A kayak, a friend and a goal

A year ago, FDNY Firefighter John Gayson began making plans to achieve an ambitious personal goal: to earn a coveted “360” sticker from the New York State Canal Corporation by kayaking the entirety of the Erie Canalway, from Buffalo to Albany.  

Known as the End-to-End, the experience recognizes individuals who complete the journey by foot, bike or kayak in multiple-day trips or in segments. As a former Eagle Scout with a passion for adventure camping, backpacking and sailing, Gayson, of Ladder 125 in Jamaica, was determined to combine all three into one goal. Little did he know this journey would go beyond his original expectation. Well beyond.

The first step was finding a travel companion. Despite knowing several firefighters who had completed shorter trips, he sought someone who would match his enthusiasm for the lengthy adventure. Greg Walston, a firehouse colleague with Engine 315, eagerly signed on. Walston had already tackled significant hikes, including a 15-day solo trek along the Vermont Long Trail. He also spent his honeymoon climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with his wife.

“At the end of the day, I wanted to be sure he’d be safe. That’s the brotherhood instilled in us by the Fire Department,” said Walston, who also acknowledged that long trips are more enjoyable to share with a friend. 

As both men were experienced paddlers, they decided to embark on their adventure in early fall when mosquitoes were fewer. Gayson spent months meticulously preparing for various challenges, and scouted hotels on the Canal Corporation website and noting locations of laundromats and showers. He crafted detailed checklists and also undertook trial runs to ensure he could balance his gear effectively on his kayak. He even set up his tent a few times beforehand.

“John  did all the planning and mapping,” Walston said. “I provided moral support and advice when needed. He did an awesome job putting the trip together.”

The duo also took time to research the history of the Erie Canal, enhancing their findings with information provided by landmarks and stories encountered along the way.

As September approached, they finalized their departure date for Sept. 18, allowing for several trial trips over the summer. After one overnight trip at the end of August with all his gear on a different canal, Gayson made a few tweaks and organized things differently.

After eight months of preparation, the morning of the Wednesday in question arrived, and at 5:45 a.m., Gayson and Walston launched their journey from the Harlem Road Fishing Access site on the Buffalo River. Outfitted with lightweight tents, waterproof bags, rain gear and cans of food, they were ready for whatever the trip might throw at them. “One of the more challenging aspects was finding shower facilities,” Gayson noted. “We had to get used to baby-wipe showers.”

Their route led them through small towns where they could restock supplies and interact with locals who often asked where they were headed. “Initially we would tell them that we were doing the End-to-End from Buffalo to Albany,” Walston explained, “but as the journey progressed, we jokingly said we were heading to the Statue of Liberty.” Eventually, when finding themselves ahead of the planned schedule, they embraced Liberty Island as their new goal.

The kayaks on the shore of the Hudson River near Germantown.

Courtesy John Gayson

Whatever the weather

Walston noted that they lucked out with mostly favorable weather. “We had clear sunny skies for a lot of the trip, though we did encounter a stretch of rain for two to three days.” While they avoided pesky insects, they found themselves battling winds.

“Paddling into the wind is demoralizing,” Walston admitted. “You feel like you are going nowhere.”

Gayson emphasized the importance of quality rain gear.  After researching options, he chose Patagonia gear that kept him dry and warm throughout their journey. “Clothes that dry quickly, like Merino wool and Under Armour, were crucial; cotton was a no-go,” he said.

The duo set up camp wherever they could, often near locks along the canal, which closed at 6 p.m. “We found camping spots were peaceful with picnic tables and port-a-potties,” Gayson said.
Although they brought bear cans to keep food safe, they mostly just encountered raccoons and deer. Occasionally, when there were no campsites nearby at the conclusion of a day’s journey, they found themselves carrying their kayaks and gear with them — a workout in itself.

Walston reflected on the physical demands of the adventure. “I learned that the human body can do amazing things,” he stated. “We paddled for 24 hours straight covering over 40 miles, and then napped for just 45 minutes before going another 25 miles.”

One night they found themselves paddling all night to make up for lost time due to wind delays.  “We pushed through,” Gayson said, “feeling accomplished to be ahead of schedule.” As they navigated the Hudson River, heavy fog obscured their view. Yet the experience was exhilarating, with light from towns edging the shoreline and the moon guiding them through the darkness.

Gayson, pictured, and Walston had originally planned to paddle the length of the Erie Canalway Trail, from Buffalo to Albany, a course known as the End to End.

Courtesy John Gayson

The total journey spanned 17 days and covered 526 miles from Buffalo to New York Harbor. As they reached the Statue of Liberty, Gayson reflected on the adventure and enjoying the little things. “The morning fog on the water, and beautiful dew on spiderwebs on edges of the water were really pretty.  It makes you appreciate nature, makes you realize how small we are in the big picture.”

For Walston, it was a source of pride. “Being born and raised in New York, I gained a fresh perspective of the state from the water,” he said. “I saw a lot of history, met incredible people and truly enjoyed the journey.”

Gayson echoed his companion’s sentiments, emphasizing the bond they formed through shared experiences. “Even on rainy days we embraced it. Being firemen mentally prepares you to push through adversity.”

Ultimately, they achieved their goal, created lasting memories, and showed that adventure is best shared with a friend.