| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
Also on Backpacker.com
EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS 2011: THE BEST NEW GEAR
OVER 3,000 GPS-ENABLED TRIPS!
DAILY DIRT BLOG: THE LATEST OUTDOOR NEWS
GEAR PRO: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
MEDICINE MAN: ESSENTIAL SKILLS REVEALED
BACKPACKING 101: GET STARTED NOW!
VIDEOS: FEND OFF A BEAR, PACK RIGHT, AND MORE.
PHOTOS: FEAST YOUR EYES WITH THESE SHOTS
Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.
Backpacker Magazine – March 2010
Setting the Speed Hiking Record on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail
Wilderness paddler Mike Stavola sets a record on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.
Mike Stavola near Maine's Allagash Falls (Homan Photo)
-
Tags:
- Paddling |
Some would argue that the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail is meant to be traveled slowly, savoring one scenic day—and one arduous portage—at a time. Not New Jersey native Stavola, 57, who shattered the previous speed record last July, when he kayaked the whole NFCT in 32 days, 3 hours, and 56 minutes.
HOW DID YOU BEAT THE RECORD?
The NFCT is the ultimate adventure paddling trip in this country, but so far, most people have canoed it. Kayaks are faster. Plus, an older kayaker started a few weeks earlier than me, and I didn’t want him to show me up.
SCARIEST MOMENT?
The two-mile crossing of Flagstaff Lake. I was paddling into 20-mph winds, and the boat was diving into the waves. I kept thinking of that chapter in The Perfect Storm about what it’s like to drown.
WHAT WAS THE MOST SCENIC SPOT?
Attean Pond in Maine. Mountains surround the whole pond, and I paddled my boat in circles, taking pictures.
WHAT’S NEXT?
My partner Juan Carro and I will paddle across Nicaragua, from the Pacific to the Atlantic. We’re going to portage over the Continental Divide.
Subscribe to Backpacker magazine
Sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter
Reader Rating:
-
International Travel
From Nepal to New Zealand, we have stories and tips to help you plan the perfect 'life list' trek abroad.
Navigation Center
Learn how to orient a map, navigate any terrain, and the ins-and-outs of GPS devices.
BACKPACKER's Free Smartphone GPS App
Record and share you adventures with our new, free navigation app. Plus, discover thousands of GPS-enabled hikes in national parks and major cities.
Green Guide
A backpacker's guide to environmental issues and "green" gear.
READERS COMMENTS
This inspires me to get out and break records. And teeth...
Posted: Feb 22, 2011 Casey Fiedler
My goal to paddle the NFCT in record time was used as an incentive to overcome my impending disappointment at not becoming the first kayaker and oldest thru-paddler on the trail. Regardless, I considered paddling at an estimated average speed of 2.5 MPH more like cruising than speeding on the NJ Turnpike. Actually, once you get into a rhythm, it’s difficult to paddle slower. You’ll see if you do any long distance paddling. Besides, stopping early to camp only served up more meat to the black flies and mosquitoes in the middle of bug season. The water was bug free and I never felt tired so I kept going all day enjoying every minute. I did slow down enough to take over 500 pictures and over 5 hours of HD video of my adventure ( www.KayakathonMan.com ). And as far as the record goes, mine was for a solo paddle. No one ever helped me carry my kayak and I never accepted a shuttle. And for sure my record didn’t require paddling in the dark or after midnight to break the under 30 day barrier.
Posted: Mar 27, 2010 Mike Stavola
ADD A COMMENT