Appalachian Mountain Club – Maine Chapter

A special thank you to Paul Kando and Elizabeth Ehrenfeld who presented on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at a potluck and presentation on climate change. With his background in renewable energy, Paul provided a broad, well documented update on the impacts of global warming on both a global and local (Maine) scale. Elizabeth completed the picture with a description of the newly-established Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) for Maine. The State of Maine is one of only seven states committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and Elizabeth’s role on the Board of Environmental Protection was instrumental in the development of Maine’s RGGI plan. This monthly event was one of the best attended in recent history and their efforts were much appreciated!

If you were unable to attend this event, you can still access some of the information presented that evening. Our Conservation Chairs, Jane Danielson and Frank Robey, prepared several resource documents for the Climate Change event. These resources are listed on the Conservation Committee page of the website; please click here.

On Thursday, January 17, 2008, Ray Ronan will present on his Thru-Hike of the Appalachian Trail including photos, stories, and other thoughts on the trek. This is an excellent opportunity for hikers of any experience to pick up tips and all outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy Ray’s presentation.

Ray plans to bring our monthly events to a higher level by presenting a multi-media event including movies, photos, and props! You won’t want to miss this evening of entertainment and education.

The location is at the South Portland Library, 482 Broadway, South Portland, ME: parking is available off Highland Avenue. Dinner at 6 pm, presentation at 7 pm. Drinks and plasticware will be provided and attendees are encouraged to bring a potluck item.

If you look outside, or better yet you ARE outside, it certainly looks and feels like the winter season is in full swing. However, according to the calendar, it is still late fall. Winter officially arrives this year on Dec. 22 at 0108 EST. This is important for the peak-baggers in the crowd as according to the official 4,000-footer rules, “Trips must begin after the hour and the minute of the beginning of winter (winter solstice), and end before the hour and minute of the end of winter (spring equinox)” to qualify as a “winter hike.” It’s not just when you are at the peak. For more information on peak-bagging rules, you can visit the Peak-bagging rules website for more information. So, get out and enjoy the snow, and winter will be here before you know it!

As fall moves into winter, it’s a good idea to brush up on the skills that no one wants to use, but everyone should know; what to do if you get lost in the woods. (a.k.a. “turned around” in Maine slang) You’ll find a digital copy of the famous Orange Book from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife entitled ‘You Alone in the Maine Woods’ on this page.
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A reminder to come join us at December’s potluck and presentation on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 on climate change. Paul Kando and Elizabeth Ehrenfeld will give presentations on the impacts of climate change on Maine and ways to make a difference locally. Please join us for a potluck dinner at 6 pm and the presentations at 7 pm.

For more information, please see the AMC Maine calendar.

Looking for that perfect gift for a friend or family member who loves the White Mountains? White Mountain Guide: A Centennial Retrospective is now available from AMC. History buffs and hikers alike will enjoy this 100-year compilation of the people and events that governed the direction of the White Mountain Guide. Newly released historical images and anecdotes abound in this narrative, accompanied by a fold-out timeline detailing changes to each edition of the guide book. Copies can be ordered directly from the AMC store, and remember that members receive a 10% discount on all sales!