Snowshoe trek in University Forest

OLD TOWN – Fields Pond Audubon Center in Holden will sponsor “Tracks in the University Forest: A Snowshoe Trek,” at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at the University Forest in Old Town.

Trek leader will be Barry Burgason. With 30 years of experience in tracking animals in Maine, wildlife biologist Burgason has used tracking to identify animals and their habitats on the winter landscape. Participants will get coaching in finding and identifying tracks, and reading the stories they tell.

The cost of the expedition is $10 for Audubon members, $12 non-members. Advance registration is required by calling 989-2591 or e-mail htwining@maineaudubon.org. Snowshoes are necessary to take part in the trek.

Snow date is Sunday, Jan. 28.

Snowshoe run in Orland

ORLAND – The public is invited to strap on snowshoes for the seventh annual Great Pond Mountain Snowshoe Run at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, at Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery.

The main event covers a 3-mile course over trails and jeep roads, with some short climbs and descents. A shorter 1-mile loop will be available for those preferring a shorter run or stroll.

Winners in each age group, from age 10 and under to age 70 and up, will receive awards. Refreshments will be available. Entry fee is $5 if pre-registered by Monday, Jan. 21, or $10 on race day. Children age 12 and under may participate free.

Proceeds benefit Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust. To obtain information or to pre-register, call Peter Keeney at 288-3909, e-mail pktrldrt@midmaine.com or visit www.sub5.com.

Craig Brook National Fis Hatchery is on Hatchery Road, off Route 1 in East Orland. Stay tuned for a second snowshoe event in Orland’s Great Pond Mountain Wildlands on Sunday, Feb. 17.

Hiking in Europe

BANGOR – “Hiking the Haute Route from France to Switzerland” will be the topic at the January meeting of the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club at Epic Sports, 6 Central St.

Imagine embarking on a solo hiking trip in a foreign land while encountering late spring snows and no other people for days at a time. These obstacles didn’t deter Maine adventurer and veteran hiker Sandie Sabaka on her 190 km (118 mile) trek along the European Haute Route.

“The Haute Route is one of the most beautiful walks in the world,” Sabaka explained. “My next goal is to ski this route some day. It’s the classic Alpine ski route in the Alps.”

The Alpine route stretches from Chamonix, France, to Zermatt, Switzerland, and Sabaka completed the trek in June 2007. Sabaka knows a thing or two about hiking. She hiked the entire Appalachian Trail a few years ago.

Join Sabaka at the next meeting of the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club to find out why this 14-day hiking trip was one of the hardest, but also the most fulfilling, adventures she’s ever done. Sabaka will discuss her trek and present a photo essay at Maine Outdoor Adventure Clubs’s eastern Maine chapter meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, at Epic Sports, 6 Central St., in Bangor.

Club activities take place statewide and members communicate via e-mail lists to announce volunteer organized trips and also spontaneous outdoor adventures. Club activities include hiking, water sports, biking, skiing, snowshoeing – and everything from extreme sports such as ice climbing to more gentle sports such as walking or birding. For more information about the club, visit www.moac.org.