Maine Chapter Website

Are you an avid day hiker who has always dreamed of linking your trail-filled days together into a multiple-day journey? To see the stars at night from a remote campsite? To listen to a babbling stream lull you to sleep? To awake to chirping birds? On Thursday June 3, the Maine Chapter will be hosting an evening workshop on backpacking at the South Portland Public Library. Learn what you need to bring to safely hike multiple days in a row without returning to the parking lot at the end of the day! Information on backpacks, gear, clothing, stoves, food, water, hygiene, trip planning, and a variety of outdoor hints will be presented. This workshop is designed for experienced hikers ready to move into overnights on the trail or backpackers looking for new ideas. Please contact the leaders for more information or to sign up.

Now in its 52nd year, Mountain Leadership School 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. 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 2010 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.

How would you handle an injury in the backcountry? A simple sprain can become serious when there are miles of stone-littered and root-infested trail between you and definitive medical care. And the biggest threat isn’t always the injury, but the “E” factor- the “E”nvironment. Come learn how to adequately respond to backcountry injuries with confidence in this 2-day course taught by experienced outdoor wilderness medicine instructors from SOLO. Please contact Peter Broderick or Joleen Rice to register or for more information.

Have you ever wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine but couldn’t find a four month stretch to do it? There is another way! On Wednesday, April 21, 2010, the Maine chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club presents long-time Maine hiker Jeff Ryan for a talk and slideshow about his approach to “section hiking” the Appalachian Trail (AT). continue

A reminder to join us for a land navigation workshop at the South Portland Library on Tuesday, April 20, 2010. This workshop offers an introduction to the fundamentals of map reading, identification of symbols, contour lines, terrain features, compass use, and triangulation. Once learned, these skills will enable participants to feel more confident with backcountry travel. The workshop is an indoor event at the South Portland Library at 482 Highland in South Portland on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 starting at 6:30 pm. continue

Suppose you’re leading a group in the outdoors and suddenly one of your party is missing. You try to call for help, but there’s no cell phone signal. What should you do now? AMC Maine Chapter leaders and other interested persons are urged to attend the Lost Person Scenario Training to be held on Thursday, May 13, 2010. continue

LL Bean will be hosting a Spring Expo on Friday, April 9 through Sunday, April 11 at their store in Freeport. There will be gear clinics and demonstrations to get you prepared for any type of spring adventure from hiking, to paddling, to camping. There will also be information from local organizations and clubs who have knowledge in these activities, such as the Maine Chapter of the AMC! The event is free and open to the public, so be sure and mark your calendars and think spring!

GPS is great, but the surest way to navigate outdoors doesn’t require batteries! Come join us for a land navigation workshop offering an introduction to the fundamentals of map reading, identification of symbols, contour lines, terrain features, compass use, and triangulation. Once learned, these skills will enable participants to feel more confident with backcountry travel. The workshop is an indoor event at the South Portland Library at 482 Highland in South Portland on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 starting at 6:30 pm. continue

“Life Happens Outside!” That is the theme for the 2010 Teens to Trails Biennial Conference to be held at Windham High School on Saturday April 3rd. There will be exhibits and over 50 workshops to choose from. Hands on activities include fly casting, climbing a rock wall, or tasting some backcountry cooking. In addition you can learn about trip planning, orienteering, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, owls & eagles, biathlons, and all kinds of outdoor opportunities for teens. There are special sessions for anyone wanting to start an Outing Club at their own school. To register and get more information, visit the Teens to Trails website!