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Message from the Chapter ChairWelcome to our website! Mohawk Hudson Chapter is the smallest among the 12 chapters in the Appalachian Mountain Club, but we are going strong, and welcome your stepping forward and helping us to expand our range of outdoor and committee activities. As I take on being the chapter chair, instead of co-chair, I would like to encourage more of our members of all ages to share your talents and skills, so that our chapter becomes known for "hiking and other activities for people of all ages and abilities." One of the strengths of our chapter has been offering distance- and difficulty-friendly hiking trips for folks who love to be with others love exploring in the outdoors, but don't see hiking as an athletic event. Our mid-week and HARP (hiking at a relaxed pace) are very popular, with a nucleus of regulars, and frequent new or occasional joiners. We welcome your ideas for new activities, such as biking or kayaking, and hope you will consider offering to lead for us friendly trips that might not be too physically challenging, as these seem to be most popular, and what we do well. If you are a younger AMC member and/or find that the number of more strenuous hikes we offer is too few, we welcome your input and participation in our leadership training so that the chapter can offer more of this type of activity also. We would welcome someone engaged in the on-line social networking scene to organize and lead AMC/MH activities. For people who like trail-building activities, we have trails north and south of the Capital District in need of people to be active trail maintainers. If you are an armchair enthusiast, consider joining our Conservation Committee to work on land use, environmental and related activities. And, as always, ask your friends to join and be part of the fun! So explore the website, and let me know your ideas. Wally Herrod Meeting With Rensselaer Land Trust - An Opportunity For CollaborationOn January 14, Conservation Committee Chair Art Fontijn and Chapter Chair Wally Herrod met in Troy with Christine Young, Esq., Executive Director of the Rensselaer Land Trust, to discuss how we might work together to further their goals and those of the AMC in the rather vast rural and mountainous area of Rensselaer County. Rensselaer County has a total of 39 "natural areas" that are described in Land Trust's book. A "natural area" is one that "represents desirable environmental features and qualities that will be maintained into the future because of the absence of development or other major disturbance. They are open to the public for hiking, and sometimes for boating, skiing, and other passive recreational activities. Since Rensselaer County is so close for most of our chapter members, maybe our Mohawk Hudson Chapter could become more familiar with and assist in publicizing and maintaining some of these valuable resources, just as the Adirondack Mountain Club does in Adirondack Park. The Land Conservancy runs many hiking trips to these areas, and also does trail work, natural and historic educational programs and stewardship. There seems to be a great possibility that our chapter can combine its resources with their members to the benefit of all. It would also give our chapter more of a sense of mission. Art and I would like to hear from our chapter members if they would like to participate with our conservation committee on fostering and taking advantage of these opportunities, or to give your reactions. Thanks. Wally and Art. Cross Country Ski Trip in Stowe VermontThe Connecticut Chapter has extended an invitation to join their 3 night ski trip, February 15th through the 18th. Interested intermediate skiers should contact Paula Burton right away as they will soon be canceling the rest of the reserved rooms. Read more about the trip here. Trip Leadership Workshop
Four potential leaders attended the Mohawk Hudson Trip Leadership Workship on November 7th with Chapter Co-Chair Wally Herrod. Shown from left to right:
Amy MacDonald, Randy MacDonald, Wally Herrod , John Tifft. Also attending but not shown was Stacey Coppey.
Each year our chapter sponsors a free day-long trip leadership workshop, covering such topics as group dynamics, safety and emergency response, liability, setting your goals, and choosing and promoting your trip. It is appropriate for hiking, canoeing, biking, birding, etc. The day is facilitated by a staff member from the Appalachian Mountain Club. Second Annual Spring FlingAMC is holding its Second Annual Spring Fling on April 30 – May 2, 2010 at AMC’s Mohican Outdoor Center in Blairstown, New Jersey. See the attached flyer for more information. |
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