elder solo sailing expedition
ON to Northern Labrador
raising
$250,000
to help
END ELDER HOMELESSNESS
in Canada
THE ELDER SOLO EXPEDITION 2026
Fundraising
$250,000
to help end
elder homelessness
in Canada
CLICK HERE
TO DONATE
THE JOURNEY: On June 24, 2026 - in memory of my late mother, on her birthday, and as an elder myself now, I will set sail solo from the Ottawa River (Ottawa area) to the remote coastline of northern Labrador and back (1750 nautical miles each way), with only my dog Lucy as crew and companion. From there, I will explore an unnamed river and its tributaries, traveling more than 500km inland by foot and electric off-road dirt bike, prospecting for gold in some of the most remote terrain left in Canada. This journey is physical, mental, and spiritual. This is real, no safety net and no back up! It is about risk, preparation, endurance and humility before nature, and listening to our elder Mother Earth!
THE CAUSE: Elder homelessness and elder abuse in Canada is an ugly truth and a rapidly growing crisis, often described as a "hidden" emergency that is slowly becoming increasingly visible. Data indicates that the proportion of shelter users aged 50 and older has more than doubled in recent years, rising from 13.5% in 2005 to roughly 47% by 2024. That is why I am heading into one of the harshest environments in Canada - out into the wilderness, alone, and fighting for survival. Because that is where we have left our elders, out in the cold, fighting daily to survive! Read my ugly statistics page for more sad details about elder homelessness in Canada (including our homeless Canadian Armed Forces elder VETS).
THE GOLD METAPHOR: I will be prospecting for gold, not because I expect to get rich — but because seeking is better than settling, and shining is better than fading. As I slowly arrive at the end of my own golden rainbow, I hope this extreme elder solo expedition, undertaken by a regular boomer, will help shine a bright golden light on all elders who are subject to ongoing homelessness, abuse and poverty in Canada!
THE GOAL: I hope to raise a minimum $250,000 in donations by the end of this expedition! I anticipate my return date to Ottawa to be around the end October 2026.
The Charities
After my somewhat lengthy and diligent selection process, the “elder zeitgeist solo expedition 2026” has officially partnered with three registered Canadian charities. These charities will be the beneficiaries of all fundraising proceeds. The total amount raised will be shared among the three approved Canadian partner charities listed below, all of which are in good standing and work towards ending elder homelessness and elder abuse in Canada. Together we can help return dignity to those who deserve it most: OUR ELDERS!
Without our elders, we wouldn’t even be here enjoying our own lives, so the absolute least we can do is ensure our elders live with dignity.
Would your Canadian charity like to be added to our short list of 5 charities? If you are a registered Canadian charity in good standing and your mission aligns with ours and you would like to be considered for receiving a portion of our donations, please contact us via email here;
Do we dare to dream?
Stay tuned for our 2027 groundbreaking building project!
PRE-EXPEDITION SCOUTING
$250,000
ENDING
ELDER HOMELESSNESS
elder solo expedition 2026
3500 nautical miles
4 months
gold prospecting
solo sailing
off road e-dirt bike
500km land excursions
Northern Labrador
200km hiking
Thankfully I know a thing or two about surviving remote bush life. Having co-owned a gold mine in remote BC decades ago, having worked the mighty Fraser River as a tugboat captain / log salvager and having been a professional back-country mountain guide (back in my young’un days), this solo expedition 2026 fits right into my elder wheelhouse.
