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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Hazardous Paddling on Cathance River
The Cathance River is my river. Not really, but I like to think so. Located in my hometown of Topsham, the Cathance travels through a picturesque wilderness area, most of which cannot be accessed without hiking or paddling. Judging from the placid waters at the put-in and takeout, one would never guess a tumultuous whitewater…
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Baxter State Park Winter Expedition, Part II – Challenging Climbs
On the third day of our six-day Baxter State Park expedition, eight of us awoke in the midst of a stormy northeaster. We were occupying the bunkhouse at South Branch Pond in the northeast sector of the park. Five inches of fresh snow had accumulated and mixed precipitation was predicted for the remainder of the…
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: A Baxter State Park Winter Expedition, Part I – The Adventure Begins
A winter expedition into Baxter State Park begins months in advance. Last November 1st, Allen Gaskell and I traveled to Baxter State Park headquarters in Millinocket to participate in the winter reservations lottery. Our goal was to obtain a six-day reservation at the South Branch Pond bunkhouse in the northeastern sector of the park. Allen’s…
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Weaving the Webb
Hidden away in the rural community of Carthage, except for locals, Webb River is relatively unknown. Whitewater boaters are an exception. Each spring, scores of enthusiastic paddlers converge on the Webb as soon as ice is out for some excellent Class II/III whitewater. A free-flowing river, it’s unique in that a comparatively large watershed keeps…
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: Exciting Adventures on Seboeis River, Part I – Tiger Rips to Snowshoe Lodge
Forty years ago, my wife, Nancy, and I paddled the iconic Seboeis River canoe trip from Grand Lake Road west of Shin Pond to Whetstone Falls on the East Branch of the Penobscot with our friends John and Diane Stokinger. Twenty years later, I descended the turbulent upper Seboeis to Grand Lake Road with…
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: New Adventures on the Machias River, Part II – Little Falls to Smith Landing
Ken Gordon and I awoke to a remarkably beautiful spring day at our campsite next to Little Falls on the Machias River. We were on the second day of our river trip and sharing the scenic site with six canoeists we met the previous day. Anticipating an exciting paddle on upcoming Wigwam Rapids, our young…
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age: New Adventures on the Machias River, Part I – Airline Rapids to Little Falls
Forget the St. John, Allagash, or St. Croix Rivers. As far as I’m concerned, the Machias River is the best tripping river in Maine, maybe all of the northeastern United States. A free-flowing river with a large watershed, it begins in the lakes region of northern Washington County. From Fifth Machias Lake, it meanders and…
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age – Quest for Katahdin, Part II: The Climbs
On the third day of our Baxter State Park expedition a foot of fresh snowfall greeted seven of us when we awoke at the Chimney Pond bunkhouse in the shadow of Mount Katahdin. Led by my son, Adam, I was by far the senior citizen on the excursion. Since as much as two feet of…
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age – Quest for Katahdin – Part I: The Slog to Chimney Pond
My last winter trip into Baxter State Park three years ago was a disappointment for me. Suffering with arthritic hips, I was in constant pain when pulling a gear-laden sled and both attempts to summit Mount Katahdin were turned back by hazardous weather. Since the trip to and from Chimney Pond requires hauling a sled…
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Seniors Not Acting Their Age – Cranberry Peak was a great Fallback Hike
Cranberry Peak was a Great Fallback Hike In mid-January, I announced a Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Society mountain hike on Burnt Mountain in Carrabassett Valley. The moderately difficult scenic trek with an expansive exposed summit is situated adjacent to Sugarloaf Mountain and a club favorite. The trailhead begins on the west side of…