Downeast Training Expedition

with Tom Bergh and Liz Johnson

For MIKCo FastTrack, BCU, loyal Alumni, and Friends

5 days – 4 nights: Sunday, July 12 – Thursday, July 16, 2020

Cost: $750

A spectacular one-way expedition from Jonesport to Machias

One of our more demanding journeys along Maine’s coast, this one-way expedition traverses some of the wilder coastline of Maine, crosses several major headlands and passes large brawny outer island environs. This is one of Tom’s favorite trips on the eastern seaboard. We’ll cross Maine’s famous Atlantic Salmon rivers, paddle around old fish weirs and large nesting colonies with dozens of varieties of pelagic birds. The coastal ecosystems approach sub-arctic with blueberry barrens interspersed with larch, tamarack swamps and rare peat bogs sprinkled with rare Arctic flowers. 

This Downeast Expedition Training is designed by Tom to develop your expeditionary thinking as a tribe of self-supported paddlers. You should have experience in dynamic water, and be able to perform at British Canoeing 3/4-Star level or equivalent. You need to be comfortable with very basic camping and bivy-ing, and be in appropriate physical condition to enjoy consecutive days of committed paddling. Please note that one way trips are both psychologically and physically demanding, we don’t usually take a rest day on this trip.

Logistics

We will observe then-current State of Maine Covid-19 recommendations.

Participants will be self-reliant for transport; kayaks, camping and cooking equipment; personal meal preparation. We will be kayaking, camping and eating safely together.

Meeting and launching from Jonesport early on Sunday, July 12. MIKCo guides will likely camp nearby the night prior.

Landing planned at Machias by 1600 on Thursday, July 16. 

If interested, please email Tom for more details about this extraordinary trip.