Freddie Wilkinson

Lotta ghosts out there. #libraryoffred

@nhpbs just released a two-part documentary on our 2023 “Great Canoe Loop” journey. It was an incredible experience, one I am still reliving almost every day, and a total team effort, from start to finish. Not only was I guided and accompanied by local indigenous paddlers for the entire circle, we were supported and honored by many individuals and communities along the way, and the best moments in the journey were well-documented thanks to native cinematographers. I gotta particularly acknowledge @jamesericfrancissr , Penobscot indigenous geographer, historian, photographer, and filmmaker, who played a pivotal role in instigating this scheme, then drove approximately 6,500 road miles in service of our 1800 mile journey, shot and filmed and droned more than anyone, and contributes the most elegant voice in the show. There are so many more names that should be mentioned and honored, many awesome new friends…And among other things, I saw how much healing can be done connecting by water, putting some joy back into the landscape, in a good way. Maybe I should just say the names of all the communities who welcomed us to their shores, or stepped into our canoe, in the course of the journey… Penobscot Nation, Nipmuc Nation, Mattakeeset Massachusetts Nation, Mashpee Wampanoag Nation, Pokanoket Nation, Narragansett Nation, Shinnecock Nation, Unkechuag Nation, Montaukett Nation, Southern Algonquin Peoples / AICH -NYC, Tom Porters, Oneida Nation, Onondaga Nation, Akwesasne Nation, Kahnawake Nation, Odanak Nation, and Wolinak Nation… Tuscarora, Six Nations, and Lakota-Apache paddlers also played big roles on the team. Really, folks of all stripes, including random karens and joeys, cops, bouncers, bakeries, canoe & boat clubs, towns, state-parks, and federal entities (in two countries) aided the journey as well. We paddled with many friends, local knowledge-keepers, water people. I’m sure I’m forgetting something or somebody, I apologize. Thank you. Our team was blessed and inspired by your generosity and sense of unity, it kept us going, and I hope the story will help inspire future journeys. 🙏🛶🙏🛶🙏🛶🙏 #thegreatcanoeloop Link in bio.

When @markarichey @takimiyamoto and I first checked out 199 Constitution Avenue in Portsmouth, it was an empty industrial space — a food manufacturing plant, in fact, where donuts and other sweet treats for seacoast area Dunkin’ Donuts were produced. A left-over illustrated motivational message even adorned one wall — “Time to make the donuts!” Would a donut factory make a good bouldering gym? A year and a half of blood, sweat, and tears ensued as the renovation progressed and our dream slowly came to life. Ultimately, it’s the people who make a gym special, but we also believe in staying in touch with our roots… And so, we’re proud to introduce a new piece of artwork from #saltpumpprints, co-created with the indomitable Scott Whitehouse, Eric McCallister, and Huong Ha, paying homage to our space’s sugary past. May it inspire many future sends.

Summer Journey of 2023 #thegreatcanoeloop From the North end of Indian Island, our group started off as four travelers and two Old Town canoes. Embarking on an adventure spanning 1800+ miles and almost 4 months. Due to excess amounts of rain and high water, the first stretch of our journey kept us out the turbulent main branch, choosing the quick portages and peaceful flats of the Stillwater branch of the Penobscot river. Gilman and Veazie falls offered some exciting, technical class 1 and 2 rapids to enjoy on the first day. Photo 6. Enjoying a Moose Weyohs 🥩 snack near Bangor. 📷 8 and 9. A surprise water spout on river right, near Bangor water works and Cascade Park. 📷 10 F.W. Day one, deep thoughts most likely.

Canoe Story // Dispatch 4 We left the Piscataqua River with following seas and a tailwind. Aunt Hopie’s canoe sails worked to perfection and in a few hours, New Hampshire was behind us and an ominous black rock outcropping appeared ahead: the great jetty guarding the mouth of the Merrimack River. Known for 6’ standing waves that can capsize small boats in the wrong conditions, this feature deserves respect and we weren’t sure we could make it through until we saw conditions first hand. Thankfully, we glided through its notoriously strong currents with a nearly high tide flow helping us, and were welcomed into the Richey family’s Plum Island paradise in time for a home cooked dinner and the Celtics playoff game. The next day, the sea gods were less kind to us and a leisurely start resulted in a long fight against the incoming tide to cross Ipswich Bay, followed by a 10 mile portage from the Castle Hill estate into Gloucester. “Why the fuck are ya canoeing down Essex Avenue?!” the estimable Doug Millen — no stranger to sufferfests — exclaimed when he found me, calorie-deprived and sweat-soaked, a mile from his house. The next day, we rounded a rock in Salem Bay and saw the Boston skyline in the distance. After a stop at Nahant Beach, we arrived @thompsonislandoutwardbound on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend — perhaps not an ideal time to cross Boston Harbor in a canoe, but we survived. We are now 20 days and 353.07 miles from our starting point in Old Town, Maine. Special props to Ryan Ranco Kelley, who is the first Penobscot in some time to paddle a canoe from Old Town to Boston, a route of historic importance to his community. Also special props to our teammate @azabomawet who placed 3rd in his division at the General Clinton race in New York on Sunday. @rwkbuilds @nellzabarr @hickory_edwards @millen_machine @jamesericfrancissr @netooeusqua

Canoe Story // Dispatch 3: After a rainy day spent hiding indoors, we portage-wheeled to the main stem of the Scarborough River and gratefully kissed the asphalt of Route 1 goodbye. I’m now sharing a canoe with my old pal @hickory_edwards , an Onondaga paddler with an easy-going attitude and many, many thousands of miles of canoe experience. As we departed Ferry Beach I heard a kid shout “bye, canoe”, and then we rounded the point and everything was drowned out by the pounding thunder of 4.5 foot swell. I momentarily wondered if paddling the Maine coast in a canoe was a good idea. Our outriggers continue to prove incredibly functional, however. Halfway across Saco Bay, the winds shifted to the north and Hickory raised our canoe sail with glee. We were laughing like kids by the time we arrived at our island bivy at the mouth of the Saco River. After two more days of mostly open sea travel, we touched down in New Castle, New Hampshire yesterday, having now covered 272.5 miles from Old Town, Maine in 15 days. @nellzabarr @hickory_edwards @rwkbuilds Special thanks: @penobriver @jamesericfrancissr @klementovich @janetty.nh @z.a.robinson

Canoe Story // Dispatch 2: Some easy days and some hard ones as we linked a few of Maine’s best burger establishments by foot & float. Yesterday, we upsized to our jumbo boat package for this next ocean-eering phase of the journey. With 15 kt headwinds, paddling from Wolfe’s Neck down Casco Bay to Portland was a little rugged but we were all smiling as the outriggers worked to perfection. We opted to sneak in the Back Bay and portage across town rather than dealing with the ferry wake confusion of Portland Harbor. Yesterday was also Damon’s last day on the journey — for now. We shared a canoe from Indian Island to Portland & I learned more about canoeing moving water then I’ve picked up over the last two years… Awesome time paddling with ya, thanks dude! @nellzabarr @azabomawet @rwkbuilds #canoestory

Canoe Story // Dispatch 1: Our journey began at the North End of Indian Island, Penobscot Territory on Tuesday — a place which has been the starting point for canoe journeys since the birchbark canoe was invented. It was an honor to take bow seat with @azabomawet , a young Penobscot guide and canoe racer with preternatural river skills and a goofy sense of humor, at stern behind me. After Damon and Ryan guided @nellzabarr and I down Veazie Rips to the head of tide on the Penobscot, the real work began — two days of work up Souadabscook Stream. Although the ~30 miles of uphill travel entailed poling, lining, 10 miles of walking, and oodles of hard up current paddling, Wabanaki favored this route to the rugged and dangerous coastline when traveling North - South throughout the region. We arrived on the Kennebec River last night with sore shoulders and big grins after a 110 mile, 5 day effort. We portage - wheeled about 11 miles of it and passed two dams on the Sebastacook. Jenn’s moose meat and Noelle and James’ well timed water resupplies kept us going. Huge thanks to everyone supporting us, including but not limited to: @jamesericfrancissr @penobriver @oldtownwatercraft @nrsweb @thompsonislandoutwardbound @nhpbs @klementovich @sweetgrassbasket @lucasstclair @white_mountain_rambler @janetty.nh @chris_sockalexis @natgeo @nellzabarr @rwkbuilds @netooeusqua

Lovely day out with Ryan exploring the Nonesuch River and greater environs. The ocean let us feel its energy… and we went with plan B. Oxbow country delivered many tired muscles, lessons learned.

It’s a seal’s life. Prince Olav Harbour, South Georgia. 🦭🦭🦭 @natgeo @oceanexpeditions @expedition.studios

📷: @renan_ozturk // So happy to finally get to share some details on this wild adventure… It was a blessing to join @volcanic_emma and an all-around awesome group of individuals to explore this mountain for science. Find out what we found at the link in profile. @natgeo @expedition.studios @oceanexpeditions

Welcome Tenzing dai! Fun day with @l.baker.perry giving @tenzing99 the tour of our local hill… These guys will be returning to Everest this spring to continue work on the Mt. Everest mesonet. 📷: @l.baker.perry @insidenatgeo #agiocochook #abenakiland