On May 17, join us at Eastern Mountain Sports new South Portland, ME
store at 301 Maine Mall Road to celebrate the Appalachian Mountain Club’s new Maine Mountain Guide! Come by the store to hear editor Carey Kish talk about compiling
hiking guides, and get a signed copy of the book. Baxter Brewing will be
hanging out with lots of shwag! Don’t forget to check out the great deals
on gear! Hope to see you on May 17 from 5:30-7:30 at at EMS- they’re making a big splash in Portland. Download a flyer (44KB PDF).

On Tuesday May 15, Carey Kish, editor of the 2012 Maine Mountain Guide will introduce the long-awaited, brand-new guidebook on at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick. This will be one of the first public showing and availability of the thoroughly revised guide containing the most up-to-date comprehensive descriptions and maps of trails in Maine. Kish will use personal anecdotes to highlight new information and updates and will share interesting experiences encountered while researching trails and verifying trail data. The book can be purchased that evening and autographed by Kish. Be the first on your block to own the 2012 edition of the Maine Mountain Guide! On Tuesday, May 15th join us for a potluck dinner (open to the public) just prior to Carey’s talk at the Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, 04011. Bring a potluck item to share and your own dinnerware (plate, utensils etc.) if possible. Drinks will be available. For more information, please download a flyer (168 KB PDF) or email Meetings and Education Chair John Mullens. All events are free and open to the public.

LL Bean is 100 years old this year! The Maine outdoor retailer has provided clothing and equipment for a century to outdoor enthusiasts. In celebration of this centennial event, the company has a host of events and celebrations planned, as well as special merchandise in honor of the occasion. Check out their website for updates.

Now in its 54th year, Mountain Leadership School (MLS) is a five-day wilderness leadership training program designed to help you lead groups with minimal impact in the backcountry. It’s perfect for new trip leaders, or experienced leaders looking to improve their skills. New for 2012 are sessions designed specifically for trip leaders who lead primarily day hikes. Participants will discover and develop their own leadership style and learn new techniques such as trip planning, map and compass, time management, group dynamics, Leave No Trace, and accident scene management. Mountain Leadership School 2012 is now accepting registrations and the schedule is now available online. See the website, or call 603-466-2727 to reserve your space at MLS.

2012 marks the 100th birthday of the Girl Scouts of America. As part of the centennial celebration, girl scout troops will team-hike the 2,100 mile Appalachian Trail (AT) that extends from Georgia to Maine. Their goal is to complete the entire trail “in bits and pieces” between March 12 and October 31. If you are interested in learning more or would like to help, please read more. Good luck to all!

On May 1, join us at Epic Sports, at 6 Central Street in Bangor, ME to celebrate the
Appalachian Mountain Club’s new Maine Mountain Guide! Come by the
store to hear editor Carey Kish talk about compiling hiking guides, and
get a signed copy of the book. Baxter Brewing will be hanging out and
offering refreshments! Hope to see you on May 1 from 5:30-7:30 at Epic – your adventure starts here. Download a flyer (44KB PDF).

Have you ever thought about the “freeway” of trails we all hike on, but you want to pay your “toll”? AMC offers a variety of opportunities to give back to the trail through working with volunteer trail crews or adopting your own section of trail. Volunteer for as short as a day or as long as a week, or set your own schedule with trail adoption. Workshops on trail maintaining techniques are also offered. FMI.

Carey Kish, editor of the 2012 Maine Mountain Guide will introduce the long-awaited, brand-new guidebook at 6:30pm on Wednesday, April 25th at the Bangor Public Library in Bangor. This will be the first public showing and availability of the thoroughly revised guide containing the most up-to-date comprehensive descriptions and maps of trails in Maine. Kish will use personal anecdotes to highlight new information and updates and will share interesting experiences encountered while researching trails and verifying trail data. The book can be purchased that evening and autographed by Kish. Be the first on your block to own the 2012 edition of the Maine Mountain Guide! On Wednesday, April 25th join us for Carey’s talk at the Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow Street Bangor, Maine. The presentation begins at 6:30pm in the downstairs story room behind the Children’s section. For more information download a flyer (172 KB PDF) or contact John Mullens

On Tuesday April 24, staff and volunteers of the Appalachian Mountain Club will present a slide-illustrated program on how AMC members and the public can enjoy AMC’s 66,000 acres in the 100-mile wilderness region outside of Greenville, Maine, 3 hour drive north of Portland. The program will cover AMC’s long-range plans in northern Maine, their conservation and land management goals, and recreational opportunities such as the AMC wilderness lodges, campsites, shelters, and trails and waterways for hiking, canoeing, skiing, and snowshoeing. Learn about future canoe camping opportunities on the Roach Ponds and mountain biking trails on other nearby lands. Join us on Tuesday April 24th at the Freeport Community Library for a potluck dinner at 6pm and the program at 7pm. Bring a potluck item to share and your own dinnerware (plate, utensils etc.) if possible. Drinks will be available. Parking is free and plentiful. For more information, please download a flyer (136 KB PDF) or email Education Chair John Mullens All events are free and open to the public.

The Northern Forest Canoe Trail will bring Reel Paddling Film Festival’s World Tour 2012 to Portland on Thursday May 3. The film will be shown at the Masonic Temple at 7PM and is also hosted by the Maine Island Trail Association. The films will feature whitewater, adventure, canoeing, sea kayaking, as well as instructional material. Proceeds support the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and their partners.