In early April I will begin the first half of an 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 west coast, 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.

But with a burgeoning population and increased demand for natural resources, the ecological integrity of this region is also under continued threat. We do have many great protected areas to enjoy and cherish, 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 the trip will be a kayak journey up the Inside Passage 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 (via an overland alpine trek to the Nakonake from Sloko), depending of course on how I feel by that time... I'll either be really tough or really tired.

Next year I hope to continue the expedition with a bike ride back down the other side. On this part of the trip I will ride the backroads and wilderness trails along the eastern side of the mountains and learn about the forests, lakes, history, and people living sustainably in this region.

Signups closed for this Challenge