Outdoors

Published
March 7, 2010

Skiing: ’Loafer changing tone of tony Montana club

He’s a Sugarloafer since 1985. Sam Byrne started working in the group tour office at The Loaf in 1986. “I was the Julie McCoy of the mountain,” said Byrne of Manchester, Mass. “I met my wife at the Widowmaker on my 21st birthday. I am a Sugarloafer.” I had the pleasure of meeting Byrne on […]
Published
March 7, 2010

If the shoe fits

...It may be because you went to a clinic to find out what gear will best suit your snowshoeing needs.
Published
March 7, 2010

Got Gear?

WATER IS LIFE. HERE’S WHY: The average adult eliminates about 6.3 cups of water per day. Another four cups are lost from breathing, sweating and other bathroom business. That means the average person needs to drink between 64 and 104 ounces each day, according to the Mayo Clinic. TRACKING WATER CONSUMPTION can easily be forgotten […]
Published
March 7, 2010

Birding: Some high-fliers from the world of bird books

A reader of this column, Tim McCormack, asked me to suggest a list of bird books to provide a good overview of the field of ornithology. After sending him some suggestions, it occurred to me that other readers might be interested in them as well. The number of bird books is huge, so I’ve chosen […]
Published
March 7, 2010

Learn to be a track star

Upcoming workshops can help you spot clues that identify the critters sharing your world.

Published
March 7, 2010

‘Crazy’ in a good way: Skiing on vintage gear

Portland ski instructor Theo Johnsen was one of the first Maine advocates for Alpine fun. And it’s interesting to note that in 1905, Johnsen called the skis made a century and a half before him “clumsy and awkward.” “Tradition tells us that the skee or sliding snowshoe … proved a heavy load to fasten to […]
Published
February 28, 2010

Hiking: Chill out on off-season seaside walks

Maine’s coastal beaches provide myriad opportunities for winter walking. In sharp contrast to the crowds of people basking in the summer heat, our beaches at this time of year are pretty much empty — perfect for a contemplative walk amid the rhythmic sounds of the waves breaking onshore and the invigorating smells of salty sea […]
Published
February 28, 2010

Allen Afield: Delve into a clever kingdom

Recently, I bought Bernd Heinrich’s ”Winter World” (Harper Perennial), a wonderful nature book by one of the world’s more prolific and entertaining naturalists. Heinrich owns a cabin in Perkins Township west of Farmington, a getaway spot from his job as professor of biology at the University of Vermont. Here in Maine, Heinrich spends free time […]
Published
February 28, 2010

GOT GEAR?

HERE’S A BIT of a different take on a gear feature. THIS IS A COOL site that seems worth sharing for anyone worried about having their gear jacked. IT’S CALLED Karma Army (www.karmaarmy.com), and they bill themselves as an ”Amber alert for your gear.” They’ll send out e-mail blasts in your area if your bike […]
Published
February 28, 2010

Skiing: Slope speak

That last face-plant, those too-chic togs and more all have meaning if you know the latest ski lingo.

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Outdoors