One war canoe, three days, eight paddlers, 90 miles. If the Northern Forest Canoe Trail’s (NFCT) team has their way, $10,000 will be raised as they take on this year’s Adirondack Canoe Classic.
Also known as the 90-Miler, the race course goes from Old Forge to Saranac Lake, NY and is the first 90 miles of the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail, the nation’s longest water trail. The fundraiser will support NFCT’s work along this water trail corridor. Donations will help the non-profit organization deliver its core program areas in the region: Northern Forest Explorers, providing week-long paddling experiences for local 10–14 year olds giving them an opportunity to develop strength, confidence, and a kinship with their local lakes and rivers; Trail Stewardship, establishing and caring for access, portage trails, and campsites; and Trail Towns, assisting local partners to benefit from the Trail.
The Adirondack Canoe Classic has been held since 1983 and attracts participants from around the world. Organized by the Adirondack Watershed Alliance, this year’s race is being held Sept. 6–8.
Team member Joe Bledsoe poses next to NFCT’s war canoe after a practice run.
Kate Williams, Executive Director of Northern Forest Canoe Trail, says the group is excited to participate in the race and sees the fundraiser as a great way to connect paddlers to the protection and stewardship of the places they love to paddle. Williams says, “This is THE classic flatwater race in the Northeast and we’ve always been proud to be associated with it, whether as volunteers on the race course or in the work we do as part of our mission of promoting paddling access for all. We are thrilled to be entered into the Voyageur class of boats. Our goal is to raise funds to get more kids outside paddling and help promote and maintain this classic canoe route for generations to come.”
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting people to the land and communities of the Adirondacks and northern New England. The group’s goal is $10,000 and all donations can be made via www.crowdrise.com/NFCT-90miler/fundraiser/northernforestcanoet. All proceeds will go directly towards work along the 90-Miler route in New York.
