Trips Check in

All of our trips have now checked in and had their last resupplies. Things have been going phenomenally well and all reports are positive from the field. Here are some highlights:

Umbagog: Garth(camp director) was able to do that resupply and make an overnight of it. He was blown away at how much community the group managed to create in such a short amount of time. They were quite obviously enjoying themselves and were all taking on wonderful roles within the group. Lots of leaders and lots of teachers - the students took the opportunity of having Garth's young boys their to give them their first kayaking experience. Garth expressed how great it was to see these teenagers so excited to teach a couple of toddlers to have fun in boats! With all the rain you can rest assured that the river has been up, and wonderful for paddling!

Maine Coast Kayak: I got to resupply them on Monday on one of the few sunny days we've had lately. Amidst the fog and rain they all had smiles that would burn away the thickest fog. Smiles and good humor were the rule, and according to the leaders they had turned into a group of excellent paddlers. They had quickly learned the fine line between work and play, and how to appropriately incorporate both to create a wonderful expedition dynamic. They were ecstatic for their last few days of paddling and to enjoy the beauty of Penobscot bay and Mount Desert Island.

Maine Appalachian Trail Backpack: Dick Thomas took care of the resupply for this group and came back with once again fantastic reports. The group was strong, cohesive, and enjoying the increasing challenges of the latter part of their itinerary. They were looking forward to entering Baxter State Park and climbing Katahdin in their final days. Cross your fingers that they get a few days respite from the New England rains.

North Woods Canoe: Our Packout Manager ran into these canoers last week at their itinerary and came back with great things to say. They'd had a mixed array of weather and were taking the good with the bad all the way through. They particularly enjoyed the high water on Allagash stream, which made for a fast and fun paddle down into Chamberlain Lake. The lengthy portage from Round Pond to Allagash lake was a wonderfully challenging experience for the group that really brought the best out of everyone. It demanded a great deal of teamwork and tenacity, and brought the group together. As of today the group was dealing with extra high water on the river sections of the Allagash. We made a decision to pull them off the river and move them over to the St. John river. They will spend their final days paddling from Moody Bridge to Allagash village on an equally famous stretch of river.

Mariners: The Mariners sailing programs started with a stretch of fantastic weather and winds. They managed to sail all over Penobscot Bay, visiting some of the most classic stretches of coast. There daily stops are often high on the lists of sailors far and wide. As of their resupply they were doing well and looking forward to steadily making their way back to Chewonki.

West Branch Explorers: Another group that is finding their way thru the North woods and excelling amidst the challenges of wet weather. The hiking section was great to them, and a wonderful intro to hiking for the whole group. As of now they are finishing the West Branch, and enjoying a few days on Chesuncook Lake before they head to Big Eddy Campground for a service project and some day trips to the local hot spots.

West Branch Whitewater: I was fortunate enough to talk to one of the leaders of the kayaking group yesterday. She was glowing with reports of the last couple weeks and saying that "it has been SOOO much fun!" The spent the first two weeks learning all the basics on the waters surrounding their campsite and built slowly to more and more challenging whitewater. A big part of their teaching curriculum involves a culminating experience on the Seboomook section off the West Branch. The had a great few days on this stretch of river and each paddler made huge strides with their skills. Today they are taking advantage of the break in the weather and are hiking Katahdin.

My apologies that we don't have photos of the trips, but we'll be sure to share them with you after the trips return to us on Sunday.

Thanks to all of our parents for your support!!