Thursday, January 4, 2007 Older Editions

Over hill, over Vale

By April Guilmet

When it comes to exploring Andover's wilder places, snowshoeing is a great option, says Burton Batcheller.

A staff member at Moor & Mountain since 1977, Batcheller plans on sharing this winter pastime with a group of senior women later this month.

"The objective is to get people outside enjoying a winter activity, [to] get some exercise and promote knowledge of all the local places they can either snowshoe or walk," Batcheller said.

People interested in the Outdoor Adventures for Women Snowshoe Clinic may meet at the Andover Senior Center on Thursday, Jan. 11 from 9 to 10 a.m. While there's been a noticeable lack of snow so far this season, he hopes this won't discourage folks from attending the event.

"Hopefully we'll have snow, but if not, no big deal," Batcheller said. "We can always go for a walk in an area that would be ideal for snowshoeing, get some fresh air and some exercise," he said.

The sport is ideal for seniors, Batcheller said, because it's an activity almost anyone can do.

"It's stable, and you can go more places on snowshoes than on cross country skis," he said.

Using snowshoes also can provide people with chance to view nature from rare perspectives.

Several locations around Andover offer opportunities to enjoy this sport, he said. One is the Charles Ward Reservation, according to Batcheller.

"It's such a big area. There's three glacial drumlins there, as well as woods and lowlands flooded nowadays by beaver dams," he said.

A challenging terrain, this area is much better for snowshoeing than for cross country skiing due to its rigorous nature, he said. He also recommended the Shawsheen River Reservation, which is mostly flat.

Paralleling the river is the Vale Reservation, which is often overlooked by cross-country skiers.

"At the beginning of the day, with the sun coming up over the river, it's a real pretty place to be," Batcheller said.

Then there's Wood Hill, an area Batcheller said has lots of open terrain as well as two hills.

"There's hemlock trees there, a lot of deer, a lot of fox. You can walk on the flatter areas or go on the hills for more exercise," he said.

On Jan. 11, Batcheller plans to offer the seniors an introductory program. He'll talk about what types of snowshoes are available, and how one should dress for the activity. If there's no snow to be found, perhaps participants can get a feel for the snowshoes by walking on the grass, Batcheller said. "We'll go over the equipment and I'll talk about how it's important to stretch and prepare, and to drink plenty of fluids," he said.

While this will be Batcheller's first time teaching senior citizens about snowshoeing, he said his mother helped inspired him to pursue the sport.

"She's very active, she cross country skis, etc.," he said.

He believes it's important to inform people about the plethora of recreational activities available to them, often literally in their own backyards.

"You can spend more time enjoying these activities, rather than sitting in your car for hours," Batcheller said. He plans to hold a follow-up to next week's workshop on Jan. 25.

"Hopefully it should snow by then," he laughed.

IF YOU GO

The Outdoor Adventures for Women Snowshoe Clinic meets at the Andover Senior Center next Thursday, Jan. 11, from 9 to 10 a.m.

Registration is required.

A $5 fee includes hot chocolate and muffins at the center, following the clinic.

For more information or to register, call Marcie Jacobson at the Senior Center at 978-623-8321.