Mainebiz

August 9, 2021

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P H O T O / F R E D F I E L D VO L . X X V I N O. X I X A U G U S T 9 , 2 0 2 1 20 I n the 1980s, Polly Mahoney, a Maine native, spent a decade living a semi- subsistence lifestyle in the Yukon Territory in northwest Canada. A horse wrangler and cook, her hus- kies were essential to survival, hauling wood and water and serving as primary winter transportation. Back in Maine, she's a Master Maine Guide, certified in wilderness first aid, and co-founded Mahoosuc Guide Service in Newry in 1990, offering dog sledding, canoe and fishing trips in New England and Canada. She develops eco-cultural tourism with indigenous people in Maine and Canada, mentors apprentices in guiding and animal care, and inspires young woman-lead- ers through community outreach at schools and colleges. With her partner, Kevin Slater, she has introduced thousands of people to outdoor adventure. Mainebiz: How did you become interested in the outdoors? Polly Mahoney: A lot of my outdoor experience growing up was horseback riding. After high school, I worked at ranches. Winters, I was a ski bum. At 20, I headed to Alaska. I was very adventurous. No fear — I just went places. I got a job at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway, Alaska, then Chilkoot Trail crew, famous for the gold rush. en my ex-husband and I worked at big game trophy hunting camps. MB: What was subsistence living like? PM: It was a nomadic lifestyle. At the hunting camps, we'd ride three days into the bush and stay three or four months. We'd let the horses loose at night, then go out before dawn to herd them in. Later, I'd be alone in the bush with our sled dogs. I'd take care of the dogs, get water Mahoosuc Guide Service 1513 Bear River Road, Newry Founded: 1990 Number of Employees: Two founders plus sub-contractors as needed What they do: Guided wilderness trips Contact: info@mahoosuc.com www.mahoosuc.com B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r Inspiring generations of outdoor leaders T O U R I S M Polly Mahoney Co-founder and co-owner Mahoosuc Guide Service A lot of my outdoor experience growing up was horseback riding. After high school, I worked at ranches. Winters, I was a ski bum. At 20, I headed to Alaska. I was very adventurous. No fear.

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