Outdoors

Published
February 9, 2013

Spruce does it simple

Run primarily on the backs of volunteers, the Jay ski area has endured for more than a half-century despite some lean times.
Published
February 2, 2013

Blindness is no barrier to enjoying the slopes

Groups are helping those with vision deficiencies to receive the help they need to head down the trails.
Published
February 2, 2013

Deirdre Fleming: East Grand Lake ice fishing derby revived to aid a man’s recovery

February in Maine turns into derby time as more ice fishing derbies go off across the state, most serving as benefits to raise money for charities. With this in mind, it’s a good time to hope for frigid weather, colder nights and solid ice. That’s right, winter-weather naysayers. But hear me out. One derby this […]
Published
February 2, 2013

Best Bets

WEDNESDAY Baxter’s Rare Tales 7 p.m. in Portland The Maine Outdoor Adventure Club’s monthly meeting will feature John Neff and Howard Whitcomb sharing their knowledge of the Katahdin region’s history and the creation of Baxter State Park. Their new book, “Baxter State Park and Katahdin,” draws on rich collections of archival images, many never published, […]
Published
February 2, 2013

Mark Latti: Smelt season in full force

Despite the midwinter warm-up this past week, ice conditions throughout much of the state are very good, and smelt shacks are popping up on the state’s tidal rivers. I am sure you recognize the shacks as you cruise up the Kennebec River corridor. For me, they are a sign that winter truly has arrived, as […]

Published
February 2, 2013

Birding: As the birds fly up and be counted

This column is the last of three in which I will describe some of the highlights of Maine Christmas Bird Counts (hereafter, CBCs). We’ll travel along the coast today. The York CBC, held on Dec. 20, is the southernmost of the Maine counts. This count produced 100 species. The species list is a nice list […]
Published
February 2, 2013

Skiing in Maine: By only thinking big, ski industry would go downhill

Many of us who love the sport of skiing have despaired over the past few decades about two interrelated phenomena: The decline in the number of available ski areas, especially the smaller, locally focused facilities; and the upward spiraling cost to participate as the remaining larger resorts compete with each other and attempt to make […]
Published
February 2, 2013

Allen Afield: Wild cards aplenty in process of natural selection

Recently an Internet post describing a “snow tale” reminded me of similar winter incidents that I have noticed in life, “written” in this wonderful tracking medium. Snow reveals myriad stories, even to casual observers. The ‘Net anecdote mentioned evidence of a woodland event that a poster observed during a hike — scattered grouse feathers and […]
Published
February 2, 2013

North Cairn: Voluntary solitary in season

The other morning, for a moment, it was so warm and the snow so scant, I almost felt I was lost somewhere in West Virginia. The feeling didn’t last long though, because the gusts were so strong that roof shingles were blowing off, pitching like meat-carving knives into the last lumps of snow on the […]
Published
February 2, 2013

Getting back up to speed

A Camden teen has her sights set on ski racing again after surviving a frightening crash last winter.

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Outdoors