Voices from the Trail
Category: Thru-Paddling
#nfct20: Family, photography & adventure
As the Northern Forest Canoe Trail celebrates its 20th anniversary, we’re catching up with longtime trail supporters to learn how the NFCT has shaped their lives and why it matters. Chris Gill worked as a professional rock climbing guide for…
Sore muscles, new friends, 8 moose … and no regrets
As October draws to a close, so does a memorable Northern Forest Canoe Trail thru-paddle for Dutch adventurers Zoë Agasi and Olivier Van Herck. Zoë and Olivier hail from the Netherlands (although Olivier is originally from Belgium) and have been…
Re-route at the Canadian border
One unique aspect of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail is crossing into Quebec, Canada. The chance to “paddle across the border” adds a sense of adventure and new cultural experiences. It is remarkable how different things feel just a few…
Upwards, the story of a solo NFCT thru-paddle
Laurie Chandler daydreamed about moving to Maine for years. In 2003, she and her two children finally did, beginning a new chapter in life in a log cabin near the coast. Changing careers from forestry research to special education, she…
Why Thru-Paddle?
(Editors note: Beth Ziehl and Calvin Decker plan to thru-paddle the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, starting in mid-May. The pair are outdoor enthusiasts who both currently live in the Hudson Valley, where they enjoy paddling, hiking, and biking. The following…
Advice for a Thru-Paddle
Paddling the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail is a challenging adventure that requires thoughtful planning and the proper gear. When planning for my trip in 2011, I sought out advice from numerous sources, including books, maps, blogs, the NFCT organization,…
Thru-paddlers of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail in 2016
Susan Storch and Mary Duk have been paddling together for two decades, including six times as a team in the 90-Miler canoe and kayak race in the Adirondacks. They’ve developed a strong bond on the water that got even stronger…
Crossing Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain can present a formidable challenge to paddlers on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. From Plattsburgh to the Missisquoi delta there are at least two significant open water crossings. This article offers some information on…
Best Time to Start a Thru-Paddle?
Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future. -Niels Bohr When Niels uttered those words he may have been contemplating how to figure out exactly where electrons might be at any given time. I find myself thinking…
Planning and Packing for a Thru-Paddle
So you’ve decided to dip your paddle into the waters of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. Maybe you’re looking to buy or build a new canoe or maybe you’ll be sticking to a trusted old kayak. However you choose to…