Andy Falender: Still Making us Stretch

In this feature from AMC Outdoors, take a closer look at Andy's remarkable achievements in his 23 years here at AMC. Farewell, Andy - we hope to see you on the trails!

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5 Days Left to Save 20% on Teen Wilderness Adventures!

Time is running out to save 20% on this summer's AMC Teen Wilderness Adventures -- over 30 trips are offered! Book by January 31st to get this deal. New trips for 2012 include a 5-day Paddling Adventure; 8-day Hike, Rock Climb & Whitewater Kayak; and 6-day High Peaks Backpack.

Browse the 2012 catalog and learn more >>

Tell Your Legislators to Protect Maine’s North Woods!

We continue to push back against efforts in the Maine legislature to weaken the Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC), which oversees planning and development for Maine's 10 million-acre North Woods. While the legislature tried unsuccessfully to abolish LURC in their last legislative session, they instead created a study committee to review LURC. The committee’s report (PDF) has several bad provisions – one which allows county commissioners to appoint themselves as LURC Commissioners without legislative confirmation, and another that allows counties to “opt-out” of LURC. Both provisions undermine the effectiveness of LURC’s oversight of Maine’s North Woods.

The AMC strongly opposes these provisions but we need your HELP! Please contact your legislator TODAY and tell them that you want the North Woods protected against inappropriate development so that future generations can continue to hike, paddle, and recreate in this special part of Maine!

Take Action: Call or email your legislators and ask them to protect the North Woods from poorly planned development by opposing efforts to weaken LURC. The legislature should retain the ability to confirm new LURC commissioners, and counties should not be able to opt-out from LURC’s jurisdiction. Tell them that you really care about Maine’s North Woods and want to see that it remains intact for wildlife, sustainable forestry, and recreation – not carved up by piecemeal development.

For more information, contact AMC’s Maine Policy Associate Lindsay Bourgoine at lbourgoine@outdoors.org or (207)-899-0150.

Help Keep NJ in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

In three years, New Jersey generated nearly $52 million for clean energy projects by participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). For outdoor places and people who enjoy them, cleaner energy means less air pollution impacting natural areas and our lungs.

Yet New Jersey Governor Chris Christie wants to pull out of RGGI despite its many benefits to our health and the outdoors.

Please help keep New Jersey on a course for cleaner air by contacting your state legislators and urging them to keep New Jersey in RGGI.

RGGI is an important and effective 10-state initiative to reduce carbon pollution from power plants in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. It has also generated more than $778 million for clean energy investments throughout the region. In New Jersey alone nearly $30 Million in RGGI funds has been spent for zero-interest loans for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Pulling out of RGGI would end this funding in NJ and undermine state and regional progress toward cleaner air.

Please email your legislators today.

Learn more about RGGI >>

Winter is Here! What's Coming up in Pinkham Notch

With over 20 inches of snow on the ground at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, we think it's safe to say winter has finally arrived! Check out this great photo of Joe Dodge Lodge, taken on January 22nd, by Robert Rives, Pinkham Notch Winter Naturalist Guide:


So, now that the snow has arrived, what is there to do? For starters, check out our annual, popular International Dinner Series, which is currently underway. This Wednesday's presentation features a presentation about and the cuisine of Morocco. The series continues on Wednesday nights through the winter. See a full schedule of International Dinners >>

We’re also offering our best midweek ski deal ever! Stay at Joe Dodge Lodge or the Highland Center for at least two nights, Sunday through Thursday, and save 30% off our member and non-member rates! With this deal, you’ll also get a free trail lunch, in addition to a daily buffet breakfast and family-style dinner.

In addition, Joe Dodge Lodge guests will get a free trail pass to Great Glen’s cross-country trail network all winter! Free weekend programs are also offered, including moonlight snowshoe walks and beginner cross-country ski clinics. Check availability at Joe Dodge Lodge >>

Finally, with school vacation approaching, check out our Pinkham Notch Family Winter Adventure program during vacation week; or, for your teen, a guided snowshoe hike into Carter Notch Hut - part of our Teen Wilderness Adventures program!

Come on up and join us!

Little Lyford and Gorman Chairback are Open!

Little Lyford and Gorman Chairback Lodges are both open as of Thursday, January 19th! Skiing is currently limited to the roads*, where snow conditions are good: 2” packed powder on top of a 3” hard pack base. All backcountry ski trails are currently closed pending additional snowfall. Hiking is encouraged at both locations with traction or snowshoes.

Distances for skiing on the roads:
Winter Parking Lot to Gorman Chairback Lodge: 13.7km (8.5 miles)
Winter Parking Lot to Little Lyford Lodge: 9.8km (6.1 miles)
Little Lyford to Gorman Chairback: 12km (7.5 miles)

* CAUTION: Portions of the road into the lodges are a shared XC Ski and ITS Snowmobile trail. Expect to encounter snowmobilers traveling at high speeds, particularly on weekends. In order to ensure your safety, please ski on one side of the trail in a single file line and remember that you will hear/see a snowmobiler before they see you. Signage will be posted to remind both Snowmobilers and XC Skiers to share the trail and put safety first.

Power Line Threatens The Delaware Water Gap

Have you ever spent time hiking on the Appalachian Trail from AMC's Mohican Outdoor Center to Sunfish Pond and stopped to take in the amazing view from Raccoon Ridge? That view is in jeopardy because of a proposed high-voltage power line (known as the Susquehanna-Roseland Transmission Line).

The National Park Service took a big step in protecting this view and all the special qualities of the Delaware Water Gap by clearly stating in its draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that the project would have detrimental impacts if it is built as planned.

Please join AMC in opposition to the line by submitting comments or attending a public hearing. Help us protect the Delaware Water Gap and the Mohican Outdoor Center. Learn more about the project >>

TAKE ACTION
Will you join us in protecting the Delaware Water Gap? Support the National Park Service’s (NPS) conclusion that the Susquehanna-Roseland power line will have detrimental impacts and should not be built through the park! Comments are due to the NPS by January 31, 2012.

• Speak out at a public hearing on January 24th, 25th, or 26th. Find the times and locations on the National Park Service’s website.

• Submit comments online by January 31st, 2012.

Read more about AMC's efforts in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands >>