Sara and I put together a trip we decided that we would do it with kites
decided that we would do it with kites
decided that we would do it with kites to make the route that we set out to do
to make the route that we set out to do
to make the route that we set out to do we had average a marathon a day to tell
we had average a marathon a day to tell
we had average a marathon a day to tell you the truth I think if I really knew
you the truth I think if I really knew
you the truth I think if I really knew what every detail of every exhibition
what every detail of every exhibition
what every detail of every exhibition I’d probably never head out on it to
I’d probably never head out on it to
I’d probably never head out on it to start with
and it’s moments like this that you
and it’s moments like this that you forget the hard days and you remember
forget the hard days and you remember
forget the hard days and you remember why you’re outside and why you’re doing
why you’re outside and why you’re doing
why you’re outside and why you’re doing this we’re gonna start this presentation
this we’re gonna start this presentation
this we’re gonna start this presentation but before we get there we’re gonna move
but before we get there we’re gonna move
but before we get there we’re gonna move backwards a little bit in time exactly
backwards a little bit in time exactly
backwards a little bit in time exactly 25 years back when our parents had this
25 years back when our parents had this
25 years back when our parents had this amazing dream that they wanted to go all
amazing dream that they wanted to go all
amazing dream that they wanted to go all the way around back in Ireland it’s the
the way around back in Ireland it’s the
the way around back in Ireland it’s the world’s seventh biggest island and they
world’s seventh biggest island and they
world’s seventh biggest island and they wanted to do it in a very traditional
wanted to do it in a very traditional
wanted to do it in a very traditional way with dogs and so they embarked on
way with dogs and so they embarked on
way with dogs and so they embarked on this wonderful dream and when they
this wonderful dream and when they
this wonderful dream and when they finished the expedition either they ran
finished the expedition either they ran
finished the expedition either they ran out of money and couldn’t fly all the
out of money and couldn’t fly all the
out of money and couldn’t fly all the dogs back or the story they’d like to
dogs back or the story they’d like to
dogs back or the story they’d like to tell us of course is that you know they
tell us of course is that you know they
tell us of course is that you know they fell in love with the Arctic and this is
fell in love with the Arctic and this is
fell in love with the Arctic and this is where they wanted to be so they flew
where they wanted to be so they flew
where they wanted to be so they flew Sara and I up and sure enough we got
Sara and I up and sure enough we got
Sara and I up and sure enough we got introduced to life in the North pretty
introduced to life in the North pretty
introduced to life in the North pretty early on so this is myself and my
early on so this is myself and my
early on so this is myself and my brother Eric in our homemade parkas
brother Eric in our homemade parkas
brother Eric in our homemade parkas Lerman had a dog sled at an early age
Lerman had a dog sled at an early age
Lerman had a dog sled at an early age one of my mom’s rules was we were not
one of my mom’s rules was we were not
one of my mom’s rules was we were not allowed to watch TV we didn’t even have
allowed to watch TV we didn’t even have
allowed to watch TV we didn’t even have cable in a house so we were kicked
cable in a house so we were kicked
cable in a house so we were kicked outside on many occasions and as we got
outside on many occasions and as we got
outside on many occasions and as we got older we started to spend more and more
older we started to spend more and more
older we started to spend more and more time outside and so in the beginning we
time outside and so in the beginning we
time outside and so in the beginning we tagged along with our parents for a
tagged along with our parents for a
tagged along with our parents for a little while we did this amazing South
little while we did this amazing South
little while we did this amazing South Pole trip I just turned 20 series 18 in
Pole trip I just turned 20 series 18 in
Pole trip I just turned 20 series 18 in the shot it was a 52 days ski trip to
the shot it was a 52 days ski trip to
the shot it was a 52 days ski trip to the South Pole and and then later on
the South Pole and and then later on
the South Pole and and then later on Sarah continued to travel with dad this
Sarah continued to travel with dad this
Sarah continued to travel with dad this is a picture of myself and my dad at the
is a picture of myself and my dad at the
is a picture of myself and my dad at the North Pole in the middle of a hundred a
North Pole in the middle of a hundred a
North Pole in the middle of a hundred a expedition so both Eric and I continued
expedition so both Eric and I continued
expedition so both Eric and I continued to do expeditions some of them together
to do expeditions some of them together
to do expeditions some of them together some of them apart and this is a picture
some of them apart and this is a picture
some of them apart and this is a picture that taken on the Arctic Ocean on a
that taken on the Arctic Ocean on a
that taken on the Arctic Ocean on a different expedition I was up there
different expedition I was up there
different expedition I was up there guiding and I’m wearing a suit swimming
guiding and I’m wearing a suit swimming
guiding and I’m wearing a suit swimming across open water and it’s about minus
across open water and it’s about minus
across open water and it’s about minus 40 outside so doing expeditions with
40 outside so doing expeditions with
40 outside so doing expeditions with other people sometimes you get yourself
other people sometimes you get yourself
other people sometimes you get yourself into situations where you’re like why am
into situations where you’re like why am
into situations where you’re like why am I here of course I wasn’t there I was
I here of course I wasn’t there I was
I here of course I wasn’t there I was back in University studying and I was
back in University studying and I was
back in University studying and I was kind of being like why am I not there
kind of being like why am I not there
kind of being like why am I not there but maybe not this exactly I was kind of
but maybe not this exactly I was kind of
but maybe not this exactly I was kind of like hey you know there’s funner ways of
like hey you know there’s funner ways of
like hey you know there’s funner ways of doing this Arctic exploration thing
doing this Arctic exploration thing
doing this Arctic exploration thing other than pulling sleds and whatnot and
other than pulling sleds and whatnot and
other than pulling sleds and whatnot and so Sara and I put together a trip after
so Sara and I put together a trip after
so Sara and I put together a trip after that year of University and we decide
that year of University and we decide
that year of University and we decide that we would do it slightly differently
that we would do it slightly differently
that we would do it slightly differently we would do it with kites kites had
we would do it with kites kites had
we would do it with kites kites had often been used as a form of recreation
often been used as a form of recreation
often been used as a form of recreation but hadn’t really been used as a form of
but hadn’t really been used as a form of
but hadn’t really been used as a form of transportation all that much and we
transportation all that much and we
transportation all that much and we thought that we could really go
thought that we could really go
thought that we could really go somewhere with these so expedition we
somewhere with these so expedition we
somewhere with these so expedition we decided to retrace the historical
decided to retrace the historical
decided to retrace the historical Northwest Passage it’s an important
Northwest Passage it’s an important
Northwest Passage it’s an important route because back in the
route because back in the
route because back in the turn-of-the-century is a shipping route
turn-of-the-century is a shipping route
turn-of-the-century is a shipping route they thought it’d be a quicker way to
they thought it’d be a quicker way to
they thought it’d be a quicker way to get to China from England to China
get to China from England to China
get to China from England to China obviously it never became a shipping
obviously it never became a shipping
obviously it never became a shipping route but people have sailed it however
route but people have sailed it however
route but people have sailed it however nobody had ever done it in the
nobody had ever done it in the
nobody had ever done it in the wintertime so we thought would it be fun
wintertime so we thought would it be fun
wintertime so we thought would it be fun to go back and to use her kites and her
to go back and to use her kites and her
to go back and to use her kites and her skis and do this in the wintertime so we
skis and do this in the wintertime so we
skis and do this in the wintertime so we started in the Northwest Territories on
started in the Northwest Territories on
started in the Northwest Territories on the west and the small community of
the west and the small community of
the west and the small community of Tuktoyaktuk and we retraced the passage
Tuktoyaktuk and we retraced the passage
Tuktoyaktuk and we retraced the passage linking up all these small Inuit
linking up all these small Inuit
linking up all these small Inuit settlements along the way ending in Pond
settlements along the way ending in Pond
settlements along the way ending in Pond Inlet where the ocean widens back up in
Inlet where the ocean widens back up in
Inlet where the ocean widens back up in northern Baffin Island on top of a lot
northern Baffin Island on top of a lot
northern Baffin Island on top of a lot of planning we obviously had to secure
of planning we obviously had to secure
of planning we obviously had to secure the calories we needed for this
the calories we needed for this
the calories we needed for this expedition there was a ton of food 85
expedition there was a ton of food 85
expedition there was a ton of food 85 days of food imagine that’s a lot of
days of food imagine that’s a lot of
days of food imagine that’s a lot of shopping carts of food and of course
shopping carts of food and of course
shopping carts of food and of course we’re eating about 5,000 calories a day
we’re eating about 5,000 calories a day
we’re eating about 5,000 calories a day kind of like a big turkey meal might as
kind of like a big turkey meal might as
kind of like a big turkey meal might as well make that easy right and we brought
well make that easy right and we brought
well make that easy right and we brought along a lot of chocolate with us to be
along a lot of chocolate with us to be
along a lot of chocolate with us to be exact I think is about 200 bars of
exact I think is about 200 bars of
exact I think is about 200 bars of chocolate and five kilos of hot
chocolate and five kilos of hot
chocolate and five kilos of hot chocolate and we ran out of fresh so
chocolate and we ran out of fresh so
chocolate and we ran out of fresh so with our food our gear two sleds each we
with our food our gear two sleds each we
with our food our gear two sleds each we headed out to do an attempt on the
headed out to do an attempt on the
headed out to do an attempt on the Northwest Passage to make the route that
Northwest Passage to make the route that
Northwest Passage to make the route that we set out to do we had averaged a
we set out to do we had averaged a
we set out to do we had averaged a marathon a day so when there’s winds
marathon a day so when there’s winds
marathon a day so when there’s winds that was great
that was great
that was great we were harnessed to a kite we were
we were harnessed to a kite we were
we were harnessed to a kite we were pulling our gear and sleds behind and we
pulling our gear and sleds behind and we
pulling our gear and sleds behind and we could rock it the thing with this route
could rock it the thing with this route
could rock it the thing with this route is we didn’t always have good trains and
is we didn’t always have good trains and
is we didn’t always have good trains and we definitely did not always have good
we definitely did not always have good
we definitely did not always have good wind and when there was no wind we would
wind and when there was no wind we would
wind and when there was no wind we would ski hauling about 200 pounds of gear
ski hauling about 200 pounds of gear
ski hauling about 200 pounds of gear each that’s kind of where the kites work
each that’s kind of where the kites work
each that’s kind of where the kites work against you is if there’s no wind we
against you is if there’s no wind we
against you is if there’s no wind we each had four kites a person so we would
each had four kites a person so we would
each had four kites a person so we would switch our kites depending on how much
switch our kites depending on how much
switch our kites depending on how much win there was bigger kites for Less wins
win there was bigger kites for Less wins
win there was bigger kites for Less wins smaller
smaller
smaller for more wind but of course you’ve got
for more wind but of course you’ve got
for more wind but of course you’ve got to haul four kites you know when there’s
to haul four kites you know when there’s
to haul four kites you know when there’s a when there isn’t any wind when the
a when there isn’t any wind when the
a when there isn’t any wind when the hardest challenges during our trip
hardest challenges during our trip
hardest challenges during our trip though was the rough ice the thing with
though was the rough ice the thing with
though was the rough ice the thing with Isis is not like a map you can’t just
Isis is not like a map you can’t just
Isis is not like a map you can’t just pull out your map and say oh looked it’s
pull out your map and say oh looked it’s
pull out your map and say oh looked it’s really bad here let’s go here because it
really bad here let’s go here because it
really bad here let’s go here because it freezes differently every year and
freezes differently every year and
freezes differently every year and depending on the currents and depending
depending on the currents and depending
depending on the currents and depending on the winds when it freezes it can vary
on the winds when it freezes it can vary
on the winds when it freezes it can vary widely from rubble like this to open
widely from rubble like this to open
widely from rubble like this to open water
water
water and obviously this you can’t kite
and obviously this you can’t kite
and obviously this you can’t kite through you can’t ski through you can
through you can’t ski through you can
through you can’t ski through you can hardly walk through it and you certainly
hardly walk through it and you certainly
hardly walk through it and you certainly can’t average a marathon a day through
can’t average a marathon a day through
can’t average a marathon a day through it the storms were also one of our
it the storms were also one of our
it the storms were also one of our biggest challenges this one particular
biggest challenges this one particular
biggest challenges this one particular day we set out in high hopes to get some
day we set out in high hopes to get some
day we set out in high hopes to get some good distance and the storm came in and
good distance and the storm came in and
good distance and the storm came in and it’s so windy that even with their
it’s so windy that even with their
it’s so windy that even with their smallest kites but for different types
smallest kites but for different types
smallest kites but for different types of kites we had big ones for really
of kites we had big ones for really
of kites we had big ones for really light winds they’re 13 metres and we had
light winds they’re 13 metres and we had
light winds they’re 13 metres and we had really small ones for storm winds and
really small ones for storm winds and
really small ones for storm winds and even our smallest kites we couldn’t hold
even our smallest kites we couldn’t hold
even our smallest kites we couldn’t hold them down they were just picking us off
them down they were just picking us off
them down they were just picking us off the ground and kind of tossing us around
the ground and kind of tossing us around
the ground and kind of tossing us around we couldn’t stay together either and
we couldn’t stay together either and
we couldn’t stay together either and we’re worried that we get split apart
we’re worried that we get split apart
we’re worried that we get split apart one person with a tent the other person
one person with a tent the other person
one person with a tent the other person with a stove so I have two tent I was
with a stove so I have two tent I was
with a stove so I have two tent I was fine I was worried though and he had the
fine I was worried though and he had the
fine I was worried though and he had the satellite phone I don’t know how that
satellite phone I don’t know how that
satellite phone I don’t know how that happened so we roll up her kites and
happened so we roll up her kites and
happened so we roll up her kites and instead we skied into headwinds and it
instead we skied into headwinds and it
instead we skied into headwinds and it just kept picking up to the point where
just kept picking up to the point where
just kept picking up to the point where we couldn’t even stand up on our skis so
we couldn’t even stand up on our skis so
we couldn’t even stand up on our skis so we decided to walk and by this time we
we decided to walk and by this time we
we decided to walk and by this time we had done like five kilometers pretty
had done like five kilometers pretty
had done like five kilometers pretty slow it was kind of a pitiful day but at
slow it was kind of a pitiful day but at
slow it was kind of a pitiful day but at the same time you know you can use days
the same time you know you can use days
the same time you know you can use days like that to do things like what we’ve
like that to do things like what we’ve
like that to do things like what we’ve just shown you here to take pictures to
just shown you here to take pictures to
just shown you here to take pictures to catalogue not every day can be about
catalogue not every day can be about
catalogue not every day can be about making miles sometimes there’s still
making miles sometimes there’s still
making miles sometimes there’s still reason to get out of bed even if it’s
reason to get out of bed even if it’s
reason to get out of bed even if it’s not your primary goal one of the
not your primary goal one of the
not your primary goal one of the highlights of the trip though was these
highlights of the trip though was these
highlights of the trip though was these small communities that I talked about a
small communities that I talked about a
small communities that I talked about a longer route we had six hours that was
longer route we had six hours that was
longer route we had six hours that was important there’s seven different
important there’s seven different
important there’s seven different communities and they’re all small Inuit
communities and they’re all small Inuit
communities and they’re all small Inuit settlements about a thousand people give
settlements about a thousand people give
settlements about a thousand people give or take and we’d pull into these
or take and we’d pull into these
or take and we’d pull into these communities and the people were so
communities and the people were so
communities and the people were so welcoming
welcoming
welcoming we stayed with families in every
we stayed with families in every
we stayed with families in every community they’d welcome us in there at
community they’d welcome us in there at
community they’d welcome us in there at their homes and also give us a chance to
their homes and also give us a chance to
their homes and also give us a chance to kind of repack repair stuff pack more
kind of repack repair stuff pack more
kind of repack repair stuff pack more chocolate and call mom and ask her for
chocolate and call mom and ask her for
chocolate and call mom and ask her for things you know
things you know
things you know can you send another gift package to the
can you send another gift package to the
can you send another gift package to the next community we need more sleds they
next community we need more sleds they
next community we need more sleds they keep falling apart it also give us a
keep falling apart it also give us a
keep falling apart it also give us a chance to do talks in the schools but
chance to do talks in the schools but
chance to do talks in the schools but the kids most importantly talk to the
the kids most importantly talk to the
the kids most importantly talk to the locals about the route ahead so again
locals about the route ahead so again
locals about the route ahead so again ice has always been a big issue with the
ice has always been a big issue with the
ice has always been a big issue with the the Northwest Passage ever since you
the Northwest Passage ever since you
the Northwest Passage ever since you know the Northwest Passage was theorized
know the Northwest Passage was theorized
know the Northwest Passage was theorized originally it was you know crossing at
originally it was you know crossing at
originally it was you know crossing at the Great Lakes and then you know
the Great Lakes and then you know
the Great Lakes and then you know suddenly got moved further and further
suddenly got moved further and further
suddenly got moved further and further into Canada and to kind of the
into Canada and to kind of the
into Canada and to kind of the unexplored area it wasn’t until 1906
unexplored area it wasn’t until 1906
unexplored area it wasn’t until 1906 that this Norwegian guy called a months
that this Norwegian guy called a months
that this Norwegian guy called a months and decided to give a try at the
and decided to give a try at the
and decided to give a try at the Northwest Passage and him and six men
Northwest Passage and him and six men
Northwest Passage and him and six men and a tiny ship set sail and there’s
and a tiny ship set sail and there’s
and a tiny ship set sail and there’s been four years sailing the Northwest
been four years sailing the Northwest
been four years sailing the Northwest Passage when a months and did the trip
Passage when a months and did the trip
Passage when a months and did the trip he proved that it’s not or at that time
he proved that it’s not or at that time
he proved that it’s not or at that time was not a viable shipping route you’re
was not a viable shipping route you’re
was not a viable shipping route you’re not gonna spend four years trying to
not gonna spend four years trying to
not gonna spend four years trying to ship spices back and forth from Asia to
ship spices back and forth from Asia to
ship spices back and forth from Asia to Europe and now here we were about a
Europe and now here we were about a
Europe and now here we were about a hundred years later doing the same route
hundred years later doing the same route
hundred years later doing the same route in the wintertime I believe that the
in the wintertime I believe that the
in the wintertime I believe that the Arctic is one of the most beautiful
Arctic is one of the most beautiful
Arctic is one of the most beautiful places and I feel lucky to not only get
places and I feel lucky to not only get
places and I feel lucky to not only get the chance to travel through it but also
the chance to travel through it but also
the chance to travel through it but also have lived there and grown up there and
have lived there and grown up there and
have lived there and grown up there and it’s moments like this that you forget
it’s moments like this that you forget
it’s moments like this that you forget the hard days and you remember why
the hard days and you remember why
the hard days and you remember why you’re outside and why you’re doing this
you’re outside and why you’re doing this
you’re outside and why you’re doing this the other great part about the Northwest
the other great part about the Northwest
the other great part about the Northwest Passage is there’s quite a bit of
Passage is there’s quite a bit of
Passage is there’s quite a bit of wildlife there everything from the
wildlife there everything from the
wildlife there everything from the migratory birds that were coming back in
migratory birds that were coming back in
migratory birds that were coming back in the springtime to the locals
the springtime to the locals
the springtime to the locals you know the caribou the musk ox
you know the caribou the musk ox
you know the caribou the musk ox Wolverines all the rest of that and
Wolverines all the rest of that and
Wolverines all the rest of that and unlike a lot of the ice cap trips that
unlike a lot of the ice cap trips that
unlike a lot of the ice cap trips that we had done in the past this was really
we had done in the past this was really
we had done in the past this was really an exceptional trip as we got to see a
an exceptional trip as we got to see a
an exceptional trip as we got to see a lot of wildlife we got to interact with
lot of wildlife we got to interact with
lot of wildlife we got to interact with a lot of it and of course polar bears
a lot of it and of course polar bears
a lot of it and of course polar bears this guy was a rather and friendly bear
this guy was a rather and friendly bear
this guy was a rather and friendly bear we were taking a little break eating
we were taking a little break eating
we were taking a little break eating some snacks and he came out of the rough
some snacks and he came out of the rough
some snacks and he came out of the rough ice and was quite curious about our
ice and was quite curious about our
ice and was quite curious about our kites
he wasn’t too sure what happened there
he wasn’t too sure what happened there but I bet you it’s probably the first
but I bet you it’s probably the first
but I bet you it’s probably the first time you’d ever seen a kite yet the
time you’d ever seen a kite yet the
time you’d ever seen a kite yet the color green in his life
of course the going was about to
of course the going was about to actually get a little bit tougher at
actually get a little bit tougher at
actually get a little bit tougher at this point in the expedition just after
this point in the expedition just after
this point in the expedition just after Joe Haven there’s this little place here
Joe Haven there’s this little place here
Joe Haven there’s this little place here called boo Thea Strait it’s a long
called boo Thea Strait it’s a long
called boo Thea Strait it’s a long section of ice that has kept open
section of ice that has kept open
section of ice that has kept open year-round or somewhat open year-round
year-round or somewhat open year-round
year-round or somewhat open year-round due to the currents that travel through
due to the currents that travel through
due to the currents that travel through there and basically these currents just
there and basically these currents just
there and basically these currents just churn up the ice it’s literally a big
churn up the ice it’s literally a big
churn up the ice it’s literally a big blender so even before we got right up
blender so even before we got right up
blender so even before we got right up to booth here the other big challenge
to booth here the other big challenge
to booth here the other big challenge was just getting through this huge
was just getting through this huge
was just getting through this huge amount of jumbled ice that had refrozen
amount of jumbled ice that had refrozen
amount of jumbled ice that had refrozen right in front and we did about an hour
right in front and we did about an hour
right in front and we did about an hour of hauling really really hard hauling to
of hauling really really hard hauling to
of hauling really really hard hauling to get basically the distance you know two
get basically the distance you know two
get basically the distance you know two city blocks at most it’s how far we got
city blocks at most it’s how far we got
city blocks at most it’s how far we got in it and suddenly I looked up and I was
in it and suddenly I looked up and I was
in it and suddenly I looked up and I was like goodness that horizon line which is
like goodness that horizon line which is
like goodness that horizon line which is quite close doesn’t look like it’s
quite close doesn’t look like it’s
quite close doesn’t look like it’s standing still all that much and this is
standing still all that much and this is
standing still all that much and this is what we were looking at essentially we
what we were looking at essentially we
what we were looking at essentially we quickly decided it wasn’t worth going
quickly decided it wasn’t worth going
quickly decided it wasn’t worth going out there until we had a better view of
out there until we had a better view of
out there until we had a better view of it we climbed up a little hill and this
it we climbed up a little hill and this
it we climbed up a little hill and this is not a James Balog film this is not
is not a James Balog film this is not
is not a James Balog film this is not happening in over several years this is
happening in over several years this is
happening in over several years this is happening within the span of 15 minutes
happening within the span of 15 minutes
happening within the span of 15 minutes on this time-lapse so this ice is really
on this time-lapse so this ice is really
on this time-lapse so this ice is really motoring along so we stood up there and
motoring along so we stood up there and
motoring along so we stood up there and we had a decision to make we could cross
we had a decision to make we could cross
we had a decision to make we could cross it or we could do a detour so we figured
it or we could do a detour so we figured
it or we could do a detour so we figured we’d sleep tight tonight and make a
we’d sleep tight tonight and make a
we’d sleep tight tonight and make a decision the next morning so we went to
decision the next morning so we went to
decision the next morning so we went to bed and about 4:00 in the morning I
bed and about 4:00 in the morning I
bed and about 4:00 in the morning I heard something outside the tent
what happened act you will come to sound
what happened act you will come to sound something outside I guess so I woke up
something outside I guess so I woke up
something outside I guess so I woke up seconds before I heard something to kind
seconds before I heard something to kind
seconds before I heard something to kind of rub it on the fabric of the tent he
of rub it on the fabric of the tent he
of rub it on the fabric of the tent he kind of tried to bite the tent in
kind of tried to bite the tent in
kind of tried to bite the tent in several areas first before actually
several areas first before actually
several areas first before actually pawing it and then I’m kind of like half
pawing it and then I’m kind of like half
pawing it and then I’m kind of like half awake wondering what the sound is and
awake wondering what the sound is and
awake wondering what the sound is and next thing I know this polar bear is
next thing I know this polar bear is
next thing I know this polar bear is jumping on the tent with his two front
jumping on the tent with his two front
jumping on the tent with his two front paws and he’s landing on top of me on my
paws and he’s landing on top of me on my
paws and he’s landing on top of me on my chest
chest
chest everything happened so fast I got it on
everything happened so fast I got it on
everything happened so fast I got it on my sleeping bag in record time and
my sleeping bag in record time and
my sleeping bag in record time and started screaming by this time area what
started screaming by this time area what
started screaming by this time area what you got out of your sleeping bag and
you got out of your sleeping bag and
you got out of your sleeping bag and jumped on mine and started screaming
jumped on mine and started screaming
jumped on mine and started screaming which is not the way I usually like to
which is not the way I usually like to
which is not the way I usually like to wake up in the morning but yeah I think
wake up in the morning but yeah I think
wake up in the morning but yeah I think was just a kick the side of the tent as
was just a kick the side of the tent as
was just a kick the side of the tent as hard as I could so I just started
hard as I could so I just started
hard as I could so I just started kicking with the bear on the other side
kicking with the bear on the other side
kicking with the bear on the other side and I like to think that I kicked him in
and I like to think that I kicked him in
and I like to think that I kicked him in the face but whatever I did he backed up
the face but whatever I did he backed up
the face but whatever I did he backed up and when he backed up
and when he backed up
and when he backed up he backed back into her bear fence this
he backed back into her bear fence this
he backed back into her bear fence this is one of the corner flares with two
is one of the corner flares with two
is one of the corner flares with two flares on each side and he actually
flares on each side and he actually
flares on each side and he actually slept the floor off when he backed up so
slept the floor off when he backed up so
slept the floor off when he backed up so by this time I opened the door and Eric
by this time I opened the door and Eric
by this time I opened the door and Eric runs out first on his way out he grabs a
runs out first on his way out he grabs a
runs out first on his way out he grabs a shovel of course Eric is blind as a bat
shovel of course Eric is blind as a bat
shovel of course Eric is blind as a bat with glasses on for vision and that was
with glasses on for vision and that was
with glasses on for vision and that was in socks feet so Santa makes a run for
in socks feet so Santa makes a run for
in socks feet so Santa makes a run for the gun which you know yeah this shovel
the gun which you know yeah this shovel
the gun which you know yeah this shovel here which is a small aluminum shovel
here which is a small aluminum shovel
here which is a small aluminum shovel it’s not the greatest weapon against
it’s not the greatest weapon against
it’s not the greatest weapon against bears but still it’s nice to have a
bears but still it’s nice to have a
bears but still it’s nice to have a little bit of backup sometimes bear the
little bit of backup sometimes bear the
little bit of backup sometimes bear the bear ends up getting about 20 to 30 feet
bear ends up getting about 20 to 30 feet
bear ends up getting about 20 to 30 feet away from me and stops and looks back
away from me and stops and looks back
away from me and stops and looks back and at that point in time he decides I
and at that point in time he decides I
and at that point in time he decides I look a little bit you know
look a little bit you know
look a little bit you know yeah pretty defenseless even compared to
yeah pretty defenseless even compared to
yeah pretty defenseless even compared to his seal and that bear took a turn
his seal and that bear took a turn
his seal and that bear took a turn around and
around and
around and came straight back towards where I was
came straight back towards where I was
came straight back towards where I was and at that point I was freaking out you
and at that point I was freaking out you
and at that point I was freaking out you know I had a shovel but I should have
know I had a shovel but I should have
know I had a shovel but I should have grabbed some toilet paper also that
grabbed some toilet paper also that
grabbed some toilet paper also that would have been probably more useful at
would have been probably more useful at
would have been probably more useful at this point in time those two go hand in
this point in time those two go hand in
this point in time those two go hand in hand so I swung as hard as I could and
hand so I swung as hard as I could and
hand so I swung as hard as I could and hit the the bear just right broad across
hit the the bear just right broad across
hit the the bear just right broad across the face and its face was kind of in
the face and its face was kind of in
the face and its face was kind of in level with mine and obviously not that
level with mine and obviously not that
level with mine and obviously not that far away cuz that shovels not all that
far away cuz that shovels not all that
far away cuz that shovels not all that big and you know I gave it absolutely
big and you know I gave it absolutely
big and you know I gave it absolutely everything I had and it did nothing I
everything I had and it did nothing I
everything I had and it did nothing I mean that bear
mean that bear
mean that bear he stopped which is very nice of him but
he stopped which is very nice of him but
he stopped which is very nice of him but it definitely we definitely didn’t
it definitely we definitely didn’t
it definitely we definitely didn’t consider leaving or any of those other
consider leaving or any of those other
consider leaving or any of those other things so at that point the screaming
things so at that point the screaming
things so at that point the screaming it’s very intensified a little bit more
it’s very intensified a little bit more
it’s very intensified a little bit more and I slowly snuck backwards again
and I slowly snuck backwards again
and I slowly snuck backwards again without my glasses I couldn’t really
without my glasses I couldn’t really
without my glasses I couldn’t really judge how much of an effect it had on
judge how much of an effect it had on
judge how much of an effect it had on the bear he didn’t seem too disturbed
the bear he didn’t seem too disturbed
the bear he didn’t seem too disturbed but so I slowly started sneaking
but so I slowly started sneaking
but so I slowly started sneaking backwards to get to you again another
backwards to get to you again another
backwards to get to you again another corner of that bear fence to be able to
corner of that bear fence to be able to
corner of that bear fence to be able to manually set one of them off and right
manually set one of them off and right
manually set one of them off and right as I got to the other corner that bear
as I got to the other corner that bear
as I got to the other corner that bear fancy le bear kept kind of making these
fancy le bear kept kind of making these
fancy le bear kept kind of making these fake lunges and I kept pretending I was
fake lunges and I kept pretending I was
fake lunges and I kept pretending I was gonna smack him and I got to the the
gonna smack him and I got to the the
gonna smack him and I got to the the other end I don’t know what I did with a
other end I don’t know what I did with a
other end I don’t know what I did with a shovel I might have thrown it at the
shovel I might have thrown it at the
shovel I might have thrown it at the bear but I reached down grabbed the pen
bear but I reached down grabbed the pen
bear but I reached down grabbed the pen flow will flare and set it off right as
flow will flare and set it off right as
flow will flare and set it off right as the bear was kind of coming up over top
the bear was kind of coming up over top
the bear was kind of coming up over top of me and he ducked as a little roman
of me and he ducked as a little roman
of me and he ducked as a little roman candle kind of fired over top of them of
candle kind of fired over top of them of
candle kind of fired over top of them of him and then got sprayed down by all
him and then got sprayed down by all
him and then got sprayed down by all these little flares essentially and
these little flares essentially and
these little flares essentially and that’s when Sarah
that’s when Sarah
that’s when Sarah luckily emerged out of the tent so but
luckily emerged out of the tent so but
luckily emerged out of the tent so but this time Eric is screaming shoot the
this time Eric is screaming shoot the
this time Eric is screaming shoot the censored censored censored there and I
censored censored censored there and I
censored censored censored there and I come out of the tent I have a shotgun in
come out of the tent I have a shotgun in
come out of the tent I have a shotgun in hand and I knew I had two decisions one
hand and I knew I had two decisions one
hand and I knew I had two decisions one I could shoot the bear two I could aim
I could shoot the bear two I could aim
I could shoot the bear two I could aim high hoping that the bullet would scare
high hoping that the bullet would scare
high hoping that the bullet would scare the bear away at this time too I only
the bear away at this time too I only
the bear away at this time too I only had two bullets loaded in the gun so to
had two bullets loaded in the gun so to
had two bullets loaded in the gun so to aim high was a huge risk because if he
aim high was a huge risk because if he
aim high was a huge risk because if he didn’t run I would have only had one
didn’t run I would have only had one
didn’t run I would have only had one bullet left I decided to aim high I
bullet left I decided to aim high I
bullet left I decided to aim high I decided to give him one last chance and
decided to give him one last chance and
decided to give him one last chance and I aim just above his head and I shot the
I aim just above his head and I shot the
I aim just above his head and I shot the bullet off and he paused
bullet off and he paused
bullet off and he paused then he slowly turned and kind of
then he slowly turned and kind of
then he slowly turned and kind of wandered off no blood was lost that day
wandered off no blood was lost that day
wandered off no blood was lost that day it ended well for both the bear and us I
it ended well for both the bear and us I
it ended well for both the bear and us I think on our side her confidence was
think on our side her confidence was
think on our side her confidence was slightly shattered I think the bear
slightly shattered I think the bear
slightly shattered I think the bear survived the whole thing a little better
survived the whole thing a little better
survived the whole thing a little better than we did man who nobody would need a
than we did man who nobody would need a
than we did man who nobody would need a coffee if you got woken up by a bear
coffee if you got woken up by a bear
coffee if you got woken up by a bear every morning they’re just like walks in
every morning they’re just like walks in
every morning they’re just like walks in Durham and then he’s like good morning
Durham and then he’s like good morning
Durham and then he’s like good morning and walked out I mean you’d be fine
and walked out I mean you’d be fine
and walked out I mean you’d be fine you’d be set for the rest of the day
you’d be set for the rest of the day
you’d be set for the rest of the day like so away be amazing yeah that was
like so away be amazing yeah that was
like so away be amazing yeah that was interesting Sarah eventually came around
interesting Sarah eventually came around
interesting Sarah eventually came around to my way of thinking and we decide to
to my way of thinking and we decide to
to my way of thinking and we decide to head for the detour on our way south and
head for the detour on our way south and
head for the detour on our way south and you know I just wanted to get out of
you know I just wanted to get out of
you know I just wanted to get out of there as fast as I possibly could and we
there as fast as I possibly could and we
there as fast as I possibly could and we just kept seeing bears that day this
just kept seeing bears that day this
just kept seeing bears that day this place was basically like a sushi bar for
place was basically like a sushi bar for
place was basically like a sushi bar for Paris you know that ice that was
Paris you know that ice that was
Paris you know that ice that was streaming by it’s kind of like a
streaming by it’s kind of like a
streaming by it’s kind of like a conveyer belt they just sit there watch
conveyer belt they just sit there watch
conveyer belt they just sit there watch though there’s a seal I guess I’ll go
though there’s a seal I guess I’ll go
though there’s a seal I guess I’ll go ahead and take that one and yeah luckily
ahead and take that one and yeah luckily
ahead and take that one and yeah luckily they were well fed that probably was a
they were well fed that probably was a
they were well fed that probably was a good thing but at the same time they
good thing but at the same time they
good thing but at the same time they were there were a lot of bears and we
were there were a lot of bears and we
were there were a lot of bears and we ended up seeing six bears in that day
ended up seeing six bears in that day
ended up seeing six bears in that day and luckily at the end of the day caught
and luckily at the end of the day caught
and luckily at the end of the day caught a little bit of wind so we headed south
a little bit of wind so we headed south
a little bit of wind so we headed south we added 550 kilometers to a detour you
we added 550 kilometers to a detour you
we added 550 kilometers to a detour you can see here the red route is what we
can see here the red route is what we
can see here the red route is what we intended to do and the blue route
intended to do and the blue route
intended to do and the blue route heading south was what we actually did
heading south was what we actually did
heading south was what we actually did and then you know the only thing that we
and then you know the only thing that we
and then you know the only thing that we had to rely on was these big south
had to rely on was these big south
had to rely on was these big south storms you know the storms generally
storms you know the storms generally
storms you know the storms generally came and pushed up from the south but
came and pushed up from the south but
came and pushed up from the south but for the most part a lot of hauling into
for the most part a lot of hauling into
for the most part a lot of hauling into headwinds which was just really
headwinds which was just really
headwinds which was just really unfortunate you know you just kick
unfortunate you know you just kick
unfortunate you know you just kick yourself because every time you’re
yourself because every time you’re
yourself because every time you’re hauling into a headwind like this you
hauling into a headwind like this you
hauling into a headwind like this you knew how do you chosen the other route
knew how do you chosen the other route
knew how do you chosen the other route this would be an amazing beam reach just
this would be an amazing beam reach just
this would be an amazing beam reach just a wonderful direction to travel in so
a wonderful direction to travel in so
a wonderful direction to travel in so we’re slipping on schedule we really
we’re slipping on schedule we really
we’re slipping on schedule we really need to make it to this community and it
need to make it to this community and it
need to make it to this community and it just looked like they would never be
just looked like they would never be
just looked like they would never be wind again and one of my good friends
wind again and one of my good friends
wind again and one of my good friends did our weather updates he’s of
did our weather updates he’s of
did our weather updates he’s of weathermen
weathermen
weathermen and we got a weather update one day he
and we got a weather update one day he
and we got a weather update one day he texted it onto her satellite phone and
texted it onto her satellite phone and
texted it onto her satellite phone and it read Bob Dylan just turned 70 today
it read Bob Dylan just turned 70 today
it read Bob Dylan just turned 70 today and times are changing the winds will
and times are changing the winds will
and times are changing the winds will pick up at six below for 24 hours before
pick up at six below for 24 hours before
pick up at six below for 24 hours before does the parent again so I really hope
does the parent again so I really hope
does the parent again so I really hope you can make it to Igloolik next hope
you can make it to Igloolik next hope
you can make it to Igloolik next hope that we could also at 6:00 in the
that we could also at 6:00 in the
that we could also at 6:00 in the morning following Sarah’s sleep schedule
morning following Sarah’s sleep schedule
morning following Sarah’s sleep schedule which was let’s ski late into the night
which was let’s ski late into the night
which was let’s ski late into the night and then sleep for hours and get out and
and then sleep for hours and get out and
and then sleep for hours and get out and then start kiting so it sure enough got
then start kiting so it sure enough got
then start kiting so it sure enough got up really really early in the morning
up really really early in the morning
up really really early in the morning layer kites out and essentially waited
layer kites out and essentially waited
layer kites out and essentially waited for the winds to pick up and sure enough
for the winds to pick up and sure enough
for the winds to pick up and sure enough they did pick up and it was a pretty
they did pick up and it was a pretty
they did pick up and it was a pretty tremendous try of patience 24 hours so
tremendous try of patience 24 hours so
tremendous try of patience 24 hours so it’s really a non-stop marathon at that
it’s really a non-stop marathon at that
it’s really a non-stop marathon at that point a mix of skiing and kite skiing
point a mix of skiing and kite skiing
point a mix of skiing and kite skiing and luckily at the end of 24 hours right
and luckily at the end of 24 hours right
and luckily at the end of 24 hours right as that wind was about to come down we
as that wind was about to come down we
as that wind was about to come down we pulled we got right up to a clue like
pulled we got right up to a clue like
pulled we got right up to a clue like within 5 kilometers of a glue-like
within 5 kilometers of a glue-like
within 5 kilometers of a glue-like before the winds finally died and there
before the winds finally died and there
before the winds finally died and there we had a pretty interesting decision to
we had a pretty interesting decision to
we had a pretty interesting decision to make we could restock at chocolate one
make we could restock at chocolate one
make we could restock at chocolate one restock on food but this was our last
restock on food but this was our last
restock on food but this was our last community before we got to her end point
community before we got to her end point
community before we got to her end point the next section was 400 kilometers and
the next section was 400 kilometers and
the next section was 400 kilometers and by now it was May 31st and the snow was
by now it was May 31st and the snow was
by now it was May 31st and the snow was melting and we still had a huge distance
melting and we still had a huge distance
melting and we still had a huge distance to go and we didn’t know whether we
to go and we didn’t know whether we
to go and we didn’t know whether we would be able to make it before the snow
would be able to make it before the snow
would be able to make it before the snow and the ice completely disappeared so
and the ice completely disappeared so
and the ice completely disappeared so Eric and I sat down and we thought about
Eric and I sat down and we thought about
Eric and I sat down and we thought about it would we continue or would we you
it would we continue or would we you
it would we continue or would we you know cut our losses and end here we kind
know cut our losses and end here we kind
know cut our losses and end here we kind of hummed and hawed and eventually one
of hummed and hawed and eventually one
of hummed and hawed and eventually one of the amazing things with the North
of the amazing things with the North
of the amazing things with the North that you can kind of go in front of the
that you can kind of go in front of the
that you can kind of go in front of the local supermarket and there are people
local supermarket and there are people
local supermarket and there are people that gather there and you just pull out
that gather there and you just pull out
that gather there and you just pull out Maps and you start asking people and
Maps and you start asking people and
Maps and you start asking people and they’re like I don’t know about this
they’re like I don’t know about this
they’re like I don’t know about this route but some guy when God his
route but some guy when God his
route but some guy when God his grandfather this guy Theo and he told us
grandfather this guy Theo and he told us
grandfather this guy Theo and he told us you know back in the day they would
you know back in the day they would
you know back in the day they would people used to know where the snow
people used to know where the snow
people used to know where the snow stayed the longest and they would go on
stayed the longest and they would go on
stayed the longest and they would go on this route and he kind of drew it out
this route and he kind of drew it out
this route and he kind of drew it out and that area had snow and so with that
and that area had snow and so with that
and that area had snow and so with that information and a great weather update
information and a great weather update
information and a great weather update that said we had a couple days of wind
that said we had a couple days of wind
that said we had a couple days of wind we took off for our final destination in
we took off for our final destination in
we took off for our final destination in hopes that it wouldn’t melt out
hopes that it wouldn’t melt out
hopes that it wouldn’t melt out and as you can see the snow started to
and as you can see the snow started to
and as you can see the snow started to melt and it started to melt really
melt and it started to melt really
melt and it started to melt really really fast and of course you know at
really fast and of course you know at
really fast and of course you know at this point we were really low in
this point we were really low in
this point we were really low in elevation we only added another five
elevation we only added another five
elevation we only added another five kilometers to go to the sea ice we
kilometers to go to the sea ice we
kilometers to go to the sea ice we figured great we get to the sea ice will
figured great we get to the sea ice will
figured great we get to the sea ice will get winds you’ll be able to cruise into
get winds you’ll be able to cruise into
get winds you’ll be able to cruise into the community let’s take it easy should
the community let’s take it easy should
the community let’s take it easy should be fine but we got to the sea ice and
be fine but we got to the sea ice and
be fine but we got to the sea ice and guess what you were starting with
guess what you were starting with
guess what you were starting with melting really fast what’s happening
melting really fast what’s happening
melting really fast what’s happening here is in the springtime the snow on
here is in the springtime the snow on
here is in the springtime the snow on top of the sea ice melts but it’s kind
top of the sea ice melts but it’s kind
top of the sea ice melts but it’s kind of trapped on top of the sea ice it has
of trapped on top of the sea ice it has
of trapped on top of the sea ice it has nowhere to drain so it creates this pool
nowhere to drain so it creates this pool
nowhere to drain so it creates this pool of water on top of still very safe solid
of water on top of still very safe solid
of water on top of still very safe solid sea ice although not very fun to travel
sea ice although not very fun to travel
sea ice although not very fun to travel through and we travels through this four
through and we travels through this four
through and we travels through this four days is about calf deep water that we
days is about calf deep water that we
days is about calf deep water that we sludge through by this time where it’s
sludge through by this time where it’s
sludge through by this time where it’s led to a wreck there was holes in them
led to a wreck there was holes in them
led to a wreck there was holes in them everything was wet and after 85 days
everything was wet and after 85 days
everything was wet and after 85 days 3,300 kilometers sorry we’re Canadian
3,300 kilometers sorry we’re Canadian
3,300 kilometers sorry we’re Canadian toy working kilometers and not miles we
toy working kilometers and not miles we
toy working kilometers and not miles we finally pulled into the small town of
finally pulled into the small town of
finally pulled into the small town of Pond Inlet our end point in local
Pond Inlet our end point in local
Pond Inlet our end point in local fashion we were greeted by the mayor
fashion we were greeted by the mayor
fashion we were greeted by the mayor they had a whole brigade out you know
they had a whole brigade out you know
they had a whole brigade out you know they had sirens going off and whatnot it
they had sirens going off and whatnot it
they had sirens going off and whatnot it was a great end of the expedition the
was a great end of the expedition the
was a great end of the expedition the community is really held it together for
community is really held it together for
community is really held it together for us a lot it was what we look forward to
us a lot it was what we look forward to
us a lot it was what we look forward to is meeting the people who lived and
is meeting the people who lived and
is meeting the people who lived and traveled in this land and so you know as
traveled in this land and so you know as
traveled in this land and so you know as happy as we were to come into this town
happy as we were to come into this town
happy as we were to come into this town and go home
and go home
and go home you know showers beers friends we’re
you know showers beers friends we’re
you know showers beers friends we’re also really sad to leave the expedition
also really sad to leave the expedition
also really sad to leave the expedition it had been such an amazing 85 days
it had been such an amazing 85 days
it had been such an amazing 85 days unbelievable challenges as Sarah
unbelievable challenges as Sarah
unbelievable challenges as Sarah mentioned had we known the challenges
mentioned had we known the challenges
mentioned had we known the challenges before we probably wouldn’t have
before we probably wouldn’t have
before we probably wouldn’t have embarked but after doing the trip it
embarked but after doing the trip it
embarked but after doing the trip it just brought back so much and I want to
just brought back so much and I want to
just brought back so much and I want to end their talk with a quote that a
end their talk with a quote that a
end their talk with a quote that a really good friend of ours Curtis who is
really good friend of ours Curtis who is
really good friend of ours Curtis who is also a past expedition partner on some
also a past expedition partner on some
also a past expedition partner on some of our expeditions wrote and it wraps
of our expeditions wrote and it wraps
of our expeditions wrote and it wraps everything up very nicely tired days and
everything up very nicely tired days and
everything up very nicely tired days and aching bodies will quickly be forgotten
aching bodies will quickly be forgotten
aching bodies will quickly be forgotten as a highlights and wonders of the
as a highlights and wonders of the
as a highlights and wonders of the expedition like all great moments in
expedition like all great moments in
expedition like all great moments in life begin to sink in thank you
”
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