We’ve decided on the route for the 2018 Wilderness Canoe Expedition Semester. We’re going with a classic that will follow the Northern Forest Canoe Trail across the crown of Maine. Starting on the Moose River near Jackman, we’ll paddle to Moosehead Lake, where we’ll turn north to Northeast Carry. We’ll carry across to the West Branch of the Penobscot, then head to Chesuncook Lake. Depending on water levels, we’ll enter the Allagash either by Mud Pond Carry or by carrying into Allagash Lake. Then we’ll head down the Allagash to it’s confluence with the St. John River near the Canadian border.

We take 8 people and 7 big canoes, so there will be 6 solos and a tandem. To our knowledge, no outer outfit runs a multi-week guide training course where people are solo in freight canoes. We’ve been hearing that you can’t do this for the same two decades that we’ve been doing it. And it’s hard. But the rewards are worth all the struggle. If you want to guide canoe trips in the backcountry, there is nothing else like the training and experience you gain on the WCES.

The dates are July 15 – August 10. We still have a few open spots, but they won’t last.