Kayaker sets Northern Forest Trail solo record

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July 6, 2009

Anonymous The Press Republican Mon Jul 06, 2009, 01:38 PM EDT

FORT KENT, Maine (AP) — A New Jersey man has become the fastest solo kayaker to paddle 740 miles over the Northern Forest Canoe Trail from New York to Maine.

It took Mike Stavola 32 days to complete the journey from Old Forge,N.Y., to Fort Kent, Maine. A large part of the trek passes through the North Country. Stavola passed through the Saranac Lakes chain, down the Saranac River and across Lake Champlain.

The 59-year-old real estate agent from Medford Lakes, N.J., says he took up kayaking two years ago because it was easier on his knees than hiking.

To finish the trail, Stavola says he survived 25-mile winds, walking 75 miles, and a moose who tried to crash his camp site.

Northern Forest Canoe Trail officials say there have been other solo canoeists and one solo kayaker to finish.

In June, 67-year-old Gil Whitney of Lakeville, Maine, became the first solo kayaker to finish. It took him 57 days.

ON THE NET

Northern Forest Canoe Trail

www.northernforestcanoetrail.org