Bill Yates

Bill's Story

"I developed my love for the outdoors as a Boy Scout. I was fortunate to have an active Troop, and we spent lots of time in the woods year round. I have many fond memories of backpacking, paddling, and camping all over Maine.

"After high school, Scouts began to fade in the rearview mirror, and I had to find my own way to the outdoors. I became a Maine whitewater guide in 2005, and in that sport I found a new passion! I adored every day spent on the Kennebec River -- something I still love to this day. I earned the Recreation certification in 2017, so I could add overnight rafting trips and mountain biking excursions to my repertoire.

"Early on, I was intimidated by the challenge of self-employment as a Recreational Guide. I wanted to offer different options to guests, but I wasn't sure where to start. In 2021, I decided to start Far Out Maine not just to run my own trips, but also to make it easier for fellow guides to design and lead their own adventures without worrying about taxes, insurance, and marketing.

"We're building a truly special team of folks who want to share their version of Maine with you. I hope you'll 'Come Trip With Us' and see what Maine has to offer!"