Hi all:

For those of you who know me, you know that my heart is beating a little faster as I see the snowflake icons on Weather Underground. Unfortunately, it seems that Portland is out of the snow loop and I’m quite envious of all those first-snow Instagram photos I see online. As it’s been the past few years, we get rain when snow falls just north and even south of us. Okay, enough complaining; I’ll look at the doughnut instead of the hole: I don’t need to learn how to use the snowblower quite yet.

But what I do need to do is sort through my hiking boxes and load my pack with winter-appropriate gear. Out come the Hillsound spikes, snow baskets for my hiking poles, gaiters, insulated hiking boots (Salomon is my brand, but I’m not sure if those boots are still in production), layers and layers of non-cotton clothing and waterproof shells and puffy coats, mitten systems that keep my hands warm enough, but don’t make them sweaty… it’s an undertaking to prepare for a winter day in the mountains. Many of you reading this are experienced winter hikers, but for those of you who are new to the game, I’m including LAC Adventure Expert Kelly Corbin’s Zoom on preparing for winter hiking. It’s an hour-long and totally worth your time if winter hiking appeals to you. Do you have favorite winter hikes? Will you share them with me?

The LAC is hosting a full-moon walk on Wednesday, December 7th at 4:00 p.m. We’ll meet at Mackworth Island in Falmouth and walk under the light of the full moon (but do bring your headlamp and depending on the trail conditions, spikes too). After the walk, we’ll head over to Après for some social time together. Feel free to join us for just the walk, just the time at Après or all of it. No need to RSVP.

LAC Community Events (these are LAC only adventures and anyone reading this email is welcome to join)

🌕 Full (Cold) Moon Walk on Wednesday, December 7th at 4:00 p.m. Drinks after at Aprés

🎦 A fun Zoom panel on Thursday, January 12th at 7 p.m.

🎿 Join LAC members Cynthia & Abby for an afternoon of cross-country skiing in Bethel (specific meeting spot is TBD). The group will ski 5-10+ kilometres depending on snow conditions (this outing is for cross country intermediate skiers). If there’s enough interest, there can be a skate ski group and a classic ski group. Stay afterwards for drinks and food at the Millbrook Tavern at the Bethel Inn. 

RSVP to Cynthia (cynthiaosterling@gmail.com) for final details.

❄️ Oxbow (in Oxford) Cross Country Ski Adventure and Pizza & Beer! on Sunday, January 29th in the afternoon. (May be preceded by a skinning adventure at Mount Abrams. Woot woot! 🎿)

Are you on our private LAC Facebook page? This is the perfect spot to connect with other adventurers, plan hikes (and other adventures), ask for advice on gear, etc… if you’re not a member, you can find the page right here.

Upcoming Community (not all LAC) Adventures — To ease confusion, these are not LAC adventures (except for the ones that say, “LAC”). These are adventures we’re sharing that are put-on by other orgs. And if you have ideas for the calendar, please send me a note.

Maine

❄️ Coastal Maine Botanical Garden: Gardens Aglow (we’ve gone to this as a group from the LAC and had such a great time)
❄️ November 30: Nexus Women’s Ski Film Night at Après (a few of us are going; join in!)
❄️ December 3: Millinocket Marathon & Half
❄️ December 7: LAC Full Moon Walk
❄️ December 8: Pineland Farms Nature Forest Therapy
❄️ December 17: Black Mountain of Maine Hill Climb
❄️ December 18: Portland Backcountry Night with Emgee Events
❄️ December 29: Sugarloaf Climb for a Cure
❄️ January 12: LAC Zoom (details coming soon)
❄️ January 21: LAC Cross Country Ski Outing in Bethel with Cynthia & Abby
❄️ January 29: LAC Oxbow Cross Country Ski Adventure
❄️ February 10-13: Last Skier Standing at Black Mountain of Maine

New Hampshire

❄️ December 3: Tin Mountain Conservation Center Winter Tree ID

Happy adventuring,