Pierre Berton - ChilKoot Trail

As I began to guide tours on the Chilkoot Trail, I became engrossed by the saga of thousands of men and women whose stories were played out on the stage of the Klondike Goldrush of 1898. I read Pierre Berton's "Klondike", the quintessential book on this period. Berton had the unique opportunity to understand this period, as his family was in Dawson City at the time.

Berton's writing style and his depth of subject matter, made this book one of my all-time favorite reads. He looks at history from the viewpoint of the people who lived it. His use of diaries, news stories, and anecdotal moments, make the Klondike Goldrush come alive. His commitment to retelling the history of this unparalleled confluence of events and people has left us with a literary treasure.

Although Pierre Berton is a Canadian writer, the "Klondike" is the recanting of an American gold rush on Canadian territory. And if you are Canadian, Berton has done more to bring Canadian history to the Canadian consciousness than any other writer.

I recommend the "Klondike". Start reading it - you won't be disappointed!

A brief biography.
More of Pierre Berton's books.

Mark Twain's Profundity

I remember the time that Mark Twain did a canoe trip on the Bowron Lakes with me. We spent many an evening around the campfire exchanging wit and philosophy. One statement he made did have impact with many in the group and I feel it is worth sharing with the reader -

" Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you did not do than by the ones that you did do. So throw off the bowlines . Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Discover. Dream."

Sea Kayaking With Orca Whales

The bull orca looked like it was headed straight for our kayaks, cruising at about five knots. "Everybody get the kayaks into a raft formation," yelled our guide Krista Bogen. "Splash your paddles so he hears that we're here!" You can tell you are getting your money's worth when Sea to Sky's guides -- usually so congenial and keen on group decisions -- start barking orders. We clung to each other's boats, about a kilometre off the northeastern shore of Vancouver Island and just three days into our expedition along Johnstone Strait, feeling very tiny. The bull surfaced again. We could tell he was a male by his huge dorsal fin -- females' fins are curved and much shorter -- that rose straight up like a large black blade, way bigger than Jaws'. Of course, he was at least three times longer than the largest great white shark -- orcas sometimes eat great whites.

Read the full article by Tim Ward

JOINING A GROUP TOUR?

Over my years of guiding and directing the fortunes of Sea to Sky, people have asked me why anyone would pay to do an adventure trip with a company. There are the standard responses - safety in numbers, inexperience, and convenience. I believe that for some it is that simple. But for others, it is, or becomes, more profound. Beth Dempster, best expresses what many feel or come to feel:

"For each of us, regardless of our skills and reasons for participating, trips have involved new experiences and new challenges, all within a new and different setting. And what a setting! It’s a wilderness environment (which entails extra risks as well as extra beauty) with a group of people that begin as strangers and leave with connections. Challenge, wilderness, and cooperative companionship – it’s a rich combination that brings out a unique and remarkable energy. It’s a mingling of helping hands, campfires, thunderstorms, good food, triumphs, struggles, sore muscles, late-night conversations and laughter. To be a part of such rich experiences, is a reward that is unmatched in other endeavours. "