Wilderness Heals

Thank you for visiting the Wilderness Heals blog. Wilderness Heals is an all-women, three-day annual pledge hike that benefits the Elizabeth Stone House (ESH), a Boston-based emergency shelter, transitional housing program, and therapeutic community that provides services to women and children who are escaping violence and overcoming trauma. By encouraging hikers to set challenging physical, emotional, and financial goals, Wilderness Heals mirrors the experiences of hundreds of women who have sought help from the Stone House. Committing to hike is a way to grow personally while simultaneously standing in solidarity with women of the Stone House and women everywhere who are working to overcome the effects of violence in their lives.
Wilderness Heals 2011 will take place July 15-17, 2011. Registration materials may be downloaded here.
Go here to view the 2011 routes, and visit our Who's Who page to meet this year's team leaders and Recruitment Committee members.
Want to learn more? Visit our list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Still have questions? Contact Erika Whyte, Wilderness Heals event coordinator, at 781-726-0551 or ewhyte@elizabethstone.org.

Friday, September 21, 2007

Come to the Fall Reunion Hike!

Greetings, hikers! It is time for the annual Wilderness Heals Fall Reunion! This year, we are organizing a hike and picnic for all current, past, and future hikers, their families, and friends.

Place: Mount Holyoke (directions below)
Date: Sunday, October 21, 2007
Trailhead meeting time: 10 a.m.
Picnic at the top: 12:30 PM (details below)

Anyone who wants to join the picnic but does not want to hike can drive to the top of the mountain. We will transport all the food and supplies to the summit by car. (Of course, you're welcome to haul food in your pack if you need the extra challenge.)

Directions to Skinner State Park:

Skinner State Park is located in the western part of Central Massachusetts.

From the east or west: Take the Mass Pike (I-90) to Exit 5, Route 33 North to Route 116 North to Route 47 North (approximately four miles). The park entrance is on the right at Mountain Road.

From the north:
Take I-91 South to Exit 19, then Route 9 East to Route 47 South. The park entrance is on the left at Mountain Road.

From the south: Take I-91 North to Exit 16, then Route 202 East to Route 116 North, then turn left on Route 47 North. The park entrance is on the right at Mountain Road.

Skinner State Park: 413-586-0350

Hiking route: The exact hiking route up to the summit will be decided in the morning when we meet at the trailhead. However, we will plan a hike that will place us at the top of Mt. Holyoke by 12:30 p.m. One option is to take the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail for 1.6 miles to the Mt. Holyoke Summit House, where we will meet for a picnic lunch. Then we can continue on the M-M trail for .3 miles to reach Taylor Notch Road at 1.9 miles. Then we can follow the Dry Brook Trail for 1.7 miles until it meets up with the M-M trail. We can follow the M-M trail back to the trailhead.

Food details: We will bring veggie burgers, hamburgers, and hot dogs, as well as buns, condiments, and paper plates. You can bring a side dish or dessert, and we will transport everything to the summit.

Please contact Monica Chopra, Sue Weil, or Karin Downs by October 14 if you plan to hike, whether you need or can offer a ride, and to tell us what you plan to bring to the picnic. Call or e-mail us at:

Monica: mchopra5@yahoo.com, 847-323-2433 (cell)
Sue: hotweil@aol.com, 617-233-4242 (cell)
Karin: downs_karin@yahoo.com, 617-833-2911

Looking forward to hiking and picnicking with all of you!

--Karin, Sue, and Monica