About the Paddle

This is a 5-day, 4-night excursion during peak foliage in the beautiful Adirondack mountains. We leave on October 8th and return on October 13th, 2026.

You will paddle from Long Lake to the Raquette River and then to Tupper Lake. The Raquette River snakes through the outskirts of the western High Peaks, flowing calmly on an unobstructed, gentle current.

You will camp alongside the river. The reds and oranges of the maples create a beautiful backdrop. The golden hues of the birches add to the scenery. Prepare for some of the Northeast’s darkest skies and prime stargazing opportunities!

basic itinerary

Day 1: We will meet at Outside Perspectives if this makes sense logistically. Then, we will travel together to NY. Transportation is provided by OP. The paddling expedition begins with a night of camping and getting to know one another at Lake Eaton Campground. Nights will consist of setting up camp, cooking dinner together, and enjoying a campfire!

Day 2: The next morning, the crew will review basic paddling and trip information. Then we’ll get into our canoes and paddle Long Lake to the north end. There, we’ll pull off into our site for night two. 

Day 3: Paddle from the north end to our one and ONLY portage! We will pull our boats ashore and carry our gear the 1.3 miles, past the beautiful Raquette Falls, and then put in to paddle to our next campsite. (NOTE: we will have lightweight Kevlar boats.)

Day 4: Paddle the wooded banks of the Raquette River, keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way! NOTE: This trip includes a section of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. It follows a historic Adirondack canoe route. This route was frequently used by early guides and Natives alike!

Day 5: FINAL DAY of paddling! Paddle from camp onto Tupper Lake to Moody Launch, where we celebrate the completion of our adventure!

The OP EXperience

You will join this trip as a participant. You will have the opportunity to fully experience the culture of an Outside Perspectives Expedition.

OP Instructors will guide and support you every step of the way. You will learn (or review!) camp craft, setting up tents, cooking while on expedition, Leave No Trace ethics, planning and navigating an itinerary, packing and paddling a canoe, and more! You will also experience the impact of spending time immersed in the wilderness. You will function as a crew. You will engage in meaningful, guided, and organic conversations with your fellow paddlers!!

We challenge you to commit to the FULL OP experience and go tech-free*! All young people who join our expeditions are expected to do the same. OP believes that disconnecting fully is how you have the most impactful experience.

*We are happy to talk about your feelings on this and to make accommodations where necessary. 

All inclusive expedition!

PREP

This is a beginner-friendly expedition! You don’t need to be an experienced paddler, camper, or outdoors person. Prior to your expedition, Outside Perspectives will hold a pre-trip briefing for all participants. They will review the detailed itinerary and discuss what to expect. They will also explain how to pack and answer any questions! All participants will have the option to sign up for a free canoe skill-building day. Participants will learn paddle skills, strokes, rescues, entries and exits, boat packing, etc.

GEAR

Outside Perspectives will provide all the necessary gear. This includes tents, sleeping bags, cook sets, canoes, paddles, PFDs, headlamps, backpacks, and duffles to pack gear into the canoes. Participants are welcome to bring your own gear as well. A gear check will be part of the pre-trip briefing. Your OP guides can assist with any necessary changes. They can also provide accommodations to ensure a positive experience.

FOOD/DRINK

All meals, drinks, and snacks will be provided by Outside Perspectives during the expedition. While being in the backcountry limits our food choices regarding durability, refrigeration, and packability, OP will upgrade our typical menu. Accommodations for allergies and diet restrictions can be made upon request. Beer and wine will also be included when possible, as this trip will be for adults 21+. 

Registration & fundraising

A $500 non-refundable registration fee is required to hold your space. This $500 counts toward your fundraising goal.

The registration fee of $500, the signed “Participant Agreement,” and the Outside Perspectives “Participant Waiver” are required at registration. They must be submitted for this fundraising expedition. The first 10 people to meet these requirements will be part of the “Crew.” 

Each participant agrees to fundraise (or be personally responsible for) a fundraising total of $2,500 for Outside Perspectives. This is in addition to the $500 deposit.

Outside Perspectives Development Director Lauren Humphrey will provide you with a Fundraising Page and a Fundraising Toolkit. She will also give you one-on-one coaching and support as needed throughout! You will NOT be out there on your own!

All funds raised will go to Outside Perspectives. They will provide critical funding needed to build lasting community partnerships. This will also provide FREE, fully outfitted, professionally led immersive wilderness experiences for youth!