| Brad Bassi Age – 29 Years Paddling – 18 Home – Eugene, Oregon (transplant from New England) email - brad.bassi@gmail.com I grew up in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts and developed a passion for the outdoors at a young age. The deep forests of Mt Greylock and its foothills were an endless playground for hiking and cross country skiing. My first canoe trip was in a rented boat on Lake Ossipee in northern New Hampshire and the first moving water I paddled was on the Saco River. The addiction was instant. My father and I learned how to whitewater canoe on the Deerfield River in Massachusetts. Shortly after our first voyages I learned how to kayak at classes offered by a group of paddlers renting time at a nearby YMCA on Sunday nights. By 15 I was kayaking whenever I could and the desire to explore grew more intense. Saint Lawrence University introduced me to wilderness canoe tripping, and I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to participate in many fantastic expeditions. Most of these trips are highlighted on this website. After graduating I began planning my own more ambitious trips that penetrated farther north and lasted for longer periods of time. Seeing the most remote parts of Canada has been a defining experience, and my true passion is travel in the north. My other interests include backcountry skiing, hiking, mountaineering, and cycling. I have spent a great deal of time exploring the mountains of New England, and have had the opportunity to experience many other parts of the country. In particular, I have become very familiar with the great whitewater runs of northern New York State. I currently live in Eugene, Oregon where I spend my time kayaking the area’s plentiful class IV and V rivers, biking, hiking, and planning the next big northern expedition. The diverse array of landscapes in Oregon provides a phenomenal opportunity for exploration and many of the things I have done out here are featured on this site. Past expeditions (In chronological order)– NAME LOCATION TRIP - Missinaibi River 1998 Ontario canoe - Wakwayakastic River 1999 Ontario canoe - North French River 2000 Ontario canoe - Magpie River 2000 Quebec kayak - Lawagamau River 2001 Ontario solo canoe - Partridge River 2002 Ontario solo canoe - Moise River 2002 Quebec canoe - Hubbard Memorial Expedition 2003 Labrador + Quebec canoe - Little Whale River Expedition 2005 Quebec solo canoe - Northern Ungava Expedition 2006 Quebec (Nunavik) canoe |
Paddling a section of Quebec's Leaf River.