Western MA Hiking/Paddling/Biking (& more)

Activity Type: Trail Work | Trail Work
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Cosmo Catalano
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001HWir
Audience: Everyone

Description: Come explore the backstage of the Appalachian Trail. We'll be maintaining the critical boundary lines of the protected land corridor that surrounds the A.T. For this project, we'll be working with folks from the American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacation crew as well as expert staff from ATC. We meet at the AT parking area on Main Rd in Tyringham at 9:30 am and then divide into smaller work groups.
This off-trail work moves at a slow pace over varied terrain. We'll be clipping brush and painting blazes along the boundary line. Work is off-trail and mostly uphill, occasionally in heavy brush. Expect some wet areas, too. Some stooping required to clip back brush to maintain a clear line of sight along the boundary. We also refresh yellow blazes on trees with paint which will permanently mark clothing, so don't wear your favorite trail duds. Do wear sturdy shoes that can get wet and muddy. Long pants required; long sleeves and work gloves recommended. Tools such as loppers are provided or you may bring your own. Dress for weather conditions. Bring lunch/snacks and water to drink. Expect to spend the full day in the woods. Take precautions against ticks by treating outerwear with permethrin following the manufacturer's instructions. Check for ticks soon after arriving back home. Heavy rain will cancel.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 2 - Relaxed
Trip Leader(s): Dawne Piers-Gamble, Kathy Martin, Debra Weisenstein, Laura Stinnette, Bonna Wieler, Jeannette Pierce
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001E3qH
Register By: 9/4/2026
Audience: Women+

Description: Women please join the Appalachian Mountain Club’s, WMA Chapter’s Fifth Annual, Connecting Women, Connecting with Nature , women’s only, weekend retreat from 5:00 PM, Friday, September 18th until 2:00 PM, Sunday, September 20th 2026 at Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation in Russell, MA. (on the Russell Pond not far from Noble View) We have scheduled a variety of traditional and non-traditional outdoor pursuits in the hope of attracting women to the joy and rejuvenation of the outdoors.
This is a women-only event that uses an inclusive definition of women. We respectfully welcome all women including non-binary, gender non-conforming, trans-women and individuals who identify as a woman as the best expression of themselves.
We have an interesting slate of new and revered activities including, A Writing Workshop, Watercolor Painting, Bird Walking, Yoga, Open Fire Cooking, Plant/Tree Identification, Animal tracking as well as hiking, paddling, and a campfire with music. For your entertainment there will also be a Freestyle Canoe demonstration and a Book Talk before dinner on Saturday.
Stay- We invite women to stay over Friday and Saturday night at Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation . This is a more rustic lodging experience, as the rooms are set up with multiple bunks per room in cabins. (as a result there will be less privacy, but no one needs to use a top bunk except for storage :) Guests should bring their own pillows and bed linens and or sleeping bags. Tent camping will offer more privacy, as you can pitch your own tent on a grassy space near the “Training Lodge.” There are two bathrooms with showers and a full kitchen with running water in the Training Lodge. This is where we will have our meals. We ask that you bring a plate, cup and utensils, as the lodge is not equipped with kitchen or dining utensils. We have also rented the bathhouse for the weekend for your convenience.
Meals- We will be providing a Friday evening light Dinner, on Saturday Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks and Dinner and on Sunday Breakfast, Snack and Lunch. This event will happen rain or shine.
Lodging- It is our intention to make this weekend affordable to all women who would like to participate. With that said, the full cost of a cabin bed, food and activities for the weekend is $185.00. A tent site is $125.00 with food and activities for the weekend.The cost of food and activities is $85.00. Food alone costs $50.00. We would like to offer the option for women to pay what they can for the weekend within that range. ($50 - $185) Our goal is to be able to cover all of our expenses, so as to be able to offer this experience again next year. Contributions above that range will enable us to make this weekend affordable to even more women, and we thank you for your generosity if you choose to do so. You will be prompted to pay when you register below. We will only be able to refund registration money up to three weeks before the event. When we receive notice of your AMC registration, we will send out a weekend planning questionnaire. It is important to complete the questionnaire as soon as possible to hold your spot and to help the leaders plan for the event with your needs and choices in mind. Directions to Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation and specific instructions for the weekend will be sent via email two weeks before Women’s Weekend commences.
Russell Pond- we have access to boating on the waterfront during scheduled Women’s Weekend paddles only, feel free to bring your own boat, paddle and pfd or you can borrow. Shore fishing is also permitted with a MA fishing license and your own pole. Swimming will not be permitted as we do not have a certified life guard available, as required by Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation .
Parking- is available near the cabins and Training Lodge.
The Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation is a massive 1,295 acre campus, so while we have rented specific spaces for Women’s Weekend, there is the possibility that other coed groups or individuals will be there over the weekend.
Registration closes Friday, Sept 4th Map link below: https://www.wmascouting.org/files/12801/Map--Camp

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Climbing & Mountaineering | Top Rope Rock
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Chithu Abraham, Christopher Neil
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001Ed5l
Audience: Everyone

Description: Join us for a day of outdoor climbing at Rose Ledges, a classic Western Massachusetts climbing area known for its accessible top-rope routes, traditional climbing opportunities, and beautiful gneiss cliff line. This outing is designed to be a fun, supportive day at the crag for climbers of varying experience levels. Further details about the meeting location, start time, and required gear will be shared with registered participants.
Equipment Required : Harness, Helmet, Belay Device and climbing shoe (Loaner equipment available) Technical Skills : Familiarity with tying into a rope and belaying.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Paddling | Whitewater
Difficulty: 5 - Vigorous
Trip Leader(s): Derek Ahl, Jon Allison
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001IddR
Audience: Everyone

Description: This paddling trip is down the upper portion of the West River in VT, which only has scheduled releases two weekends a year. This is a classic Northeast run for intermediate paddlers. Paddlers should have a combat roll, solid ability to catch eddies, and expect continuous Class III whitewater. You need your own whitewater boat with flotation, PFD, helmet, and a sprayskirt for kayakers. Participants will also need appropriate cold water clothing (drytop or similar), lunch, water and snacks.
AW description: https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/2055/main After meeting up, running shuttle, and safety talk, the trip starts with the hike over the dam. It is a long walk down to the river, so be prepared to carry your boat ~1/4 mile. The river starts out strong with a pushy continuous rapid named Initiation. From there there are lots of surf opportunities, some epic squirt lines, and a famous ender hole. The takeout is within Jamaica State Park, which has an entry fee (I think $5 per car). If time and enthusiasm permit, we may do a second run.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!