RED ------ the BLUE ^^^^’s

RED LINING the BLUE HILLs

DATE: Thursday, May 14, 2009

TIME: 6:00 PM (Please be there earlier to sign in)

TRAILHEAD: West Marine, 66 Wood Road

TONIGHT'S LEADERS: Cheryl Lathrop, Joe Keogh

TONIGHT'S VOLUNTEERS: Maureen Kelly (cartographer), Ellen Correia (sign-in), Linda Glynn (registrar)

TONIGHT'S CO-LEADER(S):

TONIGHT's HIKE: We will be hiking trails off of Wood Road (i.e., "Wood Path"). Look in the upper right-hand corner of your map at exit 6. See map below of planned trails.

DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD: West Marine. 66 Wood Rd. Braintree, MA. To get there: 128/93, exit 6. Granite St. to Wood Road. Be careful turning into the parking lot (a busy area!). Park in the upper level. We have permission to park here; please be considerate as it is a commercial business. See map below. (If you arrive early, Konditor Meister Bakery, just before West Marine, has umm umm good pastries. Or shop West Marine for kayak/boat stuff.)

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In the Blue Hills, it's not mandatory to have 'official' hiking clothing and equipment. However, headlamps/flashlights are mandatory, as we frequently complete hikes in the dark. Water and raincoats are mandatory as well. Please pay attention to the *1 Quart Minimum* of water.

NOTE: If you're interested in becoming a leader, please let us know and we’ll train you as a co-leader! Also, if you just want to take on a little more responsibility, without becoming a leader, please let us know when you'd like to plan a hike loop!

OUR RLBH WEBSITE: www.amcsem.org/RLBHWS/index.htm

Contains weekly completion maps and our 2009 done-so-far map

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Any questions, please call or email.

Leader, Cheryl Lathrop: 508-254-0709 (cell), cheryl4698@verizon.net

Leader, Joe Keogh: 508-542-0665 (cell), jpkeo24@gmail.com

REGISTRAR: Linda Glynn, lg1710@110.net, 508-496-4009

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What to bring:

Hiking boots or sturdy tie shoes

Rain Coat required: (Please bring it every week, if only to appease the sun gods)

Water required: At least 1 quart. Hiking works up a thirst. And dehydration is a major source of hiking problems. Staying hydrated during the hikes helps you feel better the next day.

Headlamp or flashlight required: The end of the hikes are sometimes in the dark. You'll need one!

Insect repellent recommended: Ticks and skeeters are out there waiting for you for dinner!

Trash bag: to pick up trash. Hook to outside of your pack.

First Aid kit: Leaders carry a group first aid kit in case of injury, however participants should always bring Band-Aids, moleskin, Advil/Motrin, etc. that may be needed during a hike.

Toilet paper: There are no rest areas in the woods. J

Cancellation Policy: We hike every Thursday, rain or shine. Fun is where and when you make it! However, thunderstorms or tornadoes will cancel, or shorten, the hikes!

Risks: Rattlesnakes, ticks, EEE, West Nile, breaking your ankle, poking a stick in your eye, heart attacks, etc. There are also balancing benefits, like exercise and the fellowship of other hikers. That’s not to mention the simple pleasure of walking in the woods! The balance point varies for each person. It’s your choice.

General notes:

1) No dogs are permitted on these trips.

2) Cell phones may be brought, but must be kept turned off during the hikes.

3) We will hike ‘together.’ Please plan to complete the hike with us. Light rain will not cancel the hikes. Under severe weather conditions (if it starts pouring) we, as a group, will decide to continue or head back.

4) Thunderstorms will cancel, or shorten, the trips! As will tornadoes!

5) Anyone with medical conditions (asthma inhaler, epipen, etc.) please inform the leader.

6) Non-AMC members are permitted (encouraged!) to attend. (Hopefully having fun with us will encourage them/you to join. J)

7) If you wish to bring a friend, whom you know to have experience, the proper equipment, etc, please have them register with our registrar.

8) There are rattlesnakes and copperheads within the Blue Hills. Rare, but they do exist. If you are concerned about this, please ask now, not when we meet one on the trail! J