Appalachian Mountain Club – Maine Chapter

Time is running out! The deadline for the AMC’s $45 million dollar capital campaign to support the Maine Woods Initiative is March 15th. There is still a few hundred thousand dollars left to raise, so please contribute any amount you can toward this goal. Every dollar donated is a step toward this goal to assist in preserving this area which offers numerous recreational opportunities such as hiking, cross-country skiing, hunting, fishing, and paddling. Please make a donation today! Thank you for your support! Continue Reading »

On Monday, March 17, 2008, AMC Maine member Wayne Newton will present a slideshow on Flowers of the AT. Wayne’s thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail twice and has collected a photo library of the many flowers he encountered on his journeys. This is an excellent opportunity to experience the varied flora of the AT from the comfort of a chair while enjoying Wayne’s famous storytelling.

The location is in the Community Room at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 15 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, ME 04011. Please note that this is a change of location as of January 29, 2008: the Unitarian Universalist Church is next door to the Curtis Memorial Library at 23 Pleasant Street.

Parking is available on the street and in the municipal lot off Pleasant Street. Dinner at 6 pm, presentation at 7 pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring a potluck item and their own dinnerware (plate, utensils etc.). Drinks will be provided and plastic-ware will be available.

The Resources First Foundation (RFF) has recently launched a new website as a source of information on land conservation in Maine. StateConservation.org/Maine has been designed to be a comprehensive source of information on conservation of natural resources, including links to educational tools and solutions. Continue Reading »

…to Carey Kish for his presentation last night on his trek through Corsica at February’s monthly potluck and presentation event. His June 2006 trek across the GR20 trail in Corsica had been called the “Toughest Hike in Europe” and last night’s attendees would likely not argue that.  The Meetings and Education Committee relies on the generous efforts of volunteer presenters for these events and Carey’s just the one of many who help to make this program a success.

Do you have a trip, trek, or other experience you’d like to share? Contact Jeff Aceto, the Meetings and Education Chair to be part of our monthly adventures from the comfort of a chair!

Be sure to join us on Wednesday, February 20, 2008: Cary Kish, outdoor blogger and Outdoors writer for the Portland Press Herald, will present on his 2006 experiences hiking the GR 20 Route in Corsica, France. The GR 20 is reputed to be the hardest long-distance hike in Europe, with 81,560 feet of elevation gain and loss. Cary did 180 km in 15 days across the rugged interior of the island of Corsica with it’s very beautiful and awesome mountain scenery. Come share his experiences on what he’s called a ‘bruiser’ of a trek.

For more information, please see the AMC Maine calendar.

Preservation groups have asked the Department of Conservation to perform a planning study for a potential new state park along the Androscoggin River. The Androscoggin Land Trust and the Androscoggin River Alliance are lobbying lawmakers for assistance to initiate a planning study for undeveloped land in Leeds and Turner. The State presently owns approximately 2, 600 acres in this area adjacent to the Androscoggin River. It’s been over 25 years since a new State Park was created; the Swan Lake State Park in Swanville.

Please click here for a related article in the Portland Press Herald.

Planning an overnight adventure? Or a stay at one of AMC’s destinations? Or just out for a day trip? Before you go, check out AMC’s Trip Planner web page to get ideas on where to go, how to plan a trip, as well as last minute Before You Go tips for a successful trip. Also on this page is the current weather at all of the AMC’s destinations.

Come enjoy the Greenville area in the winter! Watch the 100-mile sled dog race, go for a snowshoe or ski, attend a presentation or workshop, and enjoy the company of other AMCers! See the Maine calendar for more info. SnoFest is a community-wide event and the Maine Chapter will be volunteering and involved in the celebrations. Overnight accommodations in a cozy, modern cabin are available. Also, see the spotlight on this event in the Boston Globe!