Appalachian Mountain Club – Maine Chapter

Expert kayak guide Karen Finogle has provided these tips on paddling for AMC sea kayakers, with the intent of getting your body as seaworthy as your boat. Her advice includes strength training, stretching, and techniques to be a more effective paddler.

No, not the hit ABC TV show. Or your latest trials getting to the trailhead last weekend. But really lost. Have you ever been really lost? Donn Fendler has. Back in July of 1939 this 12-year old became separated from his family and friends on a hike up Mount Katahdin. A storm had engulfed the mountain creating a blinding, icy fog. Donn had struck off just ahead of his hiking party after reaching the Tableland from the Hunt Trail (AT). But that one seemingly trivial decision (that we have probably all done at one time or another) transitioned into a life-altering experience. For 9 days, Continue Reading »

What’s this stuff I got in the mail from AMC about “bylaw changes?” Why are they asking me about bylaws? Because you are a member of AMC and you have a vote on such matters! So please be an active “citizen” of AMC and return that ballot with your vote by August 12, 2009. You can get more information on the details on the AMC web page.
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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 in the heart of the Tumbledown Mountain and Mt. Blue State Park area in Weld, Maine! Enjoy hikes, bikes, paddles, as well as workshops- there’s even a gold panning trip! And don’t miss the guest speaker, Reinhard Zollitsch of Orono. He will present on his latest solo sea canoe adventures, “On Historic Tides: Looking for John Cabot’s first landfall in the New World on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.” This presentation combines his 2007 trip around Cape Breton Island, NS and his 2008 solo paddle up the western shore of Newfoundland. Please visit our web page for more information. See you all there!

Come experience the incredible scenery of Casco Bay from the cockpit of your kayak! The Outings Committee announces a Summer Sea Kayaking Series in the Casco Bay region over 5 weeks in August 2009. The series will include six trips along the Maine Coast from Portland to Georgetown and is intended for kayakers with some experience. Sea paddling experience is not required and all trips will have an easy to moderate difficulty level.

The trips will range from 4 to 7 miles on week nights to 8 to 10 miles for the Sunday trip. Maine Chapter Leader Jeff Aceto will be leading all the trips and interested paddlers should contact him at acet...@suscom-maine.net or 207-650-5674 for more information. The Series will consist of the following trips:

Wednesday, July 29; South Freeport 5:30 pm meet.
Thursday, August 6; Portland 5:30 pm meet.
Wednesday, August 12; Brunswick 5:30 pm meet.
Sunday, August 16; Harpswell 7 am meet.
Thursday, August 20; Georgetown 5:30 pm meet.
Wednesday August 26; Harpswell 5:30 pm meet.

Trip routes are weather and tides dependent and may be modified for conditions by the trip leader. These events are listed in detail in the Calendar and you can download a Summer Kayak Series flyer in pdf form. Come join us!

Please get out and support T3 by shopping at Horny Toad in Freeport July 17-19! Also known as “Teens to Trails,” T3 is a is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to increasing the opportunities for Maine teens to get into the out-of-doors and form their own personal connection with nature. Horny Toad Activewear is showing their support for active outdoor teens by donating 3% of your purchase to T3 during this weekend event. Funds will go directly to Maine high school Outing Clubs next fall through our Grants-to-Clubs initiative. So please help support T3!

Would you like to go to the widely acclaimed Common Ground Country Fair in Unity September 25-27? 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 Jeanne Christie or Laura Flight for more information.

Do you want to go hiking AND support a cause at the same time? July 24-25 is the annual “Seek the Peak” hike to support the non-profit Mount Washington Observatory. Last year’s event raised over $100,000! There is thousands of dollars in prizes, hiker goodies bags, and awards bash as well as a dinner feast. So, grab your hiking boots and a couple of friends and help raise even more funds in 2009. To register, call (800) 706-0432 x230 or visit the website, SeekthePeak.org!

17-year-old Johnny Strange of California has become the youngest person to summit the seven highest peaks on the seven continents. Johnny broke the previous record held by 18 year old Samantha Larson of California who completed her ascent of the seven summits in 2007.

Do you want to keep connected with all of the Maine Chapter activities, or activities in other chapters but forget to check our calendar page? Does having Chapter activities mailed right to your inbox sound enticing? AMC released a new “Activity Digest” feature on its website, enabling members to sign up for a weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly e-mail summary of upcoming activities based on your choice- just hikes, just paddles, paddles and hikes- it’s up to you! Members can sign up through the AMC Member Center. You can also view over 1,900 chapter activities and major excursions! Continue Reading »