A very quick word from North Woods Canoe

We just heard from North Woods Canoe and all is well. The Northern sections of the state have had a little bit better weather than the coastal regions and the group is thriving. The have just finished frogging (the term for walking a canoe upstream)up Caucomgomic stream and are headed to Round Pond. From Round Pond they will start the largest portage of their trip, once completed they will entered the famed Allagash region, and begin their journey toward Allagash village. We will be resupplying this group on July 4th, so stay tuned for a further update next week.

A word from Maine Coast Kayak

" Our trip may have the highest concentration of excited, dedicated students I have ever facilitated. Rest assured that all of the them are enjoying themselves and each other tremendously. The weather so far has been an interesting story. Our first day on the water was full of sunshine. We stayed at Castle Island, had lessons in the sun and fell asleep on wooden tent platforms above the ground. Our next day was a paddle to Spectacle island, 6 miles from Castle. We had an exciting time crossing the Sheepscot River as we navigated the currents and the thick fog. It was very rewarding and reassuring for the kids to land on the opposite shore knowing that the navigation techniques we are teaching them really work.
The next day we paddled 11 miles to Fort Island and got to experience the first real waves of the trip. What a blast! It was a great paddle, the longest so far and the group did amazingly well. We even got some sun in the afternoon.
We've changed our itinerary since landing on Fort to accommodate for the challenges the weather has provided. We took advantage of a quick van shuttle around Pemaquid point and have found ourselves a day ahead of schedule and enjoying a night on one of the jewels of Muscongus Bay: Chewonki owned Black Island!
The over-riding sentiment is that a little rain and wet weather can't dampen the spirits of this amazing group! More news to come on our next resupply - We are doing GREAT! " - Paul and Claire

Sunday June 28

It shouldn't come as any surprise for those of you who live in the North East to hear that we have started off the summer with a bit of a wet start. We have received positive reports from the wilderness trip groups that have checked in and no surprise, the weather has caused some changes to itineraries.

Today I am reminded to be careful what you wish for! A week ago we were watching the water levels closely on the St John River with the leaders of our Thoreau Wilderness Trip. The TWT trip was planning to start their 7-week experience on the St John at Baker Lake. As departure day got closer the river was flowing at about 3,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and dropping. 2,500 (cfs) is the lowest level recommended for beginning a canoe trip on the St John, so we hoped for a little rain.

With the lower water level we decided to err on the side of caution just in case the hoped for rain didn't materialize. Old time Maine Guides refer to the St John at low water as being a mile wide and an inch deep. Last Wednesday the group put in a bit lower down the river at Moody Bridge. That was several days and a couple heavy rain storms ago. The St John has now risen to a wonderful paddling level and the rain can stop any time! Actually we have had several sunny days interspersed with the rain so if you have been watching the Weather Channel it has not been quite as bad in Northern Maine as they sometimes make the situation appear.

We will begin resupplying our extended trips at the end of this coming week and we will post updates and photos soon after.

Rain Rain Go Away

Greg Shute
Wilderness Programs Director

All 3 week trips are now "in the field"

Yesterday afternoon we said "bon voyage" to our Mariners program as they rowed away from the waterfront.  As they made way from the docks it was apparent that they will quickly learn to not only sail the boats when the wind cooperates, but also row them during calmer times.  By now they are enjoying a well deserved day of sunshine and some light Northeasterly winds.

The Maine Coast Kayak group shoved off mid-morning today under bright blue skies and gentle breezes.  They all successfully completed their rescue techniques practice and basic paddling skills and are now ready for a 3 great weeks of paddling.  Here are a few pictures taken by one of our staff member of their launch.

WE ARE OFF AND RUNNING!!!!

It's official, summer has started!!!  We welcomed our participants and campers yesterday, and even though our weather pattern has been a bit wet of late it didn't show on kids faces.  All day we saw smiles and lots of excitement.   This morning we sent out 7 expeditions to the far reaches of the state.   Our Thoreau Trip is headed to the St John River to begin a 7 week expedition that will paddle some of the most historic and scenic stretches of water the state has to offer.  Our sailors and sea kayakers will be heading out after some skills training and will be paddling or sailing their way toward Acadia and Penobscot Bay.  The whitewater kayakers headed to both the Rapid River, and the Penobscot River.  For the first time ever we are ecstatic that we have an all girls whitewater kayaking group up at our Big Eddy campus.  We've also got a group headed to the Appalachian Trail, and another that will start their canoe trip on the West Branch of the Penobscot River.  

Over all it's been a wonderful start to our summer.  Our staff is made up of some great people, with a huge variety of backgrounds and experiences.   Please stay tuned to the blog as the summer rolls on, we will be updating you with pictures and stories as often as they come in from the field.