Photo credit: explorersweb.com
At the age of 23, Kyle Parker accomplished an impressive feat by paddling the entire 682 kilometers of the Wisconsin River, completing the journey in just 5 days, 19 hours, and 22 minutes. This remarkable performance earned him the record for the fastest known time for this route in a solo canoe.
For his next adventure, Parker intends to take a more measured pace, as he prepares for a significant journey beginning in less than a month.
“Today, we have many modes of travel at our disposal, often choosing the quickest and easiest options,” he shared on his blog. “I’m eager to slow down to just a few miles per hour and truly immerse myself in the country.”
Exploring the U.S. from ‘tip to tip’
Parker’s ambitious plan is to journey across America from the northwestern shores of Washington to the southeastern coast of Florida. He anticipates this expedition will span six to eight months.
The route will take him through the chilly depths of Puget Sound, along numerous rivers throughout the continental U.S., into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and potentially along some sections of the Atlantic Ocean.
However, Parker’s challenges will extend beyond just navigating waterways. Traditional canoe routes often include multiple portages around dams, requiring the canoe to be carried over land. In his case, Parker will face the necessity of transporting his canoe hundreds of miles over highways and tackle the continental divide at one stage of his journey.
“This journey is not merely about the breathtaking landscapes or the diverse wildlife, nor just the thrill of facing adversity,” Parker reflected. “It is fundamentally about the people I will encounter and the stories I will discover. I aim to engage with locals and delve into the cultures of the places along my path.”
Carrying on the legacy of Jake Stachovak
While Parker’s undertaking is quite exceptional, it echoes the efforts of other adventurers. In 2009, fellow Great Lakes resident Jake Stachovak completed an impressive 9,237-kilometer voyage known as the Great Loop by kayak, which begins and ends in Portage, Wisconsin, with a brief excursion to the Gulf of Mexico. Tragically, Stachovak passed away in 2022 at age 46 after battling cancer.
Parker has received support from Stachovak’s widow, who has generously provided him with key gear for his upcoming journey, including a portage cart, water bag, radio, and a pink cup holder that belonged to the late adventurer.
Parker has also garnered backing from local outdoor retailers. Ethan Scheiwe, the manager of Rutabaga Paddlesports in Madison and one of Parker’s sponsors, remarked to the Wisconsin State Journal, “While it’s a formidable task, Kyle is undoubtedly the right person for it. If he succeeds, it could very well be viewed as the National Geographic adventure of the year. It’s that significant.”
The journey is set to commence on May 1, and those interested can follow Parker’s progress on his blog.
Source
explorersweb.com