I may be crazy ... but here is my plan for 2010. In April I'll head out in my kayak up the Inside Passage for six months on the first half of my expedition of discovery around BC's Coast Mountains.

This region supports a wide diversity of ecosystems and landscapes because of its varied geography and the meeting of a moist maritime climate from the west with a polar continental climate from the east. All along the length of our left hand border, the coastal areas are divided from the interior by a continuous and almost impenetrable mountain range. Few roads cross it. Only ten rivers manage to cut through it. What binds it all together is the forests, the wildlife and the waterways.

With a burgeoning population and increased demand for natural resources, the ecological integrity of this region is also under continued threat. Energy development for natural gas threatens entire watersheds. Other areas are under threat from poorly concieved mine proposals, and others face the prospect of oil pipelines. We do have many great protected areas, for which we have the hard work of previous conservationists to thank. But this system of protected areas is incomplete. There still remains much pristine unprotected and threatened wilderness, and it is as important now as it has ever been that what is at stake be brought forward to the people of Canada and the World.

The first part of my trip will be a kayak journey from Richmond, BC to Skagway, Alaska. I'll make a photographic and video documentary about my trip and the nature I encounter. At the end, around September, I plan to make a descent of the Taku River, depending of course on how I feel by that time... I'll either be really tough or really tired. I have my bear spray and my dry suit, what else could go wrong?

Next year I plan to head back down on my bike, hugging the eastern flanks of the mountains to discover the forests, lakes, rivers, and history of this region. I'll follow the "road less travelled", sticking to backroads, wilderness trails, rivers and lakes.

Update: I started a little late, in early June, and made it to Telegraph Cove. I will be leaving tomorrow, July 19, for the leg to Bella Bella. I have gotten lots of good photos and seen lots of wildlife, and had a great time. Now I am going into wolf and grizzly country so it will get even wilder. I will update my blog again in a month. I will only make it to Prince Rupert this year and next year I will ride my bike back down the other side with kayak in tow.

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