July 2005
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July 2005 |
“MAGNETIC NORTH REMEMBERED” by Jessica Kuzmier
In 1977, an American explorer by the name of David Halsey began a quest across Canada. His aim was to become the first known person in modern times to cross the nation from west to east using wilderness means only. His mode of transportation varied from a dogsled with a team of four beasts, an eighteen-foot Grumman canoe, and snowshoes. The aim of the expedition, which was named the Trans-Canada Expedition, began in Fort Langley in British Columbia, and was to end in Tadoussac, Quebec, which dumped into St. Lawrence River, the main body of water that led to the Atlantic Ocean. The undertaking had been a dream of Halsey for a long time, and he spent much of his time making copious notes and writing articles, envisioning the dream of taking this journey. This enthusiastic promotion led to a tentative contract with the National Geographic to finance the adventure. A photographer from Quest magazine, Peter Souchuk, decided to join him for most of the journey; a fortuitous decision, seeing that Halsey's original team had deserted him in the earliest part of the journey. Halsey's main objective purportedly was to experience life at a more basic level, where machines and civilization didn't encroach upon everyday life. One of his more memorable experiences seemed to have been when he spent time amongst a Cree settlement, learning the way of sustenance living from the Native populations. Halsey wasn't an environmentalist per se, as many of the environmentalists' objectives would clash with those who live off the land. For example, Halsey describes how as he traveled down a river and ran into a white person who was offended with a camp being left deserted and standing upriver, more or less citing the "carry in, carry out" ethos. That camp had been left by Halsey himself; the tradition being to leave camps standing so trappers and fishermen, two of the main livelihoods of those living in the bush, could have a point of reference to land as they were on hunting and fishing expeditions, as well as shelter.  Environmentalists would probably not be happy with how he made a living while staying at the Cree settlement; the people trapped rabbits for food, and lynx for their pelts. The money they received from trapping would enable the people to go into town and buy other staples such as tea, sugar, and canned goods. Halsey seemed more intent to celebrate the culture of the native peoples than save the trees, though like many native tribes, he had a deep respect for nature and his relationship to it. He seemed to believe that it was important to live in concert with its rhythms, but responsible use of it was perfectly acceptable, and perhaps even necessary to preserve it, a sentiment not uncommon among hunters and other outdoorsmen. Exploring this relationship of modern man trying to live in concert with the elements is a challenge that many try out, with varying success. Most seem to combine some modern means with traditional ones; for example, using a snowmobile to drag a deer carcass out of the woods, or the use of compasses and GPSs for navigational purposes. More commonly, sleeping equipment and prepared food are taken along if no other modern amenities are chosen. Expeditions like Halsey's are intended really just to experience life at a more basic level; and in this, they may be successful. One is in more concert with the natural world when he/she is eating prepared soups and sleeping in a bag under the stars than when he/she sits in an office all day and barely notices what the temperature outdoors. Certainly, harmony with nature was something Halsey accomplished. Dave Halsey and Peter Souchuk completed the Trans-Canada Expedition in 1979. Halsey had successfully navigated the terrain from British Columbia to Quebec without using mechanized means. But though he had completed the journey and returned to the American suburbs, his heart always remained with the Great North. When he died in 1983, he was planning to return there, to make a permanent home in the bush. This is part of the explorer's journey, to go where the soul leads, rather than find contentment in what is in front of him/her. It keeps him/her looking forward, always wondering when the next journey will come, and where it will lead. |