"...the History of that Branch of Exploration, whose goal has been the eternal splendour of its own, not only with lustre of the white snow-fields and strange celestial signs of the Arctic Region, but also with that of true and Untainted Idealism."
— Roald Amundsen (The North West Passage)
In the past decade Travel to Increasingly Remote Areas of Canada's Wilderness has become Common. These Frequent Incursions into remote areas have made this type of travel seem routine. Expedition Planners should remember that these Areas are Isolated and Inaccessible. Survival in these Harsh Conditions must be considered a grim reality if you are planning to travel into these areas Unprepared.
Expedition Planning Resources
"Having an adventure shows that someone is incompetent, that something has gone wrong. An adventure is interesting enough – in retrospect. Especially to the person who didn't have it."
— Vilhjalmur Stefansson (My life with the Esquimo)
Long-Term Wilderness Travel Requires Preparation. The chance of an extended stay should be considered during all phases of planning your trip. In these situations you have a much greater chance of being stranded far from help. Gather as much information about the route and area as you can get. Look for at least two separate sources and then try to supplement it with local information once you arrive in the area. Finally be prepared to stay longer than is planned, in worse weather, with more insects, than would be normal that time of year.
- Explorations Odyssey: Life of a River Expedition
- Expedition News
- ExpeditionTrips.com
- The Explorers Club [Scientific Exploration & Field Research]
- The Survival Legacy of Christopher McCandless [Excellent Reminder of what can go wrong with poor planning]
Arctic & Antarctic Resources
Arctic and Antarctic Research is Fundamental to Cold Weather Travel Research. The Arctic is a harsh survival environment requiring thorough research, planning, preparation, and practice to master the art of survival. High winds, cold temperatures, and low humidity are just some of the challenges of living and surviving in this harsh, barren, and desolate environment. It is also a land that one quickly falls in love with once there and that one is pulled back to again and again.
- Bibliography of Historical Exploration in Antarctica [An excellent book list, happy reading]
- British Antarctic Survey
- Churchill Northern Studies Centre
- Cool Antarctica
- History of Arctic Exploration [Wikipedia]
- List of Arctic Expeditions [Wikipedia]
- History of Antarctica [Wikipedia]
- List of Antarctic Expeditions [Wikopedia]
Arctic & Antarctic Explorer Articles
An excellent knowledge of both the history and personalities of the major arctic and antarctic explorers is of great importance to those who may wish to follow these explorers and wilderness travellers north or south.
- Ernest Shackleton [Biographical Overview by Bruce Zawalsky]
- Roald Amundsen [Biographical Overview by Bruce Zawalsky]
- Vilhjalmur Stefansson [Biographical Overview by Bruce Zawalsky]
BWI's Expedition Guiding
Boreal Wilderness Institute can help you in planning for a successful canoeing expedition, canoe trip, ski, or snowshoe expedition. We are specialists in helping groups and individuals travel into the wilderness with an added degree of safety.
- Canoe Tripping & Expedition Skills Seminar [One of a Kind Canoe Tripping Instruction]
- Igloo & Snowcave Construction Course [Custom Course]
- BWI's Custom Training [Leadership Development, Team-Building & Expedition Canoe Trips up to 120 days]