After months of preparation, logistics, online meetings, and phone calls, a full week of training sessions with New River Conservancy (NRC) staff, the New River Expedition (NRX26) launched June 2 in Todd, North Carolina.
The team will be traveling all the way to the confluence of the Gauley River in Gauley Bridge, West Virginia on a 320-mile paddle trip adventure throughout the entire New River watershed. The crew will discover and experience the watershed in a way few get to do.
Want to meet the crew? Several meet and greet events are planned in the New River Valley.
The first event will be held in Draper Thursday, June 25, 2 – 6 p.m. at the NRC Virginia office at The Conery building on Greenbriar Road. Come by and have a chat with the crew and an ice cream on NRC.
The crew will be participating in New River Day in Radford Saturday, June 27, beginning at 10 a.m. in Riverview Park with a paddle and river clean up, and ending at Bisset Park for a free cookout.
Next up is a ‘Meet & Greet” at Rising Silo Brewery in Blacksburg July 1, 2026. The crew will be serving up some pizza and talking about their trip at the halfway point. The time was not available for this event. Contact Rising Silo for more information.
Lastly for the New River Valley is at the Narrows 4th of July festivities on July 4 in the Town Park along Wolf Creek. Stop by their booth in the afternoon.
The crew consists of five people who are paddling along with a driver for portages and support. Lucy Bolin is the food prep queen and seems like the researcher of the trip. David Bernier brings such high energy even when the energy starts to lag. He will most definitely be the crew cheerleader. Anastasia Jeffcoat, our drone queen, is eager and asks a million questions, but then, they all do. Ann Rose, our support driver and a self-described “feral Appalachian,” took her own 2000-mile voyage a few years ago, and has been everywhere the team will be going. Abbey Mays will join the team at the end of the first week and bring her own personality and strengths to add to this crew.
Why an expedition? NRX26 will support the growth of the New River Water Trail byidentifying gaps in recreation infrastructure, highlighting areas that deserve more effective protection, and documenting locations that need the attention of NRC clean-up crews. Andrew Downs, NRC Executive Director spoke about the goals of this historic expedition: “Our goal is to highlight the incredible communities along the New River, and within the watershed, to show what is possible through the New River Water Trail. I believe the Trail will become the crown jewel of outdoor recreation in the Appalachians and the Expedition is the best way for everyone to see what is possible on the River.”
Partners and sponsors are integral to the New River Expedition. NRC is indebted to Virginia Recreational Trails Program, The One Foundation, and North Carolina Community Foundation, along with our sponsors The Thraser Group, Esquif Canoes, Astral Designs, Kind Snacks, Orvis, NRS, Werner Paddles and Zaloo’s Canoes.
Looking for a way to be involved in the Expedition? New River Conservancy members and supporters provide essentials to make the New River Expedition great. Check our website for ways you can support and meet the team.
Since 1976, the NRC has dedicated their mission to protecting the woods, waters, and wildlife of the New River watershed. NRC is a 501C3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.
New River Conservancy
