For Prospective Members of Women Outdoors
Western Massachusetts
Welcome! Please CONTACT US with any questions about events.
Tusi and Nira
Nira at niraharper@gmail.com & Tusi at ritachild@hotmail.com
Western Massachusetts
September thru December 2018
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!
October
Sat. Oct. 6. Kayak Tully Lake. Meet at the kayak put-in on Doane Rd to kayak either the river or the lake or both.
Sun. Oct. 7. Bald Mountain Hike, Hancock, NH. We’ll take a day trip to the Peterborough area to hike a lovely mountain with nice views. The hike is 2.7 miles, about 2.5 hours with stops. It’s moderate with some steep uphills, but ends with a gentle walk by beautiful Willard Pond. We can then go in to Peterborough for cruising, then stop in Brattleboro for dinner on the way back. Carpool from Northampton around 10am.
Mon. Oct. 8. Open House at MFA in Boston. A day trip to the Museum of Fine Arts, a wonderful museum. We’ll carpool at 8am and share parking expenses at the garage.
Sat. Oct. 13. Hike Rice Reserve. A beautiful hike in Wilbraham. Meet at 11am at 26 Highmoor Dr. Wilbraham. The trail starts at the end of the road in a neighborhood. There's rock and some roots but mostly it’s a great woodsy trail up that loops around. It's a beautiful forest and there's a great view at the top. Wear hiking boots & bring bug spray, water and a snack. Someone may want to organize a carpool from Northampton.
Sun. Oct. 14. Mt. Greylock Foliage Hike. Let’s go for a good intermediate hike and see the wonderful foliage on Mt. Greylock. Meet at JFK School.
Sun. Oct. 14. Kayak Tully River. Meet at the kayak put in at 1pm to enjoy the fall foliage by boat. We’ll paddle upstream, then float back downstream on this sweet river.
Fri. Oct. 19. Movie Night. Join Nira at her home in Northampton for a movie tbd.
Sat. Oct. 20. Day Hike up Mt. Monadnock. Meet at 130 Coles Meadow Road at 9:30 am for car pooling. Hike is moderately challenging, very steep, about two hours up and two hours back done at my slow pace. Also, it's about an hour and a half drive up to the trail head in Jaffrey NH, so expect to get home 3 to 4 pm. Hikers should bring plenty of water, lunch/snack, and warm layers for the top including a hat - it can be cold and windy up there! Views are spectacular, though, and you're above treeline.
Sun. Oct. 21. Field Trip to Lowell National Park. This will be an all day event to visit the museums and canal walk at Lowell National Park. Lowell was the birthplace of the labor movement and there are multiple fascinating sites to visit and learn from. Carpool tbd.
Sun. Oct. 28. Pumpkin Carving & Potluck. From 11am – 3pm in Easthampton. Bring your own pumpkin and carving tools and a design as well as a potluck dish. We’ll carve together, eat, then light the pumpkins up for a photo.
Sun. Oct. 28. Book Group & Potluck. We’ll meet in the evening to share dinner together, then discuss The Alice Network, by Kate Quinn.
November
Sat. Nov. 3. Mt Tom Hike. Meet at 11am at the Bray Lake parking lot for an easy-moderate hike. We’ll do one short, steep section near Goat Peak.
Sat. Nov. 3. Movie & Tick Prevention Talk & Hike. Meet from 1 – 3 pm at Pot Pourri Ofice Plaza Conference Room to watch the movie, Under Our Skin, and talk about prevention of tick bites. This will be followed by a hike at Fitzgerald Lake. I hope to get free CedarCide spray for the first 10 people.
Sun. Nov. 4. Chrysanthemum Show at Smith. Meet at 9:30 to see the flower show.
Sun. Nov. 4. Hike Robert Frost Trail. Starting at 1:00, we’ll do an easy, relaxed hike of about 2.5 hours.
Fri. Nov. 9. Smith Museum Exploration. Meet at 3:45 pm at the Smith Art Museum lobby on Arts Night Out and explore art exhibits with a personal guide. Commentary offered, questions welcome!
Fri. Nov. 9. Movie Night. Join Nira at her home in Northampton for a movie tbd.
Sat. Nov. 10. Sing Together. We’ll gather at 7pm to sing our favorite songs. Bring Rise up Singing book if you have it, or just some ideas for songs.
Sun. Nov. 11. Seven Sisters Hike. This is a strenuous hike, around 6 miles and 2000+ feet of elevation. The trail goes up and down constantly along the basalt ridge and there are some rock scrambles. This is a shuttle hike. We meet at the Notch and then drive over to Old Mtn Road where we begin the M&M trail.
Sat. Nov. 17. Rock Gym Climbing. We’ll have a lesson before climbing indoors at the rock gym in Hadley. Led by Debra & Bren. R
Sun. Nov. 18. Book Group & Potluck. We’ll start with a potluck, then discuss A Piece of the World, by Christina Baker. R
Thurs. Nov. 22. Thanksgiving Day Hike . An early hike, place tbd.
Sun. Nov. 25. Hike. Plan for a 2 hour or so hike in the afternoon. Place tbd.
December
Fri. Dec. 7. Games Night. Lola will host a games night at 7pm. Please bring ideas for group parlor games. Bring snacks or a beverage to share.
Sat. Dec. 8. Sing-a-long. Potluck and 6pm and sing at 7. Bring your song ideas.
Fri. Dec. 14. Movie Night. Join Nira at her home in Northampton for a movie tbd.
Sat. Dec. 15. Brunch & Calendar Planning. Nira will host a brunch, social and planning the winter WO calendar. All welcome. Bring your calendars & ideas for activities.
Sun. Dec.16. Buffam Falls Hike & Hot Soup. Start at 3pm with an easy-moderate winter hike at Buffam Falls in Amherst, followed by a late lunch of a variety of soups. Wear yak trax in case of icy conditions.
Sun. Dec 16. Book Group. At 6pm, following the hike & hot soup, Rachel will host the monthly book group. Book choice to be announced over the listserve.
Tues. Dec. 25. Christmas Potluck & Walk. Gather from 12 – 3 pm for a potluck with an optional walk at Amethyst Brook.January Preview
Jan. 1. New Year’s Day Potluck Gathering. At Marilyn & Mary’s in Easthampton. Details to follow.
Early January. Creative Play Date. Details to follow.