Maine Chapter Website

Madelyn Given of Poland, ME recently completed a solo thru-hike of the AT, starting in Georgia on March 26 and finished at the summit of Mount Katahdin on Aug. 7. Madelyn is a retired school teacher and isn’t shy about letting folks know she’s a grandmother at 65. Her many accomplishments in life include running marathons and hiking hike peaks, and the AT was just one more to add to this list. One of her mentors (a.k.a. trail angel) for this trip was Maine Chapter leader and two-time AT Thru-Hiker Wayne Newton, who helped Madelyn through guidance on planning, clothing, and gear.

Madelyn’s thru-hike was depicted in a recent article in the Lewiston Sun Journal. Her trail journal can be seen at trailjournals.com.

New trails are being constructed in Waterville at the Quarry Road Recreation Area off North Street. This approximately 130 acre parcel was purchased from Colby College in 2008 and a 4.5 kilometer trail will be available for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing by winter 2009.

Here is a recent article in the Portland Press Herald on these trails.

Come join the Maine Chapter for our Summer 2009 Sea Kayaking Series! Download a Summer Kayak Series pdf flyer or click on the Calendar for more information.

Check out these photos from a recent trip in Portland Harbor continue

Outdoor enthusiast, blogger, and AMC Maine Chapter member Carey Kish recently noted the celebration of June 6, 2009 as National Trails Day by commenting on the need for volunteers to maintain our nation’s trails. Maine Chapter Executive Committee member and Trails Chair, Keith Chapman, was interviewed for this article in the Portland Press Herald. Keith commented on the 212 miles of recreational trails in Maine maintained by the Maine Chapter and urged folks to join him on one of the many trails outings in the calendar.

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.

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!

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.

Looking for a short hike close to home? Freeport may be known for being a shopping destination, but there are plenty of opportunities for an outdoor adventure away from the bustling downtown area. There is a substantial system of hiking trails at several locations in Freeport that are convenient, relatively easy, and appropriate for families and pets.

The Freeport Conservation Trust works to preserve the town’s rural character by creating and maintaining public access to preservation lands in the Freeport area. This recent article in the Portland Press Herald discusses the holdings of the FCT including listing several of the available trail systems.

Hikers interested in becoming backpackers won’t want to miss the Introduction to Backpacking workshop on Monday, June 8, 2009. This workshop is designed for beginner and experienced hikers ready to move into overnights on the trail or backpackers looking for new ideas. The event will be held from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the South Portland Library 482 Broadway South Portland.

For more information, contact Wayne Newton, hike...@myfairpoint.net, 207-897-3072, or Lew Dow, lws...@yahoo.com, 207-890-8512.

The Appalachian Mountain Club has developed a ski touring experience that travels “lodge to lodge” through Maine’s famed 100-Mile Wilderness. This trip takes skiers to three lodges (Medawisla Wilderness Lodge, West Branch Pond Camps, and Little Lyford Pond Camps) and includes all meals, lodging and gear shuttling between the lodges. The trip is feasible for skiers of any experience level and offers a terrific winter adventure right here in Maine.

Outdoor writer and enthusiast Carey Kish writes of his first-hand experience with the lodge-to-lodge trek, including the route, weather, gear, and, the food and drink (always a priority with Carey!).