Atlantic Bound

Highlights from the 2018 Trip to the Sea

On May 6, an intrepid group of students and alumni embarked on a 220-mile canoe trip down the Connecticut River from the boat docks in Hanover to the Long Island Sound. This annual expedition—the Trip to the Sea—retraces the 1773 journey undertaken by John Ledyard, namesake of Dartmouth’s Ledyard Canoe Club.

The group fills five vessels: two small two-person canoes and three larger canoes. (Robert Gill)

Trip director Lily Xu ’18 gives final instructions before leaving Hanover. (Kevin Yang ’20)

Paddlers approach Ledyard Bridge. (Kevin Yang ’20)

The group portages its largest canoe up a steep hill. (Kevin Yang ’20)

Peyton Ragsdale ’17 enjoys a peaceful morning in Wilgus State Park in Weathersfield, Vermont. (Robert Gill)

Paddlers take a break to talk. (Robert Gill)

The group starts a portage in North Walpole, New Hampshire. (Robert Gill)

At the end of the day, the group sets up camp near Walpole, New Hampshire. (Robert Gill)

It takes nearly the entire group to carry the largest canoe during a portage near the Vernon hydroelectric dam in southern Vermont. (Robert Gill)

On Tuesday, May 8, the group paddles across the state border into Massachusetts. (Robert Gill)

The group puts in on Wednesday morning in northern Massachusetts. (Robert Gill)

The group stops at a marina in Massachusetts, where they’re met by a local Dartmouth alumni club. (Robert Gill)

The paddlers pass Springfield, Massachusetts. (Eli Burakian ’00)

On Thursday, May 10, the group continues to paddle as the sun goes down. (Eli Burakian ’00)

The group camps on the athletics fields at Loomis Chaffee, a private high school in Windsor, Connecticut. (Eli Burakian ’00)

On Friday, the paddlers continue south through Connecticut. (Eli Burakian ’00)

The group approaches Hartford, Connecticut. (Eli Burakian ’00)

Lily Xu ’18 (from left), Charlotte Blanc ’17, Th’18, and Carolyn McShea ’18 study a guidebook on paddling the Connecticut. (Eli Burakian ’00)

The sun sets on the final evening of camping. (Eli Burakian ’00)

On Saturday, May 12, the weather turns windy and cold as the group approaches the Long Island Sound. (Eli Burakian ’00)

Celebration commences after reaching the Long Island Sound. (Eli Burakian ’00)

The group approaches the home of Bill ’65 and Sue Webster, where they’re greeted by students and alumni. (Eli Burakian ’00)

Dave Larson ’67, president of the Dartmouth Club of Southeastern Connecticut, presents an honorary paddle to Lily Xu in recognition of her work directing the trip. (Eli Burakian ’00)