Winter 2016 - amcmohawkhudson.orgamcmohawkhudson.org › westernslope ›...
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Winter 2016 Chapter Chair As we wrap up a very successful year for our Chapter, we are especially grateful for all the time and efforts of our outing leaders. AMC is all about outdoor recreation, and we are fortunate to have a very experienced trip leader ‘crew’ that provides all the rest of us with so many opportunities to safely enjoy all that our region has to offer. We appreciate also our non-officer Executive Committee members, who do so much to help our Chapter: Chris Boucher, editor of the Western Slope newsletter that keeps us all in the loop about chapter happenings; Kathleen Helfrich our Program Chair who organizes and coordinates our meetings and events; Ellen Kozlowski who’s agreed to take on the role of Membership Chair; and John Tifft who not only serves as Trail Chair and coordinates our extensive trailwork activity, but has also volunteered to take on the Conservation Chair role. Kevin Cox has graciously agreed to continue to fill the Vice Chair position on an interim basis (as well as serving on our Outings Committee); we would welcome hearing from anyone who would be interested in filling that role as a pathway to the Chair position in the future. Above all, we want to thank Sharon Bonk, Fall Gathering Chair, and the many members of our FG committee, who did an outstanding job of hosting the 2015 AMC Fall Gathering at Lake George in October. We’re fortunate to live in a region that offers such a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities within a reasonable distance. As winter approaches, we look forward to opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Join us for our next Chapter event, a New Year’s day mid-morning hike/snowshoe at Grafton Lakes State Park, followed by a pot-luck lunch event in the party room of a residential complex nearby: a great way to start the New Year in AMC style! Details for this event will be posted on our Chapter website. Check our activity listings for other winter outings in the months ahead. For those of you new to our Chapter, you will find activities listed in our latest issue of the Western Slope newsletter, as well as on our Chapter website, http://www.amcmohawkhudson.org. From the home page, you can access activities information in two different ways: on the calendar, click on a highlighted date to see activities for the date; or click the “View Trip Activities’ link below the calendar to see a list of all activities in chronological order. Enjoy the holidays safely, and we hope you’ll join us for some of our trips and events this winter season! Dave Esmond New Year’s Day Hike, Potluck & Meeting Welcome in the New Year by joining us in a snowshoe/ hike at Grafton Lakes State Park and a potluck luncheon. Depending on snow cover, Ellen Kozlowski and Martha Waldman will lead either a snowshoe or a hike. Come and enjoy seeing all the recent beaver activity near the trail! Snowshoers/hikers will meet at 10:30 AM in the beach parking lot at Grafton Lakes S.P. At 1 PM, we will gather at the clubhouse of Sugar Hill Apartments, just outside of Troy, for a potluck luncheon, followed immediately by the quarterly chapter meeting. For the snowshoe/hike: Please register with Ellen Kozlowski at [email protected] or 518-608-4004 (NCA 9 PM). Please see January 1 outings entry on page 2 for hike description. Bring your potluck contribution to Grafton – a shuttle will take it to the potluck site. For the luncheon/meeting: Please notify Kathleen Helfrich at [email protected] or 518-279-9621 (NCA 9 PM). Bad wintry weather may cancel; in doubt, check with Kathleen. For directions to both the Grafton Lakes State Park parking lot/meeting place for the snowshoe/hike and the potluck location, please see New Year’s Day Hike/Potluck Directions on page 4.
Transcript of Winter 2016 - amcmohawkhudson.orgamcmohawkhudson.org › westernslope ›...
Winter 2016
Chapter Chair
As we wrap up a very successful year for
our Chapter, we are especially grateful for
all the time and efforts of our outing
leaders. AMC is all about outdoor
recreation, and we are fortunate to have a
very experienced trip leader ‘crew’ that
provides all the rest of us with so many
opportunities to safely enjoy all that our
region has to offer. We appreciate also our non-officer
Executive Committee members, who do so much to help
our Chapter: Chris Boucher, editor of the Western Slope
newsletter that keeps us all in the loop about chapter
happenings; Kathleen Helfrich our Program Chair who
organizes and coordinates our meetings and events; Ellen
Kozlowski who’s agreed to take on the role of
Membership Chair; and John Tifft who not only serves as
Trail Chair and coordinates our extensive trailwork
activity, but has also volunteered to take on the
Conservation Chair role. Kevin Cox has graciously agreed
to continue to fill the Vice Chair position on an interim
basis (as well as serving on our Outings Committee); we
would welcome hearing from anyone who would be
interested in filling that role as a pathway to the Chair
position in the future. Above all, we want to thank Sharon
Bonk, Fall Gathering Chair, and the many members of our
FG committee, who did an outstanding job of hosting the
2015 AMC Fall Gathering at Lake George in October.
We’re fortunate to live in a region that offers such a
variety of outdoor recreational opportunities within a
reasonable distance. As winter approaches, we look
forward to opportunities for cross-country skiing and
snowshoeing. Join us for our next Chapter event, a New
Year’s day mid-morning hike/snowshoe at Grafton Lakes
State Park, followed by a pot-luck lunch event in the party
room of a residential complex nearby: a great way to start
the New Year in AMC style! Details for this event will be
posted on our Chapter website.
Check our activity listings for other winter outings in the
months ahead. For those of you new to our Chapter, you
will find activities listed in our latest issue of the Western
Slope newsletter, as well as on our Chapter website,
http://www.amcmohawkhudson.org. From the home page,
you can access activities information in two different
ways: on the calendar, click on a highlighted date to see
activities for the date; or click the “View Trip Activities’
link below the calendar to see a list of all activities in
chronological order. Enjoy the holidays safely, and we
hope you’ll join us for some of our trips and events this
winter season!
Dave Esmond
New Year’s Day Hike, Potluck & Meeting
Welcome in the New Year by joining us in a snowshoe/
hike at Grafton Lakes State Park and a potluck luncheon.
Depending on snow cover, Ellen Kozlowski and Martha
Waldman will lead either a snowshoe or a hike. Come and
enjoy seeing all the recent beaver activity near the trail!
Snowshoers/hikers will meet at 10:30 AM in the beach
parking lot at Grafton Lakes S.P.
At 1 PM, we will gather at the clubhouse of Sugar Hill
Apartments, just outside of Troy, for a potluck luncheon,
followed immediately by the quarterly chapter meeting.
For the snowshoe/hike: Please register with Ellen Kozlowski
at [email protected] or 518-608-4004 (NCA 9
PM). Please see January 1 outings entry on page 2 for hike
description. Bring your potluck contribution to Grafton – a
shuttle will take it to the potluck site.
For the luncheon/meeting: Please notify Kathleen Helfrich at
[email protected] or 518-279-9621 (NCA 9 PM).
Bad wintry weather may cancel; in doubt, check with Kathleen.
For directions to both the Grafton Lakes State Park parking
lot/meeting place for the snowshoe/hike and the potluck
location, please see New Year’s Day Hike/Potluck
Directions on page 4.
Page 2 On the Western Slope – Winter 2016
Dates to note:
Jan 1 New Year’s Day Hike/Snowshoe, Potluck & Meeting
Jan 11 EComm Meeting, EGTL Jan 15-18 MLK Vermont Weekend Jan 30 140th AMC Annual Summit Mar ** Volunteer Recognition Event Mar 14 EComm Meeting, EGTL
Save the date!
April ** Quarterly Meeting & Event Oct 14-16 Harriman Weekend
** Please check website for actual event date.
Mohawk Hudson Chapter
Executive Committee
Dave Esmond, Chapter Chair (518)439-4656 [email protected]
Kevin Cox, Interim Vice Chair, Outings Chair; (518)279-4839 [email protected]
Martha Waldman, Treasurer (518)869-5109 [email protected]
Sharon Bonk, Secretary (518)674-0042 [email protected]
Sharon Foster, AMC Central Regional Director [email protected]
John Tifft, Trails Committee Chair, Conservation Committee Chair (518)439-5686 [email protected]
Ellen Kozlowski, Membership Committee Chair (518)608-4004
Kathleen Helfrich, Program Committee Chair (518)279-9621; [email protected]
Christine Boucher, Newsletter Editor (518)322-0296; [email protected]
Mohawk Hudson Chapter Website: http://www.amcmohawkhudson.org
Save paper and ink!
Print only the Dates to note and Chapter Outings on pages 2 through 3.
Chapter Outings
Jan / Feb / Mar 2016
Listings below are as of December 24, 2015 newsletter distribution date. For our most current outings information, please check out our chapter web site at www.amcmohawkhudson.org. There, join our Yahoo group for e-mail updates on outings, and ‘like us’ on Facebook.
All activities require advance registration: Please contact the Leader for information about hike difficulty, meeting time and place, carpooling, and hike updates due to weather or trail conditions.
January
Fri 1/1/2016 Annual New Year's Day Snowshoe Hike (Hiking|Snowshoeing) This is an easy hike of about one and a half to two miles mostly level. Our intention is to get outdoors on New Year's Day and work up an appetite for the potluck luncheon and meeting to follow. Be prepared for snow or lack thereof: wear appropriate clothing, bring snowshoes and microspikes/ stabilicers, water and a snack. Register with Leader Ellen Kozlowski: 518-608-4004 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected] Co-Leader: Martha Waldman 18-869-5109 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected]
Wed 1/6 Berlin Mountain B-3-B (Hiking|Snowshoeing) We will start from the Petersburg Pass and go south to the summit of Berlin Mountain. Along the way, there are great views of the Catskills and the Berkshires from the summit. The distance is 5.7 miles round trip, and the ascent is greater than 800 feet. Leader: Kevin Cox 518-279-4839 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected]
Fri to Mon 1/15 to 1/18 MLK Weekend in Vermont (Skiing – Cross-Country (Nordic)) Join us in Vermont January 15th -18th 2016 for a 3-night MLK winter weekend. We will be X-country skiing, snowshoeing or hiking depending on the snow. We will be staying at the Colonial House Inn and Motel in Weston, Vermont. Lodging and 9 meals (dinner Friday through bagged lunch Monday) $309 to $374 ppdo; $393 to $449 ppso. Contact leader for details. Leader: Randy MacDonald [email protected], 518-766-7675 (NCA 9 p.m.)
Sat 1/16 Moxham Mountain (Hiking| Snowshoeing) The 2.7 mile trail to the summit of 2418 foot Moxham Mountain in the Vanderwacker Wild Forrest of the Adirondacks features many overlooks with scenic views. Elevation gain is 1152 feet though this trail was built to minimize the climb as much as possible. While the summit does not have a 360 degree view, the views are still spectacular and the open rocks offer a great picnic spot. Please bring plenty of water, lunch and snacks. Snowshoes and microspikes, as well as good hiking boots and poles are recommended. At this time of year, we need to be prepared for any weather conditions. Dress appropriately for the weather – no cotton please. This is one of my favorite hikes (as well as the co leader's). I know you will love it also. Leader: Ellen Kozlowski 518-608-4004 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected] Co-Leader: John Tifft 518-439-5686 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected]
Sat 1/23 Vanderbilt (Greenville) Town Park B-3-C (Hiking|Snowshoeing) A meandering hike (or snowshoe) of 4 to 5.5 miles and 250 feet of elevation gain along trails that measure rolling farm fields, woods, sports fields, and views looking out to the nearby Catskill Mountain centered from beyond Blackhead to Windham Mountains. Leader: Jean Laverdure 518-593-2058 [email protected] Co-Leader: John Tifft 518-439-5686 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected]
Sat 1/23 Black Mountain Loop B-3-B (Hiking|Snowshoeing) We will start from Pike Brook trailhead and proceed up to the summit. The views are great from the summit and along then trail. The distance is 6.6 miles and the ascent is 1046 feet. Leader: Kevin Cox 518-279-4839 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected]
Wed 1/27 Cross-Country Ski at Schenectady County Forest C-3-C (Skiing – Cross-Country (Nordic) | Snowshoeing) This is an easy cross-country ski or snowshoe, mostly level but a couple of short gentle slopes. This is not a commercial ski area, so no fee and the trails are not groomed but probably already tracked by other skiers. Bring water, and a way to carry your jacket if you should get too warm. After the skiing we can go to our nearby house for some hot soup. Leader: Nancy Crowther 518-698-0531 [email protected]
Page 3 On the Western Slope – Winter 2016
February
Fri 2/5 Dyken Pond Environmental Center Snowshoe (Snowshoeing) The Dyken Pond, on the Rensselaer Plateau, has trails suitable for novice snowshoers. We will begin on the Long Trail and look to explore the area with the newest land parcel, Newcomb Swamp. 4-5 miles. Be prepared for cold temperatures. We will hike if snow conditions are not suitable for snowshoes so bring both snowshoes and stabilicers/microspikes useful on ice. Bring lunch, hot drink. There is a restroom but no indoor shelter. Leader: Sharon Bonk 518-674-0042 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected]
Wed 2/10 X-C Ski at Five Rivers C-3-C (Skiing – Cross-Country (Nordic) | Snowshoeing) We will cross-country ski or snowshoe the beautiful wooded trails at Five Rivers Environmental Center in Delmar. Bring lunch and water, and a way to carry your jacket if you get too warm. The trails are mostly level. Leader: Nancy Crowther 518-698-0531 [email protected]
Sat 2/13 St Regis Mountain B-3-B (Snowshoeing) This area has great views of the ponds in the St Regis Canoe Area as well as large lakes, with the High Peaks on the horizon. The distance is 6.6 miles with an ascent of 1266 feet. We will also be rewarded with a fire tower. Leader: Kevin Cox 518-279-4839 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected]
Mon 2/15 X-C Skiing at Grafton Lakes State Park (Skiing – Cross-Country (Nordic)) Grafton State Park offers intermediate level ungroomed X-C ski trails around its lakes and through its woods. If sufficient snow cover, we will ski around Long Pond or do the Spruce Trail. Be aware that these are not tracked trails. We may be skiing in others tracks or breaking trail for ourselves. The leader will decide before the date whether we will snowshoe or X-C ski in another location. Meet at Grafton Lakes SP Winter Entrance Parking Lot, off Long Pond Rd at 9:30 a.m. There is a rest room there, but no shelter or rest room on the trails. Bring lunch, hot drink, water. Leader: Sharon Bonk 518-674-0042 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected]
Sat 2/20 Goodnow Mountain C-3-C (Hiking) Are you looking for a moderate Adirondack hike with a rewarding mountain view? Goodnow Mtn. is it!! Located a few miles west of the town of Newcomb, this family-friendly hike has enjoyable views of the High Peaks to the North and the great forest preserve to the South. For the best views, walk up the tower to look North to Mt. Marcy and Algonquin Mountain, Northwest to the Santanoni Range, and East to the Vanderwacker Mountain. Meandering 3.8 miles out and back trail with 1040 foot elevation gain. Snowshoes, microspikes and good hiking boots and poles are recommended. Dress for the weather and bring plenty of water, lunch and snacks. Leader: John Tifft 518-439-5686 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected] Co-Leader: Ellen Kozlowski 518-608-4004 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected]
Wed 2/24 X-C Skiing, Notchview Reservation (Skiing – Cross-Country (Nordic)) Notchview, in Windsor, MA, is a Trustees of Reservations property. The center has 25 miles of well-marked and well-groomed trails for all levels: 7 beginner trails: 11 km; 11 intermediate trails: 18 km; 7 expert trails: 11km, generally not groomed. Facilities include warming hut with small café and two shelters on the trails. Ski rentals available. Trail Fee: $15. Carpool: meet at Schodack Park and Ride, I-90 Exit 11E at 9 a.m. Leader: Sharon Bonk 518-674-0042 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected]
Sat 2/27 Alford Springs B-3-B (Hiking) A loop hike (or snowshoe) of 4.5 to 6 miles and 500 feet of elevation gain along a mountainous ridgeline property of the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC). It features woods roads and improved trails with fine views of the Alford Valley, located near the NY/Mass. border south of I-90. Leader: Jean Laverdure 518-593-2058 [email protected] Co-Leader: John Tifft 518-439-5686 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected]
March
Thurs 3/17 Snowy Mountain B-3-A (Hiking|Snowshoeing) This is a great winter hike with lots of snow! The views near the summit are great. The distance is 7.8 miles with 2106 feet in ascent. Afterwards, we have a chance to get ice cream at a reduced price if wearing green. Let's go! Bring winter gear. Leader: Kevin Cox 518-279-4839 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected]
Sat 3/19 Hunter Mountain (Hiking) B-3-B Even though Hunter is one of the Catskill’s 3500-foot mountains, the Spruceton trail hike is a gradual, evenly distributed trek. Elevation gain is 1950 feet; 7.2 miles round trip. Even if the top of its tower is not open this early, one may still have a good view. There’s also a good view from the true summit, about a ten minute walk from the tower. Mid March weather is unpredictable and the summit is often much colder and windier than the trailhead; be prepared with additional layers of no-cotton outerwear. Contact the leader or co leader prior to the hike to register, and to find out the meetup time and place, and best footwear for the trail conditions. Leader: John Tifft 518-439-5686 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected] Co-Leader: Ellen Kozlowski 518-608-4004 (NCA 9 p.m.) [email protected]
The Mohawk Hudson chapter also offers additional weekday outings.
The Midweek Hikers invite you to hike with them on Wednesdays. To join our e-mail list, contact Gerry Weber at (518) 758-7189 [email protected].
The Hiking at a Relaxed Pace (HARP) group hikes on Thursdays or Fridays. To join our e-mail list, contact Frank or Dee Wind at (518) 458-1781 [email protected].
Leaders may post e-mail updates for any of their trips (published or not) via the chapter’s Yahoo interest group. Please join our Yahoo group (it’s free!) to see the updates and connect to others.
Hike Ratings
Distance
AA = + 13 miles
A = 9 to 13 miles
B = 5 to 8 miles
C = under 5 miles
Leader’s Pace
1 = very fast pace, 2.5 mph or faster
2 = fast pace, 2 to 2.5 mph
3 = moderate pace, 1.5 to 2 mph
Terrain
A = very strenuous
B = strenuous
C = average
Page 4 On the Western Slope – Winter 2016
Welcome New Members Kayla Altland Anna Assevero David M. Avis
Mr. & Mrs. Batchell Kim Bendheim Kathleen Berger
Mr. & Mrs. Edge Lucy Eldridge Ralph Frank
Mona Funiciello Anita M. Gabalski Jeffrey Gordon
Andrew Haskins Waner C. Holman Daniel Illenberger
Maureen Jones Cynthia A. Kilgallon Emil Klymkow
Earl Laramie Karen McShane Tom Myers
Mr. and Mrs. Phelan Derrick Phillips Joseph Polsinelli
Allan D. Riga Maurice Robbins Gregory Seaman
Danny Shedd Doris M. Shoemaker Gwyneth&Robert Sundell
Janet Twardzik Lynda Tymeson Janet Vazci
Kimberly Vossler Mark Washburn Sebastian Wheeler
New Year’s Day Hike/Potluck Directions
Continued from page 1: Directions to Grafton Lakes State
Park parking lot: Grafton Lakes State Park is located off State
Route 2 in Rensselaer County. Going east on State Route 2,
turn left at the traffic light at the intersection of S.R. 2 and N.
Long Pond Road in Grafton (at Grafton’s Town Store; look
for brown sign “Grafton Lakes State Park - Winter Entrance”).
Take the first left and go past the park buildings. Turn right
onto Grafton Lakes State Park Way and continue to the large
parking lot near the beach at the lower end of Long Pond. Park
at the far end near the outhouse.
Directions to Sugar Hill Apartments: From I-787 (exit 9E) or
from State Route 7 going east, cross the Collar City Bridge;
get in lanes for Bennington and Hoosick Street. Drive all the
way up the hill on S.R. 7 (Hoosick St.). After Hoosick Road
becomes a gentle rise, you will see Brunswick Plaza/Price
Chopper on the right. At the next traffic light, turn right onto
McChesney Avenue. Go past the entrance to "The Ridge"
apartments and take the next right. (This is McChesney Ave.
Ext., although there is no street sign). Go to the top of the first
hill and a short distance beyond. Turn right at the sign to the
“Sugar Hill Apartments.” Almost immediately, take the first
left and stay left toward the clubhouse/rental office.
For GPS, use 400 McChesney Avenue Extension, Troy, NY
12180. If you’re coming from the opposite direction on
McChesney Ave. Ext. and GPS tells you to turn at the sign to
"The Glen," continue on McChesney Ave. Ext. to the next
entrance for "Sugar Hill Apartments". Almost immediately,
take the first left and stay left toward the clubhouse/rental
office.
Chapter Annual Dinner & Election Results
The Mohawk Hudson Chapter annual meeting and election
took place in the Van Curler Room of Schenectady County
Community College. Those who attended enjoyed a great
dinner provided by students of the SCCC culinary program.
In election results, the slate of candidates was approved by the
membership in attendance. MH Officers for 2016 are Dave
Esmond, Chapter Chair; Martha Waldman, Treasurer; and
Sharon Bonk, Secretary. Congratulations to all!
After the dinner, Peter Benoit, a member and past president of
the Lower Adirondack Search and Rescue team, gave a
fascinating presentation about his experience participating in a
National Guard training mission over three days in survival
mode on the polar ice cap in Greenland. Peter explained how
they dug shelters in the ice, experienced temporary blindness
because of the constant solar glare, and needed to constantly
brush ice crystals from clothing to keep it from becoming
damp and freezing in minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit
temperatures. He described various cold-weather gear
malfunctioning and what they needed to do to adapt to those
circumstances. By the end of his presentation, we had learned
quite a bit – fortunately, vicariously – about survival in
extreme arctic weather conditions.
2015 Fall Gathering Highlights By Sharon Bonk, FG Committee Chair
I assure you this is my last article on the Fall Gathering! By
now, I hope you know that it was a great success with almost
200 attendees from all of the AMC chapters. The weather
cooperated and showed off the Lake George region at its very
fall spectacular best! The nights were “brisk” especially for
those in unheated cabins but provided wonderfully clear views
of the stars without big city lights. Each evening ended with a
campfire, and Saturday’s campfire had s’mores too.
The days were filled with hikes, cycles, a paddle, and AMC
meetings. Food was plenty and plenty good! Dinner each night
was preceded by a social hour outside where a small fire pit
kept some warmer than others, but then there was hot cider,
hot appetizers, and wine.
Friday evening, Lake George Land Conservancy Executive
Director Jamie Brown set the stage for the guests by
explaining why the Lake George region was so special.
Afterwards, Triskele, a women’s Irish group from East
Greenbush, entertained us with lively and witty songs and
banter. Saturday night’s barn dance was ably led by Paul
Rosenberg and Tamarack. His style made it easy for beginners
to join in and the dance floor was full all the time.
We sked for volunteers, and you turned out! You decorated
the Camp’s main building and dining hall with home grown
pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks; parked cars; guided participants
to their cabins; assisted with all sorts of questions; worked the
registration desk; organized the raffle premiums; sold raffle
tickets; led outdoor activities; assisted with happy hours;
mingled among guests, and more. Before the event, you
created welcome bags and registration packets. After the
event, the take-down crew shifted into action. All of this was
in addition to the committee members’ work throughout the
year, including soliciting over 30 raffle items.
The Fall Gathering ended with a small surplus (about $650)
for the chapter treasury, and the raffle resulted in $877 raised
for MH Trails and Outings Committees’ programs and
projects.
Fall Gathering Committee: Kathleen Helfrich, Martha
Waldman, Mike and Chris Boucher, Gerry Weber, Mary
Folsom, Amy MacDonald, Rita and Dave Cedar, Enny and
Billy Dufur, and Sharon Bonk.
Page 5 On the Western Slope – Winter 2016
AMC Conservation Policy Update Take Action: Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
In virtually every corner of
our country, you’ll find the
positive impact of the Land
& Water Conservation Fund
(LWCF). Created 50 years
ago, LWCF is widely viewed
as one of our country’s most
successful and popular land conservation programs. LWCF
has continuously seen broad bipartisan support, and doesn’t
cost taxpayers a dime. The program is funded entirely by
royalties from offshore oil and gas leases — an effort to
balance this use of our natural resources with their protection.
In our region, the program has helped create recreational
opportunities ranging from small neighborhood parks and
playgrounds, to funding nearly two-thirds of the Appalachian
Trail and supporting the continuing development of the New
England National Scenic Trail.
Unfortunately, Congress allowed this critical program to
expire on October 1st – meaning future efforts to create and
protect playgrounds, community parks, historic sites, state and
national parks and forests, and trails – are in jeopardy.
Here in the Northeast, our Congressional representatives are
widely supportive of LWCF, and many have been consistent
and leading voices for its reauthorization. But they also need
to continue to hear from you, their constituents, that this issue
is important to you. Please contact your members of Congress
and ask them to support the Land & Water Conservation Fund.
You can find additional information about projects across the
Northeast in the interactive map of projects AMC has created.
If you’d like to stay in the loop on AMC’s efforts to support
LWCF and how you can help, please join the Conservation
Action Network.
AMC Plans for Outdoor Program Center in Harriman State Park
This Spring AMC announced a partnership with Palisades
Interstate Park Commission (PIPC) and New York State Parks
to connect more people to the outdoors by opening a new
outdoor program center in Harriman State Park, located about
95 miles south of Albany. AMC is making investments of time
and money to renew the camp buildings and dock along
Breakneck Pond in order to offer group programs and
opportunities for chapters to book facilities for their use.
Stay tuned for an announcement of a MH chapter weekend at
Harriman in October 2016.
Farewell Until We Meet Again
Mary Folsom, our energetic and fearless chapter leader these
past two years, moved to the West Coast at the end of
October. Mary encouraged the chapter’s decision to host
AMC’s 2015 Fall Gathering, and while preparing for her
move, kept pace with club and chapter work and participated
on the FG committee, offering her knowledge and experience
in all matters AMC.
On Sunday morning of the Fall Gathering, MH chapter
members expressed their thanks by presenting Mary with a
Sierra Club Membership, REI gift certificate, and a framed
certificate of appreciation and best wishes.
We are truly grateful to Mary for all her hard work; under her
leadership, the chapter had a great year! Way to go out on top!!
Mary Folsom receives Sierra Club certificate, October 2015
Mohawk Hudson Chapter Members with Mary Folsom
“Like Us” on Facebook
Click the “facebook” image at left to view the chapter Facebook page.
Once on our Facebook page, click the “Like” image (shown at left) to “like” our page: if you have a Facebook
account, you’ll be asked to log in. Else, you’ll have to set one up in order to “like” our page. Update: We’re up to 151 “likes” on Facebook, and 266 members on Meetup.
Page 6 On the Western Slope – Winter 2016
Jan 30, 2016: AMC Summit for Volunteers
There’s still time to register and take advantage of the Early
Bird to attend AMC’ Annual Summit in Norwood, MA!
See the YOU RE INVITED! ad here, and check
outdoors.org/Annual Summit for all the details.
2015 AMC Fall Gathering – Lake George
Page 7 On the Western Slope – Winter 2016
