CANADIAN ODYSSEY UPDATE

One month later, the Canadian Odyssey has covered 1250km and is headed to one of the ‘big’ ones - Lake Winnipeg. Michael arrived at his 2nd pit-stop in The Pas, Manitoba on Father’s Day to a wonderful surprise.  

The Surprise of a Lifetime

Sunday afternoon, Michael arrived in The Pas, MB. Exhausted, wet and 20 pounds lighter, he started the long process of un-packing and dragging his kayak onto the shore when he heard “Hey Hartley, you need any help?”

Jan Madsen, Michael’s long-time kayaking friend from Vancouver had driven 30 hours to surprise him. 

“I’m here to keep you honest. You wanted to do Lake Winnipeg. Let’s get it done.”

Overcome by emotion, Michael broke into tears. 

After flipping his kayak on Day 1, Michael was reluctantly forced to accept he would have to skip Lake Winnipeg, one of Canada’s biggest and most storied waterways. It is particularly risky and subject to severe weather patterns at this time of year; just not safe to do alone. Additionally, a solo kayak severely limits the amount of provisions you can pack (the key reason he has lost 20 pounds in 1 month).

While being able to complete this key part of the Canadian Odyssey is a big thrill for Michael, it pales in comparison to how touched he is by this incredible gesture from a true friend. Under any circumstances, having someone travel this distance to help you complete your lifelong goal is overwhelming. Receiving this gift after spending the better part of a month soaked with rain, undernourished, exhausted and alone is impossible to articulate. 

We admit our bias, but feel this is an indication not only Michael’s relentlessly humble and genuine character but of the lengths people will go simply to do good. 

Thank you Jan for this amazing gift that truly Makes a Difference!

Trip to Date

Since his fantastic rest stop in Prince Albert, the trip has been plagued by bad weather and lonely days. The weather in Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba in June is predictably poor and appears to be in a holding pattern. He hasn’t seen the sun in 10 days and has been facing a strong wind from the East. Additionally, the river is small, winding, muddy and largely desolate. In his words - “It feels like Kane’s land out there.” It has been a tough stretch.  

Furthermore, due to storage limits in the kayak, his diet has been restricted to 1500 calories per day worth of freeze-dried food, supplements and energy bars. This while burning an estimated 5000 per day and he has lost 20 pounds in 1 month!

Up Next

June 19, Michael and Jan set out on the last 80 km of the Saskatchewan River toward Cedar Lake and Lake Winnipeg.

Besides great company, Jan brings many years of kayaking experience and expertise as well as much needed storage space. The two will pack their kayaks solid with provisions knowing that there is a real possibility they could end up ‘beached’ for days due to weather.  Furthermore, Lake Winnipeg is highly isolated without access to roads until they reach Hecla Provincial Park 2/3 of the way down. They will be very much ‘on their own’ out there.

In his words "The next 12% of the trip is the hardest. But we are doing our best to make good and knowledgeable decisions. The risks are fatigue and isolation but the company and change of scenery are welcomed! I have been thinking of this part of the trip for years and am excited to take it on." 

We look to hear from them when they arrive in Winnipeg in early July. From there, Michael will be joined by Bob Salmond to cross into Ontario and immediately thereafter ‘the Bobs’ (Rieder and Rebagliati) into Voyageurs and Quetico Park.

A few ‘Michaelisms’: Cannonballs are not an Olympic sport!

• Due to the muddy conditions along the Saskatchewan River, getting in and out of the boat is challenging. So far Michael has lost 2 sandals to ‘quicksand’ and is therefore walking around towns (including meeting the police chief in Prince Albert) with mismatched shoes.
• Loneliness has set in after close to a month alone. Starved for company, Michael admits to have taken up conversation with the birds. He even pretends they are family members and friends.
• The river has many beavers, who make a lot of noise during the nights. Presumably, they are slapping their tails against the water surface. Michael has been accusing them of ‘cannonballing’ and got so frustrated one night that he yelled ‘Cannonballs are not an Olympic sport’ out of his tent.  


Media Update:

See Michael’s emotional interview with Global TV - http://bit.ly/L005ia 

Prince Albert Daily Herald -http://bit.ly/KxcQ4j
PA Now - http://bit.ly/Dy8Jo
La Presse -  http://bit.ly/L60GKG

Fundraising Update: