The paddlers are currently in the Okefenokee Swamp, expecting to stay at Mixon’s Hammock, just downstream from Stephen C. Foster State Park, tomorrow. Thanks to Visit Dixie County for a place to park their shuttle vehicle for when they arrive at the end of their journey. We will continue to provide the paddlers information and assistance as they travel down the Suwannee River.

Pictures and Map; see also WWALS map of the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail.

Team to Paddle 340 Miles across Georgia and Florida’s Three Threatened Waterways

For Immediate Release (Gastonia, NC) — Four friends are embarking on an ambitious expedition to paddle 340 miles from Fort Clinch State Park on the Atlantic Ocean, up the St. Mary’s River, through the incomparable Okefenokee Swamp, and down the Suwannee River to the Gulf of Mexico. Why? For fun…and to help raise awareness for these beautiful and threatened waterways. Trip dates are January 20 — February 16, 2021.

The team consists of Jayne Fought (owner of Island Ford Adventures), Clyde Carter (Faculty Emeritus, Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education at Brevard College), Nelson Stegall (Professional Landscape and Real Estate Photographer) and Angie Stegall (Executive Wayfinder), are joining forces to kayak 340 miles of wild Georgia and Florida waterways.

This coast-to-coast adventure was dreamed up by Clyde Carter. He was instrumental in the development of the “Voice of the Rivers” program, now in its 25th year, at Brevard College. “Voice of the Rivers” is an expedition program for students and faculty from disciplines across the campus who study a river from its source to the sea and then spends 3 weeks paddling the entire waterway. “I thought it would be great fun to try a coast-to-coast paddle on these three waterways rather than sticking solely to the ‘source-to-sea’ concept,” said Carter.

These four adventurers have a combined total of more than 100 years of outdoor experience spanning forestry, sea kayaking, whitewater kayaking and rafting, backpacking, and rock climbing, and environmental education (with several certification therein). Clyde Carter and Nelson Stegall are both Eagle Scouts. Jayne Fought and Clyde Carter are both Certified Wilderness First Responders, American Canoe Association instructors, and Leave No Trace educators. The Stegalls are both CPR and Wilderness First Aid Certified.

American Rivers named the Okefenokee Swamp and St. Mary’s River as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2020, citing the threat titanium mining would pose to the waterways’ clean water, wetlands and wildlife habitat. The Okefenokee Protection Alliance, a coalition of more than 30 different organizations, focused on protecting an incomparable 440,000-acre ecosystem, two rivers and a wilderness destination that attracts over 600,000 visitors annually.

Contact: Angela M. Stegall
Mobile: (704) 293-7559
Email: angie@angiestegall.com
Website: FB: The Great Florida Traverse

Yes, they know about the titanium strip mine proposed far too near the Okefenokee Swamp, and yes, you can still help stop that mine:
https://wwals.net/2021/01/14/okefenokee-flyover-2021-01-10/#howtocomment

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!

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