Maine Chapter Website

For our many hiking members, you won’t want to miss this helpful article on selecting hiking boots that is posted on the outdoors.org website. Good comfort means good times!

On Tuesday June 29, Dick Anderson will talk about the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) that extends along the spine of the Appalachian Mountains north of Mount Katahdin 1900 miles to the northern tip of Newfoundland and Labrador. The trail currently has more than 40 official tent platforms, lean-tos, and cabins along the way for hiker use. continue

The AMC Hiker Shuttle is open for the 2010 season. It runs daily from June 3 to through September 12, and on weekends and holidays from September 18 through October 17. The shuttle goes to popular trailheads and access points for AMC huts such as Pinkham Notch, Appalachia, Crawford Notch, Gorham, and many points in between! Use the shuttle to save yourself some time moving vehicles from trail head to trail head, and reduce your carbon footprint by taking public transportation. More information is available on AMC’s web page.

The Maine Chapter is in-search-of beginning hikers! Did you join AMC because you were interested in hiking but have not hiked since or hiked only a little? Do you have a friend or family member you would like to introduce to hiking? Have you heard the phrase “get out more” but don’t know how to accomplish that? Let us help!

The Step By Step: Introduction to Hiking Workshop on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 is for you! Experienced Maine Chapter AMC leaders Peg and Joleen love to talk about everything hiking, gear, and eating-related. Workshop will progress from easy and short hikes to strenuous long hikes, and everything in between. All that is needed is to put one foot in front of the other and have the right gear for the right hike.

Workshop is free to members and non-members and is held at the South Portland Library, 482 Broadway, from 6:00-8:00pm. L Joleen Rice (207-892-2685 6:30-9:00pm, jri...@verrilldana.com), L Peg Nation , R Joleen Rice (207-892-2685 6:30-9:00pm, jri...@verrilldana.com)
229-1368 before 9:00pm)

Looking to get your teen involved in some outdoor adventures here in Maine? The Bryant Pond 4-H Camp and Learning Center (part of the University of Maine System) has two adventure camps this summer. And if you are an AMC member, there is a $100 discount! The first trip is a hiking trip in the Mahoosuc Mountains July 4-9. Activities will also include learning map and compass skills as well as outdoor cooking and minimal impact camping. The second trip is a Rangely Lakes Canoe trip August 1-6. Natural and human history as well as low-impact camping will be learned. Trips are designed for teens aged 14-17. Please visit the above websites for more information or to register!

The Maine State Park System was originally created in 1935, so 2010 marks its 75th anniversary! There are over 30 state parks in the state from the ocean’s shores to the craggy peaks to the inland rivers, and camping is available at 12 of these special places. In celebration of 75 years, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) has launched an event calendar to list on-going activities. There is also information available on BPL’s web page on everything from park rules and fees, to finding great places to visit! So visit a state park this season and celebrate 75 years of this great tradition!

Now through June 30 you can save on AMC books and maps if you are an AMC member! Members usually receive a discount on books and other items, but through June 30 you get double your discount, a full 20%! There are books that take you to paddling, hiking, and natural areas; books on skills such as winter camping, trail maintenance, or knot tying; books on being outdoors with families; nature guides; and books that take you back in history. So go to the AMC store and see what there is to offer!

Did you join AMC because you were interested in hiking but have not hiked since or hiked only a little? Do you have a friend or family member you would like to introduce to hiking? Have you heard the phrase “get out more” but don’t know how to accomplish that? Let us help!

Come join us for Step By Step: Introduction to Hiking on Wednesday, June 23, 2010. Experienced Maine Chapter AMC Ls Peg and Joleen love to talk about everything hiking, gear, and eating-related. Workshop will progress from easy and short hikes to strenuous long hikes, and everything in between. All that is needed is to put one foot in front of the other and have the right gear for the right hike.

Workshop is free to members and non-members and is held at the South Portland Library, 482 Broadway, from 6:00-8:00pm. L Joleen Rice (207-892-2685 6:30-9:00pm, jri...@verrilldana.com), L Peg Nation , R Joleen Rice (207-892-2685 6:30-9:00pm, jri...@verrilldana.com)
229-1368 before 9:00pm)

Get ready for the coming paddling season this coming Sunday! The Maine Chapter will sponsor a Sea Kayak Rescue Workshop on Sunday, June 6, 2010. Whether a rookie paddler or experienced sea tourer, there’s something for all kayakers in this workshop. A professional instructor from Lincoln Canoe and Kayak in Freeport will demonstrate and coach both guided and independent practice of wet exits, self rescue, braces, and paired rescues. This material is great stuff-to-know-and-own-before-you-go for the Maine Chapter’s Summer 2010 sea kayaking trips.

The workshop will run from 1 pm to 4 pm at Highland Lake in Westbrook and has a fee of $10 for AMC members, $20 for non-members. Contact the leader for more information and to participate; Jeff Aceto 207-650-5674, outi...@amcmaine.org.