Joe Nigro
With over 40 years’ experience leading AMC outings, you’d be hard pressed to find a hike
leader who knows Hudson Valley trails and parks better than Joe Nigro. Or one who leads as many hikes each year to member-favorite destinations in the Hudson Highlands or Fahnestock. Yet what many people who hike with Joe for the first time notice is the inclusiveness that he brings to every outing. As Joe puts it, “I like introducing new people to my favorite hiking places.”
It all starts with accessibility. Many New York-New Jersey AMC members live in transit-rich parts of the metropolitan area, and are able to forgo the expense and hassles of car ownership. Yet when it comes to outings in the metropolitan area’s parks and preserves, public transit access is sparse. Even worse, many of the bus routes that brought generations of hikers to Harriman and Bear Mountain were discontinued during the pandemic, and have yet to be revived.
Joe to the rescue! A lifelong NYC resident and public transit advocate himself who frequently rides MetroNorth to his hikes in Cold Spring and Garrison. Joe begins his hikes at the train station, where hikers who have arrived by car shuttle the MetroNorth riders to the trailhead. After the hike, there’s the return carpool back to the station or to nearby points of interest like Moo’s Creamery (in season).
As you may have guessed, many of Joe’s favorite hikes start in Cold Spring, including the ever popular Mt Taurus via either Washburn Trail or Nelsonville or in Garrison, which may include the short but steep climb up Sugarloaf with its panoramic views of the Hudson River and West Point.
Other favorite Hudson Valley destinations of Joe’s are Harriman and Bear Mountain. As these are more difficult to access by public transportation, Joe does not post at these parks as frequently. But for those with cars, or with friends with cars, AMC offers at least one Harriman/Bear Mountain hike, and sometimes several, almost every week year round.
And you don’t have to wait long for one of Joe’s hikes; he posts almost every weekend, one of the reasons why the New York-New Jersey chapter is on track to offer close to 350 hikes in 2024, continuing a promising trend. And thanks to Joe and the other volunteer hike leaders, we’re expecting even more in 2025!
For people new to organized hiking, Joe advises finding your own level, adding that “Hikes that are too hard or too easy are not the right hikes. You have more fun on hikes within your physical level.” And, if you’re unsure, just ask in advance: Joe, like every AMC outing leader, is happy to figure out the suitability of his outings.
Interested in hiking with Joe? He’s on the trail almost every Saturday: check the Activities Database https://activities.outdoors.org
Anastasia Tavarez
From a childhood in the Dominican Republic to her current life in New York City, Anastasia Tavarez has always enjoyed the outdoors. However, like so many of us, career and family obligations always seemed to get in the way of active, organized participation.
But it’s never too late, and in 2020 Anastasia took the plunge and began hiking – occasionally at first, on day outings like those posted on https://activities.outdoors.org/, then more frequently and also on hiking vacations. Seeing the great work that AMC’s hike leaders do, three years later she became one herself, and now leads day hikes across the greater Hudson Valley as many as four times a week.
Anastasia brings an infectious enthusiasm to her hikes, noting that what she likes most about being a hike leader is ”being able to facilitate opportunities for others” and for herself. And people who hike with her agree: notes AMC member and hike leader Mark Gordon, “On Anastasia’s hikes, you can be sure of a knowledgeable leader, great routes, friendly company and an overall good time.” Many of her hikes take place in Harriman State Park, where personal favorites include Reeves Meadow to Pine Meadow Lake and Anthony Wayne to West Mountain.
For people new to organized hiking, Anastasia recommends finding outings that match your abilities. Local AMC hikes range from easy walks in Rockefeller State Park to challenging ascents like Mt Beacon in Hudson Highlands State Park and Bearfort Ridge in NJ’s Hewitt State Forest; if in doubt about a posted outing, reach out in advance to the AMC hiking leader, who will be happy to help you figure out its suitability.
And for those who hike regularly, Anastasia suggests “try leading hikes; it is rewarding.” If you’re uncertain of whether it would be right for you, AMC’s hike leader certification process includes shadowing a current hike leader on one of their hikes followed by leading a hike of your own while being shadowed by a current hike leader. If this might be of interest to you, please reach out to AMC NY-NJ volunteer hiking coordinator Steve Galla at steve@stevegalla.com
Interested in hiking with Anastasia? Right now, she’s planning a Harriman hike the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 27. Once it’s been finalized, you’ll find it, like all AMC outings, on https://activities.outdoors.org/
Congratulations to John Allman, 2023 Appie of the Year!
The Appie of the Year award was presented by Advisory Committee Chair Kaspar Alexander at the New York-North Jersey Chapter’s Annual Meeting on November 29, 2023.
The Appie award is for an individual who gives selflessly of him/herself for the good of the Appalachian Mountain Club; one who works tirelessly, often behind the scenes, organizing, leading in fact and by example; someone who has served in this manner for several years, thus over time continuing this commitment; an active volunteer, rather than someone who served well in the past, or for a limited time. The Appie exemplifies what is best about the volunteer ethic that makes our Club, and particularly our Chapter, so special.
John Allman
John has served in many important roles in the Chapter and broader AMC community, including Chapter Treasurer, as a member of the Greater New York Committee, the AMC Volunteer Finance Committee, and the DEI Committee. He has been a dedicated steward of our Chapter’s finances ensuring our activities and programs run smoothly. This was particularly valuable as we navigated unprecedented turbulence during the pandemic.