The Abenaki word Debsconeag, meaning “carrying place,” aptly describes the Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area, located southwest of Baxter State Park. Managed by The Nature Conservancy, this pristine parcel of land is home to remote ponds linked by a network of portage trails winding through mature forest. After years of dreaming about paddling here—inspired by theContinue reading “Portaging and Paddling the Debsconeag Lakes Loop”
Category Archives: by paddle
Embracing Slow-Motion Travel
//a paddling journey with friends on the US-Canadian Border// “Will the campsites be obvious?” The question comes from one of the canoes at the back of our little flotilla and has been directed at me—I planned this trip. I assumed they would be, but I admit, after paddling for several hours and not seeing any, I’m not entirelyContinue reading “Embracing Slow-Motion Travel”
7 Reasons Why Your Next Backpacking Trip Should be a Paddling Trip
This article was originally published on goeast.com. There’s no question that hiking and backpacking offer rich rewards, but they come at a cost. Sore feet, muddy trails, and long days wearing backpacks. Why not switch it up? A paddling trip offers a lot of the same benefits as backpacking (nights in beautifully wild places, movingContinue reading “7 Reasons Why Your Next Backpacking Trip Should be a Paddling Trip”
Backpackers Trade Trekking Poles for Paddles
This story was originally published on goeast.com. “Are you planning to hit that rock for a reason?”“Tell me where to go; don’t tell me where not to go!”“You have to speak louder!”“The glare! I can’t see!” Dodging rocks on a river takes practice, and learning is a trial-by-fire situation. My friends and I are allContinue reading “Backpackers Trade Trekking Poles for Paddles”
sarah hunter 