With the training out of the way, we had to get our route figured out. Which, it's a waterway, isn't the route kind of made for you, just like... "that way"? Right, if we were doing it all in one day, sure - but we sure as hell ain't.
We decided on a put-in at Indian Stream, which will have us paddling roughly 80 miles. Technically we could just divide that by how many days we want to be out, and then there's our mileage for each day. The AWW has tons of campsites, but they don't evenly line up, and there are certain places we'd really like to camp - next to a freakin waterfall, for instance.
Not only that, but we can't always predict things to accuracy, especially in the wilderness.
Now hold up, let's talk about that word for a minute - wilderness. That would typically describe an area that hasn't been significantly modified by human activity. I'm sorry to say it, but the AWW has totally been significantly altered by humans activity. Extensive logging took place in this area for quite a while before it was finally designated a wilderness area. I mean just tons and tons of logging, there is even a monument there of an old train and railway that was left there after the land became protected. Furthermore, the protected area barely extends 2,000ft into the forest surrounding the waterway. The rest of this area, aside from a few protected areas relating to the Allagash, is still used for logging. When you visit this region on a map, you'll see a lattice work of lines through what is otherwise uninhabited land. Those are all logging roads.
No towns, just mile after mile of logging roads.
We'll never be completely removed from it.
But like I said, uninhabited. So while we will be out in the middle of nowhere, we will likely hear the rumble of logging trucks in the distance.
Now all of that said, what they mean to say when they use the word "wilderness" here, is that aside from the rangers at the several checkpoints along the river, the other paddlers, and the odd logging truck - we will be alone out there. There's no uber that can pick us up, we won't have service, and there are no stores or restaurants to grab a quick bite to eat.
We'll be on our own.
Which means we need to be self sufficient. Everything we think we are going to need out there, we will have to bring with us, or expect to find in the woods.
Alright back to the planning, putting in at Indian Stream gives us a fair amount of lake travel right off the bat.
So let's talk about them days.
Our Itinerary
Where we gon' be:
Day 1:
~15mi
Indian Stream to High Bank Campsite
The day before the start of the trip, we'll be driving up to Allagash, ME to leave my car there, and then stay overnight. We'll have the shuttle packed by 6:30am, departing at 7am sharp. Then we have a 3h shuttle to the put in. We don't expect to be on the water until 11am. Once we are, we'll paddle North, Northwest onto Eagle Lake. Then heading Northeast into Round Pond and then Churchill Lake. The prevailing wind seems to usually be coming from the South or Southeast between May and June, so if we are lucky, we'll have the wind at our backs during most of this trip, making lake travel a breeze. Get it? You get it. Despite the late start to the day, we have no reason to assume that we won't be able to maintain our 18minutes per mile average, so we should be getting to camp between a bit after 4pm. It seems like there is a short hike on the main part of Eagle Lake, on a peninsula called Second Ridge, we may take a break and do that. At any rate, we expect to make camp at High Bank, but if it is occupied, we'll try the other side of the river at a site called Jaws.
Day 2:
~21mi
High Bank to Long Lake Dam
This is the longest day in terms of mileage that we have firmly planned. Because of that we have 3 options for the day, all with the same basic route. We start the day by paddling North from our campsite into Heron Lake, which ends at Churchhill Dam. This is the main start point for the Allagash River, they have a ranger station here, and it is the start of a several mile long portion of the river called Chase Rapids. Supposedly it's nothing greater than Class 2, and manageable for most. We'll see if we end up wanting to put in right after the dam. If not, there is a trail that meanders down the river past the worst of the rapids, leaving mostly Class 1 after that.
The river descends about 100ft in under 8miles, which doesn't seem like a lot, I know.
At the end of that section, we'll make our way into a meadow, and then into Umsaskis Lake.
Depending on whether the wind is in our favor, we'll either hug the shoreline, or cut across the open lake before ending up in Long Lake, then Harvey Pond. Our first plan at 20.7 miles the day, will be to camp at Long Lake Dam, which has a waterfall, and that sure would be nice to wake up next to.
If we are running slow, we have a bail out plan B, to camp in the middle of Long Lake, at either Sams or Jalpert. We also have a plan C, for if we are feeling especially froggy. We can paddle an extra mile after Long Lake Dam, and camp on an Cunliffe Island. I think the Island vs Waterfall debate will be the biggest determining factor there.
Day 3:
~10mi
Long Lake Dam to Round Pond
Depending on where we end up making camp on Day 2, we'll likely have low mileage. We'll get a mid trip break by paddling Round Pond. Here there is a 4.5 mile out and back trail that leads up to Round Pond Fire Tower, which should give us a really great view. We'll either camp there at the trailhead, or at one of the several other camping spots in the area. This is also the point in our trip where the rest of our days will be sort of a loose plan, as we don't know what we can expect for weather, or how much additional rest we'll need with 40 miles under our belt.
Here's where the trip splits into two main options. 5 Day Option, and 6 Day Option. Any number of reasons can dictate our decision here, less than ideal weather, bugs, food consumption, injury, etc. Not to mention that once we are on the water our entire plan may change.
Day4:
5 Day Option - 20-23mi
Round Pond to Big Brook Area
We would wake up early and leave Round Pond to make to the Allagash Falls and enjoy it a bit, before completing the day at Big Brook area, or a little before. Leaving us fairly close to Allagash Village.
Day 5:
5 Day Option - 10mi
Big Brook Area to Allagash Village
This would be the last day on the water for the 5 day option, and we'd be on the way home shortly after noon.
Day 4:
6 Day Option - 15mi
Round Pond to Allagash Falls
Our loose plan for this option is to leave early from the Round Pond area and end up in the Allagash falls area with enough time to explore, take photos, etc. We'll camp somewhere nearby, depending on which sites are open.
Day 5:
6 Day Option - 10mi
Allagash Falls to East Twin Brook
Another low mileage day, really just to stretch our trip out a bit and stay out there. We'll leave Allagash Falls area whenever we damn well please, and head down to East Brook, just about 10mi down river, where we'll camp for the night.
Day 6:
6 Day Option - 6mi
East Twin Brook to Allagash Village
This will be the last day of the trip if we decide to do a 6 days. We'll wake up whenever and have a leisurely paddle down to Allagash Village, where we'll take out at Allagash Guide Service likely well before noon, and be back home in Massachusetts before dark.
Like I mentioned earlier, this isn't a strict itinerary. We have the canoe rented for a total of 7 days on the water, and we are bringing provisions for 8. We've done a lot of research and we feel confident about the plan - but that could all change once we are out there.
Our Loadout
What we gon' bring:
Obviously this isn't everything, but its most of the big stuff, and all of it is going inside that big dry duffle.
Alright so we've got a bunch of fun stuff to talk about here. I already had a bunch of outdoor gear, and so did Nick, but there were several things we ended up getting just to make our lives easier/safer. Having all of the gear in the world doesn't mean it's easy to pick what to bring, because just like backpacking or bikepacking, you are carrying everything with you. With canoeing, you are carrying it several times over because there are portages where several trips is often necessary.
Ultimately we decided we'd pack light, and we aren't bringing many large things that would be considered luxury items - but we are bringing "double" of some things, and I'll explain why when they come up.
Shelter:
Nick's Tent
Patrick's Tent
13x13ft Rainfly
ENO Doublenest Hammockm (luxury)
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Camp Pillow (luxury)
Ultralight Folding Campchairs (luxury)
We are bringing two separate tents for a few reasons. For starters, we are both liable to snore, especially after all of that paddling, and we can't risk not getting a good night's sleep. Secondly, we'll be spending a good deal of time together, and I find it's best that everyone has their own space to get some solitude, even if it is only 20ft away and separated by a couple layers of thin ripstop nylon. Lastly, similar to the first, with all of that dehydrated food, my farts are going to be so bad that I'll be lucky not to suffocate myself, let alone taking both of us down. I suspect the same of Nick.
I'm bringing my ENO, it doesn't take up much space, and we are going to have plenty of time in the evenings after setting up camp to relax. What better way to relax than lounging in a hammock with a book in your hands... to swat the bugs mainly, I'll read it if there's time.
Kitchen:
Nick's Stoveset
Patrick's Stoveset
Camp Pot Set
Eating Utensils
Cooking Utensils
2 camp plates
6" Cast Iron Skillet (luxury)
Stove Fuel
Lighter/Matches
Scrub Brush
Pan Scraper
We are bringing two separate stoves, and I know at this point I'm making it seem like we can't share, but we can, we just don't want to. The odds are high that we are going to want to both eat immediately when we get to camp, so I figured bringing two stoves will mean we can make that happen without too much fuss. If we feel good about our weight, we are going to bring a small cast iron skillet to make eggs in the mornings.
Tools:
Bow Saw
24" Camp Axe (Patrick)
Gerber Multi Tool
Emergency Canoe Repair Kit
Head Lamps
Lantern
20ft of Paracord
2 15ft Lining Ropes
2 Paddles each (one for lake, one for river)
Gear Tethers
Bear spray
This is all pretty self explanatory and nothing for luxury. I made Nick an 18" Hatchet which he may choose to bring. We also may bring a second folding saw, so that we can both go out and source firewood at the same time.
Nick Specific Gear:
Fishing Rod
Lures
Fillet Knife
Plastic Cutting Board
I don't know how to fish yet, so Nick is going to bring some gear to add to our menu along the way.
Patrick Specific Gear:
Camera Pelican Box
Sony A7Rii with a 28-200mm lens
10-28mm lens
Batteries for Sony
20,000mAh Power Bank
GoPro and Accessories
Solar Panel Charger
I'll be shooting for my mini documentary while I'm out here, and just generally doing some wildlife photography. Fingers crossed for a bull moose and a black bear, preferably in the same photo.
Apparel:
A few outfits each
Rain Gear
Packable down jacket
Wool Socks
Extra pair of shoes
We are generally both bringing the same type of clothing. Outdoor pants, wicking, breathable, and long sleeve shirts of the same material. The prevailing intent is to keep the bulk of our skin covered to keep the bugs away.
Essentials/Safety:
First aid kit
Garmin InReach Mini
Several water bottles, Nalgene and collapsibles
Two rolls of TP
Hot Sauce
Shower Wipes
This is pretty general. Our significant others will lose their minds if we didn't find some way to keep in touch with them, so we rented a Garmin InReach Mini from this nifty website I found called Outdoor Equipment Rentals. Then, when you are out in the wilderness, there is no such thing as "too safe", so better bring some hot sauce.
Packs, bags, and buckets:
100l Dry Duffle
90l Dry Duffle
2 5g Food grade buckets with Gamma Seal lids and carrying harnesses
30l dry bag
20l dry bag
2 Day packs
2 Feed bags
8l Pelican Camera Case
We are doing our utmost to keep the carrying containers to a minimum. The bulk of our individual gear, shelters, clothes, etc - are going into the large dry duffle bags. We opted not to get one of the large blue barrels that so many people get for canoe trips, and instead got two 5g buckets with the Gamma Seal lid to store the bulk of the food. If we have to we'll keep some of the sealed food in a drybag. The rest of the gear is going to end up in the dry bags, and the things we don't need to keep dry, in the backpacks. I made a gear tether with loops and carabiners to keep everything strapped together in the canoe, it's sort of like a hammock slap strap.
Beyond that, we are bringing enough food for 8 days total, just in case. Also the general toiletries, straps, repair items, etc.
We are less than three days from leaving and the stoke level is high. Once we get the Garmin InReach up, I'll add a link here for anyone to see our progress.
Thanks for readin!
Comments