Appalachian Mountain Club – Maine Chapter

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 »

This year’s Maine Chapter AMC Annual Meeting will be held Friday, October 2nd to Sunday, October 4th at Camp Kawanhee in Weld, Maine. Camp Kawanhee is on Webb Lake and is very close to Tumbledown Mountain and Mt. Blue State Park, where many of the weekend activities will take place. Continue Reading »

Looking for a good deal on outdoor gear? Are you an AMC member? Coleman is your answer! All you have to do is log in to AMC’s Member Center to be eligible. AMC Members get a 40% discount at Coleman. Log into the the Member Center and scroll down to “AMC Discounts” on the lower right of the page to click on the live link. Coleman sells top quality outdoor equipment and at 40% off you can easily get tremendous value for your dollar. Not an AMC member and want to receive discounts on Coleman products, AMC gear, and stays AMC destinations? Join now! Continue Reading »

Have a kid that can’t get enough of the outdoors? Or, have a kid you wish spent more time out in the fresh air? The University of Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond still has scholarships for Maine residents available for the summer of 2009! These may be used for programs such as Conservation Camp, Natural Explorer, 4-H Shooting Sports Archery Camp, Fishing Camp, and Paddling Adventures Camp. So, encourage kids to enjoy the outdoors this summer!

AMC and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics team up to provide Master-level educational courses in the White Mountains, NH. These are 5-day programs that provide instruction and training in becoming a Leave No Trace Master Educator. This program is designed for individuals with previous backpacking experience and an understanding of Leave No Trace Principles. Information on AMC’s 2009 LNT Master Courses can be found at the website or by calling Hawk Metheny, AMC LNT Coordinator & Backcountry Management Specialist, at 603-466-2721 x8115.

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.

Now in its 51st year, MLS 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 or experienced trip 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. Scholarships are potentially available for Maine chapter trip leaders; contact Peter Roderick for more information. There are two offerings in 2009; June 15-21 and August 10-16. Visit the website or call 603-466-2727 to reserve your space.

Upcoming are two opportunities for you to learn and hone your white-water skills, and make sure you and your companions know how to handle a water-rescue situation. “Introduction to White-Water” will be offered June 19-21 and is designed for people with little or no white water canoeing experience or white-water technique. A second course “River Rescue” will be offered June 26-28. This course is designed for guides, instructors, trip leaders and white water paddlers who have no formal training in modern white water rescue techniques, and it is experiential in nature. For more information contact Kevin Slater or phone 207-824-2073.

Severe blisters and an aching knee didn’t stop Jeff Hunnewell and his niece Nikki Coutts from climbing all fourteen of Maine’s four-thousand foot mountain peaks in four days. This physically demanding trip started in western Maine on Old Speck, Saddleback and The Horn. Six peaks were bagged on day 2, including Sugarloaf, Redington, Abraham, North Crocker, South Crocker, and Spaulding. After they climbed Bigelow’s Avery and West Peaks on the third day, they were off to Baxter State Park for the finale. A 4AM start allowed them to hike North Brother then they drove over to Abol for their final climb up Katahdin to Baxter and Hamlin peaks. Both enjoyed the experience, but have no desires to do it again anytime soon.

Here’s more information on Jeff and Nikki in a recent article in the Lewiston Sun Journal.

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.