FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. (The Hinton News) — After months of preparation, logistics, online meetings and phone calls, including a full week of training sessions with New River Conservancy (NRC) staff, the New River Expedition (NRX26) launched in Todd, North Carolina, on June 2, 2026, and is paddling all the way to the confluence of the Gauley River in Gauley Bridge, West Virginia. This 320-mile paddle trip adventure throughout the entire New River watershed will take the crew to places few get to experience.
Want to meet the crew? With maps folded out during training week and small Post-it notes populating the route, they planned where to camp and hold events during the trip. Several meet-and-greet events are planned in the New River Gorge region.
The first event in West Virginia will be held in Hinton at the Historic Freight Depot on July 17 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The New River Conservancy and the City of Hinton are partnering to host a public meet-and-greet ahead of the upcoming river cleanup on Saturday, July 18.
Next is a meet-and-greet at the Dunglen Pavilion in Thurmond from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The crew will be paddling in on their way to the last leg of the expedition. Attendees are invited to enjoy snacks and learn how they can help support the work in the Gorge.
The final New River Gorge event will be the expedition’s finale at the Gaines Estate in Fayetteville on Sunday, Aug. 9, from 3 to 6 p.m. Attendees will gather on the lawn at the estate for a cocktail hour, then move to the Pavilion for a presentation by the crew of their journey. Tickets are $20. More information will be available on the NRC website and social media channels.
The crew consists of four people paddling along with a driver for portages and support. Lucy Bolin is the food prep queen and seems to be the researcher of the trip. David Bernier brings such high energy even when the energy starts to lag and will most definitely be the crew cheerleader. Anastasia Jeffcoat, the crew’s drone queen, is eager and asks a million questions — but then, they all do. Abbey Mays is calm and steady and always ready with a camera to take photos and videos. Ann Rose, the support driver and a self-described “feral Appalachian,” took her own 2,000-mile voyage a few years ago and has been everywhere the team will be going.
Why an expedition? NRX26 will support the growth of the New River Water Trail by identifying 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 the 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,” Downs said. “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 the Virginia Recreational Trails Program, The One Foundation and North Carolina Community Foundation, along with sponsors The Thrasher Group, Esquif Canoes, Astral Designs, Kind Snacks, Orvis, NRS, Werner Paddles and Zaloo’s Canoes.
New River Conservancy members and supporters provide essentials to make the New River Expedition great. Those looking for a way to be involved can visit NRC’s website for ways to support the expedition and meet the team.
Since 1976, the NRC has dedicated its mission to protecting the woods, waters and wildlife of the New River watershed. NRC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.
