Author: Amanda Baker

IAT Maine Chapter Board members; Walter Anderson, Thomas Urquhart and Dick Anderson share a laugh, and a beer, with IAT Maine benefactor Eddie Woodin.

The event was the SUPER BOWL party hosted by Eddie Woodin and Nancy Robinson at Eddie’s home in Scarborough, Maine. There was some good talk about the upcoming International meeting in Iceland and the Annual Meeting of the Maine Chapter, in June.

Unfortunately the Patriots lost the game, But IAT supporters had a wonderful time and took the opportunity to thank Eddie for his long-time and continuing support of the IAT.

Photos by Walter

Saturday, April 16th, Eastern Continental Trail thru-hiker Ed Talone reached the southernmost mountain of the Appalachian Mountains in North America, Flag Mountain in Alabama. Departing mid-February, from Dr Tortugas National Park, some 60 miles off the coast of Florida, Ed took approximately 70 days to walk the 1400 mile length of Florida. After walking the Florida National Scenic Trail, Ed walked approximately 160 miles of roads through Alabama, to reach the beginning of the 335 mile Pinhoti Trail on Flag Mountain. Flagg Mountain is also the very southern end of the Appalachian Mountain chain in North America.

When he arrived at Flag Mountain, he was greeted by members of the Alabama Hiking Tail Society, who provided good fellowship, cold beverages, a well-maintained campsite and a warm fire to help Ed recuperate. In the images included, you can see Ed Arriving at the observation tower atop Flag Mountain, enjoying a frosty beverage, and a group picture of the Alabama Hiking Trail Society, who maintain the campsite and tread surface of the Pinhoti Trail.

fter ascending to Flag Mountains’ modest 1,148 feet (349.91 m) peak, Ed will walk through the southwest corner of Georgia on the Pinhoti Trail, do 20 miles on the Benton MacKaye Trail and join up with the Appalachian National Scenic Trail at Springer Mountain. Ed will hike north on the 2180-mile Appalachian Trail, through Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecuticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

In Maine, Ed will summit Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Park. After walking north through Baxter State Park, Ed will join the route of the International Appalachian Trail Through Maine, to New Brunswick, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

On February 24th Hiraeth Press will be releasing its first title of 012, Border Crossings: Walking the Haiku Path on the International Appalachian Trail by Ian Marshall. This book follows Ian Marshall on this journey over the International Appalachian Trail, from Mt. Katahdin in Maine up through New Brunswick and out to the tip of Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula.

In addition, the Hiraeth Press has named the The International Appalachian Trail the 2012 Eco-charity of the Hiraeth Press of Danvers, Massachusetts! Don Hudson and Dick Anderson will attend the release in Hartford.

Countless books have been done to chronicle humanity’s communion with nature, from the classics written by naturalists such as Henry David Thoreau or John Muir, to the more contemporary offerings such as Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer and A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson; however Border Crossings stands out as unique among its fellows. Composed of Haiku and contemplative prose Border Crossings is book of braided styles: poetry, prose and travel writing. This style, as the author explains, is akin to that of haibun—a style of writing made popular by such Japanese poets as Matsuo Bash that merges poetic and meditative prose, literary criticism and cultural meditation.

Ian Marshall is a professor of English and Environmental Studies at Penn State Altoona and a former president of the Association for the Study of Literature and Environment. Border Crossings is Mr. Marshall’s fourth book. He is the author of Story Line: Exploring the Literature of the Appalachian Trail published in 1998, Peak Experiences: Walking Meditations on Literature, Nature, and Need published in 2003, and Walden by Haiku published in 2009.

For more information on Border Crossings visit: www.hiraethpress.com

You can read the announcement on the Hiraeth Press website: http://hiraethpress.com/announcing-our-2012-eco-charity

Don Hudson, Dave Startzell, Dick Anderson

On Saturday, January 21st, IAT Founder Dick Anderson and Maine Chapter President Don Hudson traveled to the Bavarian Inn on the banks of the Potomac River in Shepherdstown, West Virginia to join over 100 family, colleagues and friends to celebrate the 34-year leadership of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy by David Startzell.

Dave announced his retirement in November 2010 and he’ll wrap up his work for the ATC on January 31, 2012. It is fair to say that no one in the world has done more to promote the benefits to people and communities of long distance trails. The International Appalachian Trail was one of many footpaths in the world that were inspired by the Appalachian Trail. David Startzell began his career in planning 40 years ago and moved to the ATC 34 years ago. That move has proved to be one of the most important dates to remember in the annals of land conservation in North America. The idea of connecting mountain tops and communities along the spine of the Appalachians was first presented by Benton MacKaye in 1921 and it became a reality on the ground by the end of the 1930s as a result of the leadership of Maine-born Myron Avery. The route from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Katahdin in Maine came into the portfolio of the National Park Service a few short years into Dave’s leadership at the ATC. There is no doubt that the consolidation of land ownership along the Appalachian Trail could not have been achieved without Dave’s efforts. He galvanized ATC board members and staff, as well as state, federal and non-profit partners throughout 14 states, and showed them the way to completing the monumental task of conserving the AT corridor forever. MacKaye envisioned the AT; Avery built it; and Dave Startzell protected it forever. Throughout his storied career at the ATC, Dave has taught generations of hikers and ‘maintainers’ about the values of stewardship.

Dick Anderson

When it was Dick Anderson’s turn to celebrate Dave’s tenure at the ATC, he chose his words carefully (watch video). Dick made a special note of the difficult and complicated nature of conserving the AT corridor, and said, "We owe Dave a wicked debt of gratitude for his 34 years of leadership!"

While at the party, Dick and Don were able to meet the new Executive Director of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Mark Wenger (read story), who will bring great experience in non-profit leadership to the ATC on February 1, 2012. Dick briefed Mark on the current status of the IAT in North America and Europe and invited him to attend the first meeting of all the IAT chapters, which will be held in Reykjavik, Iceland, June 15-17, 2012 (read story).

Mark Wenger

Dick Anderson, Mark Wenger and Don Hudson

As the speeches wound down, nearly 3 dozen ATC staff and former staff came to the front of the room to show off their tribute to their leader. Baring arms, necks, (upper) breasts, and ankles, all showed off tatoos of Dave Startzell’s distinguished and memorable profile (temporary, we presume!). We’re pretty sure that no former non-profit leader has inspired such a unique measure of devotion and affection, and… it got a great laugh from all in attendance!

And so concluded a warm and wonderful celebration of a giant in conservation and long-distance hiking, Dave Startzell.

By Don Hudson

Dick Anderson, Eddie Woodin, Don Hudson, and Walter Anderson

On Sunday, December 18th, long-time friend and champion of the International Appalachian Trail Eddie Woodin made a $1,000 contribution to the Maine Chapter for the Annual Fund. Eddie’s gift was accepted by Maine Chapter President Don Hudson, along with Treasurer Dick Anderson and Chief Geologist Walter Anderson, in Yarmouth during halftime of the Patriots football game. Eddie has supported the Maine Chapter for over a dozen years and his gifts have allowed us to make great headway in a variety of activities, especially trail building and maintenance. Eddie is an avid birder and lover of the outdoors, and he appreciates the efforts of the Maine Chapter to promote appreciation of the common natural heritage of Maine and Canada’s Maritime Provinces. The Maine Chapter is just one of many organizations and causes supported by Eddie, among which youth sports and the Audubon Society stand out. With Eddie’s generous gift in hand, the Maine Chapter capped another successful annual fund, raising over $4,000 for chapter activities.

Richard Anderson has enjoyed an illustrious career during which is constantly sought to protect Maine’s natural resources. He has quietly, but effectively, enhanced Maine’s natural resources and wildlife habitat for the past 50 years.

Working as a fisheries biologist for Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in the late 1950’s he studied the effects of pesticide use on Sebago Lake salmon populations, advocating successfully against the use of DDT. From 1969 through 1972, he served as conservation director and eventually executive director for Maine Audubon Society where he worked to assure the passage of Maine’s "Bottle Bill," the ban on highway billboards, the establishment of the Maine Board of Pesticide Control, and the improvement of environmental conditions in the Presumpscot River estuary. He also was instrumental in the acquisition of the property that is now the Maine Audubon Headquarters at Gilsland Farm. He also was involved in the development of the Scarborough Marsh Nature Center.

In the 1980s, he served as the Commissioner of Maine’s Department of Conservation, leading the Department as it oversaw legislation to protect Maine’s natural resources, most notably, securing the consolidation of the State’s more than half million acres of Public Reserved Lands, producing the legislation that protected the States most valuable rivers and writing the legislation that resulted in the Land for Maine’s Future Program. He was also a key person in the establishment of the Saint Croix International Waterway Commission.

Mr. Anderson was co-founder, board chair, and executive director of the Coastal Conservation Association. He was appointed as a member of the Maine Board of Environmental Protection by Governor Curtis. Governor John Baldacci appointed him to be Chairperson of the Maine

Outdoor Heritage Fund Board of Directors. He is founder and President of the Maine Chapter of the International Appalachian Trail/Sentier International des Appalaches, a trail that connects the bioregion of the northern forest from Maine to Newfoundland and Labrador. This

project connects two countries, two major watersheds, the English and French cultures and seeks to foster international cooperation.

Mr. Anderson’s career has been one of high-minded, continuing and truly outstanding contributions to the health of Maine’s environment, the improvement of Maine public policy, and the well being of all Maine people.

The University of Southern Maine is honored to award Richard Anderson a Distinguished Achievement Award.

Ed Talone

Dick Anderson, Founder & ME Chapter Treasurer with Ed Talone

This weekend, Dick Anderson, Treasurer of the ME chapter of the SIA-IAT, Geraldine Wolf , and Seth Levy, Secretary of the SIA-IAT, traveled more than 6 hours north to the border of Maine and Canada to join Ed Talone on the last few steps of his 4554-mile hike. Though there is no "traditional" way to hike the length of the east coast, Ed’s journey has been exceptionally unique. Rather than begin at Key West, Ed journeyed nearly 70 miles west of Key West by ship to Dry Tortugas National Park, hiking across the park before taking a boat back to the mainland and continuing his walk north on the Florida Trail. After the Florida Trail, Ed explored the Pinhoti Trail system, and meeting members of the Alabama Hiking Trail Society at Flagg Mountain, the southernmost peak of the Appalachian Mountains in North America. Ed then bore north on the Appalachian Trail until New England, where a close encounter with Hurricane Irene and the closure of the Green Mountain National Forest led him on to a network of rail trails and byways. In Maine, Ed left the AT, walking the portions of the East Coast Greenway, the planned route of the Merrymeeting Trail, the Down East Sunrise Trail, and some segments of the International Appalachian Trail. After a journey that began nearly 8 months before, Ed crossed the US/Canadian border, surrounded by good friends and the memories of a wonderful walk.

After such a journey, most hikers would be content to rest for a while. After an hour or so, Ed and Dick were well into a detailed conversation, planning the next leg of Ed’s journey north through Canada, and perhaps beyond!

Photos and Story by Seth Levy, ME Chapter Secretary

Don Hudson at Work on Trail

Earl Raymond and Don Hudson Crossing Wassataquoik Bridge

After a couple of aborted attempts to set up a fall work trip primarily due to weather we finally got a group together to attack the high water trail. The original plan was to work out of the Wassataquoik Lean- to but it became obvious that the distance people would have to walk to the work site and return, about 4 miles, would not be feasible. The alternative was to work from Lunksoos Camps and cross the East branch by canoe. This would get us within just over a mile walk the Wassataquoik Bridge and the beginning of the 1.8 mile HWT project. Earl contacted Sarah Spencer and Mark Leathers, and Sarah graciously set things up including permission to use Tom Chase’s canoe.

Earl Raymond and Don Hudson Crossing the East Branch

The final work crew included Earl Raymond, Walter Anderson, Bill Duffy, Don Hudson and Cliff Young. The first three left from Falmouth at 6:30 AM, picked up Don in Topsham, and continued on to Sherman Station where we proceeded an additional 10 miles on the Sherman Lumber Company Road. From here it was only 1.6 miles south on the Sebois Road to the camps. We set up camp, got the canoe from storage and headed across the East Branch to Sarah’s trail. We were at the worksite, Wassataquoik Bridge, at about 1 PM. We decided to work on the trail until about 3:30 PM, which would allow us to be back at the canoe at approximately 4:30 PM. It was a beautiful day and we got a lot done.

Cliff Young Working on Trail

Cliff Young had driven up and stayed at Lunksoos camp on Wednesday night. He left a note that he would be at the other end of the 1.8 mile trail working downstream along the Wassataquoik toward us. Cliff arrived back at the camps just as we were pulling in at the canoe landing.

Walter prepared his eagerly anticipated beans and dogs and told us unusually scary stories of his days working as the state geologist.

We woke up to a snow squall Friday morning, which quickly turned to a very beautiful day. Don and Bill crossed the East branch and proceeded to the trail. Cliff and Earl drove to the other end of the trail via Whetstone Bridge, a distance of approximately 8 miles, to the infamous monster washout. They put up two signs where the 1.8 mile trail leaves the Wassataquoik Tote Road and proceeded to clear the old road/trail toward where Bill and Don were clearing. They met about 10 AM and continued clearing with Don & Bill to the public lot line. Cliff and Earl returned to the Wassataquoik tote road brushing and flagging along the way.

Cliff & Earl walked up stream along the Wassataquoik Tote Road for about a mile to check the condition of the road. It is in very good condition and did not require any clearing.

The 1.8 mile section of the high water trail follows an old road and did not require any chain saw work. There is evidence of trimming probably done by fishermen who were using the trail to get to the upper Wassataquiok. The last ½ mile on the upstream end will need some trimming but it is not critical.

Chop Suey by Walter for dinner and early to bed.

View of Katahdin

Saturday morning brought a beautiful sun rise view of Katahdin with snow, and Bill took a spectacular picture (included with this report). We broke camp and left via the Staceyville Road. Walt wanted to get a look at the Whetstone Bridge so we diverted the few miles to see it.

Don Hudson with niece Becca

Lily & Becca at Whetstone Bridge Campground

Don had been telling us about his niece who was on an extended canoe trip and, although he did not know when, she would be coming down the East branch. As fate would have it, his niece, Becca, and her friend Lilly were camping at the Whetstone Bridge campground. We were all very impressed with these two young people and they were happy to see Uncle Don.

Successful trip thanks in large part to Sarah & Mark.

The High Water Alternate route is a great section of trail, which will eventually be incorporated into a loop trail system.

Report by Earl Raymond

Photos by Bill Duffy

The Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association met a little closer to home this year. The annual Gathering of ALDHA was held at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams over Columbus Day weekend — Oct 7-10. Our contingent from Maine was lead by Dick Anderson and Walter Anderson, accompanied for the first time by Don Hudson and Seth Levy. Steve Pinkham and Suzanne Goulet also joined the group for the largest representation from the chapter in 15 years of attendance at ALDHA Gatherings.

ALDHA attendees

Opening Session

The corner booth at the Hiker’s Fair was visited by nearly all of the 450 participants at the Gathering, most of whom were very interested to hear about the growth of the trail in Europe. Information about hiking in Atlantic Canada and Scotland disappeared from the table top as quickly as it could be placed there. Three cases of water donated by Poland Spring were also snapped up in a day and a half. The Maine Chapter also held a small raffle of several items to support ALDHA. Autographed copies of Eb Eberhart’s (Nimblewill Nomad’s) two books – Where Less the Path is Worn and Ten Million Steps – were included along with two copies of the AMC’s Guide to Winter Camping and Nopack’s original day pack.

IAT Booth

Andrew Skurka speaking with Seth Levy at IAT Booth

The Maine Chapter was also well represented amongst the presenters. Seth Levy and Steve Pinkham drew a crowd on Saturday morning to hear about the 30-mile section of trail east of Baxter. While Seth highlighted aspects of the route, Steve added information about the history of lumbering and sporting camps along the way. Don Hudson presented an update on activities in Europe and North Africa from June 2009 to the present, including the trips to Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Spain, Portugal and Morocco. The latest updates included the identification of the entire IAT route in Scotland and the addition of a new section in Wales. At the last meeting of the Scottish Chapter, in addition to electing officers, the group identified the route of the IAT across the country. Beginning in the south, the trail will run from Mull of Galloway near Stranmaer to Glasgow along the Firth o Clyde Rotary Trail, from Glasgow to Fort William along the world famous West Highland Way, and from the foot of Ben Nevis in Fort William to the tip of Cape Wrath along the Cape Wrath Trail. The Welsh Chapter has added the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path in the southwest to their IAT route. Walter Anderson presented a concise review of the geology that underpins the IAT to a very engaged audience. It is becoming clear that the history of the formation of the Appalachian mountains going back 100s of millions of years is one of the compelling stories of the IAT. It is also fair to state that the trail is stimulating increased interest and understanding in the forces that have shaped the planet. Dick Anderson concluded the slate of four Maine Chapter presentations with a travelogue of the highlights of hiking in Newfoundland. It was clear by the level of interest at this and other presentations that interest in long distance hiking in Atlantic Canada is growing.

Don Hudson – Extending IAT into Europe

Dick Anderson – IAT in US and Canada

A highlight of the weekend was a presentation by extreme adventurer Andrew Skurka. Nearby Williams College hosted the presentation in their large, modern theater, and the room was packed to hear Andrew and see pictures and video of his 4,700-mile trek by foot, ski, and pack raft around Alaska and the Yukon Territory in Canada. This remarkable journey was just the latest in Andrew’s young life, and the fourth major expedition since he walked and snowshoed across the United States and Canada eight years ago – including the stretch of the IAT from Cap Gaspé to Katahdin. This latest adventure will be chronicled in the March 2012 edition of National Geographic, and will include stunning photography and the details of joy, hardship and even some peril that marked the journey. Don’t miss it!

Andrew Skurka

Next year’s Gathering will move south, likely to Concord College in Athens, West Virginia. We look forward to a return of the group to North Adams in 2013, where the Maine Chapter will once again be strongly represented.

Don Hudson

Photos by Walter Anderson

IAT founder, Dick Anderson, was honored on Friday, August 26th, with the Green Heart Award of the Quimby Family Foundation. The award was presented by iconic land conservationist and Burt’s Bees founder, Roxanne Quimby, at the grants award luncheon held each August by the foundation. Dick was received with warm and enthusiastic applause when Quimby walked to the microphone to announce the 2011 winner of QFF’s Green Heart Award.

Roxanne Quimby presenting to Dick Anderson

Quimby told the luncheon audience that the Green Heart Award is presented to someone who has not only accomplished great things in their working life, but someone for whom respect for nature and wild places is at the core of their being. Dick’s career spans over 50 years, beginning shortly after college at the University of Maine in 1955 to work as a fisheries biologist, notably as Maine’s first land-locked salmon specialist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. When the old Portland Museum of Natural History merged with the original Audubon Society in Maine in 1969, Dick was chosen as the first modern executive director of the new Maine Audubon Society. Dick next served for 8 years as the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation during the tenure of Governor Joe Brennan. Leadership of the bold caribou reintroduction project followed. It was during a visit to the Chic Choc mountains of the Gaspé Peninsula for the Caribou project in 1989 that the idea of extending the historical Appalachian Trail from Maine to Quebec was born. The International Appalachian Trail was launched in 1994, keeping Dick very busy for the past 17 and a half years. Throughout his long career, Roxanne noted that "Dick’s energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the conservation of nature never waned."

Don Hudson, long-time Secretary of the IAT, is the only other person ever to receive the GREEN HEART AWARD. He received his award from Roxanne in August 2009 for a wide range of lifetime achievements including his service as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chewonki Foundation, Maine Representative on the International Gulf of Maine Council and as an original proposer of the International Appalachian Trail with Dick and Gov. Joe Brennan.

Don Hudson and Dick Anderson with Green Hearts

Dozens of representatives of non-profit organizations in the arts, education and the environment were on hand to receive their grants, including two representatives from the Maine Chapter of the IAT, Don Hudson and Seth Levy. The Maine Chapter grant will help with the production of a special online trail guide as well as informational kiosks and long-range planning for maintenance of the 30-mile section of the IAT east of Baxter State Park.

Walter Anderson presents Quimby grant to Seth Levy, IAT Board member

Walter Anderson was also praised and honored at the Quimby Family Foundation luncheon. Walter was recognized for four years of service as a QFF Board Member, during which time he was a great champion for proposals aimed at increasing understanding of natural phenomena as well as those promoting science and science education. Walter is also an enthusiastic supporter of arts and music, and Roxanne Quimby noted that he had made great contributions to the Board’s deliberations, offering a keen sense of humor in addition to his careful and critical evaluation of proposals.

Water Anderson, QFF Board Member and IAT Board Member

Story By Don Hudson