Join Berkshire/Worcester Chapters weekend extravaganza at Cardigan Lodge. We’ll have fun as we hike, cycle, paddle, eat, socialize, gather ‘round the campfire and more! Rates include 2 nights lodging, 2 breakfasts, 2 trail lunches, 2 dinners and happy hour snacks Saturday evening. Adults $138.50; Youth (ages 13-17) $117.78; Children (ages 3-12) $61.08. Campsites available for $25 per night (2 tents, 6 persons maximum). Optional camper meal package (1 dinner, 1 breakfast, 1 lunch): Adult, $35; Youth $31, Child $20. To reserve your spot, call AMC Reservations 603-466-2727 (Mon-Sat, 9 am to 5 pm) by April 25 and specify Group#186854. Other questions call or email Eric Gove (amc.berkshire.te@gmail.com) (413.374.0467), please leave a message with a good time to call as I work odd hours.)

What do backpacking and cycle touring have in common? More than you think! Join us for an educational weekend exploring the ins and outs of both sports. Learn about trip planning, personal and group gear, food/nutrition, and Leave No Trace principles. Trips for both sports will occur throughout the spring, summer, and fall with registration preference given to series attendees. Program will be held at YMCA Camp Harrington, Boylston, MA. Option for lodging available: $15/night. Contact Leaders:Eric Gove ( amc.berkshire.te@gmail.com ) or Christine Fogarty (978) 857-7078 (best time to call: before 9pm) (takeahike31@hotmail.com )

At Noble View Outdoor Center. Whether you’d like to become a Chapter leader or just want to improve your outdoor skills, you’re invited to attend. Training emphasizes group dynamics, leaders’ responsibilities, trip planning and management, weather emergencies, incident/accident scene control, leader awareness, and decision-making. Fee of $25 includes 2-day training, materials, and meals. Existing leaders attend at no charge. Overnight lodging available for $20 per night. Advance payment requested.

Date(s): April 21, 2012 - April 22, 2012 (Sat - Sun)

AMC Books has released its first eBooks, available now for Kindle, Apple, and Nook devices. New eBooks include Katahdin: An Historic Journey; AMC Guide to Winter Hiking and Camping; Best Backcountry Skiing in the Northeast; four books from the popular Best Day Hikes series, including guides to Boston, the Whites, Washington, DC, and the Catskills and Hudson Valley; and two paddling titles, Quiet Water New Hampshire and Vermont and Quiet Water New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. Starting in spring 2012, AMC Books will release many of its new books simultaneously in print and eBook format.

AMCs Adventure Travel group is geared to all ages and abilities. Whether you like to hike, bike, or paddle, AMC-AT offers over 30 volunteer-led worldwide adventures year round. Check out this year’s family trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park at trip # 1222 or for a complete trip listing, go to www.outdoors.org/adventuretravel.

The AMC Adventure Travel Leadership Training Program was a tremendous success! It was held in Litchfield, Connecticut on November 18-20, 2011. The trainers were a wealth of information for the participants – having over 80 years combined experience leading Adventure Travel for the AMC. The participants also brought significant experience to the training, most having led many Chapter trips for the Club for a number of years. For more information on AMC’s Adventure Travel program, please see www.outdoors.org/adventuretravel.

AMCs 136th Annual Business Meeting will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2012, at the UMass Boston campus on Columbia Point, South Boston. The day’s activities will include committee meetings (starting at 8am) and the 136th Business Meeting at 3pm. All members are welcome to attend but pre-registration is required as no walk-in spots are available. This year’s event is different from years past as we will not be hosting workshops or an AMC showcase. For more information about the day program, go to www.outdoors.org/annualmeeting.

The AT Committee will be holding our 10th Annual Volunteer Gathering on January 28, 2011 at the Mount Greylock Visitors Center. Current volunteers gather to hear the latest on the AT, make plans for the 2012 trail season and renew friendships. If you are interested in becoming an AT Volunteer this is a great opportunity to find out what it’s all about. Contact us at: at@amcberkshire.org for more info.

by Judy Isacoff

Mount Washington, Massachusetts

The Alander Mountain Trail from Mt. Washington State Forest Headquarters withstood significant damage from the recent tropical storms. Lee Brook bridge and the hand-hewn log span over Ashley Brook are washed away, disappeared. Water has gouged the trail mostly out, about a 1.5 foot drop on the downhill leading to the brook. This part of the trail is fragile and should not receive traffic. Depending on rainfall, it might not be possible to cross the brook without getting wet. The ranger said this section might require re-routing, and also reported that the rest of the trail to the summit has been compromised but is passable. On Sept. 21 Park officials met to plan strategy. Trails at many sites are damaged and applications to FEMA are being submitted.

Sages Ravine Trail from the AMC parking lot on Mt. Washington Road is so well engineered and constructed with stone water diversions that it held up against the deluge. The bridge to the campsite washed out but is there to be put back in place. The road to Mt. Everett’s Guilder Pond is closed to motor vehicles.

Do you have a love for the outdoors? Do you enjoy sharing the outdoors and nature with others? Do you want to build your own skills and confidence with outdoor activities?

Whether you’d like to become a Chapter leader or just want to improve your outdoor skills, you’re invited to attend. Training emphasizes group dynamics, leaders’ responsibilities, trip planning and management, weather emergencies, incident/accident scene control, leader awareness, and decision-making.