2025 Fundy Mid-Life Crisis – A Wild Goats Adventure
by Victor Wright
Last year’s trip was an epic 120km Kayak Trip from the Bay of Fundy in Parrsboro NS to the Northumberland Straight in Tidnish NS encompassing historic Native Trading Routes and the Ship Railway engineering wonder.
What would the Wild Goats do this year for an adventure???
May 2025- Wild Goats team members, Matt Chitty, and Victor Wright meet in Fenwick NS to discuss a new Multisport Adventure. What went through their heads during this meeting was a little disturbing and challenging! A plan was developed to do the following:
Day 1- Mountain Bike from Fenwick, NS(Just outside of Amherst) to Advocate Harbour, NS. 85km
Day 2- Hike the 50km Loop of Cape Chignecto Provincial Park
Day 3-5- Kayak 100km from Advocate Harbour, NS to Amherst, NS via the Bay of Fundy.
Aug 14th-17th were the dates picked for the trip.
Of course, a lot of planning went into this trip; being experienced mountain bikers, and hikers/trail runners, the team knew they could pull off the mountain bike route and the 50km hike around Cape Chignecto.
What really concerned the team was the 100km paddle in the Bay of Fundy with the unpredictable weather conditions.
Team member Matt did a lot of map planning along the Fundy coastline for this trip. With the towering cliffs of Cape Chignecto and the Raven head Wilderness area, the team had to ensure they knew where they could land safely, in case of problems on the water.
Many things happened leading up to this trip. The woods ban came into effect in Nova Scotia because of the dry conditions. The team would have to stick to paved roads for the bike ride to Advocate, and the Cape Chignecto Park was closed and therefore not accessible for hiking the trail.
During a kayaking trip to Spencer’s Island in January the team united with the local legend of the area, Laurie Currie. Laurie generously offered the team his double sea kayak for the upcoming trip in August and assured them of the kayak’s sea worthiness.
The team had always paddled single kayaks so this would be a subtle change, challenge, and a test of their teamwork!
Thursday, August 14th, 2025
Fenwick, NS- Advocate, NS 85km Mountain Bike Ride
GPS Trackers enabled, emergency beacons on standby, wives and relatives notified- the trip began. A mid-morning start was nice, and the team beat the heat for the first few hours. The MTB trip was uneventful except for the beautiful scenery and some big nasty hills in the last 15km of the ride. Matt almost hitched a ride on a passing farm tractor!
A great stay that night at Reid’s Guest Home in Advocate with their wives, Matt and Victor had their energy renewed. Later that night, the team reviewed the weather again for the upcoming days. It had changed. Storm conditions were expected for Sunday, August 17th, which would be the second day on the water during the kayak portion of the trip.
The team decided to postpone the 50km hike( Spencer’s Island Beach instead of the closed Cape Chignecto Park) that they were going to do the next day and get an early start on the water. They would try and complete the 100km paddle by the end of Day 2 on the water. A lofty goal for these older, inexperienced ocean kayakers.
Friday, August 15th, 2025
Advocate, NS – Two Rivers/ Raven Head Wilderness Area -43km paddle.
Calm seas and sunny skies welcomed Matt and Victor for Day 2 of Adventure. Matt takes the rudder/steering position, Victor takes the grunt position. Away they went.
The team made timely progress during the first few hours of the trip. Averaging 5-7 km per hour while enjoying the breathtaking views of Cape Chignecto’s cliffs, Isle Haute, the far off shores of New Brunswick’s Fundy Coastline and the sparkling emerald waters.
Turning the point at Cape Chignecto and heading towards the Eatonville area, the wind and swells hit the team. They did not realize how protected they had been before heading around the point. Slowing the teams progress to a soaked 2km/hr. the team was slowly getting physically and mentally tired.
Pictured below is the shoreline of Apple River. The team cut for the shore in this area for a much needed rest stop.
The team reviewed their maps and GPS positions during a brief stop at Apple River and picked two possible stopping points for the day.
The team pulled into Birch Cove at 4pm with 38km of paddling under their belts. After 8 hours on the water, the team was tired out. The mental and physical toll of the reversing tide and the swells and drifts showed as the team lay on the shoreline embracing the land.
After a break, some food, and some beach scavenging, the team butted their heads together and had their first major disagreement! They laid their heads and hearts on the table. One wanted to stay put and set up camp for the night. One wanted to push on another 5km to the next cove. After some debate and acceptance, the team decided to push on and camp at the next cove. As long as they could make it there before dark!!
More rough paddling as the sun was setting. Maybe it had been a mistake to push on and test darkness, fatigue, and friendship.
Finally, after 11 hrs. of paddling and 43km the team pulled ashore at Two Mile Brook.
Not a pleasant beach like Birch Cove, but a haven from the rough seas, with just enough room to bring the kayak ashore and a tiny little spot for the tent. The team shared duties setting up the tent site and prepping food before total darkness set in.
click to enlarge
Saturday, August 16th, 2025
Two Rivers/ Raven Head Wilderness Area – Ft. Lawrence/Amherst, NS – 57km paddle
Matts and Victor’s spirits lifted as they woke the next morning. Looking at the gentle sea(Like bath water) and feeling the warm breeze, the team felt invigorated and ready for the day’s challenge.
Some quick packing and breakfast and the team were on their way to glory.
The team had approximately 57 km paddling to complete the journey, and they wanted to finish that distance in one day, to avoid the potential storm conditions on Sunday.
Flat seas but going against the outgoing tide, Matt and Victor paddled with purpose as they traversed along the Raven Head Wilderness area shoreline. They were averaging 4-5km/hr.
The first break of the day was a short stop at Clam Cove. The team enjoyed the break with many grey seals.
At noon, the tide began to reverse and started to push down the Chignecto Bay. Helping the team achieve their goal of reaching Amherst before days end.
Another dilemma presented itself in a tense team situation. One member wanted to cut across the ocean from a Point near Ragged Reef to a far away point at Lower Cove. This would cut off a lot of time and extra paddling along the Coastline. That would put the team over 5km offshore, which one team member was not very comfortable with, even with the calm seas the team were enjoying.
Again, options discussed, a little crying, whimpering, and the silent treatment and the team agree to cut between the two points.
A little ripple in the ocean, but nothing serious in the form of a wave, and the team was skirting the shore again, comfortably within 1-2km of shore!
Rounding the point at Lower Cove, the team could smell home. With the incoming tide the team was now averaging 7km/hr. on the water. The windmills of Ft. Lawrence/Amherst were spotted in the distance.
At approximately 5pm on Aug 16th, 2025, Matt & Victor spotted their awaiting wives on the muddy shores of Ft. Lawrence, just outside of Amherst. The team’s landing spot was at the exact area of the start of the Old Ship Railway.
The Team wasn’t sure if the wives would be excited with joy to see them make it safe and successfully to shore, or they would be disappointed because they could not collect on the team’s insurance policies!😊
100km in two days was of lot of paddling, but at least they were not portaging like the year past. A crazy, beautiful two days of paddling.
Special thanks to Friend, Laurie Currie @ Local Guy Adventures for his knowledge and awesome kayak loaner, and to the wives and families of Matt & Victor for their support.
PS> Matt & Victor went back to Advocate on Sept 23, 2025, and completed the 50km hike around Cape Chignecto Park. It took 13.5 hrs. to complete.
Until Next Year – Goats out😊😊
