GREENVILLE (AP) – The Appalachian Mountain Club said Monday it has purchased a sporting camp along Second Roach Pond as part of an ongoing strategy that combines land conservation, recreation and sustainable forestry in the 100-Mile Wilderness.

The acquisition of Medawisla Wilderness Camps follows the outdoors organization’s purchase three years ago of the nearby Katahdin Iron Works tract, a 37,000-acre property that was its largest land acquisition ever.

The 100-Mile Wilderness extends from Monson to Baxter State Park and is traversed by one of the Appalachian Trail’s most rugged sections. Its natural features include the West Branch of the Pleasant River, which feeds the Gulf Hagas Gorge, and the three highest peaks between Bigelow and Katahdin.

The Medawisla camp, in operation since 1953, include seven housekeeping cabins frequented by hikers, canoeists, fishermen, wildlife watchers and cross-country skiers.

The AMC will continue to manage the camps for backcountry recreation as part of its Maine Woods Initiative, which seeks to address the region’s needs by supporting nature-based tourism and recreation as well as local forest products jobs.

Medawisla, seven miles south of Kokadjo and accessible by gravel logging roads, is the second sporting camp in the area under AMC management. The club also runs Little Lyford Pond Camps, 15 miles to the south. Both camps are open to the public.

“We are excited to broaden the range of outdoor experiences we can offer to the public, a key goal of the initiative,” said Walter Graff, the club’s deputy director.

Medawisla was purchased form Larry and Shannon LeRoy, who have owned and managed the property since 1992.

Based in Boston, the 90,000-member AMC was established in 1876 and describes itself as the nation’s oldest conservation and recreation organization.

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On the Net: http://www.outdoors.org

AP-ES-08-07-06 1306EDT