Appalachian Mountain Club – Maine Chapter

Are you a shutterbug? Here’s your chance to share your images with your fellow AMC members! The AMC’s 14th Annual Photo Contest has been announced for 2008. This is a great opportunity to show others your work and possibly have your images become part of the AMC’s print and online publications.

Photo submissions may be made in three categories including Scenics/Nature, People Outdoors, and Visions of AMC and up to three submissions may be made in each category.

Current AMC members are eligible for this contest. Submissions made be made on-line or by mailing and the deadline for submissions is November 30, 2008.

For more information including contest rules, please click here.

On July 14, 2008, the Appalachian Mountain Club dedicated the Gorman Camps at Chairback Mountain near Monson, Maine. The Gorman Camps are the third such facility to be developed as part of the Maine Woods Initiative and will be open in late 2009.

The other two sporting camps in the MWI are Little Lyford Pond Camps and Medawisla Wilderness Camps which are currently open for outdoor recreation in summer and winter.

The Gorham Camps are named after Leon and Lisa Gorman for their long-time support of AMC and its programs. Leon Gorman is the grandson of L.L.Bean founder Leon Leonwood Bean.

Please click here for more information from the AMC on this event.

Would you like to go to the widely acclaimed Common Ground Country Fair in Unity September 19-21? All you have to do is volunteer to staff the AMC booth for a 3-hour shift on any day. It’s a great way to talk with many AMC members, as well as encourage folks to become members. Or, if you are going to the fair anyway, come visit our booth! The fair has been dubbed “Maine’s most authentic country fair.” Events, vendors, and exhibitors promote conservation and sustainable living while enjoying local, delicious organic food. Contact Dave Wood or Laura Flight for more information.

The Quoddy Regional Land Trust of Whiting formally opened the Mowry Beach Trail in Lubec on July 18, 2008. This new trail is located on a 48 acre parcel previously identified with the Mowry family and this project was made possible by funding from Land for Maine’s Future and other donations. The trail leads to a sand beach and provides scenic views of the Lubec Narrows and the Town of Lubec. Portions of the 2,100 l.f. trail are handicap-accessible due to boardwalks installed by volunteers.

The Maine Army veteran hiking the Appalachian Trail has almost reached Mount Katahdin. Jarad Greeley of North Jay left Springer Mountain on March 8, 2008 and, according to an article in the Sun Journal, reached Caratunk on Wednesday, August 6. Jarad’s goal in hiking the AT is to help raise awareness and money for homeless veterans and he plans to summit Katahdin on or about August 16.

Registration is open so sign-up today! Forms are available in the latest issue of our newsletter “Wilderness Matters” and on our website. Join fellow Maine AMCers and meet new faces for a weekend full of activities on the cusp of the renowned White Mountains in Stoneham, Maine! Enjoy hikes, bikes, paddles, as well as workshops. And don’t miss the guest speaker, Mainer Bill Yeo, after Saturday evening’s dinner who will tell his tale of his attempt to climb Mount Everest. Please visit our web page for more information. See you all there!

Yup, that’s Karl Meltzer, the length of the AT, and Karl’s time goal- to run the entire 2,174 miles of the Appalachian Trail, in 47 days (or less!). Most through hikers measure the time frame of this journey in months, not days, as it typically takes most the better part of 4 to 6 months (that’s 120 to 160 days). Of course he has quite a crew of people helping him out with food and water stops, gear needs, orienteering etc. Karl started his race on Aug. 5 at the summit of Katahdin at 0708 EDT, headed south for Springer Mountain in Georgia, ETA Sept. 22. And you can keep up to date with his progress on his website that is updated several times a day, or as often as reports come it; they are finding cell phone reception to be a bit spotty in these parts!

Summer time means its prime time for hiking in Maine. From the mountains to the ocean and everything in between, it’s just plain woods smart to plan ahead for the weather and terrain by bringing along the gear that prepares you for the outdoors.

Outdoor journalist and AMC member Carey Kish provides a list of the essentials for day hiking in this article in the Portland Press Herald.