Plan Your Trip
Prep & Packing List
Everything you need to know before you arrive at basecamp — what we provide, what to bring, how to get ready, and what to expect on the river.
What’s Included — On Every Trip
Show up ready to paddle. We handle everything else.
A Typical Day on the River
We make and break camp every day as we travel downstream. The pace is relaxed — this is a wilderness immersion, not a race.
5:30 – 6:00 am
Rise and hot breakfast over the open fire — blueberry pancakes with real maple syrup, bacon and eggs, or organic hot cereal. Coffee.
7:00 – 8:00 am
Break camp and launch. We paddle a few hours with stops for snacks, rest, and visits to historical sites along the route.
Midday
Trailside lunch — sometimes at a campsite, sometimes on a riverbank. We cover 8 – 20 miles per day depending on trip and conditions.
By 2:00 pm
Make camp. Plenty of time for swimming, fishing, hiking, reading, napping, and watching the wildlife.
6:00 – 6:30 pm
Dinner — a full meal over open fire with fresh-baked bread or dessert from the reflector oven. Never a shortage of food.
The Food Is Legendary
Every breakfast and dinner is cooked from scratch over an open fire. Chip and Lani bring a reflector oven and bake fresh breads, muffins, and desserts most nights. Typical dinners include marinated grilled chicken, BBQ steaks, sautéed vegetables, and homemade strawberry shortcake. Breakfasts run to buttermilk blueberry pancakes with real maple syrup, bacon and eggs, and always an assortment of organic hot cereals. Chip and Lani’s signature woodsman coffee at breakfast will keep you fired up all day.
Special dietary requests — vegetarian, gluten-free, and most allergies — are handled with ease. Just let us know in advance. Vegan meal plans may require an additional cost.
Physical Preparation
You don’t need to be an athlete — but the more fit you are at the start of your trip, the more you’ll enjoy it.
Maine & Allagash Trips
Suitable for healthy adults and children of reasonable fitness. Trips involve active paddling, moving gear, setting up camp, and living outdoors — with plenty of down time built in. We do not paddle from dawn to dusk.
St. John River
Good physical health and condition are important. Cold water along with potentially cold weather in May adds a serious safety consideration. A wetsuit or drysuit is not necessary but wool and polypropylene layers certainly are. It’s a good idea to check the week of weather ahead of the trip for last minute plan and prep adjustments.
Canadian Trips
Good physical condition is essential. Canadian expeditions cover more remote terrain and involve longer days on the water. Previous paddling experience is strongly recommended.
Whitewater Day Clinics
No special preparation required. All equipment provided, all instruction included. Chip and Lani start with paddling fundamentals before the first rapids.
Children
Ages 6 and up are a great fit for most trips. The key question is whether they can manage themselves outdoors for the duration — most kids absolutely love the adventure.
Good to Know
Where to Meet
ACT base camp, 166 Scammon Rd., Greenville, Maine. Arrival: 7:00 am on departure day. Pick up your dry bag the evening before if you’re staying nearby.
Cell Service
None in the North Maine Woods. Your phone is welcome as a camera, but don’t plan on being reachable. Spotty service returns on the drive back to Greenville.
Bears
Yes — they’re out there. But they have thousands of acres to roam and actively avoid humans. Bears are not an issue on 99.9% of ACT trips.
Water & Sanitation
Drinking water is provided and resupplied from springs or filtered from the river. Most campsites have outhouse pit toilets. No showers — biodegradable soap only near water.
Alcohol Policy
Welcome in moderation — canned beer and boxed wine only, no glass. No refrigeration on the river. You will need to paddle in the morning.
Payment
A $500/person deposit secures your spot. Balance due 30 days before departure. We accept check, Venmo, or credit card (3% fee applies). Call Lani at 207-280-1551 for card or Venmo payments.
Trip-Specific Prep Notes
Each trip has its own considerations beyond the universal list above.
Allagash Wilderness Waterway & Other Maine Trips
All Levels · May through September
All experience levels welcome — first-timers do just fine. Chip and Lani provide paddling instruction before and during the trip; no prior experience necessary. Some sections involve portages — expect to carry gear and canoes short distances. Pack in layers; Maine wilderness weather changes quickly, even in summer. Footwear that can get wet is essential — water shoes or old sneakers for the river, sturdy shoes for camp. Pick up your dry bag at basecamp the evening before departure. No cell service in the North Maine Woods for the duration of the trip.
St. John River
Intermediate to Expert · May Only
Previous whitewater experience strongly recommended. Water temperature in May runs in the 50s — a wetsuit or drysuit is strongly advised for the first days. Pack for genuine extremes: May weather can swing from warm and sunny to cold and wet in a single day — a full layering system is not optional. The river runs only in high water; Chip confirms conditions before departure and adjusts the start point accordingly. This is a fast, exhilarating trip — pace yourself on the first day.
Canadian Canoe Trips
Advanced to Expert · Multi-Day
Good physical condition is essential — these are true expeditions in remote terrain. Previous paddling experience strongly recommended. A valid passport is required for all guests. Trip insurance is strongly recommended. Some routes involve floatplane access — luggage and pack weight limits apply; details in your confirmation packet. Prepare mentally for being fully off the grid for the duration of the trip.
Winter Nordic Ski Trips
All Levels · January through March
Ski or snowshoe equipment can be rented through Maine Huts & Trails — details in your confirmation packet. A proper layering system is essential: moisture-wicking base layer, insulating mid-layer, wind/waterproof outer shell. Warm, waterproof boots rated for cold temperatures — do not underestimate Maine winters. The huts provide hot meals, hot showers, comfortable bunk rooms, and beer and wine for purchase — this is not a tent-camping experience. Fat tire biking and snowshoe options available on the same guided format.
Whitewater Day Clinics
All Levels · 1 Day
No prior experience necessary — all instruction included. All equipment provided: canoe, paddle, PFD, and safety gear. Wear clothing that can get wet and bring a change of clothes for after. Water shoes or old sneakers required. Clinics are physically active but not demanding — suitable for most fitness levels.
Have a question about preparing for a specific trip? Give us a call — we’re happy to talk through it before you apply.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Your full packing list, confirmation details, directions to basecamp, and all forms arrive in your confirmation packet after we receive your application.