First in a Kayak

On Saturday, 67 year old truck driver, Gil Whitney of Lakeville, Maine, paddled the St. John River into Fort Kent Maine to complete the final leg of the 740 mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail. He was the first paddler to complete the trail in a kayak. It took Gil 57 days to traverse 4 states, 1 province, 22 rivers and streams, and 56 lakes and ponds. Along his journey he was bruised by a swim in class IV rapids, made a quick visit to a hospital, battled an inner ear infection, got a flat tire (on his portage cart), paddled with a swimming black bear, and lost nearly 30 pounds of body weight. I think I see a reality show in the making.

Gil's wife Kathy document the trip by posting on Gil's Bucket List. Click here to visit.
For more information on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, click here.
and to read the NFCT blog click hereCongratulations Gil!