Note: Austin Garber just submitted his Thru-Paddler Recognition form for the trip he completed in May and June 2025. We hope his story inspires you to get on the water and go adventuring!
Name: Austin Garber
Age: 34
Location: Hermon, Maine
Dates of trip: May 6, 2025, to June 7, 2025
Overall, what was your experience like paddling the NFCT from end-to-end?
Paddling the entire trail in one continuous journey was incredible. It really highlighted how interconnected, yet distinct the different watersheds are. Experiencing everything from urban stretches to remote wilderness, and paddling through everything from crystal-clear streams to murky lakes and ponds, gave me a whole new appreciation for the landscape.
What were the best moments for you?
It’s tough to narrow it down — the whole trip was unforgettable! But a few moments stand out:
Beginning my trip at Adirondack Woodcraft Camps in Old Forge for starters. Having spent 13 summers there growing up, paddling down the Moose River again to officially start the trail made it deeply personal and meaningful.
Navigating the Nulhegan and staying at the Nulhegan Confluence Hut. On a bitterly cold day with snow in the forecast, I hunkered down around the woodstove in the cabin with coffee and a book. It was one of the coziest, most peaceful nights of the trip.
One morning on The Allagash, the fog was so thick I couldn’t see anything around me. It was eerie and serene at the same time. As the fog lifted, I rounded a bend in the river just in time to see a bull moose swim across the bow of my boat — an incredible, unforgettable sight.
What were the biggest challenges you faced?
The weather, without question. Early on, I battled so much cold and rain that I had to take a couple of days off to avoid hypothermia — definitely not part of the plan. All that rain also caused water levels to rise dramatically, making upstream travel exhausting and nearly impossible; I ended up walking about 95% of those sections.
But honestly, as funny as it may sound, my biggest daily challenge was not eating all my food at once. You burn an unreal number of calories on a trip like this, and I was constantly hungry. I’ve never eaten so much in my life, so staying stocked up became a big priority!
Did you have any encounters with wildlife?
Absolutely! I saw beavers, otters, ducks, geese, herons, eagles, deer — and a total of eight moose. Luckily, no bears this time!
Did you have a favorite section or community?
The Allagash is the easy answer — it’s iconic for a reason. But honestly, all of Maine was incredible. The lakes were stunning, the campsites were fantastic, and the wildlife and fishing were great. (Though Maine is also where the bugs finally came out in full force!)
What was your rig? What gear did you find most useful, and what would you leave at home next time?
I paddled an Old Town NEXT, and as far as I know, I’m the first person to thru-paddle the NFCT in that boat. It ended up being the perfect craft for me, and I wouldn’t choose anything else for this trail.
The best piece of my gear was hands down my Spring Creek Manufacturing portage cart. Over the course of 186 miles of portaging, I never once had to lift my canoe above my waist. Mud Pond Carry was my only double carry — otherwise, that cart handled every single portage like a champ. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for the toughest cart money can buy.
As for what I’d leave behind? My camp chair. I never used it — nearly all sites had picnic tables or lean-tos, so the chair just ended up being dead weight.
What would you tell someone who is considering a thru-paddle?
Do it. This trail is an amazing way to experience some of the Northeast’s most beautiful and remote places — areas most people will never get to see. And the personal growth you gain along the way is something unique to a journey like this. You’ll push yourself, you’ll adapt, and you’ll come away a different person than when you begin. You won’t regret it!
