AMC Western MA 20s/30s+

Activity Type: Backpacking | Backpacking
Difficulty: 5 - Vigorous
Trip Leader(s): Hew Hart
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP:https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UUN000001f8Nd
Register By: 5/7/2026
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join AMC Western MA 20s/30s for a spring weekend backpacking trip along a quiet, forested stretch of the Appalachian Trail in the Berkshires. Over two days, we’ll hike nearly 19 miles through classic New England woods, with rolling ridgelines, seasonal stream crossings, and peaceful sections of remote trail.
This is a self-supported backpacking trip designed for hikers with prior independent experience. We are capping the group size for this hike at 5 hikers and 1 leader. Participants should be confident in carrying all necessary gear, managing their own shelter, food, and water treatment, and hiking sustained mileage over two days. Expect spring trail conditions, including mud, bugs, and cool overnight temperatures.
We’ll coordinate gear checks, car shuttles, and group communication with confirmed participants prior to the trip.
No dogs, please.
**** Join the Western MA 20s/30s+ WhatsApp Group , where we post upcoming events, share photos, and connect for informal non-AMC outings!
We always welcome your feedback on this activity and your experiences with the AMC Western MA 20s/30s+ community.
This is intended to be a 20s/30s+ affinity trip, but everyone is welcome. If you do not identify with that group, we trust that you have reviewed our allyship criteria, have done your due diligence to educate yourself, and have committed to abide by our Code of Conduct . If you have questions, please contact the trip leader(s) by emailing them for more information.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Social | Local Socials
Difficulty: 2 - Relaxed
Trip Leader(s): Hew Hart, Jakob Palches, Andrew Metz
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX00000197w9
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join AMC Western MA 20s/30s for a Memorial Day New Member Social on the summit of Mount Holyoke in Skinner State Park. Everyone is welcome — whether you're new to AMC, just found the 20s/30s community, or are a UMass Outing Club alum who's recently connected with the Chapter. Come meet some of the folks who organize and lead our activities, and get a sense of what we've got going on.
We'll be grilling outside, with vegetarian options and plenty of snacks to go around.
The auto road will be open, but parking at the top is limited. Plan to hike up — and keep an eye on the 20s/30s WhatsApp group, where folks can coordinate a group departure from a nearby trailhead.
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Jakob Palches (he/him): Jakob loves multisport activities in the valley and making sure every trip is a little bit of an adventure! Please wear shoes that can get wet and muddy. They will do both of those things. When not in the woods Jakob is in the woods at Camp Chesterfield working on renovations as the new camp Ranger for The Ashmere Project.
Andrew Metz (he/him): Andrew lives in Portland, Maine splits his time (with highly varying degrees of success) between teaching, working as a pianist, and playing outside. In the past, he has lived in a tent for three months and worked for the AMC hut system in NH.
Hew Hart (he/they): Hew lives in South Deerfield, and is a hiking, backpacking, paddling, and social leader for the Western MA Chapter. He thru-hiked the AT in 2022, has completed the NH48, and enjoys building community centered around the outdoors.
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Stay Connected with Western MA 20s/30s! • Join our 20s/30s WhatsApp Community for upcoming events and informal meetups • Follow us on Instagram @AMCWesternMA20s30s
We always welcome feedback on your experience with AMC Western MA 20s/30s.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 2 - Relaxed
Trip Leader(s): Chelsea Taylor
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX0000018uvh
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join AMC Western MA 20s/30s for a relaxed evening hike at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton. We will meet at 6:00 PM and take a ~2 mile loop through open fields, quiet woods and wetland edges. The trail is flat and easy to follow.
Weeknight hikes are a great way to unplug and unwind after the workday! Come explore a new spot in good company - You just might find it's your FAVORITE new spot!
Afterwards, folks are welcome to join for dinner/drinks at Fitzwilly's Restaurant in Northampton.
Note: Dogs are NOT allowed in the Wildlife Sanctuary.
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Stay Connected with Western MA 20s/30s! • Join our 20s/30s WhatsApp Community for upcoming events and informal meetups • Follow us on Instagram @AMCWesternMA20s30s
We always welcome feedback on your experience with AMC Western MA 20s/30s.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 2 - Relaxed
Trip Leader(s): Hew Hart, Josh Reynolds
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX00000195mH
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Have you ever wanted to learn how to identify the native trees of Massachusetts? We live in an era where you can hold up a phone camera and get an instant ID, but getting to know our local trees more slowly through observation tends to stick a lot better - and builds a deeper relationship with the ecological communities we live in!
Join us on a relaxed educational hike around Hallockville Pond in the Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest! We will be starting our hike around 5:30PM and returning to our cars around 7:00PM. This hike is a length of 1.1 miles with minimal elevation gain. There are some rustic trail bridges and structures and occasional uneven footing due to roots, rocks, etc.
The pace will be very slow, as the goal of this hike is education, not speed. We will stop frequently to observe various tree species and talk about general methods of identification and specific characteristics. There are no expectations around how much we will cover - the hike will be guided by curiosity.
This activity is specifically geared for people who have little or no experience and would like to learn, but all experience levels are welcome, provided you want to contribute to a beginner-friendly learning environment.
Afterwards, join us for an optional dinner gathering at The Lakehouse in Ashfield to continue the conversation!
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Josh Reynolds (he/him): Josh lives in South Deerfield, and is a hike leader for the western MA chapter. He studied ecology and natural history (amongst other things) at Hampshire College, and continues to enjoy learning and sharing about local landscapes and ecosystems. He has 10 years of experience in professional trail work, spanning several regions of the country.
Hew Hart (he/they): Hew lives in South Deerfield, and is a hiking, backpacking, paddling, and social leader for the Western MA Chapter. He thru-hiked the AT in 2022, has completed the NH48, and enjoys building community centered around the outdoors.
****
Stay Connected with Western MA 20s/30s! • Join our 20s/30s WhatsApp Community for upcoming events and informal meetups • Follow us on Instagram @AMCWesternMA20s30s
We always welcome feedback on your experience with AMC Western MA 20s/30s.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!