Maine Rangeley Lakes Canoeing for Adults
Invigorate your inner adventurer and explore the picturesque waterways of western Maine on this 8-day canoe journey.
Maine Rangeley Lakes Canoeing expeditions for Adults uncover opportunities for more difficult challenges and revitalization in a unique wilderness environment alongside teammates experiencing the same things. Heading out on the lakes and rivers of western Maine, you will learn to camp and travel simply, relying on your group, the supplies you have on hand, and the expertise you either have or acquire as you go. You’ll become a master in lake navigation, paddling techniques, woods craftsmanship, weather observation and campsite setup, among other things. You’ll have time to sit on the rocks and reflect on your progress, and think about the journey that still lies ahead. Leadership responsibilities are shared so that every crew member is integral to planning the journey, and discovering how best to live and work closely together is equally as important as many of the wilderness skills you’ll acquire. The habits learned and strengthened through this backpacking and canoeing expedition will serve you long after you return home.
NOTE: Outward Bound strongly recommends that all students be vaccinated against COVID-19 and up to date as defined by the CDC prior to arriving to their course start. For all open enrollment courses beginning on or after April 15, 2023, Outward Bound will no longer require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For questions regarding this policy please see this page or call us at 866-467-7651.
UPCOMING COURSES
What is this?
For detailed information on course availability statuses and what they mean, click here.
Course # HNAC-321
Age 18 and up
Days 6
Cost $2,150
Dates 9.10.23 - 9.15.23
APPLY NOW
This means a course has several open spots and is actively processing applications.
APPLY NOW – Almost Full
This means there are three or fewer currently available spots left on a course. To secure your spot click Apply Now to begin an application!
JOIN WAITLIST
Once a course has reached capacity, three waitlist positions become available. To join a course’s waitlist, click “Join Waitlist” to begin the application process. A $500 deposit is required. This $500 deposit includes a $150 non-refundable application fee and a $350 tuition payment. The $350 tuition payment is refundable only if you cancel your waitlist application or if an open position does not become available. If a position does become available, the applicant will be applied to the open position and the Application and Cancellation Policies of the Regional Outward Bound School will be followed, including forfeiture of the $500 deposit if you cancel 90 days or less prior to the course start date.
Waitlist applicants are encouraged to complete all required admissions documents while awaiting an open position. Positions may become available up to two weeks prior to the course start date. Applicants may only apply to one course. We recommend applying to a course with open positions instead of a course that is accepting waitlist applications. If you have questions, please call 866-467-7651 to speak with one of our Admissions Advisors.
CALL TO APPLY
This means a course is very close to its start date. Although it is unlikely to secure a spot this late, you can call the National Admissions office at 866-467-7651 to discuss your options.
COURSE IS FULL
When a course has reached maximum capacity, meaning all spots and the three waitlist spots are occupied, a course will read “Course Is Full.” This means applications are no longer being accepted.
CLOSED
As a course nears its start date, the availability status may read “Closed.” In this event, a course roster has been finalized and applications are no longer being accepted or processed.
Wilderness canoe expedition skills are the mark of a New England outdoorsperson. In the foothills of Maine’s mountains are networks of remote lakes and rivers. Students learn to maneuver canoes using paddle strokes such as the sweep, draw, pry, and J-stroke. To get from one waterway into another, the group will portage (carry the canoes on their shoulders), and line (guide the loaded canoe down the sides of unrunnable rapids). Team work skills are honed as every member of the crew learns to communicate well as they coordinate efforts with paddling partners each day. Discovering the power of people truly working together is a keystone of the experience.
Among the mountains of western Maine are many granite cliffs, known locally as “Little Bear,” “Bald,” “Table Rock,” and “Square Ledges.” You will learn to use climbing equipment, tie knots, and climb and belay each other while instructors provide overall supervision of the site. Climbing develops balance, coordination, flexibility and grace on the rock faces that you’ll cross. Depending upon the expedition route, technical rope activities may include a “via ferrate” or “Tyrolean traverse” which you’ll learn as you go, and you can then teach others. Climbing presents many individual challenges alongside what the whole group must accomplish by working together to set systems up, communicate clearly and support each other throughout the climb.
The upper reaches of the Androscoggin watershed is fed by Aziscohos Lake, the Magalloway River and the Rangeley Lakes. Indigenous Abenaki peoples used the Androscoggin as both a means of transportation between winter habitats inland, summer living on the coast and as a source of food. Later the Androscoggin River was used to move logs to mills downstate during the logging boom of the nineteenth century. These days the lakes and rivers are used primarily by canoeists, fisherman and other recreationalists. Some of the portage trails here, such as along the Rapid River, have been in use for centuries.
OTHER COURSES YOU MAY LIKE
Texas Big Bend Canoeing for Adults
Courses: 1 date available Ages: 30+ Length: 8 Days Cost: $2,580 Details & Dates
Maine Coast Sailing for Adults
Courses: 1 date available Ages: 30+ Length: 8 Days Cost: $2,900 Details & Dates
Boundary Waters Dog Sledding & Cross C...
Courses: 11 dates available Ages: 18+ , 30+ Length: 8 Days Cost: $2,495 - $2,900 Details & Dates
Getting Started
If you are ready to enroll on a course click the enroll button next to the course you wish to select or you can enroll over the phone by speaking with one of our Admissions Advisors (toll-free) at 866-467-7651.
To secure your spot on a course you must submit an enrollment form and $500 deposit that is applied toward the total cost of the course and includes a $150 non-refundable enrollment processing fee.