I’ve been fortunate for some great adventures in my life. Still, you can imagine my surprise when my niece asked me one day to go canoeing the Yukon River. As in, the rugged and remote Yukon River. That river. Just me and her. On our own.
My love for adventure was sparked as a young adult, through four summers working at a sleepaway summer camp on Lake of the Woods. That led to a love for canoeing, and connections with friends who shared the same affinity. Which ultimately led to the greatest wilderness adventure in my life.
Questing for Hudson Bay
In 2001, I took part in a ‘living history’ television series by Frantic Films called Quest for the Bay. As part of an eight-man crew, we were tasked with rowing a wooden York boat from Winnipeg to York Factory on the Hudson Bay. It took 61 days to travel the 1200 km distance, crossing ten lakes and four rivers, maneuvering five portages, and battling 50 sets of rapids.
That utterly grueling journey was surreal to say the least. Much of the trip took place on the mighty and historic Hayes River, where the landscape was breathtakingly beautiful and seriously isolated. Sometimes it was awesome. At other times, terrifying. Amid the uncertainties, the difficulties, and extreme challenges, it also came with deep moments of peace, solitude, and clarity.
School visit to my niece’s class
After returning home, I was invited by my niece Brittani to come to her Grade 1 class at Bobby Bend School in Stonewall. I showed the kids my funny-looking dirty clothes and tools, cooked bannock on a Coleman stove, and presented a little slide show.
I was so proud to be Brit’s aunty that day! To be able to share my adventures with her and her wee classmates meant a lot to me. Back then, I hoped that maybe, just maybe, I’d help spark a love in her for the wilderness in some small way.
She’s an adult now
Over the next 20 years, I watched Brittani grow up to become a fine young woman and an adventurer of her own: moving to British Columbia to pursue climbing, mountain biking, hiking, snowboarding, skiing, and the list goes on.
She lives a very active life, and has loads of cool outdoor friends to do adventure-type things with. So you can imagine my surprise when one day she asked me to go canoeing the Yukon River with her. The rugged and remote Yukon River. That river. Just her and me. On our own. In the Yukon.
Could we actually do it?
Doing something like that had never occurred to me, so my initial reaction went something like this: “Umm, no!!” Because even though I have a fair bit of canoeing and wilderness experience, I’ve always been accompanied by guides, or with others more experienced than me. With just me and Brit, it meant I’d be the most experienced one.
But, of course, I’m a sucker for a good adventure and she knows that. So after a little research, and a little more prodding, I came to a new conclusion. That maybe we could do this. Maybe we could actually paddle from Whitehorse down the Yukon River all the way to Dawson City, home of the Klondike Gold Rush. In the Yukon.
Just her, and me. Maybe it was possible! Why not? We’re two strong, smart, and adventurous women. We’re both determined, and headstrong, and innovative, and resourceful. Not to mention funny, and talented, too. And we both love the wilderness.
Embarking on epic adventure
After more thought and contemplation, I eventually said “yes” to Brittani. And now, here are, on the eve of our trip. Both committed to paddling 700 kilometers together, on the historic Yukon River. One way or another, it’s sure to be one epic adventure!
I’ll admit that I’m nervous as hell. I’m also not sure how two weeks of canoeing and camping is going to feel now that I’m in my 50’s. But truth be told, I’m happy that she asked me. In fact, I’m pretty darn thrilled she asked me to be her partner for this epic adventure.
Canoeing the Yukon River
I’m so proud Brittani has grown up with a love for the wilderness. And that I helped foster a small part in that. I’m also proud to be her aunty! Even more now than I was back then when I visited her Grade 1 class at Bobby Bend School in Stonewall.
I’m looking forward to our adventure, and to be able to spend two weeks in the wilderness with Brittani. Together, we’ll push through whatever challenges come our way. Together we’ll keep moving forward – one kilometer at a time. One milestone at a time. One day at a time. In the Yukon.
Just her, and me.
