MATC Ridge Runner Program

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Submitted by Janice Clain The MATC Ridgerunners are in the field, monitoring high traffic and sensitive eco-systems at three strategic locations along the AT. Returning this season to Gulf Hagas is Robyn Crisp, an avid long-distance hiker who calls Colorado home. She started her season at the northern end of the Hundred Mile Wilderness, ready to meet southbound thru hikers to give them advice about safety, packing and enjoying and protecting the wilderness. She moved to Gulf Hagas in late June, and spends her duty time there interacting with AT thru hikers passing north and south, section hikers knocking off […]

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Maine Trail Crew Report

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Submitted by Janice Clain After the forced suspension of the program in 2020, the Maine Trail Crew is gradually returning to its pre-pandemic model based on a paid staff supplemented by volunteers. Due to COVID restrictions, the Trail Crew operated in 2021 as two four-person paid teams and completed most of the projects originally scheduled for both the 2020 and 2021 seasons. With the loosening of pandemic limitations, MATC hired a four-person professional crew supplemented by a base camp coordinator. The Maine Trail Crew Committee considers itself fortunate that four of last season’s paid staff were so satisfied with their […]

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Dave Field: “Loving the Trail”

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MATC’s Dave Field was a featured author in the Winter 2022 edition of ATC’s “Journeys” magazine. Dave is a life-long volunteer on the A.T. and has witnessed and instigated many change over the years. The trail you know and love today is in in large part Dave’s doing. Please thank Dave for his dedication to and love of the trail! Check out the article: https://appalachiantrail.org/official-blog/loving-the-trail/

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Privy Sign

Privies in the News!

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While using a privy is typically and preferably a solitary experience, the how and why of privies deserve some face time. Check out this recent ATC article explaining the privy “Facts of the Matter.” The banner photo was taken by MATC volunteer Emily Zimmerman from the 2021 Sabbath Day Pond privy project! https://appalachiantrail.org/register-blog/privy-choices/

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Gordon Clarke – A Remembrance

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-Craig Dickstein When we joined in the efforts of MATC in late-2005, Donna and I were asked to help Gordon Clarke with the Carrying Place section in the Kennebec District.  What a great introduction to Trail maintenance!  Not only did Gordon have (and share) the requisite skills, but his passion for the work was infectious.  The first trip out in the spring was the best as we got our annual spring wildflower lesson.  His love of wildflowers was gained from the days that his wife Karen would join him on the Trail or on one of their many wilderness canoe […]

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Group Registrations Coordinator

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Group Registrations Coordinator MATC’s CARE Committee (ridge runner program) is seeking a volunteer to serve as the Group Registration Coordinator. The job includes: receiving information from groups that register to use and camp along the AT; corresponding with groups to advise them on their itineraries and, if necessary, provide alternatives; communicate with ridge runners in the field to inform them of groups passing through or camping in their areas; collecting data to help improve Trail use; providing feedback to camp groups and the CARE Committee on group usage of AT resources. Recommended qualifications for the position are: familiarity with the […]

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2022 Annual Business Meeting

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Save the date! The Maine Appalachian Trail Club’s 2022 annual meeting will be held on Saturday April 9th from 9-11am on…. you guessed it- Zoom! Again, we will miss seeing familiar faces and the stories of blow-downs, privies, and flat tires. And we’ll especially miss the coffee and doughnuts! But, with the latest news of COVID-19 this is the best we can do. We are planning on a 2-hour meeting to prevent screen fatigue and stick to the tasks at hand. Based on last year’s meeting we should be able to make it within the 2 hour time-frame. We’ll send […]

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MATC Seeks Walter D. Greene Award Nominees

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by Tom Gorrill Do you know someone who has done an extraordinary job for the MATC last year? Went way above and beyond what was expected? Please keep that person in mind….and nominate them for the Walter Greene award that is presented at the Spring Meeting. The Walter D. Greene Award is presented at the Annual meeting to recognize extraordinary effort or achievement by a member of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club. This award is not to take the place of periodic informal recognition that all MATC volunteers should receive; i.e. a ‘thank you’ for a job well done. Nor […]

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