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Mountaineering Committee

Our Mountaineering Committee organizes rock climbing (sport, traditional, and multi-pitch), plus the occasional ice climbing, indoor wall climbing, or backcountry skiing trip. Our volunteers run trips all year. Some are day trips or after-work evening trips to local climbs, others are multi-day trips to more distant venues.

The best climber is the one who is having the most fun. - Alex Lowe

The best climber is the one who is having the most fun. - Alex Lowe

We are committed to increasing the accessibility of the climbing world. If you're in doubt about your qualifications for a particular trip or what equipment you might need, ask the listed trip leader. Our committee is able to provide much of the equipment necessary.
We look forward to climbing with you!

Climbing at AMC

Chris Neil, Committee Chair
Rock and ice climbing are exhilarating activities that push individuals to their physical and mental limits. AMC has been a pioneer in teaching people the skills necessary to safely enjoy these challenging pursuits. Through a combination of expert guidance, experiential learning, and a deep respect for nature, AMC has cultivated a community of climbers who not only conquer mountains but also develop a profound connection to the natural world.

Upcoming Activities

Click or tap on the Register links to learn more and/or register for activities.

Gym Climbing at CRG Hadley

Location: Hadley, MA
Date: 22‑Oct‑2025
Register »
Work week got you down? Please join the Mountaineering Committee for some midweek climbing! We will meet at 5:30pm at Central Rock Gym in Hadley for a few hours of laid-back climbing and socializing.
Please be aware that an active membership or day pass is required to climb at CRG Hadley and you must also sign their liability waiver. Rental gear is available. If you know how to belay but are not certified to belay at Central Rock Gym, you will need to pass a belay test upon entering the gym.

Sun Bowl Climbing Trip

Location: Sunderland, MA
Date: 25‑Oct‑2025
Register »
If you have climbed or taken a course with the Western MA Mountaineering committee this past year please join us for a 1/2 day of climbing before the chapter's annual meeting. We'll be sport climbing at a crag with 20'-30' climbs that offer a variety of grades 5.3-5.10.

Gym Climbing at CRG Hadley

Location: Hadley, MA
Date: 29‑Oct‑2025
Register »
Work week got you down? Please join the Mountaineering Committee for some midweek climbing! We will meet at 5:30pm at Central Rock Gym in Hadley for a few hours of laid-back climbing and socializing.
Please be aware that an active membership or day pass is required to climb at CRG Hadley and you must also sign their liability waiver. Rental gear is available. If you know how to belay but are not certified to belay at Central Rock Gym, you will need to pass a belay test upon entering the gym.

Wednesday Night Climbing - CRG Hadley w/Social Hour at the Quarters

Location: Hadley, MA
Date: 05‑Nov‑2025
Register »
Please join the Mountaineering Committee and our friends from the 20s/30s Committee for an evening of socializing and climbing! We will meet at 5:30 PM at Central Rock Gym in Hadley, climb for a few hours, and then head over to the Quarters for a post-climbing social. We are excited to see some new faces and welcome those who are interested in learning more about climbing!
Please be aware that an active membership or day pass is required to climb at CRG Hadley and you must also sign their liability waiver. Rental gear is available. If you know how to belay but are not certified to belay at Central Rock Gym, you will need to pass a belay test upon entering the gym.

Season of the Sticks Weekend

Location: Erving, MA
Date: 15‑Nov‑2025 ➢ 16‑Nov‑2025
Register »
Do you frown when the scenery starts to get brown? Maybe it's the shorter days and encroaching cold. Or maybe you are anxiously awaiting for the ice to form and the snow to fall so you can get working on your winter objectives. Either way, stick season is that time of year that often goes underappreciated. But there is still plenty of natural beauty to be found in the brown. So come out and enjoy the transitionary time between the bright autumn leaves and the glistening winter landscape by joining the Western MA Mountaineering crew for a weekend of top rope rock climbing followed by a day of dry tooling (mixed climbing)! Break out those rock gloves and picks, pack some extra layers and a hot drink and get ready to send stick season.
Top rope rock climbing will be held on Saturday at a local western MA crag and dry tooling will be planned for Sunday in southern NH.
All participants must bring the following gear: helmet, harness, belay device for both days and ice tools, crampons and mountaineering boots for dry tooling. If you do not have the necessary gear, please tell us what you need and a trip leader will reach out to you.
Prior experience belaying is a must. Never dry tooled before? That's okay, a Western MA Mountaineering leader will be available for instruction and a trip leader can reach out to you beforehand to provide more information about this activity. Keep in mind that there are risks associated with all varieties of climbing and safety is our top priority. As always, we thank you for your interest and participation and we look forward to climbing with you!

Activity Schedule

All activities are subject to cancellation due to poor weather conditions. Check activities on outdoors.org for up-to-the-minute additions not yet shown here. Not all activities may be posted yet.
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