New Edition Of Williams Outing Club's "North Berkshire Outdoor Guide"
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass - The Williams Outing Club (WOC) wants you take a hike – literally.Since 1927, the Williams Outing Club has published a guide to Williamstown vicinity trails, originally titled "The Mountains of Eph." Its recently published 10th edition of the club's "North Berkshire Outdoor Guide" is designed to "facilitate [readers'] relationship with the land." The guide includes an introduction to the Berkshire area, basic safety and preparation training, and an extensive list of trails and sections on hiking, fishing, climbing, paddling, and winter camping.
Useful for outdoor lovers of all experience levels, the guide commences with a detailed overview of what to wear and bring on an excursion -- essential information for beginners. A series of chapters describe the many easily accessible hiking trails close to Williamstown. The book compares the specific gear needed for trips of varying durations (and how the gear needed for such trips changes during the wintertime). Unsure of what fabrics to wear, how much water to bring, or what to pack for lunch? The "North Berkshire Outdoor Guide" has the answer.
Experienced hikers can flip straight to the index to find information on specific trails and ranges. The description of each trail includes information on the trail's distance, estimated hiking time, map locations, and the organization that provides its upkeep. Bulleted lists of directions to trailheads and detailed route descriptions give readers an idea of what to expect from potential excursions. A map of the North Berkshire Trails located inside the book's back cover allows hikers to locate trailheads, camping areas, canoe put-ins, and fishing access points. (For readers unfamiliar with topographical maps, the "North Berkshire Outdoor Guide" offers a simple explanation of the use of contour lines, the metric system, and the index grid.)
The guide also lists hotspots for various outdoor activities, including cross-country skiing, biking, fly-fishing, rock climbing, and paddling. It also has a directory of resources that gives the locations and contact information of outdoor-related retail stores and non-profit organizations.
The "North Berkshire Outdoor Guide" was compiled with the help of numerous volunteer contributors in the Williams community. Special thanks in the memory of Katie Craig '08 and Bob Quay '04 who in their short time at Williams gave enduring inspiration to many members of the community. Craig's art appears on the cover and in the book.
For more information, contact the WOC at (413) 597-2317. WOC, founded in 1915, has been involved with trail maintenance, the construction of cabins and shelters, and the outdoor education of Williams students. With more than 900 members, the WOC is the largest student organization on campus.
