About us
Welcome! We’re the 20s/30s+ Committee of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Western MA Chapter — a fun, friendly group for people in their 20s & 30s who love the outdoors and want to explore Western Mass and New England with others.
Whether you’re new to hiking, just moved to the area, or have years of outdoor experience, you’ll find a welcoming community here. We organize group hikes, paddles, ski trips, campouts, social gatherings, trail work days, and more — all with a focus on community, inclusivity, and shared adventure.
You don’t need to be an AMC member to join our Meetup group or come to events (though we love it when you become one!). Most of our activities are free or low-cost and are led by trained volunteers who are excited to share their passion for the outdoors.
Join us to explore new trails, meet like-minded folks, and build lasting connections — both on and off the trail.
Upcoming events
16
(20s/30s+) Wessels Series: Wantastiquet Mountain
Location not specified yetActivity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 2 - Relaxed
Trip Leader(s): Roseanna Lacas
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UUN000002C3nN
Register By: 5/13/2026
Audience: 20’s & 30’sDescription: Join other folks in their 20s and 30s on a hike along Summit Trail at Wantastiquet Mountain, learning about basal fire scars, stump sprouts, and glacial and flooding impacts along the way. Starting at the Wantastiquet Monadnock Trailhead, we will take the Summit Trail, at a slow pace, allowing for education and discussion about the interesting ecological aspects of this hike. We will then take an old carriage road along the Connecticut River to a viewpoint looking south along the river.
The hike will be 3.0 miles in total with a gradual uphill gain of 482 ft on the way to the site of the 2007 fire on these slopes and a relatively flat track along a carriage road. We will not be visiting the summit of Wantastiquet Mountain. I recommend bringing a small day pack with water and a light snack and perhaps some binoculars or hiking poles if desired.
Please wear appropriate footwear for a short, slightly uphill hike like sneakers, hiking boots, or sandals with a sturdy sole and heel strap such as Chacos. We will still hike in light rain but heavy rain will cancel the hike. I welcome you to join us for lunch somewhere in Brattleboro after the hike. **** This hike is part of the WMass 20s/30+ Wessels Series in which we will use Tom Wessels’ New England’s Roadside Ecology as a guide to talk about the interesting ecological aspects of the WMass /Southern NH/Southern VT area. Here is the full series schedule: Sunday April 19 Elder’s Grove 10am Saturday May 16 Wantastiquet Mountain 11am Saturday June 6 William Cullen Bryant Homestead 5pm Saturday July 11 Rhododendron State Park 11am Saturday August 15 Bartholomew’s Cobble 4pm Saturday September 26 Monument Mountain 2pm Saturday October 10 Vernon Town Forest 11am Saturday November 21 Pisgah State Forest 11am **** Join the Western MA 20s/30s+ WhatsApp Group , where participants share upcoming events, photos, and occasionally connect around informal, non-AMC outings!
Follow us on Instagram @AMCWesternMA20s30s !
We always welcome your feedback on this activity and your experiences with the AMC Western MA 20s/30s+ community.
**** Rosie Lacas (she/her): Rosie lives in Amherst, MA and is a hiking and social leader for the Western MA Chapter. She has special interests in plant and wildlife ecology and the history of rural New England. She is working on her NH48 and takes great joy in planning outdoor adventures.
(activity photo courtesy of Hinsdale, NH town website)Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!
1 attendee(20s/30s+) Backpacking the Appalachian Trail
Location not specified yetActivity Type: Backpacking | Backpacking
Difficulty: 5 - Vigorous
Trip Leader(s): Hew Hart
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP:https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UUN000001f8Nd
Register By: 5/7/2026
Audience: 20’s & 30’sDescription: Join AMC Western MA 20s/30s for a spring weekend backpacking trip along a quiet, forested stretch of the Appalachian Trail in the Berkshires. Over two days, we’ll hike nearly 19 miles through classic New England woods, with rolling ridgelines, seasonal stream crossings, and peaceful sections of remote trail.
This is a self-supported backpacking trip designed for hikers with prior independent experience. We are capping the group size for this hike at 5 hikers and 1 leader. Participants should be confident in carrying all necessary gear, managing their own shelter, food, and water treatment, and hiking sustained mileage over two days. Expect spring trail conditions, including mud, bugs, and cool overnight temperatures.
We’ll coordinate gear checks, car shuttles, and group communication with confirmed participants prior to the trip.
No dogs, please.
**** Join the Western MA 20s/30s+ WhatsApp Group , where we post upcoming events, share photos, and connect for informal non-AMC outings!
We always welcome your feedback on this activity and your experiences with the AMC Western MA 20s/30s+ community.
This is intended to be a 20s/30s+ affinity trip, but everyone is welcome. If you do not identify with that group, we trust that you have reviewed our allyship criteria, have done your due diligence to educate yourself, and have committed to abide by our Code of Conduct . If you have questions, please contact the trip leader(s) by emailing them for more information.Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!
1 attendee(20s/30s+) Intro to Backpacking Workshop
Location not specified yetActivity Type: Backpacking | Backpacking
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Hew Hart
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP:https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UUN000001uyyb
Register By: 5/22/2026
Audience: 20’s & 30’sDescription: Curious about backpacking, but not sure where to start? Join us for a relaxed, hands-on introduction at AMC’s Noble View Outdoor Center. This weekend workshop blends practical skills with friendly, low-key instruction to help you gain confidence and comfort in the backcountry.
We’ll camp on the tent platforms and, after our first night, we’ll hit the trail — packing up as if heading into the backcountry and hiking the local trail network before setting up camp again at day’s end right where we started. Evenings will feature campfires, social time, and informal discussions. Noble View offers nearby parking, a bathhouse with toilets and showers, and a comfortable setting to build your backpacking confidence.
Topics Covered: Leave No Trace principles, site selection, water filtration, waste disposal, food storage, gear selection (especially the “Big Three” — shelter, sleep system, and backpack), as well as trip planning, nutrition, hydration, packing strategies, and tips for staying comfortable in changing conditions.
Preferred Experience: Participants should have some experience with car or front-country camping, be flexible, and be able to tolerate occasional discomfort (we promise it’ll always be safe, supportive, and fun!).
Required Gear (available to borrow if needed): Shelter – tent, tarp, or other suitable setup Sleep system – sleeping bag or quilt, sleeping pad Backpack – large enough for overnight gear Food – easy-to-prepare meals Clothing – layers appropriate for the forecast Other essentials – water bottles or reservoir, headlamp, eating utensils, personal items, and rain protection Missing something? No problem — we have gear available to borrow, and will share detailed packing and planning information ahead of time. This trip is intended for first-timers and beginners, so don't stress over what you have or need!
Goal: For participants to be ready to join our to-be-planned beginner backcountry trips later in the season!
**** Join the Western MA 20s/30s+ WhatsApp Group , where we post upcoming events, share photos, and connect for informal non-AMC outings!
Follow us on Instagram @AMCWesternMA20s30s !
We always welcome your feedback on this activity and your experiences with the AMC Western MA 20s/30s+ community.Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!
1 attendee(20s/30s) National Trails Day Hike to Rounds Rock
Location not specified yetActivity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Hew Hart
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UUN000002C7nl
Audience: 20’s & 30’sDescription: Join AMC Western MA 20s/30s for a National Trails Day hike to Rounds Rock, a scenic overlook within the Mt. Greylock State Reservation in the northern Berkshires.
National Trails Day is the Chapter's biggest outdoor celebration of the year! On June 6, AMC Western MA will have groups out paddling, maintaining trails, cycling, and hiking across the region, all converging back in Cheshire midday. This hike is one of those activities.
We'll begin at Diane's Twist in Cheshire, at the intersection of the Ashuwilticook Rail Trail and the Appalachian Trail, for the Chapter's National Trails Day kickoff — juice, donuts, the NTD pledge, and a group photo — before carpooling together to the trailhead. Our hike is a 4–5 mile loop with moderate elevation gain, making our way up to the Rounds Rock overlook for an early lunch break with views, then descending back to the cars.
After the hike, we'll return to the rail trail to meet up with other AMC members, and cap the day with an ice cream treat at Diane's Twist.
Dogs are allowed in Mt. Greylock State Reservation, and must be leashed at all times; please let the leader(s) know if you intend to bring your pup!Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!
1 attendee
Past events
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