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Maine Whitewater Week

Canoeing in Maine with Wilds of Maine

Highlights

  • A new river or section of river, every day
  • Thorough instruction on canoe paddling and poling for all levels of ability
  • Operating out of our base camp on Basin Pond, returning to camp each night

Full Description

The finest of Maine’s spring paddling.

Whitewater play boating, paddling, poling, even kayaking! For five days of pure fun we operate out of our remote wilderness camp on Basin Pond in Monroe, Maine. We set up here, camp, eat and sleep in one spot, making life easy. For paddling we head out each day to a different river, or section of a river

Includes:

  • Transportation to and from Belfast to our camp
  • All transportation to  & from the rivers from our camp in the woods
  • All meals prepared and varied with fresh ingredients. Dietary needs accommodated
  • All equipment available such as canoes, life jackets, paddles and tents
  • All group camping gear (cooking gear, tarps, etc)

Excludes:

  • Travel to and from Belfast, Maine
  • Pre- and post-trip accommodation
  • Any food or snacks desired prior to lunch at camp Day 1 and after lunch on Day 5
  • Travel or medical insurance

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1

We will meet our guests in Belfast, Maine. Here we will outfit everyone with the appropriate equipment: canoe, PFD, paddles and poles, and tents. Then we will drive to our cabin in the back woods, actually only 20 minutes away, and establish the base camp for the week. Our small cabin is fitted with a gas stove for cooking, gas lights, and a wood stove, and can be used for drying gear out at night, not to mention warming ourselves up, in case of inclement weather. In the afternoon, we will do a small section of one of the local rivers, just to get everyone warmed up, as in a lot of cases this will be the first time that folks have paddled this year. At the end of the day we will return to the base camp for a hot supper, Maine style, and, yes, we have even been known to have lobster, steamed clams, baked salmon, seafood supreme, you name it, all prepared over the open campfire. Everyone sleeps well tonight, that is if the coyotes, owls, and loons don’t keep you awake.

Day 2

After a big, hearty breakfast, washed down with cowboy coffee, we’re off to a new river. We have many local whitewater runs to choose from: the Marsh Stream, St. George, Passagassawakeag, Kenduskeag, Soudabscook, Machias, Union, Sheepscot: the list goes on. Most of these rivers feature whitewater races earlier in the season, just at ice out. We’ll run a five to ten mile section, choosing the ones to match the skills and abilities of the crew. We’ll have lunch on the river, maybe even a power nap; this is what you call hard fun. The afternoon will be more of the same, whitewater playing and learning. Then it’s back to camp for another fireside meal and the much needed rest and relaxation, with a few stories and photos of the day.

Days 4-5

These days will be of a similar routine, usually growing in intensity a little each day. At the end of the week, you will be amazed at the level to which you have reached. There will be many canoe guides in the pack, so you will be surrounded by lots of talent. There is nothing we like more than to share our home rivers with folks of a similar mindset, the love of nature, the smell of fresh air, free flowing rivers, and the camaraderie around the campfire.

Day 5

The last day, about a half day of paddling, lunch back at camp, pack up and return to the other world. Didn’t your mother ever tell you to stay out of the water? Probably you were also told not to stand up in a canoe, well after this week you won’t believe that old wives tale.

About The Operator:

Wilds of Maine

Headquarters:

Belfast, Maine

Established:

January 1995

Mike Patterson is the owner, head guide, and chief cook and bottle washer of the "Wilds of Maine Guide Service." An avid outdoor enthusiast, Mike's love of paddling started with earning his 'canoe merit' badge on the way to becoming an Eagle Scout. A native Mainer of Belfast, Maine, he worked in the shipbuilding industry following graduation from the Maine Maritime Academy in Marine Engineering. After 23 years of spending all his vacation and weekends on the water, he turned his real passion into his full-time profession. It's been fifteen years and millions of strokes since.

Mike is past president of the Professional Maine Guides Association and a 17-year veteran Boy Scouts of America leader. He is featured in Canoe & Kayak's Special Anniversary Issue, and his articles have appeared in National Geographic Adventure and Paddler Magazine. Over the years he has been a whitewater canoeing instructor for the Appalachian Mountain Club, and winner of the Northeast Divisional Championship for canoe poling. He continues to offer instruction in poling - see our Schedule. His other pursuits have included mountaineering, ice climbing and cross-country and downhill skiing, including instructing for Maine's ski resorts.

He's usually found paddling somewhere nine months of the year with guests and friends, and wife, Shauna. In November and December he's helping folks make their Christmas merrier by operating a Christmas tree and wreath lot. January finds him in the office and barn getting ready for the next paddling season, but he still finds time to participate in his winter pleasures of skiing and snowshoeing. Course he's always ready to talk about rivers, or his favorite haunts in Maine. Call anytime!