November 2007
Yikes! Double Hot Forest Fires!
Todays North American forests are a different breed than generations past. This is mostly because we have been almost too careful with fire. For a long time we have thought that the less fire the better, saving wildlife and wildlife habitat. However, scientists have found that moderate burning is natural and healthy for forests.
For example, some species of pine trees require the heat of flames to melt the wax which hold the seed in place. Hence, the seeds can then drop to the ground and take to the soils.
Also, without natural burning, the forest floors have become a mess of highly flammable undergrowth which burns at an outrageous temperature and rate. The thick undergrowth makes it impossible for wildlife to escape when fires occur.
There is such a thing as prescribed burns when sections of the forest are purposely set a fire in order to promote healthy growth. Sometimes prescribed burns can get out of control, leading to hot, devastating fires. Even our modern day efforts to extinguish massive forest fires are puny at best, like a circus side show.
So, when you venture into our North American forests, please remember that forest fires spell double trouble.
Submitted by James David Christmas: AMC Trails Volunteer
11.08.2007
Trails Volunteer of the Month - November 2007
Peter Roderick
When the Grafton Loop Trail was mapped, Peter and his wife, Janet, along with dozens of other volunteers, worked under the supervision of Paul Johnson of the MATC on the section of the GLT that leaves Route 26 and travels over Puzzle Mountain, Long Mountain, and Lightning Ledges and on to the summit of East Baldpate where it intersects with the Appalachian Trail. This project took three years to complete with volunteers working primarily on weekends during the summer months.
In 1997, Peter and Janet volunteered at the Appalachian Trail Conference which was hosted by MATC and the Maine Chapter, AMC at Sunday River Ski Resort in Newry, Maine. They initially intended to attend for one day but decided to stay on for the week-long conference when they were asked to help with an emergency situation involving the hikes and excursions desk. It was while at this conference that they met many AMC members and based on that very positive experience decided to become AMC members.
In 2001, when first joining the trails committee, Peter, along with his able co-chair, Keith Chapman, found a group which had become inactive and dispirited over time. They were able to rekindle interest in trail maintenance and have led many successful trips over the last six years with improved turnout by volunteers from both the AMC and from the community at large. New or renewed relationships have been established with MATC, Loon Echo Land Trust, Bates College Outing Club and Tumbledown Conservation Alliance among others.
When the AMC purchased Little Lyford Pond Camps and the 37,000 acres of surrounding land now known as the Maine Woods Initiative, Peter and Keith led a trail work trip to the new facility to help clear ski trails for the fast approaching winter season. While there, Peter expressed a willingness to return as a volunteer. The AMC soon took Peter and Janet up on this offer. Peter and Janet have spent many weekends at LLPC helping not only with trail work but also with providing guest services including relieving the regular crew on weekends which involved responsibility for meal preparation, guest services and other support of the mission of LLPC.
Peter has led annual holiday weekend trail maintenance trips to Little Lyford Pond Camps on which volunteers supplement the work of the professional trail crew building trails there. These trips have proved so popular that there is often a waiting list for one of the volunteer slots.
With all of Peter’s past and future efforts we wanted to recognize this individual for his outstanding community spirit and dedication to AMC Trails. Thanks Peter!
-AMC Trails Volunteers and Staff
Peter Roderick is co-chair of the Maine Chapter Trails Committee as well as immediate Past Chapter Chair. He has been a member of the AMC for 10 years and was first elected
to the Maine Chapter Executive Committee six years ago. He is also a member of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club where he gained his initial experience in trail maintenance. At the recent Fall Gathering, he volunteered to chair the AMC Trails Committee.
(Peter: center photo in green t-shirt)
When the Grafton Loop Trail was mapped, Peter and his wife, Janet, along with dozens of other volunteers, worked under the supervision of Paul Johnson of the MATC on the section of the GLT that leaves Route 26 and travels over Puzzle Mountain, Long Mountain, and Lightning Ledges and on to the summit of East Baldpate where it intersects with the Appalachian Trail. This project took three years to complete with volunteers working primarily on weekends during the summer months.
In 1997, Peter and Janet volunteered at the Appalachian Trail Conference which was hosted by MATC and the Maine Chapter, AMC at Sunday River Ski Resort in Newry, Maine. They initially intended to attend for one day but decided to stay on for the week-long conference when they were asked to help with an emergency situation involving the hikes and excursions desk. It was while at this conference that they met many AMC members and based on that very positive experience decided to become AMC members.
In 2001, when first joining the trails committee, Peter, along with his able co-chair, Keith Chapman, found a group which had become inactive and dispirited over time. They were able to rekindle interest in trail maintenance and have led many successful trips over the last six years with improved turnout by volunteers from both the AMC and from the community at large. New or renewed relationships have been established with MATC, Loon Echo Land Trust, Bates College Outing Club and Tumbledown Conservation Alliance among others.
When the AMC purchased Little Lyford Pond Camps and the 37,000 acres of surrounding land now known as the Maine Woods Initiative, Peter and Keith led a trail work trip to the new facility to help clear ski trails for the fast approaching winter season. While there, Peter expressed a willingness to return as a volunteer. The AMC soon took Peter and Janet up on this offer. Peter and Janet have spent many weekends at LLPC helping not only with trail work but also with providing guest services including relieving the regular crew on weekends which involved responsibility for meal preparation, guest services and other support of the mission of LLPC.
Peter has led annual holiday weekend trail maintenance trips to Little Lyford Pond Camps on which volunteers supplement the work of the professional trail crew building trails there. These trips have proved so popular that there is often a waiting list for one of the volunteer slots.
With all of Peter’s past and future efforts we wanted to recognize this individual for his outstanding community spirit and dedication to AMC Trails. Thanks Peter!
-AMC Trails Volunteers and Staff
11.06.2007
AMC Volunteer Vacations: Week-Long Teen Crews 2007
This summer we had outstanding participation in all of our teen crews in the White Mountains, NH! There were two 2-Week Teen Spike Crews, four 1-Week Spike Teen Crews, one Teen Base Camp Crew, three Alpine Teen Crews and one 3-Week Teen Trails Leadership Crew. All of these programs for teens were at full capacity and got enormous amounts of work done on the trails in this region.These photos highlight a few of the 1-Week Spike Crew, 2-Week Spike Crews, and the Teen Base Camp Crew from the 2007 season. (See other posts on this Blog for more on the Alpine Crews and the 3-Week Crew)
Our 1-Week and 2-Week Crews worked on several projects throughout the summer
season. Between constructing native bog bridges on the Ethan Pond Trail (AT) and on the Mount Meader Trail in Evans’ Notch, constructing rock water bars and rock stair cases on the Austin Brook Trail in the southern Mahoosucs and on the Wildcat River Trail on the east side of the Carter Range. There was some amazing work preformed by these crews this summer, work that will be around for a long time.Our Teen Base Camp Crew, based out of AMC Camp Dodge Volunteer Center, worked on a very impressive rock staircase on Crew Cut Trail in Pinkham Notch. Moving huge rocks on steep terrain, this crew was able to learn the skills and manipulate these boulders to build a beautiful staircase up an eroding section of trail.
Once again, a big thaks to all of our Teen Volunteers that contributed their time and energy on the trails in the White Mountain region. We hope to see you all again next season!
Photos by: Rachel Boothby, Emma Gildesgame, and Renee’ “Mouse” LaGue
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
