Polar Bear Dip bone-chilling, heartwarming

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Here are a couple of reminders of upcoming events you’re probably aware of because they’ve become annual celebrations. We’ll talk about awards a little later.

The big chill’s coming. Next Friday, right after lunchtime, you’re invited to join some 200 other adventurous spirits for a dip in Passamaquoddy Bay. Grab your toga (this year’s theme) and join us.

It’s time for the sixth annual Polar Bear Dip sponsored by Washington County Community College, and it’s your chance to solicit sponsorships from those less adventurous than you to raise some cold cash for the Ronald McDonald House of Bangor. Check out the college’s Web site at www.wccc.me.edu where you’ll find a pledge sheet.

Gather some pledges and come on down to Pleasant Point (see DeLorme Map 37). There’ll be a million or two cars; you won’t miss the place. The mass dip takes place at 1:30 p.m. Friday, but be there a little early to experience the conviviality, the congeniality, the music, the food, the brother/sisterhood of the dip. It’s something you won’t soon forget. And who knows, you just might come back next year and join the fun.

Banff World Tour coming

While a little less benign, the ninth annual Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is coming to Bangor. Sponsored locally by Epic Sports, the Bangor show will go on Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Opera House on Main Street (doors open at 6 p.m.). But don’t wait until then to try to get tickets; they’re usually sold out, Epic owner Brad Ryder said.

The cost is $10 each and there are only 300 available. Drop by the store (9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday) at Hammond and Central streets and check out the video images playing. If you haven’t been before, consider it this year. The selection of short films is wide ranging, but mountain culture and adventure are common themes.

As usual there will be static displays, great photos from National Geographic, and cool door prizes. Major sponsors of the traveling show are National Geographic, Dunham Boot, MSR, Outdoor Research, Deuter, Polartec, Timex Expedition, and Patagonia, Petzl.

The show will be presented in Ellsworth on Feb. 11-12 at the Grand Auditorium, sponsored by Cadillac Mountain Sports. Call 667-7819 for more information. Prior to that, on Feb. 10, Maine Sport Outfitters in Rockport is sponsoring a showing; call 236-7120 for more information.

If you haven’t checked out this event in the past, here’s some information I took from the Banff Mountain Festival Web site. The films that go on tour, like the ones you’ll see on Feb. 13, are winners selected from this annual festival.

“The Banff Mountain Film Festival is an international film competition featuring the world’s best footage on mountain subjects. The festival began in 1976 and is held annually on the first weekend in November in Banff, Alberta, Canada. The year 2005 marked the 30th anniversary of the festival.

“Immediately after the festival in November, a selection of the best films entered in the festival goes on tour. The host organization in each tour location chooses a program that reflects the interests of their community. Each community creates a unique celebration of local adventure and adventurers.

“The world tour spans the globe, making its way from Austria to Argentina and from Iceland to India. More than 160,000 people attend approximately 450 screenings in about 250 locations.”

The Banff Mountain Film Festival Web site lists the World Tour locations and local contact details. For specific locations and dates, visit the Web site at: www.banffmountainfestivals.ca/tour.

Keep in mind the films shown at each location likely will vary because specific ones are chosen at the last minute from the traveling library.

MITA ‘one of the best’

The folks at Maine Island Trail Association were recently recognized by Paddler Magazine as having one of America’s best water trails. The publisher of Paddler, the American Canoe Association, also awarded MITA the rare distinction of an “ACA Recommended Water Trail,” one of only 12 in North America.

The magazine published the accolades in its year-end issue.

Paddler pats MITA on the back for being the “oldest and largest water trail association in North America” and as “a model for new water trails across the country.”

Trail Director Dave Mention is quoted as saying, “We think [the island trail] is a win-win for coastal property owners and recreational users.”

In announcing the recognition MITA sent out an e-mail reminding those unfamiliar with the organization that its members “take very seriously the privilege of permitted use of private islands, supporting a number of volunteer clean-ups, monitoring programs and environmental education initiatives not only for the private islands but also for more than 60 state-owned islands and shore-side parks.

“It’s a really good exchange of responsibilities by all parties. The islands are being shared by people who love them and know what they’re doing,” Mention said.

Last month MITA announced a partnership with the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust to add an additional 12 islands to the Trail. “MITA is working very hard to expand the trail in order to accommodate an ever-increasing number of visitors to Maine without increasing visitor impact on individual sites,” Executive Director Karen Stimpson said. “Many of these places are very fragile, and our recommended capacity limits coupled with Leave No Trace practices, volunteer monitoring, and clean-ups can protect them from over-use,” Stimpson said.

The Maine Island Trail Association was founded in 1987 to establish a model of thoughtful use and volunteer stewardship for Maine islands. It promotes the concept that the people who care about Maine’s islands should care for them. MITA currently has under its stewardship more than 150 islands and mainland properties ranging from Kennebunkport to Machias. Single membership is $45 per year; $65 for families. Contact MITA at www.mita.org or 207-761-8225 for more information. MITA offices are located at 58 Fore St., Building 30, Third Floor, Portland 04101.

Take an Allagash trip

Are you thinking about or planning a canoe trip down the Allagash River and want some free advice from an expert? Mark your calendar for Thursday at 7 p.m. and set your course for the Community House, downtown Greenville.

You’ll find a canoe-full of valuable information being dispensed by Master Maine Guide Gil Gilpatrick. The author and guide has paddled the river some 100 times, so many, in fact, that many of the river’s rocks bow out of his way when they see him coming. (OK, that’s a bit of an exaggeration.)

During his presentation Gilpatrick will illustrate the significant historic and natural sights he has experienced in more than 40 years of guiding and paddling including the river’s historic connection with the lumbering industry and with the Native-American Wabnaki tribe.

Pay attention and you’ll likely learn from an insider how to plan for the traditional trip to the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Gilpatrick will give a sample itinerary, equipment list, and fire and safety tips that he has learned from experience.

Gilpatrick, of Skowhegan, is the author of “Building a Strip Canoe,” “Building Outdoor Gear,” “Allagash: A journey through time on Maine’s legendary wilderness waterway,” and “The Allagash Guide: What you need to know to canoe this famous waterway, among others.” He also writes a monthly column for the Northwoods Sporting Journal.

For more information about the upcoming program, contact Suzanne AuClair at the Natural Resource Education Center at 534-7715 or visit the NREC Web site at: www.NaturalResourceEducationCenter.org.

Jeff Strout’s column on outdoor recreation is published each Saturday. He can be reached at 990-8202 or by e-mail at jstrout@bangordailynews.net.