Welcome!  Please CONTACT US with any questions about events.

Tusi and Nira

Nira at niraharper@gmail.com   &    Tusi at ritachild@hotmail.com

Western Massachusetts

October through December 2019

Please note that all Women Outdoors trips are cooperative trips led by volunteers.  While members are concerned for safety, our experience levels differ and mistakes may be made.  There may also be equipment failure, unexpected dangers, or conditions beyond our control (such as weather).  There is also an inherent level of risk in many of the activities that cannot be eliminated.  Women Outdoors and its coordinators don’t train, screen or certify any of the leaders or supervise the trips.  All trips are offered in the common adventurer spirit – where each participant is responsible for her own skills level and safety.  Please be sure to verify all of the information above as well as the organizer’s experience and trip plans to your own satisfaction so you can make an informed decision about whether the trip is right and safe for you.  Remember that in choosing to participate you are agreeing to assume responsibility for all risks associated with the activity.  Women Outdoors trips have an excellent safety record.  We ask that you take care to keep it this way!

Fri. Oct. 4. Video Night.  Come at 6:45 pm to watch a movie at my house in Northampton.

Sat. Oct. 5. Mindfullness Walk at DAR. Join us a 1:00 at DAR in Goshen for a gentle, mindful walk in silence and mindful sharing.

Sun. Oct. 6. Paddle & Leaf Peeping.  Meet at the Sunderland boat put-in at 1:30 to paddle upstream and float back down while enjoying the fall colors. 

Fri. Oct. 11. Bike Ride on Norwattuck Rail Trail.  Meet at 10:00 am at the trail head behind Whole Foods in Hadley for an easy ride to Amherst.

Sat. Oct. 12.  Mindful Walk at Fitzgerald Lake.  Join us at 1:00 pm at the Marian St. entrance for a gentle, mindful walk. 

Sun. Oct. 13. Mt Greylock Foliage Hike.  We’ll carpool from JFK School in Northampton for an intermediate hike on Mt. Greylock. Time tbd.

Sat. Oct. 19. Foliage Hike to Mt. Toby Fire Tower. We’ll meet at 1:00 pm at the Reservoir Road parking area.  This is about a 2 hour round trip easy to moderate hike to the summit of Mt. Toby. Folks can bring binoculars for the spectacular views from the fire tower. 

Sun. Oct. 20.  Hike tbd. We’ll do a 1.5 – 2 hour hike in plenty of time to get to the book group.

Sun. Oct. 27. Pumpkin Carving with Potluck.  Meet from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm in Easthampton.  Being a potluck lunch and a pumpkin to carve.

Sat. Nov. 2. Hike Part of Seven Sisters. We’ll start at the Summit House and hike from 1:30 to 4:00 returning to the Summit House. Moderately strenuous with lots of ups and downs and nice views.  

Sun. Nov. 3. Mt. Washington State Forest Hike. We’ll hike Mt Washington State Forest to Race Brook Falls in the Berksires.  Details to follow over the listserve.

Sat. Nov. 9.  Video Night. Come at 7:00 pm to watch a video at Debra’s in Florence. 

Sun. Nov. 10. Hike tbd.  

Mon. Nov. 11.  Full Moon Poetry Hike. Meet at 3:00 pm to hike to the Summit House at Holyoke State Park.  Bring a favorite poem to share.

Sat. Nov. 16. Games Night.  Potluck starting at 6:00 with games to follow!  Come to Gretchen's and Karen's home at 27 Prospect AVENUE (not Street) in Northampton.  We have games and women are welcome to bring their favorites!

Sun. Nov. 17. Hike at Rice Reserve.  Meet at 11:00 am at the trailhead, 26 Highmoor Dr. Wilbraham.  Someone can arrange a carpool from Northampton. This trail is approximately 1.3 miles from the Highmoor Dr. entrance to Sunrise Peak. It's a loop trail with a lovely view.  Here are the links: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rice-nature-preserve-wilbraham

http://minnechauglandtrust.org/rice-nature-preserve/

Sun. Nov. 17. Book Group with Potluck.  We’ll have an early evening potluck, followed by discussion of Nomadland by Jessica Bruder. 

Sat. Nov. 23.  Parlor Games.  Meet at 7:00 or so.  Bring parlor game ideas and snacks to share. 

Sat. Nov. 30. Hike near Ruggles Pond in Wendell State Forest. Easy to moderate 2-hour forest loop hike (starts at Ruggles Pond, goes along Lyon's Brook, then some uphill and 2 small overlooks). Time TBD.

Sat. Dec. 7.  Hike or Ski. We’ll do a hike tbd or ski if there is snow.  10:00 – 12:00 noon. 

Sun. Dec. 8.  Hike Lithia Springs to Brian’s Rock.   10:00 am. We’ll hike out to the reservoir, then do a moderate climb up to Brian's Rock (part of the 7 Sisters) and loop back down.  Approx. 1hr 45 min hike. Dogs allowed.  Park at Gagne's market (458 Amherst Rd.-the intersection of Pearl St. and 116.)

Fri. Dec. 13. Music Night.  Music night with singing and instruments and pot luck dinner on from 6:00 - 8:30 pm in Florence.

Sun. Dec. 15.  Hike or Ski. Depending on the snow conditions, we’ll either do a 1.5 – 2 hr hike or a x-country ski. 

Sun. Dec. 15. Book Group & Potluck. We’ll have an early evening potluck, followed by a discussion of Becoming, my Michelle Obama.  At Meredith’s in Leeds. Contact Meredith at meredith.messages@gmail.com.

Sat. Dec. 21. Holiday Party & Calendar Planning.  We’ll plan the winter calendar and have dinner and holiday activities.  At Nira’s in Northampton:  niraharper@gmail.com or 413-320-3158.

Sun. Dec. 22. X-Country Skiing at Notchview.  Snow permitting, we’ll meet at 1:00 pm to ski the beautiful trails of Notchview in Windsor, MA. 

Wednesday Hikes. Nira will lead a hike most Wednesdays at 1:00 pm.  Details will be on the listserve. 

Get ready!  Craftsbury Ski Trip March 6-8, 2019