On behalf of the dedicated core group of planners and volunteers I would like to send out a big “Thank -You” to all who turned out for our 7th Annual Paddle Smart Safety Symposium last night at the Y on Hammond Street in Bangor. I hope it was all you hoped it would be, and that you’ll make plans to return to the eighth one next year!

Summit for Someone

Shane Achey is looking for your support as he makes plans to climb Mount Rainier in Washington State in early September as part of Backpacker Magazine’s Summit for Someone benefit climb. Money raised will go to Big City Mountaineers of Golden, Colo., whose mission is to provide urban teenage youth in need of positive adult mentoring with challenging and safe wilderness experiences led by qualified adult volunteer guides.

Achey grew up in Winterport and attended Hampden Academy. He graduated from the University of Maine at Orono in the Mechanical Engineering program in 2005.

Then, he said, it was either “start a career or live life a little bit so I choose the latter. My girlfriend and I had a dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail and we finally set a date of March ’06 as the date when we would begin.”

But what to do in the meantime? Why not pack up the car and head to Alaska? That’s just what he did. He wound up on Kodiak Island working for the Fish and Wildlife Service, flying all over, fishing at places most of us just dream of wetting a line.

All good things must end, however, and it was back to Maine, Achey told me where it was time to tackle the Appalachian Trail.

“In August of ’06 that dream became a reality when we stood atop of Katahdin on the most spectacular day that I have ever seen there in my hiking career. It was on the AT where I really became aware of programs such as the Summit for Someone program. It was not so much as the fundraising aspect of my project but the friendship and compassion for the outdoors.

“During the five months of my travels I cannot count how many times I saw hiking groups that were using the outdoors in a therapeutic way. Some of these groups were for disciplinary reasons and others for a way out…”

“I know that this sounds stereotypical but basically these groups were composed of young teenagers monitored by adult supervisors. [The teenagers] were either sentenced to participate in these programs by the courts or individuals looking for a way out.

“It was interesting watching and talking to these kids. Although there was a huge cultural barrier it was easy to see that being out there and participating in a team scenario did wonders for their self-esteem and development. One would think that if someone were sentenced to participate in an outdoor experience that they wouldn’t enjoy themselves but it was the complete opposite. I never ran into a kid who was not having the time of their life and was dreading for it to end.

“This was solidified by talking with some of the mentors who said that after being on the trail for several days with these kids problems seemed to disappear. I guess that this experience is one of the reasons why I choose to participate in the Summit for Someone program because what they offer is very similar to what I saw on the [AT] last summer,” Achey wrote.

On the Summit for Someone’s Web site (www.Summitforsomeone.org) you’ll find a series of benefit climbs supporting the at-risk teens of Big City Mountaineers. Participants have the choice to summit one of 14 mountains. The organization uses reputable mountaineering guides (like Acadia Mountain Guides directed by Jon Tierney, an internationally licensed IFMGA mountain guide) to lead participants on the most sought after climbs in North America: Mount Rainier, Mount Whitney, Mount Shasta, Mount Olympus, Mt. Hood, North Palisades Peak, Longs Peak, the Grand Teton, Mount Moran, Gannett Peak, Mount Washington and Mount Shuksan.

Climbers must raise a minimum of $3,500 or donate the amount directly and the money goes toward getting more youth involved in Big City Mountaineer’s wilderness mentoring program.

When you go to the Web site you’ll see a menu on the left, click on “donate” and then on the list of names click on Achey and you’ll be able to help him out.

For more information on Big City Mountaineers, write them at 820 Spyderco Way, Golden, Colo., 804013 or call 303-271-9200 or check them out on the Web: www.bigcitymountaineers.org. To contact Achey, e-mail him: Shane.achey@umit.maine.edu or you can try him on his cell phone at 207-944-9429.

Paddling for credits

Here’s a chance to learn to be a sea kayak guide and/or improve your paddling abilities and earn continuing education credits at the same time.

Karen Francoeur, owner of Castine Kayak Adventures, has worked a deal with Maine Maritime Academy’s Very Small Vessel Program wherein you will receive the credits for taking a paddling course.

One, for example, is an eight-session class that begins April 26. If you successfully pass it and the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife exam, you can become a Registered Maine Sea Kayak Guide – and you’ll receive continuing education through Maine Maritime Academy! Classes are April 26, 27, 28 and 29 and May 3, 5, 6 and 10. Fee for the 50-hour class is $405.

Experienced kayakers seeking to enhance their on-water skills but who don’t want to pursue a guide license are also welcome with instructor permission. Folks wanting to guide kayak trips on inland waters will also benefit from the technique skills covered in this course. The course will be geared toward guide requirements, Francoeur said.

If you’re looking for something a little more elementary, why not try a beginner flat water class. It will be held 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday evenings May 2-30. You’ll have a classroom safety and gear session, a pool rescue session and three on-water sessions. The cost is $145 if you have your own gear, $180 with gear provided. Participants get the American Canoe Association Level 1 Award and one credit through MMA.

For the teacher, camp Councilor, Scout leader or club member there’s a course as well: Coastal Kayak Essentials/Trip Leader. You can sign up for five classes for $390 or do it a la carte for $55 to $95 per class. The classes run June 20-24, beginning with a quick start class, followed the next day with skill refinement, the next by maneuvering in wind and waves, then tides and currents and finally navigation from the cockpit. Participants are eligible for ACA Level 1 and 2 and Trip Leader Award plus three CEU credits through MMA.

Another offering is Beginner-Intermediate Sea Kayaking on Fridays in Castine where you’ll paddle on the ocean. Learn about essential equipment, cold water risks and how to minimize them, stroke efficiency, how to maximize the effects of tides and currents and basic chart reading skills. Course includes four on-water clinics and one rescue workshop. The fee is $145 with your own gear, $180 without. You’ll qualify for the ACA Level 2 Award and get one credit through MMA.

Other workshops and clinics are offered for learning to roll a kayak and to learn capsize/ rescue skills in the Old Town High School pool as well as other classes on intermediate to advanced sea kayaking skills.

To learn more about the course offerings check out Castine Kayak Adventures Web site at www.castinekayak.com/.

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.