Volunteers Level Up their Skills at Stewardship Workshop

The last Saturday in May was wet and dreary, like many of the Saturdays in Spring and early Summer this year. Despite the conditions, fourteen undaunted volunteers showed up to the Hanging Mountain Trail Stewardship Workshop, a two-day training led by Sam Brakely from Hermit Woods Trailbuilders.

The Western Massachusetts Climbers Coalition hosted 27(!) trail days in 2024, a massive achievement for a small, volunteer based organization. A majority of the trail days the WMCC hosts are focused on building steps and retaining walls with available stone, which requires skill and technique. Although volunteers have the opportunity to learn and practice at all of our trail days, the workshop with Hermit Woods provides an opportunity for volunteers to focus on learning techniques and hone their craft.

The Hanging Mountain Stewardship Workshop was made possible by a grant from the Access Fund and the Boston chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. These grants helped pay Hermit Woods for two days of instruction, and provide for lodging for volunteers on Saturday night and food. Volunteers from the WMCC, the AMC, and the Trustees of Reservations all came together for the common goal of upgrading their skills so they can care for their trails.

Drenched and covered in mud from head to toe after wrapping up day one, everyone went to the nearby American Legion, where we ate dinner, sat around a campfire, and camped out by the Farmington River. The next day proved to be much drier – the sun came out and spirits were high. In all, the volunteers completed eleven steps leading up to the South Wall, a crag still in development at Hanging Mountain. There is more work to be done before the South Wall can be opened to the public. If you’d like to help complete the steps and establish a belay platform at the new crag, join us for the Hanging Mountain Hangout on Oct. 25th. No experience necessary – just bring a willingness to learn and play with rocks!