The State of Maine is vast, full of wild things and wild places to enjoy.

One of the greatest ways to experience Maine is to hit the waterways of this great state via a canoe expedition. If you’re thinking about Maine Bucket List adventures for next year, the classic canoe trip down the Allagash Wilderness Waterway is just the ticket. The Allagash is Maine’s most famous canoe expedition, with lakes, easy river sections and miles of unspoiled scenery.  It’s also the best way to see the wildlife of this great state —moose, deer, eagles maybe even a bear or two. And don’t forget to wet a line for some of the best fishing around!

The classic Allagash expedition takes about seven days or longer if you want to take your time. From Chamberlain Lake north to Allagash Village, there are 80 rustic campsites along the way with a couple of short portages (nothing too drastic).

The Allagash is roughly 65 miles long and drains into a remote and scenic area of wilderness in the Maine North Woods north of Mount Katahdin.

If you’re looking for something a little more relaxing and effortless, but just as awe-inspiring, there are around 6,000 lakes and ponds to explore in Maine. Beyond those that are named, there are additionally more than 2,500 unnamed lakes and ponds to take your pick. Open a map, pick a spot, pack a tent, canoe and provisions, and don’t forget your camera.

Get your outdoors on folks, be safe and I’ll see ya out there! Booyaakah!

Canoe Expedition Portage Pack

If you are into canoe expeditions you’re going to need and want this pack! Heck, if you’re into camping, hunting, hiking expeditions  and more, this is exactly what this pack was built for.

Made in the U.S., the Canoe Expedition Portage Pack by Raging River Trading Co. (Veteran-owned and operated) in North Carolina, is, by far, the best made and thought-out pack of its kind. Made from 10,000-Nylon Cordura, a waterproof bottom panel, two side panel sleeves, two grab handles on front, fully adjustable shoulder straps, a chest strap and three load-adjusting straps on each side, it even has molly webbing galore for attaching anything you might need that won’t fit inside the over 3,900 cubic inches of pack space, including four inside mesh pockets, a drawstring closure with expandable drawstring overstuff panel.

There is definitely something to be said for a company that puts a lot of thought into their products and this pack’s quality is the best I have seen. I coined the phrase  “History in every stitch” for other products made by Raging River Trading Co. and their gear has never let me down. I wish I’d had this type of gear when I was a Marine —it’s tough, dependable, comfortable, versatile and built to last. Check out Raging River Trading Co. at ragingrivertrading.com or on Facebook and see my video review on this on YouTube at LibertyRogueOutdoors, tinyurl.com/ragingriverpack.

— Text & Photos: Alex “The Rogue’Stah” Ribar. Alex is a U.S. Marine, survival expert, avid traditional bow hunter,  contestant on ALONE, Season 4 and alternate on ALONE Mongolia Season 5. Owner and operator of Liberty Rogue Outdoors, check it out on YouTube!