Volunteer Activities

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Chapter Vice Chair

Looking for the satisfaction of using your skills to help people Be Outdoors in western Massachusetts? Explore chapter governance in this support role, learning about all areas of the AMC Western MA Chapter, its activities, and the AMC organization.

Upper Goose Pond Cabin: Contractor Load In - Pond Transport

This is the first of two stages of work to transport materials for a contractor who will be performing work at the Cabin. We will work as two groups, one at the Cabin and the other at the boat loading site, loading and unloading the boat transporting equipment and materials across the pond. The boat will arrive at noon and we'll work to 5pm. Once the cargo is at the Cabin dock, we'll start carrying it up the short hill to the work site. If necessary, we have a 2nd day of work scheduled for April 27th.

Upper Goose Pond Cabin: Finish Load In

This is a continuation of the work started on April 26th and will occur only if needed. The Leader will contact participants the evening of the 26th if more work is needed. We will carry any remaining contractor gear approximately 100 yards up hill from the dock area to the cabin.

A.T. Tyringham Cobble Joint Work Day

Join in with local volunteers to maintain the A.T. as it traverses iconic viewpoints on Tyringham Cobble. We'll clip brush and maintain open areas. Possibly carry in and construct bog bridges.

Protect the AT - Maintain the Trail Corridor Boundary

Enjoy the backstage of the A.T. Visit places no hiker has ever seen. Join us in maintaining the boundary lines of the land corridor that protect the A.T. We will be working between Fernside Rd and the Beartown State Forest boundary. Work will include finding and clearing the boundary by clipping brush and small trees with hand tools to maintain a line of sight, and painting yellow blazes along the boundary. Pace will be slow, terrain will include steep sections, and brush may be heavy. Work will be off-trail often in remote areas. Expect to be in the woods the entire day.

Protect the AT - Maintain the Trail Corridor Boundary

Enjoy the backstage of the A.T. Visit places no hiker has ever seen. Join us in maintaining the boundary lines of the land corridor that protect the A.T. We will be working between Fernside Rd and the Beartown State Forest boundary. Work will include finding and clearing the boundary by clipping brush and small trees with hand tools to maintain a line of sight, and painting yellow blazes along the boundary. Pace will be slow, terrain will include steep sections, and brush may be heavy. Work will be off-trail often in remote areas. Expect to be in the woods the entire day.

Invasives Management, Jug End Area

We will be addressing invasive plants in the Jug End area, cutting and hand pulling, using hand tools. Stooping and carrying cut brush. Pace is slow, terrain easy to moderate.

Protect the AT - Maintain the Trail Corridor Boundary

Enjoy the backstage of the A.T. Visit places no hiker has ever seen. Join us in maintaining the boundary lines of the land corridor that protect the A.T. We will be working in North Adams between Phelps Ave and Pattison Rd. Work will include finding and clearing the boundary by clipping brush and small trees with hand tools to maintain a line of sight. Pace will be slow, terrain may occasionally be steep, wet, or rocky. Brush may be heavy. Work will be off-trail, often in remote areas. Expect to be in the woods the entire day.

Upper Goose Pond Cabin Maintenance Day

We will perform annual maintenance in anticipation of the cabin opening for the season. Work will include light carpentry, some digging in rocky soil, cutting brush and servicing moldering privies. Short moderate hike to worksite. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes bring lunch/snacks, and water to drink. Work gloves are recommended.

Open Upper Goose Pond Cabin

Open this iconic A.T. hiker stop for the season. We'll take down the shutters, sweep and clean, set up the outdoor kitchen area, post the "Cabin Open" sign and other tasks to get this beloved place ready for another season.

Anchoring Hop Brook Bridge

Hop Brook Bridge is falling into the stream. We need to secure it for 2-3 years until Federal monies are available for replacement. We will hammer two 10ft long pipes into the ground to anchor the south end of the bridge and attach the bridge to the anchors with chains. We may also raise the low end of the bridge. We must carry heavy materials and tools approx 1/2 mile on easy trail from the parking area.

AT Relocation at Mass/Vermont Border

On this joint project with the Green Mountain Club, we'll make a preliminary cut on the line of a future 0.4 mile relocation of the A.T. at the VT border. Work will consist of cutting small saplings and shrubs with hand tools. There may be a few downed trees across the route that will need a chainsaw. Our work is in preparation for a professional trail crew to come in later and create the actual treadway, rock steps, cribbing and bench cutting.

Replace & Reset Bog Bridges

We will reset wobbly bog bridges and replace any that are failing in the swampy area immediately south of Blue Hill Rd. Conditions will be muddy, if not downright wet. Dress for expected weather conditions.

Privy Moves - Maintaining Privies at AT Campsites

We will be moving the privies at Shaker Campsite and Wilcox South Campsite to new locations. Work involves digging with hand tools and lifting and moving the outhouse several feet to a new site. Work may involve incidental contact with human waste. We will start at Shaker Campsite, approx 1/2 mile down hill from the meeting location. Upon completion, we will drive approx 30 mins to the access to Wilcox South Shelter, and hike another 1/2 mile down hill to that work site.