German-American Hiking Club

The German-American Hiking Club (GAHC)is an organization of people who share an interest in a German language and culture combined with an appreciation of hiking in the surroundings of metropolitan New York and New Jersey. If you would like to brush up on your German or speak English with hikers of German background, the Club welcomes you.

Since being founded in 1958, the club has scheduled one-day hikes and occasional 3-4 day weekend trips or longer excursions throughout the year. The hikes are mostly easy or moderately difficult. The Club schedules other outdoor activities such as canoe , or kayak trips or cross-country skiing from time to time.

German Language Initiative: Certain activities are so designated to give people a chance to chat in German. Please try to speak in German on these activities, if possible.

The printed Hiking Schedule is published two times a year, April – September, October - March.

There is no guest fee for participation in the first two activities and the fee thereafter is $5 per hike. A guest must participate in two hikes before becoming a member.

Membership dues are $25 annually for individuals, $35 for families.

Hiking club activities involve varying degrees of danger. When you participate in an activity, you should be both physically and mentally prepared and equipped with the appropriate gear. You should always be aware of the risks involved in outdoor activities and conduct yourself accordingly. The trip leader or the German-American Hiking Club is not responsible for your safety. You are. Prior to registering for any activity, you are encouraged to discuss your capabilities with the trip leader.

Hiking shoes and suitable outdoor clothing are required. It is strongly suggested to bring food and drink to the one-day hikes. In case of inclement weather, the hike leader can cancel the hike and may reschedule it for a following weekend at his or her discretion. Registration for all hikes by 6 PM the evening before is required and hikers are strongly urged to check with the hike leader if the weather looks doubtful or the weather forecast is poor.

Suggested car-pooling fee is recommended at $. 40 per mile, plus tolls, to be shared equally between all passengers and the driver.

Upcoming Activities:

SAT, 2 FEB, 11:00. THE MET CLOISTERS. Located on four acres overlooking the Hudson River in northern Manhattan's Fort Tryon Park. Suggested Admission $25 Adults, $17 Seniors. Hans Austin, 718-424-3667.

SAT, 16 FEB, 10:00, AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, IMAX THEATER and HAYDEN PLANETARIUM. 79th Street and Central Park West. B, C or 1 Trains. Many tours, shows and exhibits in one of the world’s premier museums. Meet at 81 St. Entrance. Modest admission charges. Gunter Georgi, 516-883-2336.

SAT, 2 MAR, 10:00, PINE MEADOW LAKE CIRCULAR, B / C German Language Initiative. Pine Meadow Lake and environs. Winter gear. SHORT LINE: Sloatsburg, 9:12. Meet at Reeves Meadow Visitor Center (7 Lakes Drive). Brian Kassenbrock, 718-748-0624, c. 917-865-2250. 50 mi.

SAT, 16 MAR, (SUN, 17 MAR Rain Date) 10.00, MASSAPEQUA PRESERVE. C. Meet at the Massapequa parking lot on the east side of the LIRR, one or two blocks past Broadway. There are two trail paths, one is paved, the other natural. A hike of a few miles, followed by a voluntary respite at a famous local ice cream shop. Larry Forni, 516-791-7169. 35 mi.

SUN, 7 APR, 10:00. PALISADES and HUDSON TRAIL, NJ. B/C. German Language Initiative. Meet at State Line Look Out, PIPC. Mathias Wüthrich, 908-210-9771 and Brian Kassenbrock, 718-748-0624 or c. 917-865-2250. 10 mi.

SUN, 14 APR, 9:12. PALM SUNDAY HIKE, Harriman Park B/C. Meet in Sloatsburgh at 9 a.m. then carpool to the trailhead. Hike to St. John's in the Wilderness Church for service at 3 p.m. followed by refreshments provided by St. John's parishioners. SHORT LINE Bus. C hikers may meet us at the Church. C leader sought. Leader: Manfred Janowski (914) 428- 4573. 50 mi. from NYC.

SAT, 27 APR, 10:00, GREEN-WOOD CEMETERY NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK, B/C. German Language Initiative. Founded in 1838 as one of America’s first rural cemeteries, the Green-Wood Cemetery soon developed an international reputation for its magnificent beauty and became the fashionable place to be buried. By 1860, Green-Wood was attracting 500,000 visitors a year, rivaling Niagara Falls as the country’s greatest tourist attraction. R Train to 25th Street. Brian Kassenbrock

Board of Directors

Gunter Georgi, President 73 Irma Ave., Port Washington, NY 11050, 516-883-2336, [email protected]

Brian Kassenbrock, Vice President, 718-748-0624, 917-865-5520, [email protected]

Larry Forni, Secretary, 516-791-7169, [email protected]

Mathias Wütrich, Treasurer, 908-210-9771, [email protected]

Claude Khordoc, Board Member, 718-779-1886, [email protected]

Monika Lutz, Board Member, 718-969-3540, [email protected]