Thankfully, I know a thing or two about surviving—and even thriving—in extreme conditions and the remote bush of our vast, rugged Canadian landscape. Having spent my young’un days working as a professional back-country mountain guide and wilderness survival trainer, I learned early on how to read the land, manage risk, and respect the elements.
I also spent years working the mighty BC Fraser River as a tugboat captain, specializing in challenging, high-stakes / high-value log salvaging operations. That gruelling marine work was a masterclass in reading treacherous and shifting currents, navigating unpredictable waters, and maintaining absolute mental grit under intense pressure.
While my life has been spent mastering the land and the river, I only truly began learning the art of sailing this past summer 2026. This new chapter is a deliberate part of the mission: I want to showcase exactly what we elders are capable of when given the opportunity, respect, and dignity we deserve. It is proof that our capacity for growth doesn't have an expiry date.
Now, as I plan my 6 months elder solo expedition for 2027, I realize just how much that unique combination of deep mountain wisdom and river intuition fits right into my elder wheelhouse. Youth often relies on raw horsepower, but this upcoming journey is all about pacing, earned intuition, and the seasoned expertise of someone who has already proven they can handle whatever the Canadian wilderness throws their way and yes,…maybe some dumb luck too….
