant homestead in Cummington for an easy walk through an old growth forest dusted with a touch of snow. The trail brought the group to Rivulet Brook, where they could read Bryant's poem "The Rivulet" - a story about his childhood on the property. The group then drove to the Conwell Property Trail in South Worthington for the second hike featuring two ponds and a huge beaver dam. It was great to have three first-timers with us! MORE PHOTOS »

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Both the property and access were given back at no cost and with no restrictions, empowering the Penobscot Nation to care for it independently. This land return and the acquisition of the Barnard Forest mark important steps in AMC's ongoing work to safeguard critical landscapes and foster collaborative conservation across our region. Together, AMC and the Penobscot Nation are honoring a collective responsibility to protect the outdoors for generations to come. BARNARD FOREST »

Our Member Favorites page has 9 interactive maps with hikes in western MA submitted by our members. When you click on an icon, an interactive map will appear with hiker icons. When you click on the icon, you will find the name and description of the trail, a website when available, and directions to the location. MEMBER FAVORITES »

NATURE FOR MA »

In honor of AMC's 150th anniversary, we're adding something special: A one-time AMC 150^th Anniversary Award to recognize volunteers whose imagination, dedication, and leadership have helped shape AMC's first 150 years and will guide us into the next. This year's award celebrations will take place along the AMC 150 Route, with recipients honored at a location closest to where they live or volunteer. We're bringing the celebration to local communities so that family, friends, and fellow volunteers can join in. Award categories include:

• Distinguished Service Award (AMC's highest honor)
• Volunteer Leadership Award
• Joe Dodge Award
• AMC 150th Anniversary Award (one-time for 2025!)

Click here to submit a nomination.

ATC is the organization that oversees the protection and maintenance of the Appalachian Trail, in partnership with local trail groups, like AMC. Open the 2025 Volunteer Impact Report and scroll to page 4 for mention of the Chapter's work. Many thanks to our AMC Western MA volunteers!

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We all know that spending time outdoors is good for us, which is why we do it. But maybe we're not totally aware of why we love it. Danielle Rich, Co-Chair of the Mountaineering Committee and a licensed Social Worker, spoke at the Annual Business Meeting and Celebration about the mental health benefits of spending time outdoors. This is an excerpt from her talk. In recent years, mental health disorders have become the third leading cause of disability, with a global prevalence of over 10%. The lifetime prevalence of major depressive disorder in the United States has risen over the past 25 years and an estimated 20% of the population is reported to experience a major depressive episode (National Institute of Health, 2021). Mental health disorders are associated with lower quality of life, increased hospital utilization, high economic and social cost, and increased mortality. Overcoming a mental health disorder involves more than just a medical intervention. It involves a shift in perspective, a sense of community and belonging and sustainable self-care strategies to help us cope with everyday stressors. There are many studies that prove how spending time in nature can improve mood, lower anxiety, and improve memory and cognition. In addition, prolonged immersion in nature has been shown to effectively manage symptoms of PTSD. Exposure to sunlight and green space helps release serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with boosting mood, focus and reducing stress. Lastly, one of the greatest benefits we find in nature is a sense of connection, including a better sense of connection to self, community and purpose. Time in nature benefits personal growth, self-esteem, emotional regulation and socialization. Being present in nature allows us to free up our mind, disconnect from the burdens of everyday life and think more deeply and clearly. We hope you find time to get outdoors, and if you're looking for some company, we encourage you check out the upcoming activities in the Western MA Chapter. Come join the fun!

On November 1, a group of the Chapter's volunteers set out to do trail boundary markings on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). Our A.T. Committee follows a six-year rotation for MA - each year, thirteen of the state's 90 miles of trail owned by the National Park Service, are marked. This particular boundary survey was along the section from Jug End Road to the Mt Everett State Reservation boundary - an outing with steep and rocky terrain! The boundary marker is a metal post, usually set in cement and attached flush to a rock. It's located using three reference trees that form a triangle around the marker. The distances and directions from each tree make it possible to relocate the marker accurately. Our work involved finding and refreshing the paint on the trees, as well as clearing and scrubbing the metal marker so it's easy to see and identify. We thank the volunteers, Deb, Kathy, Mike, and Peter for their hard work to maintain the A.T. boundaries - a less glamorous but very important task! More Photos

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