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Winter Wonderland(Under The Red Felt Crusher)
By Chapter Chair, Barbara Dyer
Backdrop photoby: Rob RobinsonLaurel trail at Noble View
Dear Members:
As we approach our spectacularwinters in New England, it is oneof the most tranquil and beautiful
times of the year to enjoy our localforests, parks, and mountains. Whetherit is for skiing, snowshoeing, mountainclimbing, or sledding and skating withyour family. Whatever you do just "GetOut There" to enjoy the winter wonder-lands New England has to offer. Thisissue is dedicated to all you adventur-ous winter AMCers and to the snowrangers, mountain rescue units, and skipatrollers up in the mountains who per-form rescues for those who succumb toinjury, hypothermia, and avalanches.
I have many Currier and Ivestype of childhood memories ofsledding, picking out a liveChristmas tree, ice skating,making snow tunnels, creatingsnow angels, collectingsnowflakes on my tongue anddrinking hot cocoa after theseevents. I loved the winter especiallywhen my dad would make little hillsfrom his snow blower and we wouldspend all day rolling down a 4 foot hill.That was fun!
It was simple and cheap fun, just likesnowshoeing, hiking, and x-country ski-ing can be. They don't require a lot ofeffort, time, investment – but it is somuch enjoyment to get outside on acrisp winter day and enjoy the iciclesdropping from trees, the glisteningsnow, fresh air and sunshine. Just bun-dle up and be equipped if heading intothe mountains.
Hypothermia can come on quicklyeven if above freezing so dress in lay-ers of techwick clothing and do not wear
cotton as cotton kills! Know the signs ofhypothermia and takea course in wilderness first aid offeredby the AMC so you are prepared beforeheading into the northern wilds.
Getting outside in the winter isn't foreverybody but if you are one to hiber-nate like our fellow bears, then let thisbe the year that you take time for your-self to enjoy the winter and try some-thing new. Start with a snowshoeing orskiing clinic, take a class in avalanchesafety or ice climbing, try downhill orcross country skiing, climb a mountainusing crampons, or simply take a walkin the park.
Let the AMC direct you in yoursearch for adventure. We have avariety of opportunities for you toexplore with other like-mindedwinter adventurers, with severaltrips planned to the mountains.Consider staying at one of theAMC huts open year round such
as Lonesome Lake, Zealand Falls, orCarter Notch. Ski or sled into LittleLyford Pond Camps in Maine or justrelax by the fire at the Highland Center,Cardigan Lodge, Noble View or the JoeDodge Lodge where winter awaits andwelcomes you. Here's wishing youmany joyful memories during the NewYear with all your new adventures.
Happy Holidays,Barbara DyerChapter Chair(Barbara lives in Southboro withher family and can be reachedfor any chapter related inquiriesat (508)735-3281 or [email protected])
DECEMBER WINTER ISSUE06/07 Executive Committee Pg. 2-3 Cannon Mt Pg. 7Who’s Who/Trips Pg. 4 It’s Never To Late Pg. 8Welcome New Members Pg. 5 YM/Noble View Pg. 9-10How Not To Winter Hike Pg. 6 Conservation/Trails Pg. 11
amcworcester.org 2
A FEW of The Worcester Chapter
Executive Committee 2006-2007
Chapter ChairBarbara Dyer
Interests:
4-season hiking
Hut to hut adventures in the
White Mountains
Backpacking throughout the West
Traveling to National Parks
Snowshoeing, X-country and downhill skiing
Paddling, White water rafting & Biking
Club History:
Been a supporter of the AMC for 15 years, social chair for 2
years, vice-chair for 6 months, and chair for 1 year of 2 year
term.
Favorite Outdoor Destinations:
Favorite destinations are the White Mountains, National
Parks,Oqunquit, ME, and Canadian Rockies
Chapter Vice ChairSharon Foster
Interests:
Hiking - 4-Season /Backpacking -
3 Season. Bicycling
Skiing (X-C and Downhill)
Club History:
I joined in 1996 but didn't become
active in the club until 1998. I have
been on the EC since1999 in various
positions (Activies, Hiking, Leadership Secretary
and currently Vice Chair) and also have been leading hiking
and biking trips since about 2000.
Favorite Outdoor Destinations:
Basically anyplace where there are mountains. I love being
in the mountains, its just so relaxing for me. I never tire of
the Whites and absolutely love the Rockies and wish I could
spend more time there.
Chapter TreasurerLarry Bliss
Interests:
Scuba diving in the Caribbean, Buggy Kiting on Cape Cod
Cross country skiing up north, Snowshoeing
Trail work on my adopted trail
Fishing and boating with my
grandchildren
CIub History:
I was a member years ago in the
S.E.Chapter and now have been
an active member for a couple
years here in the Worcester
Chapter. As a manager of
Eastern Mountain Sports for over
ten years I have supported the AMC in all of my stores by dis
playing literature and participating in membership drives. I
have worked on a trail crew and have logged many hours of
trail maintenance on Boot Spur trail which I have adopted.
Favorite Outdoor Destinations:
Caribbean (Tortola, Virgin Gorda, St Johns,Anguila)
Jackson Village ,New Hampshire
The Whites, Great Island ,Wellfleet,Ma
Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard
Chapter SecretaryMichele Simoneau
(Endowment Committee, Hiking
& Biking Leader, Camping
Rock Climbing Co-Leader)
Interests:
Rock climbing, Hiking
backpacking, Camping, Biking
(Mountain and Road), Cross
Country Skiing, Snowshoeing
CIub History:
Joined the AMC in July of 1992 and have been a Worcester
Chapter member ever since.Past positions include Hiking
Chair, Thursday night Bike Ride Coordinator
Michele Simoneau
Rock Climbing Co-chair, Mid-State Trail Land
Preservation Committee
Favorite Outdoor Destinations:
Crow Hill Ledges in Leominster State Forest located on the
Westminster/Princeton line. Too many others to list!
Bike ChairJohn Gau
Interests:
Cycling
Skiing (all kinds)
Local day hikes
Club History:
John has been a member since 2000
Favorite Outdoor Destinations:
Local: DCR land including West Boylston Rail Trail; other
wise Colorado
At LargeKen Pickren
Interests:
Hiking
Skiing (DH or XC) with friends
Canoeing and traveling
Club History:
Ken has been a member since
1994 or so.
Favorite Outdoor Destinations:
The summit of any mountain
Families ChairEd Fanjoy
Interests:
Hiking, Biking, Paddling
XC skiing
CIub History:
I've been a member ot he AMC
since 1985. Pat and I met on an AMC XC ski trip, and we've
been raising our two daughters, Pam amd Emma in the AMC!
This year, Pam made it up Monadnock, which means next
year, when she turns eight, it'll be time for the Whites.
Favorite Outdoor Destinations:
DesolationShelter, Pemi wilderness.Whiteface &
Passaconaway.
Education ChairBill Zahavi
Interests:
Hiking, Biking, Water sports
(canooing, kayaking
windsurfing)
Downhill skiing
CIub History:
I am new to the AMC. I joined
earlier this year and decided that
the way to participate was by getting as involved as possible
in the workings of the group. I saw the opening for the
Education Chair as the opportunity to meet many people
quickly as well as to get involved in as many activities as I
could in a short period of time.
Favorite Outdoor Destinations:
I love the New England mountains (whites and greens).
I also love the Adirondecks in NY as well as the Cape Cod and
Rhode Island coast lines. I love to visit new places so a
single destination cannot be identified as a favorite but you get
the idea
amcworcester.org 3
E Committee Con’t
Executive Committee Vacancies: Ski Chair
If interested in this position, contact Jim Walsh,[email protected], (978)724-6615.
Backdrop photo’s by: Rob RobinsonNoble View in Winter
Worcester Chapter 2006-2007 Executive Committee
Chapter Chair Barbara Dyer [email protected] 508-735-3281
Vice Chair Sharon Foster [email protected]
Treasurer Larry Bliss [email protected]
Secretary MicheleSimoneau
At Large Ken Pickren [email protected]
Bicycling John Gau [email protected]
Conservation ClaudeGuerlainScott Karpuk
[email protected] 508-393-1661
Families Ed & Pat Fanjoy [email protected]
508-842-2186
Educational
Programs Bill Zahavi
Hiking Steve Ciras [email protected]
Historian Laura Ruth [email protected]
Leadership Mike Jones [email protected]
Membership JeanMcInerney
Newsletter MaryMacDonald
[email protected] 498-4943
Newsletter Lori Nozzolillo [email protected]
Endowments Bruce Blais [email protected]
Paddling Gary Heathcock [email protected].
Past Chapter Chair Jim Walsh [email protected]
Publicity Vacant
Skiing Vacant
Social Events Tia Koziak [email protected]
Technical Climbing John Grote [email protected]
Third Wednesday Fred Mezynski [email protected]
Third Wednesday John Nieman [email protected]
Trails Don Hoffses [email protected]
Young Members Jen Eaton [email protected]
Webmaster Jack Downing [email protected]
amcworcester.org 4
CHAPTER TRIPS!
Fri-Sun., January 5-7., Cardigan Lodge
and High Cabin Winter Weekend. Status:Open. Sponsored by the WR and NH Chapter. Visitthe newly renovated Cardigan Lodge in the Lakesregion of NH. Stay Fri. at the lodge and Sat. at theHigh Cabin, a rustic bunkhouse with wood stove.Full winter gear, crampons and snowshoes required.Cost is approx. $50 for self service facilities whichwill incl. one breakfast. Lmt. to 12 fit and fun partici-
pants. More information. Leader: Barbara
Dyer, [email protected]
508-735-3281; Co-leader: Roger Scholl
Fri-Mon., January 12-15., MLK Ski-
Snowshoe-Hike Weekend. Status: Open. AtBlue Gentian lodge, Magic Mountain, LondonderryVT. Friendly hosts, intimate après-ski atmosphere.Cross-country and downhill ski areas nearby. $225per person double occupancy with TV; private bath,3 breakfasts and 2 dinners.More information. Leader: John Gau,
[email protected] ,508-853-6254;
Leader: Ken Pickren,
[email protected], 508-765-6022.
Fri-Mon., February 16-19., Winter
Weekend in the Whites. Status: Open. WinterWeekend in the Whites: Join us for our 4th annualPresident's Day Weekend at the Highland Center inspectacular Crawford Notch for a variety of hikingoptions, downhill or X-country skiing, or lounging bythe fire amongst new and old friends. The cost for 3nights in a shared bunk room is approx. $240 incl.tax which includes dinner, breakfast and socialhours. Lunches are not provided. More information. Leader:Barbara Dyer,
[email protected]; Co-leader: Tom
Zumwalt, 508-835-5429.
Fri-Sun., March 30-April 1. Zealand Hut
and Highland Center Weekend. Status: Open.Highland Center/Zealand Falls hut trip. (WR/NH jointtrip). Join us for a weekend at the Highland Center'sShapleigh studio on Friday (bunk and breakfast) anda hike or ski to the hut on Saturday, with the oppor-tunity to hike Zealand or enjoy the Falls in the area.Approx. $75 pp.incl. 2 nights lodging, 2 breakfasts,and one dinner. Lunch and Fri. dinner not provided.
Full winter gear required. More information.
Leader: Barbara Dyer,
[email protected]; Co-leader: Sam
Jamke, 603-472-2536.
Ms. Victoria Andersen
Mr. Jeffrey J. Arnett
Larry J. Bennett
Ms. Lisa Bilotta
Mr. John J. Brattin
Scott A. Brown
Mr. and Ms. John Bryan
Mark S. Carrier
Dr. Janet Castleman
Ms. Deborah Chouinard
Mr. Mark Coughlin
Paul D’Oliveira
Ms. Becky Darrah
Ajeeta Dash
Ms. Barbara A. Dawidjan
Ms. Elizabeth DeAngelis
Phyllis DiMarzio
Mrs. and Mr. DiPasquale
Mr. Mike Fleming
Jon Fudeman
Mr. and Mrs. Fullen
Mr. and Mrs. Gaffney
Mr. James Galliher
Mr. William Gustafson
Mr. Donald Harvey
Michele Hehmann
James E. Hill
Ms. Priscilla Hofmann
Mr. and Ms. James Hunt
Beth Hurton
Ms. Carol Johnston
Ms. Pamela Kates
Ms. Kara Kittredge-Milotte
Mr. Ronald Lariviere
Mr. T. A. Le Vines
Yvin Leblanc
Ms. Cynthia LeClair
Ms. Margaret Lock
Ms. Samantha Long
Mr. David Mahar
Ms. Gail Marot
Mrs. Cecilia Mazza
Mr. Robert W. McCallum
Mrs. and Mr. McCarthy
Ms. Debra McLean
Ms. Anita Mikat
Hannah T. Miller
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell
Pamela A. Morin
Mr. Thomas Murphy
Mr. Bob Nute
Mary J. Ostromecky
Laurie A. Palumbo
Sarah M. Parsons
Kim Peabody
Mr. and Mrs. Peckham
Mark Pennington
Ms. Pam Prater
Ms. Karen Rathburn
Ms. Maureen Robinson
Mr. Roger Rose
Richard A. Rudman
Suchira Sen
Ms. Melissa Shenian
Ms. Nicole Sherman
Ms. Jacqueline Slatkavitz
Mr. Brian Smith
Mr. Justin Smith
Mr. Gary Smith
Ms. Jeanette Spratt
Robert Steele
Kyle H. Strom
Robert Sturdevant
Jacob Thompson
Mr. Justin Thomspon
Ms. Wendy Wilber
Ms. Carol Winn
Source data provided by AMC headquar-
ters quarterly. We apologize if there are
omissions, errors or misspellings.
amcworcester.org 5
WELCOME!TO THE AMC WORCESTER
CHAPTER
WE HOPE TO MEET YOU SOON
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amcworcester.org 6
A Stroll Through The Woods In DecemberOR How Not To Do Winter-Hiking
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BY ANDY WOJCIKOWSKI
It was a pleasant enough day in upstate New York backin December 1972. In fact, for an area known for its“lake-effect’ snow, it was positively balmy with temper-
atures near 40 and just a sprinkling of new snow on theground. My friend Tom and I were making last minutepreparations to climb Algonquin Peak, the second highestpeak in the Adirondacks, towering well over 5000 feet.Judging by the weather reports we heard on the radio - theInternet wasn’t even on the Department of Defense’s radarscreen – the weather in the Adirondacks was supposed tobe relatively mild. I had already made second and thirdascents of Mt. Washington, Mt. Katahdin and Mt. Marcy, allthe highest peaks in their respective states plus numeroussummer and fall excursions to the Adirondacks. What prob-lems could Algonquin possibly pose? We were young,energetic, brash and as it turns out ….. nuts.
We quickly packed in typical fashion. I used an old dayknapsack that probably belonged to my father from his WWII days. I vaguely remember it had shoulder straps but hadto be tied together with a clothesline rendering it nearimpossible to open. My canteen was an old Boy Scoutmodel, which felt vaguely vulnerable, but I had no choicethis late to liftoff. My lunch for the ascent would consist ofthe obligatory one peanut butter and jelly sandwich, abanana and some assorted “space food sticks”, which atthe time were the equivalent of modern-day power barswithout the nutrition or energy reserves. In fact, they werepure sugar and probably contributed to my latter day rootcanals.
We began our 3-hour drive to the High Peaks region. Wewere going to stay at the Adirondack Lodge, which in 1972,during the winter, was a ramshackle hut with bunk beds,minimal food and marginal heat. About an hour into ourdrive, just past Old Forge, I sensed a vague feeling ofuneasiness – it began to snow, gently. When we arrived inthe High Peaks, a few inches of snow covered the ground.Nothing to worry about. After a supper of cold sandwichesand beer, we rolled out sleeping bags and tried to fallasleep to the sound of two other people in the bunkroomsnoring like hacksaws on steroids.
Morning broke far too soon accompanied not by the sunbut by a dismal sky already filled with large flakes of snow.It continued snowing unabated while I dressed in the onlyhiking clothes I owned. Back then, there was no gore-tex,no polypro, no microfiber, no warm boots I could remotelyafford. I dressed in a pair of cotton jeans, heavy flannelshirt, woolen sweater, a winter jacket I used playing pondhockey. My boots were made of heavy-duty leather andwere as stiff as ski boots. We did not own snowshoes.
Gingerly, we stepped outside and began our trek up themountain, roughly four miles one-way to the summit. It was
clear from the beginning that this was not a wise decision. We passed an English gentleman who was dressed in
full regalia including a pair of crampons – another crucialitem we were missing. The snow continued to fall at anincredible rate. The temperature also began to drop evenas the morning wore on. After awhile, we began post hol-ing up the trail in snow up to our knees. Algonquin is a fair-ly difficult and steep peak even in perfect conditions and asthe terrain began to give way to rock scrambling, I had mydoubts we would ever get to the top, without ice axes orcrampons. I began to feel the first signs of frostbite andhypothermia but stupidly slogged on. Several hours later,completely spent, we reached the summit in snow up to ourwaists with a view that rivaled the inside of a ping-pongball.
We suffered terribly on the way down finally making itback just before sunset. Miraculously, I suffered no perma-nent damage to my extremities but learned some valuablewinter hiking lessons which I can now pass on to you, dearreaders. Rule 1 – never ever believe rosy weather reports.Rule 2 – Bring snowshoes, crampons and an ice axe evenif there is green grass outside your house. Rule 3- Drinkwater constantly even if you have no urge. Rule 4 – Dressin layers and never start by wearing all your layers at once!Rule 5 – Know when to turn back and do so. And Rule 6 –get a comprehensive psychiatric screening prior to climbingabove tree line in a blinding snowstorm!
BRRRR The author on one of his winter hikes
amcworcester.org 7
BREATHTAKING VIEW - Looking south down the notch after the first storm.
Igot up at 4:00 am and went on line to check the weath-er, which was ok: 40% chance of rain. I arrived at theclimber’s parking lot in Franconia Notch at 7:00am
and noticed that some climbers had already signed in andstarted their climbs.Carlene got there at about 7:10 andthen Peter showed up at around 7:20. We had intended togo to Whitney Gilman but it was obvious a lot of people hadset out for Whitney Gilman.Peter suggested doingLakeview, which was fine with me, but Carlene objected;she wanted to do Whitney Gilman. So we set off for WG.We walked all the way up to WG (which was about an hour’shike just to find out that it was very crowded. After gettingthere we decided to walk back to Lakeview, so we got toLakeview at about 10:00 and started climbing - still a beau-tiful day.
This was to be Carlene’s first experience on a multi pitchtrad climb. We did the first two pitches without any problem.Peter led the third pitch and Carlene came up behind himwithout any problem. I had just started the third pitch whenI saw dark clouds coming up over the mountain.
Then I heard the distant rumble of thunder and by the timeI got to the end of the pitch there was a steady rain. Petersuggested that he knew a short cut to get off the ledge acouple of pitches higher so we decided to go with Peter’ssuggestion and press on even with the crummy weather.
Rapping of at this point would have been problematicbecause of the lack of good anchors. Peter led the fourthpitch in a steady rain and by the time he finished the pitchthe rain was coming down in buckets. We were all thorough-ly soaked and Carlene had to cross the pitch. The water
was running down the rock like a waterfall while Carlenewas going across the slab.
She got bogged down in the middle but with Peter’sencouragement from above and mine from below she madeit safely across. Of course remember that all three of uswere in the driving rain! I should mention that we were usingtwin 50-meter ropes.
By the time Carlene got across the rain had subsided andI came across and cleaned the pitch without any difficulty.
After the fourth pitch the rain had subsided and stopped.We continued the climb up, the weather improved and thesun came out and we all started to dry out. I might add thatit was a warm rain, not severely windy and we weren’t real-ly chilled, just wet through and through. I can’t remember ifit was at the end of the fifth or sixth pitch We were in a clumpof bushes, somewhat protected, when it started to cloud upagain and get dark. It was getting really ugly.
Of course you can imagine the thoughts that were runningthrough my mind: Is this going to happen again! Just asPeter was starting the next pitch, a horn he grabbed brokeoff and cut his hand! So we had to perform first aid. I offeredto lead the pitch but he insisted on leading it himself. (Thismight be aigood time to mention that Peter did 13 pitches insimilar conditions on the Eiger Nordwand last year) Peterhad just started the next pitch, I was belaying him. I remem-ber looking over my right shoulder up the notch and seeinga black cloud coming through that looked like the GrimReaper and all hell broke loose. We had every kind ofweather you can imagine except snow! ivering with cold;the temperature continued to drop.Holding the g Carlene
Gutsy hikers traverse mountainBY STEVE GABIS
We had every kind of weather you can imagine except sLighting bolts were coming down all around us, I had
never experienced being in the teeth of a storm like thatbefore. Wind driven hail was tearing at our hands and faces.
Thankfully we were in a somewhat protected belay. Thelightning cracked and roared! Peter was above, we hadlost contact with him. I couldn’t hear him or see him. I hadbeen feeding out rope but then he stopped taking it. He wasabout 120-130 feet above us. I had maybe 20 or 30 feet ofloose rope laying on the ground. How much time hadpassed? We lost track of time. Was Peter injured, was therope jammed? Carlene and I were both shivering with cold;the temperature continued to drop.Holding the ropes in onehand and keeping Carlene close to me for warmth with theother, we waited there for the weather to break. But theweather didn’t break.
We shared a tube of GU and that improved our spirits. Atone point we thought we heard Peter yelling from above butI couldn’t be sure? The wind was still howling. I deter-mined we could not stay there any longer. The danger ofgetting hypothermia was greater than the danger of freeclimbing the pitch. I thought after all how hard could theclimbing above be, 5.4, 5.5? I told Carlene to put a prussicon the rope and back it up with a figure eight on a bite clip
into it and climb. And every time she got to a safe stancere-tie the figure 8.
Carlene got about 20 feet above me and I did the same.It had stopped hailing but the rain was still coming down. Atleast we weren’t climbing through a waterfall; it was moremixed brush and ledge. We climbed out of that hole andfound Peter! He had established a safe belay and after thatlast pitch there was only another short 50 footpitch to thetrail. It had stopped raining but it was still cold and we weresoaked.
Hiking down the walk off trail we met two climbers comingup looking for us.
When we got back down to the safety of the parking lot,we found a dozen climbers who had been watching us withbinoculars gripped with suspense and fear for our safereturn as the storm rolled in.
I wanted to commend Peter on his excellent lead climbingability in the teeth of two vicious storms, and Carlene for herendurance in her trial by fire first multi-pitch trad alpineclimb.I got up at 4:00 am and went on line to check theweather, which was ok: 40% chance of rain. I arrived atthe climber’s parking lot in Franconia Notch at 7:00am andnoticed that some climbers had already signed in and start-ed their climbs.Carlene got there at about 7:10 and then
Gusty Hikers Con’t
amcworcester.org 8
YYoouunngg MMeemmbbeerr ccoommpplleetteess hheerr
44000000’’ss
BY BRAD GREEN
The Four Thousand Footer Club was formed in1957 to introduce hikers to some of the less well-known sections of the White Mountains of New
Hampshire. Most members of the AMC have at leastheard of the 4000’ Club, and most keep their own listsand strive to complete them. A member of the YoungMembers group checked off her last one on September24, 2006, only two years after starting. Jen Englishjoined AMC in 2004 with almost no hiking experience.She is now one of the most knowledgeable YoungMembers in terms of trails, gear, and for those of youthat have seen them, she makes the nerdiest spread-sheets for every hike!
When asked about her hiking style, Jen says, “Myfavorite kind of hiking combines the active with the lazy:You hike hard and fast to reach the summit and then getto spend a lazy hour napping in the sun, enjoying theviews from the top.” Jen can be found in the Whitesalmost every weekend and is already planning to checkoff many of her 4000’s for her winter list in the upcomingmonths.
Jen says, “I am lucky to have a solid group of friends,made through the AMC, who have come with me onmany of my summits. I wouldn’t have enjoyed mypeaks half as much if they hadn’t been around.
Thanks guys.”QUEEN OF THE HILL Jen English hiking up to the summit ofCarrigain with her Princess tierra
WHEN’S THE NEXT EVENT?For all up to date activities check the Chapter web sitewww.amcworcester.org and sign up for monthly emailnotices as well
amcworcester.org 9
Sat Feb 19, 2006 … -21F with 6O-80 mph windsat the Summit of Mt Pierce, 4,310 ft… lightsnow and did I mention, very, VERY cold and
blow you over winds! That day was my first 4,000 ftwinter hike to a Summit any Summit as it was my firstreal mountain hike ever…does that mean it can onlyget better?
The Highland Center AMCtrip with “bagging the peaks”,“separation break”, “cram-pons” and “packing it out”… Inew I was up for an adventur-ous challenge, mind, bodyand spirit, but I didn’t knowthat this mountain climbingstuff had a whole new lan-guage that left me wondering“What is that?” and askinglots of questions.
As a really new member toAMC and once I had decided to do this trip I began myquest for knowledge, and so three very patientWorcester chapter leaders Barbara Dyer, SharonFoster and Pat Lambert, helped me to understandwhat gear I needed, how to put it on, how to packfood and water, how to dress based on the temp…and to just keep asking questions until I felt comfort-able with my upcoming adventure.
The evening began with a power outage due to thehigh winds, which meant we had our planning meetingin a room full of 36 or so people with headlamps on;that in itself was rather funny. And so the weekendstarts with great food, and laughter and ends withgreat food, new great friends, and 3 days of physical,mental, spiritual and sleeping challenges!
As I climbed the mountain I was reminded a num-ber of times that all I had to really do at that momentwas keep putting one foot in front of another and overtime I would reach the top and then it was all downhill...right! With the support of the group, the groupleaders, the proper clothing and footwear it seemed amanageable goal despite the severe temps andwinds.
The beauty of the landscape, the snow in the for-est, the serenity and peacefulness along with briskwinter air all added to this wonderful day for me, andthe delight of sharing our stories around the fireplacewith each other that evening; what a joyous way toend the day and then to discuss the next days activi-
ties and although tiredyou just didn’t wantthese special momentsto end. Oh! Of coursethe Highland food!Delicious.
I have been involvedin other physical andchallenging sports buthow much more fun thissharing of mountainclimbing was for mewith so many interest-ing and kind people
many whom I had never meet before, but whoembraced my beginner mountain experience, took meunder their wing and who I put my trust in to help getme up and down these mountains safely…. Becauseas I said “Bagging the peak”… what are you talkingabout…Hot black coffee with lots of sugar.. Oh yeahbaby! That sure tasted good.
I learnt that winter hiking should always be takenseriously, be smart about your own abilities, enjoy thehike, but take the experienced leaders advice.
So to all the leaders and the group of the WorcesterChapter Highland Center Trip 2006.. Thank you somuch for helping me to make this first “Bagging thePeak” a great experience and for giving me the oppor-tunity to raise my level of respect for the mountainsand its climbers…and to all AMC members who maythink” Oh that sounds interesting, but I can’t???…….”I hope to see you in 2007!
Safe and Happy Adventures!
You can check out other Winter Activity ideas athttp://www.outdoors.org/about/newsroom/story-ideas.cfm#take
IT’S NEVER TO LATE TOBEGIN?!…
My Personal Thoughts
By: Mary MacDonald, Newsletter Chair
Photo: Highland LodgeAMC Website
amcworcester.org 10
Noble View is an AMC volunteer managed facil-ity in the Berkshires. It is located just outsideof Westfield, in Russel, MA and sits on 360
spectacular acres overlooking the Pioneer Valley.Noble View has much history over the past generationand now a great future thanks to the many dedicatedvolunteers including our own WR chapter members,who have revitalized this wonderful low cost facility.NV is open to all our AMC members and friends.
It can be rented out to groups for trainings, familyreunions, weekend events, or for solo outdoors enthu-siasts. In October we had a Noble View dedication tobless the double cottage, where our executive directorAndy Falender and other distinguished guests joinedGary Forish, the mastermind of the NV renovations.
Fifty or so people attended this big event and weall enjoyed spectacular late fall foliage with a partyamongst friends and members.
Our chapter generously gave a $20k grant toNoble View for renovations with the hopes that ourchapter’s members will enjoy this nearby belovedjewel. It is less than 1.5 hours from Worcester and agreat place for hiking, snowshoeing, and skiingamongst its vast trail system surrounded by beautifulwaterfalls.
The double cottage is newly renovated with hard-woods floors, new beds, fieldstone fireplace, fabulouskitchen, and comfortable lounging rooms. All of theserenovations are at low-cost or provided free by volun-teers, which makes this even more of a special placeand an inspiration to me personally to serve on the NVBoard.
Reservations can be made by contactinghttp://amcberkshire.org/noble or 413.562.6792.
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NOBLE VIEW DEDICANOBLE VIEW DEDICATIONTION
By Barbara DyerChapter Chair
SAVE THE DATE
AMC ANNUAL MEETINGSummit 2007 will be held on
Saturday, January 27, 2007 at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel in
Marlborough, MA. This year's keynote speaker will be Cameron Roe. Cameron Roe is the acting president of the Alpine Club of Canada
(ACC),Canada's national mountaineering organization and home to the largest public backcountry hut system in North
America. Mr. Roe is a highly accomplished mountaineer who has led ACC members to the summits of dozens of peaks includ-
ing Mt. Orizaba and Iztaccihuatl in Mexico and Mt. Robson and Clemenceau in the Canadian Rockies. AMC is delighted to have
Mr. Roe join us this year as he celebrates the ACC's centennial. See Outdoors.org for more information.
New Conservation ChairsBy: Claude Guerlain
Your Worcester Chapter had a vacancy forConservation Chair on the Executive Committee.My husband Scott and I volunteered to take on the
position as a team in order to work to each of ourstrengths and maximize our efforts. We’re taking thisopportunity in the newsletter to introduce ourselves andgive you a bit of our background. We hope you’ll step for-ward to join our committee and add your know-how andassets.
Scott is an avid traveler, hiker, photographer andbicyclist. He’s traveled in over 50 countries, and half thestates in the US. From the depths of the Grand Canyon,to the trekking in the Himalayas, to the Mount Kosciuskothe highest point in Australia, he has enjoyed every step.His goals are to through-hike the AT and reach all 50 statehighpoints. Presently, he teaches seventh-grade sciencein Worcester, is a volunteer on the Northborough TrailsCommittee and is working on several trails-based DVDand photography projects.
I, his wife Claude, enjoy moderate hiking, bicy-cling, yoga and kayaking. I am a Northborough TrailsCommittee steward-of-trails, and an independent writer.My travels take me overseas more often than within ourown borders, but hiking and walking have always beenpart of it. My favorite climb was with a group of scientiststo the top of volcanic Isabella Island in the Galapagos tophotograph a lava vent that opened in its caldera.
The first Conservation project we’ll be launchingwith the Worcester Chapter is the brainchild of NewsletterChair Mary MacDonald. As an offshoot of her Earth Dayproject last spring, Mary conceived of expanding her“Adopt a Park” project citywide in our home base ofWorcester. The first park we’ll clean up is Crystal Park,also known as University Park, adjacent to ClarkUniversity. If you are interested in working on and devel-oping this project, contact Mary at [email protected] or if you wish to offer your own ideas for worthyconservation projects, please email us at [email protected].
Conservation ChairsScott Karpuk & Claude Guerlain
amcworcester.org 11
Worcester Continues to GreenBy: Laura Ruth, Historian
Worcester is New England’s third largest city with 176,000 people,but with Elm Park designated as the first public park in 1854designed by Frederick Olmstead, it has a history of creating and
preserving green space for recreation and conservation purposes. Theestablishment of the Greater Worcester Land Trust (GWLT) in 1987 is oneorganization in Worcester that has allowed the tradition of creation and con-servation of green space to continue. GWLT works on its own and in collab-oration with other area organizations, such as MassAudubon, WomenTogether, and the City Parks Department.
Almost 20 years after the organization’s start, GWLT has close to 20 landprojects under its belt. Most recently, GWLT announced during the week ofNovember 13, 2006, the receipt of state funding for 3 open space projects aspart of collaborative efforts. The funds are for a pocket park at the corner ofWinslow and Pleasant Street, conservation land to add to MassAudubon'sBroad Meadow Brook, and long needed infrastructural work on RockwoodField, a city park.
The long list of other GWLT projects around Worcester and surroundingareas of Leicester, Holden, and Paxton includes(http://www.cyberonic.com/~gwlt/allland.html):
Bovenzi Conservation Area Brigham Road ParcelsBroad Meadow Brook Savannah Cascades WestCascades East Cascading WatersCoal Mine Brook Parcel Coal Mine Brook II ParcelCrow Hill Curtis Pond ParcelGreenHill Park Kettle BrookMarois Property Nick's WoodsParson's Cider Mill Ryan OrnamentalSargent's Brook Property Southwick PondWatch for details about these green spaces in future editions of thenewsletter.
Whats “HAPPENING”
For Conservation And Trails?
By: Don Hoffses - Trails Chair
Thanks to all the dedicated people who gave back to the trails withtheir volunteer time. They are what have made our partnership withWachusett Mountain State Reservation in Princeton a great suc-
cess. There were a total of 5 workdays at Wachusett this year. DwayneEricson, Facility Supervisor of Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, leda trail maintaining workshop and three workdays at Wachusett Mountain.Volunteer members who performed various projects, which includedrebuilding a section of the Balance Rock Trail, Bicentennial Trail and EchoLake Trail, attended the workdays.
Steve Crowe continued with his fine rockwork project on the Pine HillTrail at Wachusett with a number of workdays. Steve and his crew are con-structing a rock stairway using a grip hoist system. Congratulations to Steveon receiving the 2006 New England Volunteer Award from the AmericanHiking Society. Steve was given the award by Heather Clish, AMCDirector of Trail Stewardship at this years National Trail's Day event atWachusett Mountain State Reservation
Trails con’t
Over 2 dozen hardy people participated andenjoyed a BBQ at Wachusett Mountain StateReservation on National Trails Day in June, even inthe rain. Participants worked on a number of trail proj-ects at Wachusett Mountain and the Midstate Trail.
Thanks to Wachusett Mountain Ski Area for provid-ing the refreshments and the staff to serve them. KimSimpson did a great job organizing the leaders andtrail projects along the Midstate trail again this year.
“THANK YOU”TRAIL MAINTENANCE VOLUNTEERS 2006
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A M C
Worcester Chapter
Appalachian Mountain Club
5 Joy StreetBoston, MA 02108
NON-PROFITUS POSTAGE
PAIDPERMIT NO. #420WORCESTER, MA
Trails cont
Thanks again to Dwayne Ericson for his timeand help with the trail workshop, workdays andNational Trail Day again this year.
Hopefully more people will join us next yearwhen the opportunity arises. We are planning tocontinue our partnership with WachusettMountain. See you in the spring. NationalTrails Day is the first Saturday inJune.
Membership in a BottleMembership-In-A- Bottle is a specially designed 32-ounceNalgene water bottle that contains an AMC membership, includinga one year subscription to AMC Outdoors magazine - filled witharticles and activity listings to get people connected to the out-doors.• Discounts on AMC lodging, Outdoor Adventures and Workshops,
and books.• A temporary ID card.• A $10 gift certificate good toward AMC lodg-
ing, Outdoor Adventures, Workshops andbooks.
• An AMC window decal.• For new members onlySee our web pagewww.amcworcester.org
When you join through the chapter you save money and helpfinance your local chapter activities.
MONTHLY POTLUCKS
Join us every 3rd Wednesday of theMonth for a Potluck Social & NewMember Orientation. 7 p.m. Northboro
Historical Society, 50 Main St. (Rt.20. Bringdish to share. New members/visitors alwayswelcome. Registration required for NewMembers Orientation, not for potluck and pres-entation. Register with Jean McInerney at [email protected] or (508) 753-2639 for NewMembers Orientation at 6:30 p.m.
Our chapter events are continuously beingupdated and added to the Worcester Web Site,please check regularlyhttp://www.amcworcester.org/ for up to datelistings
FROM THE EDITORS
Dear Members:
We reserve the right to edit for length and content. All contributions are wel-
come. Please contact the co-editors, Mary MacDonald at
[email protected] or Lori Nozzolillo at [email protected]
AMC in the Spring..What does that Mean to You?Submit your articles, views, photos, tips & tips to us. Spring issue deadline is
Feb 15th . We look forward to hearing from you.
