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(L-R) Dick Anderson, Mark Wenger, Don Hudson, and Bill Plouffe

Maine IAT Chapter President, Don Hudson and IAT Founder/Treasurer, Dick Anderson, recently hosted a seafood dinner on the Portland, Maine waterfront for three key officials of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). Mark Wenger, ATC Executive Director/CEO; Amy McCormick, Assistant Development Director and Bill Plouffe, ATC Board Vice-Chair.

The dinner was a great opportunity to hear about some of ATC’s new programs. Don brought Mark and the others up to date on some of IAT’s significant activities. The IAT’s annual meeting in Iceland and the general expansion of the IAT in Europe were subjects that Don and Dick focused on.

On behalf of the Chapters of the IAT, Don invited Mark to attend and participate in the 2013 International General Meeting in Inverness, Scotland. Mark said he would like to attend and would make a firm decision as soon as a specific date had been chosen.

The dinner was a great opportunity to discuss our respective trails, strengthen friendships, and build on our long term, close working relationship with the folks at the Appalachian Trail.

The biggest crew assembled to date completes work between Wassataquoik Stream and the summit of Deasey on the Maine section of the IAT.

Four parties comprising 14 individuals from northern, western and southern Maine converged on the lean-to at the confluence of Katahdin Brook and Wassataquoik Stream east of Baxter State Park shortly after noon on Tuesday, July 3, 2012. Thanks to the support of the landowner, Elliotsville Plantation, Inc. (EPI), the group was able to travel by truck and SUV to the lean-to. This special access greatly simplifies the transport of equipment and tools, including chain saws, scythes, loppers and all of the kit to support a large work group in the field.

In addition, a grant in 2011 from the Quimby Family Foundation (QFF) helped to offset the cost of food and some of the materials for the work trip. The support from EPI and QFF makes this work possible.

Professors Chunzeng Wang and Dave Putnam of the University of Maine Presque Isle lead a group that also included Presque Isle High School student, Angela Wang, UMPI student, Walter Guerette, Dave Rand, Cheryl St. Peter, and Cheryl’s husband, Kirk rounded out the Aroostook County contingent. Chunzeng, Dave and Cheryl are Maine Chapter Board Members, and Dave coordinates all trail work on the IAT in Maine.

Professor Julia Daly of the University of Maine Farmington – and also a Maine Chapter Board Member – lead a group that included UMF students Sarah Lavorgna, Murphy Doughty, and Cree Rousseau.

Walter Anderson, Earl Raymond and Don Hudson traveled from southern Maine for the work trip.

On Tuesday afternoon, Earl and Don scouted out a new route for the IAT leading east from the Katahdin Lake unit of Baxter State Park. The donation of the former Huber Lot on Katahdin Lake to the Park has provided an opportunity to create a new and more scenic path to link the IAT with trails in the park. The new route will follow Katahdin Brook from the Gardiner Road that runs north along the boundary of the Katahdin Lake unit. The new trail will cross the outlet of the brook at Katahdin Lake, and thereby connect the IAT to the existing network of trails that lead from the lake to Avalanche Field and Roaring Brook.

The remaining crew divided themselves between the High Water Alternate Trail and the lower section of the Deasey Mountain trail, clearing blowdowns and brush, as well as installing a safety rope across Wassataquoik Stream for the aid of hikers.

On Wednesday, a small group completed a thorough clearing of the annual growth of brush and ferns that fills the first 1.5 miles of the trail from the Wassataquoik lean-to te base of Deasey Mountain. A short section of wet trail along the river was rerouted to higher ground. The rest of the party ascended Deasey Mountain, removing blowdowns, clearing the treadway, and clipping back the relentless growth of shrubs that invade the trail. New wooden signs were installed near the summit of Deasey to provide clear directions to the summit, Lunksoos lean-to to the north and Wassataquoik lean-to to the south. Anyone walking this section in the coming months will note the improvements. In addition, the youngest member of the party, Angela Wang, located each trail marker along the 5.3 miles, which provides the Maine Chapter with an important layer of information for the long-term maintenance of the trail.

At the end of a very full and productive day, the group enjoyed dinner prepared by Walter Anderson. Though rain showers came off and on during the day, no one complained. Walter Anderson observed that we all completed two very important tasks: First, the annual maintenance needed to support safe hiking and, second, the introduction of the trail to a new generation of enthusiastic trail workers.

Hiker, Ed Talone

Ed Talone is impossible to miss, even in a crowded bus station. His uniquely goofy grin notwithstanding, a vintage Kelty pack towers above him, crammed to the gills with the equipment that will protect and sustain him in the next 4 months as he hikes north from Mars Hill, Maine, following the spine of the Appalachian Mountain range along the International Appalachian Trail/ Sentier des Appalachian Internationale.

Ed’s unique countenance is well-earned though. In the last 20+ years, he’s racked up thousands of miles on the trail, putting him in the company of a very small circle of “uber-hikers” whose lifetime cumulative miles exceed 20,000.

Even for a man of Ed’s experience, this journey is a spectacular one, carrying him more than 2,400 miles through the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundaland and Labrador.

More spectacular still is that this extended journey is but the second leg in an even grander mission, Ed’s effort to walk the entire North American portion of the International Appalachian Trail/ Sentier des Appalachian Internationale – more than 7,000 miles in total.

Last fall, Richard Anderson, Treasurer of the Maine Chapter of the SIA-IAT, and I saw Ed to the border of America and Canada in Van Buren Maine, where he concluded the 4554 miles of the first leg of his grand walk, which began last winter approximately 60 miles south of Florida, in the Dry Tortugas National Park.

As Ed walks north, we’ll post periodic dispatches sharing his adventures and progress as he continues on his journey."

UPDATE 7/6/12 Ed Talone has deferred this year’s journey on the SIA-IAT this year for family obligations. Stay tuned for updates as Ed continues in the future.

Iceland Touring Headquarters

At the Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) was held on Saturday, June 16, 2012 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Since the establishment of chapters in Greenland and Scotland in the spring of 2010, this was the first combined meeting of representatives from Europe and North America. The European contingent included participants from the host chapter of Iceland, as well as from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Faröes, England, Scotland and Ireland. The North American group included participants from Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Maine. The Spainish and Quebec Chapters shared reports in advance of the meeting.

Ferdefélag Íslands – the Iceland Touring Association (ITA – http://www.fi.is/en/home/) hosted the meeting at their offices in Reykjavik. Following a welcome and introduction by IAT Chair Paul Wylezol of the Newfoundland Labrador Chapter, Leifur Thorsteinsson introduced his organization and its effort to identify a route for the IAT in Iceland. The ITA has 7,000 members for whom it provides programs and organized hikes throughout the year. The ITA manages 15 huts throughout Iceland, and Leifur reported that they had selected a spectacular route for the IAT from Hvitarnes to Hveravellir along a centuries old horse and footpath from the south to the north of the island. The route can be covered in 4 days, with stops in three of the organization’s huts.

Special guest, David Startzell, the recently retired Executive Director of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC – http://www.appalachiantrail.org/) then addressed the group. Dave reviewed the history of the establishment of the Appalachian Trail, which extends from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Katahdin in Maine, with special attention to Benton MacKaye, who first described his vision for the trail in 1921, and Myron Avery, the tireless organizer who oversaw the completion of the trail in 1937. Dave paid special attention to the level of both physical effort and financial resources needed to maintain and sustain the AT, and he talked especially about the need for a strong educational program at the ATC. Dave encouraged the assembled group to continue to make improvements to the IAT trail network as well as the human network required to sustain it.

Dave Startzell,Retired Executive Director of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Maine Chapter President Don Hudson next provided a brief history of the IAT through three phases of its development. The project was launched in 1994 to connect the tallest mountains in Maine, New Brunswick and southern Quebec. The second phase of the project began in 2002 when a chapter was created to bring the IAT to the island of Newfoundland. Nova Scotia (2008) and Prince Edward Island (2009 came on board to complete the trail in North America. Don reminded those in attendance that the third major phase of the project was establishing the IAT network across the North Atlantic islands to Europe – and, eventually, to North Africa. Don wrapped up his remarks with a short video presentation of the first six years of the IAT.

IAT Geologists Walter Anderson from Maine and Hugh Barron from Scotland reviewed the origins of the Appalachian/Caledonian Mountains and the subsequent opening of the Atlantic Ocean, which provide the rationale for extending the IAT to Europe and North Africa. The geologic framework provides guidance and direction to chapters to identify the trail network across the full extent of this ancient landscape surrounding the North Atlantic Basin. Cheryl Marvinney, a geologist and high school teacher from Maine, concluded the presentation with examples of her use of the IAT to reinforce her students’ comprehension of complex geologic processes.

IAT Geologist Walter Anderson

Cheryl Marvinney, Teacher & Geologist

The individual chapters next reported on the high points of their efforts since the last AGM in Quebec. The Maine Chapter presented its first Topo Guide, modeled on guidebooks from France and Quebec, and which will be published later in July. New Brunswick has updated its map of the trail and continues to develop the team needed in the province to maintain the IAT. Newfoundland adds new sections of trail annually, and Paul made special note of on-going plans to work with Mark Flagler to enhance the IAT’s web presence with video.

Magne Haugseng of Coast Alive, and the Vice Chair of IAT Europe, provided an overview of IAT in Scandinavia and the British Isles as it wraps around the North Sea. Chapter representatives from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Faröe Islands and England highlighted significant sections of the trail in their jurisdictions. In southwestern Norway, Hans Christian Lund and Siv Hemksett explained that the IAT traces the path that young children were once forced to take to find work during the summer months. In Denmark, Karen Greve noted that the trail is linked with a significant effort to improve health and wellness by encouraging active use of hiking and biking paths. The sport of geocaching is encouraged in Norway and Sweden and throughout the region as a means of motivating young people especially to spend time outdoors. The Faröe Islands present spectacular landscapes that are often shrouded in fog. IAT Faröes coordinator Liz Mortensen explained that the use of local guides could help support the local economy, as the trail weaves along boggy moors and dangerous sea cliffs from village to village, and also insure the safe passage of IAT hikers through difficult terrain. Jay Marrison oversees the Coast Alive and IAT route through North Moors National Park on the northeast coast of England, and he emphasized the efficient use of volunteers to maintain trails. The success of Jay’s program was of great interest to everyone in attendance.

Magne Haugseng, Coast Alive

Hugh Barron reported that they had linked three existing trails from the southwest to the northeast coast to complete the IAT in Scotland. The IAT begins at Mull of Galloway with the Firth of Clyde Rotary Trail, itself comprising three existing trails – the Mull of Galloway Trail, the Ayreshire Coastal Path, and the Clyde Coastal Path. This combined trail leads to Milngavie and Glasgow and the start of the West Highland Way. The West Highland Way leads to Fort William, at the foot of Ben Nevis, and the trackless Cape Wrath Trail will bring hikers from there to the northeast terminus of the IAT in Scotland – Cape Wrath.

Hugh Barron, Geologist

The route of the IAT in Ireland runs from the Slieve League sea cliffs through Donegal to the border with Northern Ireland. IAT Ireland coordinator, Inga Boch, presented the map of the route, noting that the eastern end of the trail in Ireland was laid out to connect – eventually – with the Ulster Way in Northern Ireland (http://www.irishtrails.ie/Trail_News/International_Appalachian_Trail_-_Ireland/). Filmmaker Mark Flagler debuted a 5-minute video of the route in Ireland that will soon be available on the Internet. Inga concluded with an invitation to join her on a hike of the route sometime in the coming year.

Filmmaker Mark Flager, and Inga Boch, Ireland

In addition to a review of important work that the chapters will undertake in the coming months and years to address trail standards and country-to-country linkages throughout the network. Paul emphasized the importance of marketing and public relations to the success of the project. Maps, guidebooks and websites will be the principal tools of the trade, and there may also be some exciting additions to the toolbox. Paul invited publisher and gallery owner Ralph Brill of New York City and North Adams, Massachusetts to present his vision for an illustrated, large format book about the trail, called The Pangaea Project. In addition to the book, Ralph has envisioned a companion website that can be routinely updated to bring the natural and cultural resources of the trail network to the fingertips of the user.

To conclude the presentations, writer Robert Moor shared his story and images from a recent trip to Morocco to illustrate what may one day become the southeastern terminus of the IAT near Taroudant in the High Atlas Mountains. Though no formal trail work has commenced there, Robert offered some hope that a group may yet come together to extend the IAT to Africa.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the officers elected to three-year terms at the AGM in Quebec were reconfirmed for 2012/2013: Paul Wylezol, Chair; Eric Chouinard, Vice-Chair North America; and Magne Haugseng, Vice-Chair Europe. Hugh Barron offered to host the AGM in 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland, for which there was unanimous support and agreement.

A very full day concluded with dinner at the Hilton Hotel, and heart felt thanks to the Iceland Touring Association for their leadership with the first meeting all of the chapters of the IAT.

From Right to Left: Paul Wylezol, Chair of IAT International Council; Canadian Ambassador to Iceland,Mr. Alan Bones; Dick Anderson, IAT Founder;

Ms. Holter; United States Ambassador to Iceland, Mr. Louis Arreaga; Norwegian Ambassador to Iceland, Mr.Dag Werno Holter

Mr. Louis Arreaga, United States Ambassador to Iceland, hosted a reception for all the attendees at the IAT International meeting held in Reykjavik, Iceland June 14-18, 2012.

The event was held in the Ambassador’s residence in downtown Reykjavik and was attended by about forty of the participants in the IAT meeting. The Canadian Ambassador to Iceland, Alan Bones and the Norwegian Ambassador, Dag Werno Holter, also participated in the reception.

An informal social time in the garden was followed by a welcoming and congratulatory presentation by Mr. Arreaga and additional greetings by; Ambassador Bones, Ambassador Holter, former Appalachian Trail Executive Director, David Startzell, IAT International Chair, Paul Wylezol and IAT Founder Dick Anderson.

Social gathering in the garden

Dick presented Ambassador Arreaga with a small, framed map of the locations of Appalachian terrains around the North Atlantic.

Dick Anderson with Ambassador Arreaga

The speeches were followed by a wonderful opportunity for attendees from both sides of the Atlantic to meet each other face to face, in many cases for the first time, over coffee and light food. It also gave everyone a great opportunity to explain more about the International Appalachian Trail to the Ambassadors.

It was a wonderful way to kickoff our first meeting outside North America and we all thanked Mr. Arreaga for hosting the event.

The pictures accompanying this story were taken by several people including Will Richard, www.wilfredrichard.com, Walter Anderson, and Don Hudson of the Maine, USA Chapter.

Follow the link below to read Maine chapter board member, Thomas Urquhart’s ,book review: Maine’s Famous Birds.

Walter Anderson, Don Hudson, Ed Friedman and Dick Anderson went north to the IAT Annual meeting one day early and did some trail work. They stayed Wednesday night at the Brookside Motel in Oakfield. On Thursday morning, on their way to Shin Pond, they did the regular cleanup of both Wright Farm and Roach Farm campsites.

In general both campsites were in good shape. A ,Don Hudson made, new sign replaced the 10 year old ones at both campsites. Floors were swept, litter was picked up, toilet paper was added and brush was pruned. At the Wright Farm the privy door was repaired. At Roach Farm the fire ring needed a lot of work and about a foot of each perlin was removed to correct an error made in the original construction.

Thur hiker Michel Jacques assisted them in the cleanup work.

Both campsites are now ready for hiker use.

Ed Friedman and Don Hudson installing Roach Farm Campsite Sign

Dick Anderson and IAT Thru Hiker Michelle Jacques cleaning up Roach Farm Campsite

Don Hudson and Dick Anderson installing sign at Wright Farm Campsite

Don Hudson working on roof at Roach Farm Campsite

Maine IAT Chapter Board members; Herb Hartman, Dick Anderson, Walter Anderson, Bill Duffy and Dave Rand recently completed the spring cleanup of the section of trail between the summit of Deasey Mountain and the Matagamon Wilderness Campground —a distance of about 17 miles.

Walter, as usual, did all the camp work, including buying food, cooking and cleanup.

Walter "Camp Chef" Anderson – photo by Bill Duffy

On Wednesday, Walter and Dick inspected the northernmost section of trail from Grand Pitch to Matagamon. They found that section in pretty good shape, with the exception of some serious beaver caused flooding near Checkaberry Camp. As a result they relocated a short section of the trail and replaced the "Tags" and arrows to guide hikers over the new section. Minor trimming was also needed along the entire section.

Dave Rand at work on the trail – – photo by Bill Duffy

Dave, Herb and Bill ,assisted by Dave’s ATV ,were able to accomplish the cleaning of both Campsites in this section of trail—Lunksoos and Grand Pitch—-both of which were in good shape. This crew also cleared some big blowdowns and pruned brush along the many miles of trail from Bowlin Camps to the Summit of Deasey Mountain. Bill hiked both Deasey and Lunksoos Mountains to accomplish the necessary trail upkeep and improve the marking of the trail. Herb and Dave cleared the Lunksoos Campsite area, the trail to the water supply and the first 200 yards of the trail up Lunksoos Mountain.

Dave Rand Crossing Hathorn Brook – photo by Bill Duffy

After a long day’s work on Wednesday, the crew enjoyed a few cold ones with Pat Clymer, the new manager of Bowlin Camps, before a traditional Walter Anderson dinner of beans and franks.

Having completed all necessary–and planned—work by darkness on Wednesday the crew packed up early on Thursday, while Walter cooked breakfast, and hit the road south at about 6:00 A M. It was a great and successful trip and we hope other volunteers can join in on the next work trip.

Herb Hartman, Trip, and Dave Rand – photo by Bill Duffy

The crew stayed overnight for two nights at Bowlin Camps and that allowed the more efficient use of time, since there was no setting up of tents or the doing of other camping chores.

IAT Members and Friends and 2012 Annual Meeting Shin Pond Village

Photo by Will Richard www.wilfredrichard.com

Members and friends of the International Appalachian Trail met this past week – May 17th to 19th – at Shin Pond Village for the 18th Annual Meeting of the Maine Chapter. IAT Chief Geologist Walter Anderson assembled a compelling and full program that began at 3:00 pm Thursday afternoon, May 17th, at the Lumberman’s Museum in Patten. Museum Director Ronda Brophy and the Director of the North Light Gallery of Millinocket, Marsha Donahue, presented the opening of a traveling exposition – “North Woods and Katahdin Art”, celebrating the work of more than a dozen painters. David Little spoke to the group about the art of the Katahdin region, soon to be published in a large format book by Down East. Look for it at the year-end! Maine Chapter board member Will Richard made the Thursday evening keynote illustrated by a beautiful collection of images made during his many visits to Newfoundland, Labrador and Greenland. The Smithsonian Institution will publish Will’s book about the region he calls the “Far Northeast” in 2013.

Lumberman’s Museum – Photo by Walter Anderson

A full day of presentations on Friday was highlighted by a special presentation to IAT Founder Dick Anderson and Maine philanthropist and conservationist Roxanne Quimby. Program Coordinator Anderson took special care this year to invite speakers who had received grants of support for their projects and work by the Quimby Family Foundation. Author Howard Whitcomb made the Friday evening keynote address, “A Pictorial History of Baxter State Park and Katahdin.”

The Friday morning program began with a brief report by Maine Chapter board member Herb Hartman on the status of the chapter’s first topographical guide, which will be completed in July. What came next was a surprise for IAT Founder and first President Dick Anderson when current President Don Hudson veered from a talk about identifying plants online. Don switched from plants to photos of Dick fishing with his family in the 1940’s. The photos were two of over one hundred that tell the story of Dick’s life from childhood to the establishment of the IAT, compiled in a beautiful book by Maine Chapter Coordinator Carol Gay.

Don Hudson presenting book to Dick Anderson – Photo by Bill Bentley

Dick Anderson receiving book – Photo by Bill Bentley

The rest of the morning was filled out with a number of talks about the natural resources of the East Branch region. Earl Raymond spoke about historic surveys of the region, including the first that dates to 1793. Laura Rose Day updated the group on the status of the restoration of the Penobscot River, with the removal of the Great Works Dam in Old Town that will begin on June 11th. Randy Spencer spoke about the translocation of Atlantic Salmon in the Penobscot River watershed as part of the statewide effort to restore the endangered fish. Baxter State Park Director Jensen Bissell wrapped up the morning with a presentation about the state of affairs in the park, including an effort to document every foot of trail for long-term management and maintenance.

Over 40 participants gathered after lunch for the traditional photograph on the lawn of Shin Pond Village before reconvening for the afternoon session. New Maine Chapter board member and University of Maine at Presque Isle professor of geology Chunzeng Wang opened the session with a presentation on an initiative to map all of the trails of Aroostook County (UMPI provides high-tech tools to municipalities)

Author Steve Pinkham followed with a brief description of his new book “Old Tales of Maine Woods”, an anthology of stories from historic sportsman’s magazines of the mid- to late 1800’s and early 1900’s. University of Maine at Farmington professor of geology Julia Daley, who joined the Maine Chapter board in April, spoke next about the status of her project to monitor temperature in remote mountain ponds and included time-lapse photography to illustrate the dynamics of ice formation and ice “out”. Artist and naturalist Jude Eldridge followed Daley and used images, video and sound to introduce the amphibians of the Maine section of the IAT.

Sarah Spencer of the Sewall Company reviewed the management of the Elliotsville Plantation, Inc. (EPI) lands east of Baxter State Park, with special notes about the Canada Lynx. Friends of Baxter President Barb Bentley next updated the group on a number of activities including the week long exploration of the park by Maine teenagers and a variety of projects aimed at highlighting and supporting the wilderness values of the park.

Bryan Wentzell presented the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Maine Woods Initiative, which is centered on their land and adjoining land in the 100-mile Wilderness south of Baxter. The AMC has linked a half dozen historic sporting camps in the region with existing and new trails, including new opportunities for Nordic skiing and dog sled trips in winter, in addition to more traditional uses in spring, summer and fall.

Maine philanthropist and conservationist Roxanne Quimby took the floor next to present her proposal for a National Park or National Monument on EPI’s lands east of Baxter State Park. The special designation for these lands is part of a comprehensive proposal that includes conservation of land north of Monson for the Appalachian Trail as well as the creation of a special motorized sports conservation area on lands east of the East Branch. The proposal is currently on hold, waiting for support by Maine’s congressional delegation. In addition to efforts to create a national park on her land in Maine, Roxanne is also working hard to consolidate ownership of national parks by purchasing in-holdings within the boundaries of over a dozen parks in the country. Her goal is to acquire as many parcels as possible before the 100th anniversary of the national parks in 2016, at which time she and her children Lucas and Hannah will make a special gift of the in-holdings to the Department of the Interior.

Before Roxanne was able to take her seat Don Hudson noted the special contribution that she had made to the Maine Chapter by allowing the IAT to be located on EPI lands. Don then presented Roxanne with a drawing by Jude Eldridge of the Haskell Deadwater made during a visit as part of EPI’s Visiting Artisits program. EPI, under Roxanne’s direction, opens several wilderness cabins and lodges on its land for the use of artists throughout the year – free of all charges. Just as planned for Dick Anderson, Roxanne was completely surprised by this special award, and she thanked the group for its support.

Photo by Bill Bentley

The very full afternoon ended with the presentation of the Grindstone Scenic Byway by Maine DOT’s Fred Michaud and Bruce Hazzard. The Scenic Byway links Matagamon to Patten on Route 159, south to Medway on Route 11, and finally through East Millinocket and Millinocket on Route 157 to the Togue Pond gate of Baxter State Park. Bruce concluded the presentation with a special invitation to the Maine Chapter to join the area coordinating committee for the Scenic Byway.

The annual business meeting was conducted quickly in order to get participants to “Attitude Adjustment” session before a special dinner cooked by Terry and Craig Hill and their staff at Shin Pond Village.

One of the most successful annual meetings continued after dinner with a special keynote presentation by Author Howard Whitcomb of his and co-author John Neff’s publication of “Baxter State Park and Katahdin” in the Images of America series. The book is an extraordinary collection of over 200 images gleaned from a review of well over 1000. Howard took the group through the several chapters of the book with a series of slides and brief mention of the significance of each. John and Howard have written detailed captions for each image, which adds special value to an extraordinary compilation. All of the proceeds from the sale of the book will flow to the Friends of Baxter to support its activities.

The Saturday morning field trips included hikes of Mt. Chase, Sugarloaf Mountain, and a visit to the Bowlin Camps and the adjoining stretch of the IAT from Big Spring Brook to Bowlin Falls and the approach to the famous “Hulling Machine” on the East Branch.

Dick Anderson with Thru Hiker, Michel Jacques

IAT thru hiker Michel Jacques, from Quebec City, happened to be on the trail south, near Shin Pond and attended our Annual meeting. Michel had sectioned-hiked the IAT from Cap Gaspe to Matapedia over the last few years. He started his 2012, southbound IAT hike at the bridge over the Restigouche River in Matapedia.

He has completed the New Brunswick section of the IATand is heading for Katahdin, to complete his IAT hike, after enjoying Thursday night social hour and dinner with the Maine Chapter members at the Shin Pond Village. While hiking in New Brunswick, he stopped to meet and talk with the Mayor of Nictau, Bill Miller. A report from Miller alerted us to the fact that he might be in the Shin Pond area at the time of our meeting, so we were looking for him.

Walter Anderson, Michel Jacques, Ed Friedman and Dick Anderson at Roach Farm Campsite

After finishing his hike of the IAT –Cap Gaspe to Katahdin—Michel will be heading south on the AT for Springer Mountain.

Epilogue: Unfortunately, after leaving our meeting and hiking from Shin Pond to Baxter Park on the IAT, Michel decided that he had to leave the trail due to an injured knee. He has returned to Quebec City for treatment. He said he might return to the trail when he recovered from his injury.

Photos by Walter Anderson and Don Hudson