Gros Morne National Park and More

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KTA-Gros-Morne

Wednesday, October 16th
7:30 PM at 100 Illicks Mill Rd, Bethlehem, PA

Join Delaware Valley Chapter/Lehigh Valley Group members Welles Lobb and Terry Oravec for a photo recap and Q and A on their recent hiking adventures in Newfoundland. Their trip, organized by Keystone Trails Association (KTA), was centered in the West Coast and Northern Peninsula regions of Newfoundland. It included six days in massive Gros Morne National Park, which offered a stunning variety of moderate and challenging hikes. Later, the group would venture to the far north of the province, for a stop at the Viking settlement site at L’Anse aux Meadows and a two-night stay in the retired light station at fogbound Quirpon Island (where the Gulf of St. Lawrence and North Atlantic Ocean meet). Welles will also offer a quick “fun facts” tutorial on the geography and culture of Newfoundland and Labrador (as Canada’s most eastern province is officially named). KTA, in addition to its extensive work in trail building in Pennsylvania, offers exciting adventure-travel trips to a variety of locations in Europe and North America.

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KTA-WBL-and-TVO

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome. This meeting will take place in-person only, not on Zoom. Contact coordinator with any questions.

Cambodia, Worth the trip

Wednesday, September 18, at 7:30 pm, Illicks Mill, 100 Illicks Mill Rd, Bethlehem, PA

In-person only (not on Zoom).

Phill Hunsberger will tell us why Cambodia was never on his " Bucket List ", but after a trip to attend a family wedding, he may want to visit there again.

Once ravaged by war, this Southeast Asian country is starting to recover and show its natural beauty. Cambodia is now becoming quite an interesting destination for travelers, including hikers!

Information on upcoming outdoor events in our area will be available. Everyone is welcome – reservations not required.

Contact coordinator with any questions.

Wildlands Conservancy

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AMC-DV Lehigh Valley Group Meeting. Weds. June 19, 2024, 7:30 PM at Illick’s Mill, 100 Illick’s Mill Rd, Bethlehem, PA and on Zoom.

  • Who has protected over 60,000 acres in the greater Lehigh River Watershed?
  • Who has restored 25 miles of streams?
  • Who educates 20,000 children every year on the importance of keeping the Lehigh Valley open, vibrant and sustainable?

THE WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY, that’s who, along with its many local partners!

Canoe-Beltsville-State-Park

Christine Murray, who has been a part-time Environmental Educator for 12 years at the Wildlands Conservancy in Emmaus, will tell us about Wildlands’ origins, accomplishments and goals. Wildlands has been at the forefront for removing dams in Pennsylvania. It has enhanced the health of streams throughout the region with native plantings. Its “Wild About Learning” program for 1st graders across the Lehigh Valley has been a huge success.

If attending in person, no registration is required.

Please register in advance for this meeting if attending via Zoom.

Information on AMC programs and upcoming outdoor events will be available.

Special note – Wildlands Conservancy will be sponsoring their 28th annual Lehigh River Sojourn on June 8-11. Click this link for additional info on this special event: https://www.wildlandspa.org/lehighriversojourn/

Alaska’s National Parks: A Glimpse of Alaska’s Natural Treasures

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Weds, May 15th 7:30 PM at Illick’s Mill, 100 Illick’s Mill Rd, Bethlehem, PA and on Zoom (link below)

Join Holly Adams as she gives us a glimpse of Alaska’s natural treasures. Alaska gets its name from the Aleut word meaning “the great land”, and indeed it is! Its landmass and diverse topographic features can only be described with superlatives. No other state has as many of North America’s highest peaks; larger expanses of glaciers and icefields; a more extensive coastline; thousands of rivers and millions of lakes; towering sand dunes; and potentially active volcanoes. These and many other natural wonders are protected in Alaska’s 8 National Parks – most of which are remote and cannot be easily reached. Few have maintained trails, lodging, or other services.

Join us on a whirlwind month-long trip through 7 of the parks to view just a few of Alaska’s treasures, including some of the unique fauna and flora that inhabit the diverse biomes of America’s 49th state.

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome.

If attending in person, no registration is required.

Please register in advance for this meeting if attending via Zoom, at:

Appalachian Trail Museum

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7:30 PM at Illicks Mill, 100 Illicks Mill Rd, Bethlehem, Pa 18017 and on Zoom.

A.T. Museum founder/president Larry Luxenberg and Museum volunteer/AMC Lehigh Valley Group member Greg Cook invite us to learn about the only museum devoted to the origins and life on the Appalachian Trail. Located at the halfway point of the 2,200-mile-long A.T. in Pine Grove Furnace State Park southwest of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the Museum also operates the nearby Ironmaster’s Mansion hostel for hikers. Larry will talk about the founding and development of the A.T. Museum and life on the trail. Greg will explain how he became involved at the A.T. Museum and what it’s like to volunteer.

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome. Reservations are required. Contact coordinator with any questions.

The recording from this past event is available in the link below. event has

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Photo Credit: Greg Cook

The Colorado Trail

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Mar 20, 2024 07:30 PM EST @ Lehigh Valley Group Zoom meeting

Margot Lacey will share another one of her trail experiences in the western US with us: the Colorado Trail. This trail wends its way from just outside Denver southwest to Durango. Over its 486 miles, it rises from 5522 feet to a high of 13,271 feet at mile 373. For over 300 miles, the CT and the CDT share the trail.

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Photo Credit: Margot Lacey

The Colorado Trail crosses eight mountain ranges, six national forests, and countless streams and rivers. There are oxygen-deprived climbs and some hot, dry slogs along miles of fence-line in cattle country, but the magnificent mountain passes, gorgeous mesas, and splendid alder and aspen alleys make the Colorado Trail totally worth the effort. Including a few rest days in fabulous trail towns, Margot spent thirty-one days on the trail last summer, before having to come off just seventy miles from the end. Plans are already in place for her to get back on the trail and become a “Trail Completer” in 2024!

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome.

The video of the presentation cna be found in the link below.

Zion and Bryce Canyon

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Photo Credit: Beth Zimmer

Wed. Feb. 21 Lehigh Valley Group Monthly Meeting – on Zoom only

AMC Adventure Travel Leader Beth Zimmer will take us on a  “virtual-journey” to the wondrous SW corner of Utah as she shares photos from her September 2023 trip to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks.  This will also be a great chance to learn about AMC volunteer-led Adventure Travel trips and how to find your next adventure!

Information on upcoming DV Chapter events will also be provided.

Sorry, the recording of this past presentation is no longer available.

Japan: Land of the Rising Sun,

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snow-monkeys-hot-springs
Photo Credit: Lisa Lombardi

Lehigh Valley Group Zoom Meeting.

Lisa Lombardi, will virtually take us on this HF Holiday trip which was led by a tireless Japanese guide, Fumiko. Lisa was joined 19 other hikers from Australia, England, Canada and the US. Together, they hiked parts of ancient Japanese trails, passed through small villages and visited key shrines and temples in Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara. This trip was a perfect blend of hiking and experiencing Japanese culture.

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome. 

Contact coordinator with any questions

View the recording of this past event in the link below.

Costa Rica’s Biodiversity. “Pura Vida” – the Pure Life. 

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This was heard many times a day during Susan Weida’s recent stay in Costa Rica. Tiny Costa Rica contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity, 121 volcanic formations, 800 miles of coastline, and hundreds of native birds. Its unique national identity is focused on the conservation of this environment as a centerpiece of the national economy, along with a focus on providing excellent education and healthcare to its citizens. In 1949 Costa Rica abolished their army to focus on these priorities. DV Chapter member Susan Weida will tell us about her Road Scholar trip to see five of the unique ecological areas in Costa Rica which included contact with proud Costa Rican conservationists, farmers, and ecotourism providers.

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We will once again be meeting in person at Illick’s Mill in Bethlehem as well as on Zoom. No registration is required for in-person attendance, register with this link if attending on Zoom.

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome. Contact coordinator with any questions.

If you missed the AMC Lehigh Valley Group program Costa Rica’s Biodiversity on November 15th, presented by DV Chapter member Susan Weida about her recent Road Scholar trip to see five of the unique ecological areas in Costa Rica, you can now view the meeting/presentation in the link below.

From Superfund to Super Habitat: The Grassroots Story of Lehigh Gap Nature Center

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7:30 PM at Illicks Mill, 100 Illicks Mill Rd, Bethlehem, Pa 18017 and on Zoom.

Nestled within the Kittatinny Ridge between Slatington and Palmerton, Lehigh Gap Nature Center (LGNC) is the only environmental education center in the United States created from a Superfund site. LGNC Director, Chad Schwartz, will discuss how the organization has used native plants to restore ecological function and beauty to a once barren and polluted ‘moonscape.’

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome. Reservations are required. Contact coordinator with any questions.

Please register in advance for this meeting on Zoom meeting.

Triglav National Park – Slovenia

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7:30 PM at Illicks Mill, 100 Illicks Mill Rd, Bethlehem, Pa 18017, in-person and on Zoom

Jim Bloom and Lynn Fraiser will present a slide show on their recent trip to Slovenia which included visits to Triglav National Park and the capital city of Ljubljana. They enjoyed great hiking, biking, and exploring of picturesque villages and the city of Ljubljana. From their base camp at wonderful Camp Spik, their explorations took them to beautiful mountain views, waterfalls, lakes, wildflowers, outdoor markets, an art museum, and even a castle.

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome. Contact the coordinator with any questions.

We will once again be meeting in person at Illick’s Mill in Bethlehem as well as on Zoom No registration is required for in-person attendance, register with link if attending on Zoom.



AMC Trip Policy

Everest Base Camp

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everest-mountain-range

Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 7:30 PM

We will once again be meeting in person at Illick’s Mill in Bethlehem as well as on Zoom

No registration is required for in-person attendance, register with link below if attending on Zoom.

Join Phill Hunsberger on last fall’s trek to Everest Base Camp and Chitwan National Park in Nepal. Learn a bit about trekking, mountain climbing, and riding an elephant in this unique and beautiful country!

Also, meet our new AT Ridgerunner Piljo Yae, who will do a short talk before the evening’s program.

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome. Reservations are not required if you are attending in person, but will be necessary if you are connecting via Zoom.

This was a previous recorded event. Click the link below to watch the recording.

The D & L Trail – Good Things Coming!

D and L Trail

In November 2022, PA announced a $7 million plan to improve the D&L Trail in the Lehigh Valley. Join Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor’s Conservation Coordinator Brit Kondravy to find out how this investment will affect the D&L Trail, and how the D&L Trail fits into the regional trail network – THE LINK.

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome. Reservations are not required if you are attending in person, but will be necessary if you are connecting via Zoom

Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 7:30 PM

This event was recorded and can be viewed from clicking the button below.

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Overnight Canoe Camping in the Adirondack Wilderness

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Wednesday, April 19, 2023, 7:30 PM

Explore some of the Adirondacks’ most remote, overnight canoe camping areas with Mark Zakutansky, covering three summers of paddle-in, paddle-out primitive trips across the more than 30,000-acre William C. Whitney & Round Lake Wilderness Area on Lake Lila, Little Tupper Lake, and Round Lake. Joined on these excursions by Mark’s wife, Leigh, son, Brady and dog, Rio, as well as family friends, we’ll discover the thrills and challenges of multi-day wilderness camping with kids, including route planning, weather emergencies, food packing, portaging, as well as the uniqueness and cherished beauty of the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park, our nation’s largest publicly protected area in the lower 48 states. Along the way, we’ll find beaver lodges, loon nests, long abandoned camps and trails, fishing holes, gorgeous sunsets, night skies, evening campfires, card games and stories galore.

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available.

Location: Illicks Mill, 100 Illicks Mill Rd, Bethlehem, Pa 18017 or join us on Zoom

Everyone is welcome. Reservations are not required if you are attending in person, but will be necessary if you are connecting via Zoom

Please click the link below if you are interested in watching this past presentation.

Tour Du Mont Blanc

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Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 7:30 PM

In the summer of 2022, Justin Fried hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc with his wife and a group of fellow AMC members. This 110-mile route circumnavigates the highest peak in the Alps and traverses some of the most stunning mountain scenery anywhere on earth. Their trip lasted 12 days and involved climbing over many high mountain passes and descending into many quaint alpine villages. It also took them to three countries: France, Italy, and Switzerland. Join Justin for a recap of this once-in-a-lifetime trip!

Meeting Details: Lehigh Valley Group meeting – Weds, March 15, 2023 at 7:30 PM at Illicks Mill, 100 Illicks Mill Rd, Bethlehem, PA and on Zoom.

Watch the video recording of the presentation.

Trekking Patagonia

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Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 7:30 PM

“Sam” (a.k.a.Ruth) Jamke is a recent transplant to Hagerstown, MD from AMC’s NH Chapter, where she has been a four-season hike leader for many years. A life member of AMC and former member of the Club’s Board of Directors, Sam also leads many Adventure Travel trips for AMC.

Patagonia is one of her favorite destinations and she loves to talk about her four visits to this beautiful region of South America. She has hiked and backpacked in both Chile and Argentina, including multiple hut-to-hut treks on the popular “W” in Torres del Paine National Park. Come along as we experience this region through photos and Sam’s fond memories.

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Information on upcoming outdoor events is announced after the presentation. Everyone is welcome.

View a recording of the presentation below.

Northampton County Parks – Present and Future

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Wednesday, January 18, 2023, 7:30PM – 9:30PM

Location: Illick’s Mill, 100 Illick’s Mill road, Bethelehem, PA

Registration is not required for this activity.

Bryan Cope, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation for Northampton County, will tell us about the trails in Northampton County that now exist, like the Nor-Bath Trail, and those that are planned, like the Northern Tier Trail. He will also explain the partnerships that exist between the county and other governmental agencies in maintaining conservation open space and other recreation facilities here in our home area.

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome. Contact coordinator with any questions.

A Zoom option will also be available for those who prefer it. Please register for Zoom in advance.

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Trekking Jordan

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Wednesday, November 16, 2022, @ 7:30 PM at Illicks Mill

Monthly program meeting AMC -Lehigh Valley Group. This meeting will take place in person at Illick’s Mill in Bethlehem and via Zoom for those unable to attend in person. If attending on Zoom, you must register in advance at https://outdoors.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclcO-hqj0sHN352jnTBnghX_A65UAQXZm3 to receive the Zoom login info.

The program will be “Trekking Jordan” presented by Paula Uhrin: A journey from Amman through the ancient city of Petra and the desert of Wadi Rum to the shores of the Red Sea, Jordan is a country of unexpected beauty. Walking in the footsteps of the Nabataeans who inhabited the region in the 4th Century BC is an experience like no other, but there is much more to see in Jordan as it transformed from an ancient wonder to modern nation. The friendly people, the amazing food, and the stunningly beautiful landscapes will draw you in and keep you mesmerized.

View previously recorded presentation now!

trekking-jordan

No Meeting in October 2022

AMC Delaware Valley Logo

There will be no monthly meeting of the AMC-Lehigh Valley Group in October 2022 because most of the organizers will be out of the country enjoying new adventures.

The next LVG meeting will take place on Weds, Nov 16th. The program will be “Trekking Jordan“, presented by Paula Uhrin, and judging from the photos she sent for publicity purposes, it should be a most interesting program.

AMC Delaware Valley Logo

79 Degrees North Latitude

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Wed. Sept 21, Lehigh Valley Group Meeting @ 7:30 PM at Illicks Mill, 100 Illicks Mill Rd, Bethlehem, Pa 18017 and on Zoom.

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Margaret McDonald will take us to Axel Heiberg Island, an uninhabited island in the High Arctic. It is in the Canadian territory of Nunavut; one of the Sverdrup Archipelago in the Queen Elizabeth Island Group. In winter this land is desolate and uninviting to all but the most hardy. However in the short summer, July and August, it is a different story.

Margaret recently hiked and backpacked a small area of Axel Heiberg. The latitude was 78-79 degrees north latitude, the furthest north she had ever been. It is not an easy destination to access but well worth the trouble. Join her for a presentation of her Axel Heiberg adventure.

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome. Reservations are required. Contact coordinator with any questions.

Presentation from live recording is available below.

The Wales Coast Path

the wales coast path solitude sea

The Wales Coast Path is the longest continuous path along a nation’s coastline and Adrian Noble has been wandering on parts of it, on and off, since he was a child. Adrian will talk about the history of the path and the enormous variety of natural and cultural wonders found along it; and also discuss access, accommodations, and route planning.

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome. Contact coordinator with any questions.

Watch the recording in the link below.
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Northern Ethiopia

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Wed. May 18 @ 7:30 PM at Illicks Mill

Location: 100 Illicks Mill Rd, Bethlehem, Pa 18017 and on Zoom.

David Stein will do a presentation on a fascinating trip he took through northern Ethiopia from Gondar, through Tigray and the Danakil Depression. Ethiopia is called the “roof of Africa” for its high mountain peaks. His trip through northern Ethiopia encompassed a taste of its rich natural scenery, ancient past history, and religious culture. He will also share some thoughts on the current situation in the region that he traveled through.

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome. Contact coordinator with any questions.

No reservations are required for in-person attendance.

Past Zoom presentation is available in the button below.

Bike and Barge – Amsterdam to Bruges

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Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 7:30 PM

Join Bill & Lennie Steinmetz as they tell us about a recent cycling adventure in Europe.

Holland and Belgium are intrinsically linked with cycling and waterways, so what better way to explore these beautiful areas than with a mixture of both? The classic artist’s landscape, synonymous with long canals, windmills, and a rich industrial heritage can be explored on this route, finishing up in the picturesque World Heritage city of Bruges.

Our relaxed cycling holiday starts in Amsterdam, traveling along the canals and waterways, guaranteeing a striking and diverse introduction to the heart of the country. The cycling will take us along calm, tranquil riversides, through perfectly preserved historic villages, and along winding dike roads. On the way, we pass by beautiful windmill-strewn countryside along the Merwede canal and get to explore some of the oldest cities in Holland.

Information on upcoming outdoor events will also be available.

The event recording is available in the link below:

Yellowstone National Park in Winter

two hikers with x-country skiis in yellowstone in a snowy winter

Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 7:30PM

Join Holly Adams as she tells us about exploring an area that has been termed, “The Land of Fire and Ice”: Yellowstone N P in winter. Using a seasonal yurt camp in Canyon Village as a base, travel by snow coach and x-country skis to visit iconic landmarks such as the Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful and the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River in snowy, winter solitude and without the hordes of summer tourists.

Travel by x-country skis into the backcountry to explore thermal areas and their mud pots, fumaroles, and geysers that are completely off-limit to the summer visitors. View plant and non-hibernating wildlife and discover adaptations that make survival in the subzero winters possible. Finally, return to the town of West Yellowstone to ski groomed areas – one which follows the Madison River back into a corner of the park.

Information on upcoming outdoor events, conservation news and trail maintenance will be available. Everyone is welcome.  Contact coordinator with any questions.

View presentation with passcode: wg@1&ywB

The River of No Return: Rafting Idaho’s Salmon River with Mark Zakutansky

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Wednesday, February 16 at 7:30 PM

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Nestled deep in the middle of the 2-million-acre Frank Church Wilderness Area lies the Salmon River, a corridor only accessible as a multi-day whitewater rafting adventure with rapids of class IV difficulty. The 82-mile gorge of the Salmon River ending in Riggins, Idaho, crosses through historic and prehistoric sites and homesteads while traversing the most rugged peaks and ranges of the entire Rocky Mountain range hundreds of miles from civilization. Join Mark Zakutansky on photographic journey of this unique 6-day, 5-night experience, as the group planned and executed this excursion without any guides or professional support tackling travel logistics, food planning, safety, equipment, and permitting, ensuring a successful and enjoyable trip including thrilling rapids, side hikes, iconic wildlife, hot springs, and even costume parties.

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome.  Contact coordinator with any questions

View the recorded presentation in the link below.

A Walk in France

Sunflower Field, Le Puy Way

A Walk in France, Lehigh Valley Group Zoom Meeting. John Rogers will take us on a walk in France.

Virtually all hikers around the world have heard of the Camino de Santiago, a route in Spain that ends at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the location of a major shrine to Saint James. The ending point for this famous walk is well known. But where does it begin?

Part of the answer is France, where four major pilgrimage roads converge in the Pyrenees mountains near the small city of Saint Jean Pied-de-Port. The most popular and famous of the four French trails, though little known to Americans, is the Le Puy Route. This trail has acquired many names over more than 1,000 years of use: the Latin Via Podiensis, the French Chemin de Saint Jacques, in English the Way of Saint James, and in modern times the GR 65: one of the long-distance Grande Randonnée walking routes in Europe.

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome. Contact coordinator with any questions

Join us for an evening as we walk about 800 kilometers (480 miles) of the Le Puy Way through southern France, from the small French city of Le Puy in the Massif Central, to St. Jean Pied-de-Port in the Pyrenees. It took John six weeks to complete the trail, we’ll cover the distance in 60 minutes or less.

View the recording from this past meeting below:

Backpacking the John Muir Trail

john muir trail aerial view

Margot Lacey did a presentation on November 17, 2021 about her backpacking trip this past summer on the John Muir Trail. As she states: “This past summer, I was one of the fortunate 5% of lottery applicants to receive a permit for the John Muir Trail. Over twenty days, I hiked from one beautiful high alpine lake to the next, climbed innumerable switchbacks to get over the trail’s seven mountain passes, and tried mightily to will away some of the occasional smoky haze, as I made my way south from Yosemite Valley to the summit of Mount Whitney.

john muir trail aerial view

Early in the hike, I befriended three ‘youngsters’ forty years my junior, and we became a little ‘tramily’, camping and often hiking together. It was nice to have familiar faces waiting for me at the top of some hard climbs! I had previously hiked Vermont’s Long Trail, but the JMT was a completely different adventure. Without easy access to towns, it is a more committed hike, with limited resupply options, as well as high altitude and intense sun (but very little mud!). Along with pictures, I’ll talk a bit about the kind of mental/physical/logistical preparation that was involved, the equipment I used, and the different mapping resources that were most useful. Truly an amazing hike!”

View the recording from this past meeting below:

August Camp 2021 –  Maine

stream near Little Lyford Pond in Maine
stream near Little Lyford Pond in Maine

For the first time since 2004, AMC’s August Camp took place on the east coast this year. Since Maine is where August Camp started back in 1887, it seemed like a particularly appropriate place to re-visit. As you will hear from campers Agnes Sablow, Holly Adams, Sammi Gibb Roff and leaders Mark Kern, Phill Hunsberger, and Lennie Steinmetz, the camp at Little Lyford Pond near Greenville, ME turned out to be a truly delightful experience. Join us to hear about hiking, paddling, and exploring in the Maine Woods and why there were so many “happy campers” at AC 2021!

Please register in advance for this meeting.

Iceland Road Trip

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A virtual Zoom meeting will be held 7:30 pm. Wednesday, September 15, 2021. Join Phill Hunsberger and his daughter, Robbin, as they tell us about a road trip they took with other family members to Iceland in July of 2021. Waterfalls, dairy farms, recent lava flows, hiking a mountain and soaking in a thermal fed stream are amount the items they will highlight of their trip around this almost treeless island in the north Atlantic.
Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome. Reservations are required. Contact coordinator with any questions.

This event has was from the past. Please click the link below to see the recording.

Nepal Village Life

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Future Zoom Presentation

A virtual Zoom meeting will be held 7:30 pm. Wednesday, June, 16, 2021. Join Phill Hunsberger as he tells us about a business trip with his nephew, Dale Nafziger, to Barchet Tole village, Nuwakot District, Nepal, Mr. Nafziger, who operates a coffee business in Kathmandu, Nepal is establishing a business relationship with subsistence farmers in Barchet Tole, to grow quality coffee. This coffee will that be bought by Mr. Nafziger and used in his Top of the World business, in Kathmandu. We are aware of the beauty of Nepal’s scenic trekking destinations; this presentation will highlight another side of the Nepal: the beauty of life in a village distant from any the tourist route.

Information on upcoming outdoor events will be available. Everyone is welcome. Reservations are required. Contact Phill H. at 610-533-1390 with any questions.

Please register in advance for this meeting on Zoom meeting.

Preserve the View with AMC

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A Zoom meeting. Join AMC’s Mark Zakutansky and Cathy Poppenwimer to learn about a science-based campaign and call to action to preserve scenic trail experiences. The Protect the View campaign seeks to preserve ten picturesque views vulnerable to development pressure located along Circuit Trails in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

Find out how these views were selected as well as potential outcomes and how to get involved. This presentation will touch on how to put data together, inform policy, and work with local partners – relevant components for protecting other threatened open spaces throughout AMC’s region.

View the recording of the presentation from May 19, 2021 in the link below.

Use access Passcode: 2kwDua#8

Delaware Canal Photos – Old and New

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Originally held April 21

Susan Taylor, Executive Director of the Friends of the Delaware Canal, will present an eclectic mix of images that take in the Canal from the Forks of the Delaware in Easton to Phillips’ Mill in New Hope. You will see:

  • exceptional nature and landscape photos
  • pictures from the canal’s past
  • records of what has been happening in and along the Canal recently

Conservation on an Astronomical Scale

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Originally held Wednesday, March 17

Join Doug Arion, Executive Director of Mountains of Stars, for a discussion of light pollution: how it compromises our ability to observe space from the surface of the earth, its surprisingly widespread effects, its impacts on people and the environment, and how we can fix the problem and save money at the same time.

This presentation will also describe the effort we are conducting with the AMC to create an International Dark Sky Park and Reserve surrounding the AMC lands in the Maine Woods — which will preserve 100,00 acres of the last dark sky area in the eastern 2/3 of the US!

Unfortunately, we did not succeed in recording this meeting, but the presenter has kindly provided a link to a similar program he presented to another AMC group:

If you’d like to learn more about Doug’s organization and its many efforts to address this challenging situation, go to: www.mountainsofstars.org/

What’s New in Eastern PA State Parks?

Hickory-Run-visitiors-center

Originally held Wednesday, February 17

DCNR is a statewide leader in land conservation, trails initiatives, and manages much of the land available for public recreational access. During the COVID-19 pandemic, state parks attendance increased over 26%, from 37 million to nearly 47 million visitors. Some parks in Eastern Pennsylvania saw months where their visitor numbers more than doubled. With those rapid increases in visitation came increased pressures on our public resources, and increased difficulties for staff to engage an abundance of new visitors while still protecting and maintaining our public lands. Despite the challenges, it has been rewarding to see clear evidence of people turning to outdoor spaces such as state parks for recreation and solace during the pandemic.

In addition to discussing the impacts of high visitation pressure on our public lands, we’ll discuss updates and recent projects at some of the 20 state parks or park complexes in Eastern Pennsylvania. With a new park office and visitor center at Hickory Run, which opened in 2020, the recent addition of the Kittatiny Ridge to our Conservation Landscapes program, and the guidance provided by our Penn’s Parks For All planning initiative, there is a lot of news to share!

Recording Unavailable

Improve Your Travel Photos

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Originally held Wednesday, January 20

Larry Bieber has had the good fortune to travel the world with a camera in hand and the opportunity to take several National Geographic courses on how to use that camera. He will share some suggestions with us on how to raise the level of our travel pictures and then show pictures from two of his trips – one to Bhutan and the other to Iceland.

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