Joe Forrester, a fourth year medical student at the University of Virginia, is attempt a solo kayak descent of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers to raise awareness of Parkinson’s Disease.

Joe is using a SPOT Satellite Messenger with gps location updates so we can track his progress.

From Joe’s website: http://www.paddlingforparkinsons.com

The goal of my trip is to paddle the full length of the Missouri and
Mississippi Rivers, the 4th longest river system in the world.
After leaving medical school in Charlottesville, VA on May 29th, I
will drive to Western Montana and be ready to paddle on June 1st or
2nd. The Missouri river begins at the Missouri River Headwaters
State Park in Three Forks, Montana. This is where the mighty
Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin Rivers converge to form the
Missouri. I will follow the Missouri north through Canyon Ferry and
Holter lakes toward Great Falls. At Great Falls I will portage
around the rapids with the help of some local paddlers and continue
on my way towards Fort Benton. In Great Falls and Fort Benton, I
will stock up my boat in preparation for one of the more remote
portions of my trip, Fort Peck Reservoir.

Fort Peck is Montana’s largest body of water, 134 miles in
length and has over 1,520 miles of shoreline; longer than the
California coastline. Crossing this reservoir will be an immense
challenge, and will require substantial stamina and mental
resolution. After Fort Peck, I will continue down the Missouri with
a resupply at Wolf Point. The Yellowstone River joins the Missouri
just after Buford, and I will pull-off again at Williston, ND to
prepare for the next large reservoir. Lake Sakakawea is the third
largest man-made reservoir in the United States after Lake Mead and
Lake Powell: it is 174 miles long and represents another physical
and mental super-challenge. After completing this section, I will
have a quick recharge at Pick City, before continuing on down the
Missouri.

The next major town I will encounter is Bismarck, ND. I will take my
time and recuperate here, in preparation for my last major reservoir
challenge. Shortly after leaving Bismark, I will start paddling through
Lake Oahe toward Pierre, SD. Lake Oahe is the 4th largest man-made
reservoir in the United States, and will again be demanding. After
paddling Lake Oahe, I will have concluded paddling the largest
stretches of flat water on my voyage. For a substantial portion of the
remainder of the trip, I will have a current to aid in my paddling.

Continuing past Pierre, I will be traveling south and
east toward Sioux City, Omaha, Kansas City, and eventually St. Louis.
At the junction of the Missouri and Mississippi in St. Louis, I will
begin the final stage of my journey. The speed of the river will pick
up significantly, the river widens, and I will point the nose of my
boat south towards the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way I will pass by
Cairo, Memphis, and Baton Rouge en route to New Orleans. I am
anticipating that this portion of the trip will be arduous, with
oppressive heat and that at this point my mind and body will be
drained. However, I feel that if the weather cooperates, this section
will also be the most gratifying as I will be floating towards the Gulf
of Mexico where my grandfather and family will be waiting for me will
for me down in New Orleans.