farafield - explorers club · the explorers club – canadian chapter 7 peter rowe returned flag...

The Explorers Club – Canadian Chapter 1 www.explorersclub.ca

FarAfieldNEWS FOR THE CANADIAN CHAPTER

Vol.3, No. 2 Winter 2012

The remains of a great feast? … see page 9


Message from the Chapter Chair – Simon Donato FI’06 Dear Members, When I joined the club as a student member in 2006, Joe was our Chair and I only knew my sponsor Ed Reinhardt. However, the Canadian Chapter has a funny way of drawing keen members into action and I soon found myself as a Director at Large, and in 2011, your Chair. My predecessors Joe and Amanda had done great things for Canada, and I didn't want to disrupt this trend. My term was a rewarding one. I learned much about the inner workings of the club at the Canadian and International level, but most importantly, about the challenges that our chapter faces. The greatest challenge is our geography. We are nearly 200 members strong, but dispersed throughout our great Country which makes face-face networking challenging. Your board is aware of this, and has begun to refocus our energy on offering more regional networking opportunities, such as the monthly meetings in Toronto (which will spread to Calgary this January). We have maintained regional expeditions as organized by our Regional Directors, and built on successful Canadian events, such as the Film Festival. We have also identified areas for improvement, such as the website, which has been revamped and will launch shortly. We also petitioned HQ for chapter funding to assist with website development, but also with hosting Canadian events. We conducted membership surveys to collect your feedback, and have tried several new initiatives, such as supporting a student for ECAD. We are open to new ideas, and have a strong desire to unite as many Canadian members as possible. We are doing many things well, and with the support of great volunteers and the chapter as a whole, we have a bright future. I call on each of you to support your region by attending events when possible, contributing to our newsletter and Outpost Magazine, and generally keeping our Communications Director apprised of expeditions and exploratory success, so that we can continue to build our network and celebrate our members achievements. Remember that this is a volunteer organization and it will always be as great as you want it to be. If you want to see change, you have the ability to initiate it. I would like to wish incoming chair John Pollack good luck, and am confident that he is very capable of leading this chapter forward. I also wish to thank the board members and volunteers who supported my initiatives, provided guidance and assistance when asked, and unfailingly displayed the spirit, dedication and commitment to the TEC ideals that bring us together. I learned much from all of you. It has been a privilege to serve. I hope to cross paths with many of you in the near future and share some unbelievably true tales of adventure and exploration. Sincerely, Simon Donato, PhD, FI ‘08


Communications Director – Jason Schoonoer FE’86

Banffanalia Bye Bye

With regret and after ten years of fun we’re pulling the tent pegs on The Explorers Club promotion booth at the Banff Mountain Book and Film Festival. The 2008 crash was delayed for two years but when it hit, it struck with a club. Banff Avenue business is down 50-70% with American and European tourists rare as duck’s teeth, with Brit arrivals alone reported down by 90%. Several shops are shuttered along the main drag of this world-class tourist destination. Although the films in the November 4-6 event continued to be sold out, those dismal sales statistics were reflected at the trade show. Although we’re not selling anything, we felt it in the reduced foot traffic. With a 1,000-mile round trip (and stone chips) it now just ain’t worth it. Banffanalia, as we affectionately called it, grew to a mini-summit of explorers with up to 11 joining from as far as Western Europe to help out at the booth, take in shows and enjoy that scintillating high that happens when explorers congregate. The purpose was always two-fold: to raise the profile of the Club and to attractive prospective members. That it succeeded is evidenced by the fact that both our just-past chairman Simon Donato and webmaster Rogier Gruys were discovered here. Although participants shared booth and accommodation expenses, we’re grateful to The Great Karnath and Matt Williams and their predecessors and everyone at HQ for their tremendous support in the way of Journals, Logs and other giveaways over the years. A special thanks to Brian Hanson for his generosity, to longest time regular Nat Rutter, and to the newly minted chair of the Pacific Northwest Chapter and my right hand man for several years, Lynn Danaher. But we’re not paddling off into the sunset. We’re seeking other target groups, such as faculty events, to pitch our tents again.

L-R: Canadian Chair Simon Donato, Communications Director Jason

Schoonover, Webmaster Rogier Gruys - photo courtesy of Jason Schoonover


Regional Director : BC/Yukon – John Pollack FI’06

In the December election, I was elected as the Chair of the Canadian Chapter, and Mary Morris (of Victoria) has volunteered to serve as the BC-Yukon Regional Director. Over the past year, in addition the fabled Salt Spring Symposium, we have seen three other West Coast events: a horse packing opportunity in the Muskwa-Kechica thanks to Wayne Sawchuck, a tour of Nuyttco Research and luncheon in Vancouver organized by member Donnie Reid and our own legendary Phil Nuytten, and a sparsely attended, weekend backpacking trip to the Valhalla Range. Our outstanding group of student members at the University of Victoria, have hosted numerous pot-luck dinners and lectures. Our collective thanks to Maeva, Steven, Amanda and others who had taken the initiative on that front. While it is fitting that two of the four events were field trips, one thing is now clear. A Regional Director based outside of the Victoria- Vancouver area can help host more routine meetings, whereas a regional Director in the Interior or North, is limited to more infrequent gatherings to can serve the general membership better. The 650 km distance between Nelson and Vancouver was a bit of a barrier, and it is fitting that our next BC-Yukon Regional Director is from Victoria. We also have a capable volunteer based on the mainland - Dr. Cathy Hickson- who can help out with Vancouver events. For the immediate future, if you as a member have an interesting field trip or idea for a tour that has room for EC members; why not make it a chapter event? If you let us know the general plan, timing and costs, then we can help you round up a small group of talented and enthusiastic EC members from the region. Email makes this a simple process and I would encourage some of you to consider taking this bold step at least once over the next few years. The possibility of new friendships is almost guaranteed. Likewise, membership in The Canadian Chapter of the Explorers Club has been small and relatively static over the past few years. I would encourage each of you to sponsor worthy candidates - namely exploration and natural scientists, writers, artists and filmmakers, who have "the right stuff". Our members seem to be a bit shy about their first nomination, but you should know either Murray Larson - our membership director, Mary or I can be of assistance in this matter if you wish to sponsor a worthy candidate. Carpe diem, my friends!' John Pollack


The Explorers Club Salt Spring Symposium 2011

Article & photos submitted by Rosemarie Keough

"This has, in all seriousness, been a life changing experience. When, in 50 years, I'm talking about my life, and what got me to where I am, I can promise you that this weekend will be mentioned. It was wonderful and inspiring," so comments Adam Gordon, student member, about the Salt Spring Symposium. This annual gathering of the British Columbia and Yukon region of the Canadian Chapter and invited Explorers from afar was hosted by Pat and Rosemarie Keough for the eighth consecutive year at their island home in British Columbia, Canada September 8-11th. 48 Explorers and 13 guests came to Canada's west coast from as far as Ottawa, New York, Texas, Arizona and the Virgin Islands to enjoy the fellowship of The Explorers Club over a four-day retreat. It was, as Constance DiFede noted, "an experience that touched the mind, body and spirit." The program was full with 22 daytime lectures including six flag expeditions, and communally prepared gourmet meals, evening story telling, two flag returns, the launch of the Keoughs' masterful volume LABYRINTH SUBLIME: THE INSIDE PASSAGE, club news and star gazing. It was also the year of the walking wounded. Ron Zuber met his goal to rally sufficiently to attend despite open-heart surgery two months previous. Jim Allan lived to tell of the incredible odds he overcame to survive African Sleeping Sickness earlier this year. Brian Hanson cautioned all to carry travel insurance, himself mobile once again following a slip on penguin guano while visiting Stomness, South Georgia and breaking his pelvis. Emily Zuber, caver and climber, wore smiles and a special boot scheduled as she was for surgery the following week to reattach two tendons recently severed in her toe while cliff diving.


A recap of the lectures

Rob Butler presented the results of the Muskwa-Kechika Bird Altas EC Flag Expedition #76, and returned

this flag to Constance DiFede.

Emily Zuber impressed everyone with her enthusiastic talk "Follow the water, Search for the Air: Caving in Mexico's Interior" which included two flag expeditions led by Bill Steele.

John Lawrence and Susan Grimaldi shared movie footage of shamanic traditions of the Tsaatan Reindeer

Herders of the Mongolian Taiga and Daur Shamans of Inner Mongolia, an expedition for which they carried Flag #74.

Danny Catt talked of his life's journeys to remote parts of the world including a year of study at the

College of African Wildlife Management in Tanzania.

David Rapport's lecture entitled "Baltic on the Brink" was an alarming report on the environmental degregation of this northern sea.

Philip Currie mesmorized everyone with his "Hunting Dinosaurs on all Continents". Paelobiologist Eva Koppelhaus highlighted the discoveries in "Alberta's Cretaceous Park" emphasing the plants as well as

the animals of the Cretaceous period. Brenda Guiled presented the traditions of Karate.

Chetan Kane spoke of her observations of Asian influence on Mayan culture.

Milbry Polk chilled the audience with the challenges of "Affordable World Security."

Ben King spoke of "Innovation in Exploration" split between his solo bicycle journey through East Europe and Asia and his inventions for transport of live human organs.

John Harper shared his and Mary Morris's environmental assessment work specific to shoreline studies in

Foxe Basin, Baffin Island where a nearby mountain of nearly pure iron ore may be mined.

Peter Arcese spoke on "Indirect Effects of Humans on Native Species and Ecosystems" and declared himself an environmental racist calling for culls of deer and bunny populations.


Peter Rowe returned Flag #46 following his lecture "Lionfish: New Explorers of the Caribbean" documenting the proliferation of lionfish from six accidentally released in Miami to over a million, and the

consequences of this new predator.

Michael Byers discussed "Sovereignty and Diplomacy in the Circumpolar Arctic."

Annie Bourbonnais presented sailing adventures along the Atlantic seaboard.

Adam Gordon who motorbiked through Ecuador, spoke of the several months he lived among the Huaorani, an indiginous tribe.

Rogier Gruys introduced the importance of darkness with his talk "Starry, Starry night: Embracing the

night skies in the World's Largest Dark Sky Preserve" in Jasper National Park.

Jeff Whiting shared a triple flag expedition, that of the Explorers Club, the American Natural History Museum, and Artists for Conservation with "In the Footsteps of Carl Akeley, Mount Mikeno, Congo."

Barb Schweger, fiber historian, told of her lab research conducted on clothing and footwear of arctic

explorers including the Franklin Expedition.

Tim Leslie gave an overview of the history of Canada's research into flight, and his involvement with green aviation striving to remove lead from avgas.

Bill Lishman's "Creative Continuum" delightfully entertained while telling of his art, a model space ship he constructed, his early kit ultra-light, and his novel idea which worked to train human-raised Canada geese to fly in formation with his ultra-light and teach them to migrate; a technique later applied to endangered

whopping cranes.

Pat and Rosemarie Keough closed the symposium lecture program with a musical "Tribute to Greenland" sharing their photography in an emotionally charged manner.


The days passed quickly, yet the glow of the mental stimulation and the great friendships remain with all. As Bill Lishman asked, "My first question to myself as I boarded the plane for home was how come I never did this before? What a marvelous weekend! I came away I am sure like the rest of the participants totally recharged." And as Ben King, the chapter's newest member wrote: "I spent much of last night awake with interesting conversations and lectures going through my mind again and again. This weekend was really what I needed, a burst of inspiration and insight into other lives which has given me great insight and perspective into my own. The energy this wonderful weekend has given me will certainly lead me down new paths in the coming weeks, months and years, how exciting it is!"

Brian Hanson has the final word here. "Truly unforgettable! I thought this was one of your very best symposiums for sure. Y'all definitely deserve a sabbatical next year!!" As so they shall. The next Salt Spring Symposium will be in September 2013.


Regional Director : Ontario/Nunavut - Elaine Wyatt MI’05 A Tale of Diamonds, Bathtubs and Oxen Images and text by Elaine Wyatt On April 9, 1908, Peter Zacharias Lewala found an interesting stone while working at a small railway depot not far from Lüderitzbucht in German South West Africa. It was a gem-quality diamond and the rush to settle claims became so frenzied the colonial German government declared the entire area forbidden – the Sperrgebiet – in September 1908. When individual prospecting was declared illegal south of Lüderitzbucht, prospectors rushed north where the only means of transporting goods was by oxen. With no

food or water for the return journey, the oxen were eaten. Between 1908 and 1914, the Germans established the infrastructure – including several small communities – and recruited about 10,000 migrant labourers to harvest the largest diamond placer deposit in the world. German life in the diamond fields is well documented. As an historical archaeologist, my research focuses on the lives of the migrant labourers.

Homes in Kolmanskop for the accountant, architect and mine manager.

It seems that every German brought a tub. They are everywhere.

The town of Kolmanskop circa 1910-1922. Courtesy Ludertiz Museum


Workers sleeping compound. The migrant workers slept in buildings that had stalls for 48 men.

The central washing plant at Pomona.

Hospital beds at Grillenberger in Diamond Area No. 2.

Abandoned trommel sieves are scattered over the landscape


Regional Director : Atlantic/Quebec – Allan Tuttle MI’53 The Atlantic/Quebec members of the Explorers Club are currently IN THE FIELD around the world, and will report their adventures and discoveries in the Summer Issue.

Regional Director : Prairie/NWT – Murray Larson FI’05

The following was submitted by Susan R. Eaton (MI ‘11) All images courtesey of Susan R. Eaton

International Antarctic Expedition February 27 to March 12, 2012

In 2010, while snorkelling near a gentoo penguin colony in Antarctica, I came face-to-mask with a leopard seal who bluff charged — not once, but three times — with its mouth agape. Holding my ground, I counted the freckles on the animal's upper palate and inspected its impressive array of tri-serrated teeth. The underwater ballet that ensued between me and the 1,200-pound leopard seal, top predator of the Southern Ocean, was a magical moment I'll never forget. One of 57 explorers in the 2010 Elysium Visual Epic Expedition which carried the Explorers Club Flag #108, I followed in Sir Ernest Shackleton's esteemed footsteps one hundred years later, scouting, documenting and recording the impacts of climate change and ocean change in the Western Antarctic Peninsula and the island of South Georgia.

I return to Antarctica in February-March 2012, participating in the International Antarctic Expedition (IAE) 2012, which focuses on climate change, renewable energy and global sustainability issues. The IAE 2012 incorporates a Leadership on the Edge program designed to promote team work under harsh conditions and to create environmental educators (adults and youth) at the personal, corporate, community and country levels. The IAE 2012 is being led by Robert Swan, Officer of the Order of the British Empire and recipient of the


Polar Medal from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Robert Swan was the first man to walk (unassisted) to both the South Pole and North Pole, in 1986 and 1989, respectively. In November 2012, Swan will make history again, by walking to the South Pole, supported solely by solar and wind power. Amidst the backdrop of the harshest climate on Earth, I'll study geology, biology, geophysics, climate change, ocean change, renewable energy and global sustainability issues. I will also deliver shipboard lectures on geothermal energy and the integration of geology and geophysics into climate change investigations. Upon my return, I will deliver lectures on the findings of this expedition. A century ago, Shackleton's team was comprised of geologists and geophysicists who explored Antarctica because it was there, and because it was, as yet, unclaimed by any nation. During the heroic age of Antarctic exploration, geoscientists discovered volcanoes, mountain ranges, fossils, coal and minerals in this uncharted continent. And, in 1909, geoscientists planted the British flag at the magnetic South Pole.

One hundred years later, Antarctica is still unclaimed and uncharted — this mysterious continent belongs to citizens of the world and is development-free until 2041. The world's final frontier, Antarctica represents an outstanding outdoor laboratory to research planetary processes, including the impacts of climate change and ocean change. Today, geoscientists explore Antarctica, not because it's there, but because it might not be there — in its present, icebound majesty — in the future. During the past fifty years, the Western Antarctic Peninsula

Susan R. Eaton strikes a warrior pose on Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island, home to a colony of 300,000 King Penguins.


has warmed 3 degrees Celsius, triggering a cascading series of geological and biological changes in this fragile ecosystem. In contrast to the Elysium Visual Epic Expedition, participation in the IAE 2012 will enable me to experience Antarctica from above the water, with my feet firmly planted on the ground. Participation in the IAE 2012 will also enable me to investigate and document renewable energy applications and sustainability issues as they relate to Antarctica and the broader world. I will be posting dispatches from Antarctica on my website (http://www.susanreaton.com/). I invite you to join me, virtually, as I explore the Bottom of the World.

Student Representatives Maeva Gauthier SM’08 and Denise Gabriel SM’09

Fall 2011-Winter 2012 Report

Annie Bourbonnais (SM ‘09), Steve McGehee (FI ‘07) and Maeva Gauthier (SM ‘08) Here’s a review of the Student Explorer’s Club activities in Victoria, BC. We meet once a month for a local informal gathering or organize talks when guest speakers are visiting and interested in presenting. It is always great to spend some time among this group to discuss exploration. If you’re visiting Victoria, please contact us! We love to have guest explorers and would be happy to organize a gathering around your visit. Email: [email protected] The Vancouver group is interested in starting these local regular gatherings. We encourage you to do so to keep the spirit of the club all year long! October In October we met at the home of Annie Bourbonnais (SM ‘09) and Ray Holberger. Noted Explorer's Club member Lee Treloar (EC ‘88) of Vancouver gave a lecture titled “Greenland Dogsled Expedition: Shooting the Elusive Narwhal with Traditional Inuit Hunters” Lee had everyone’s attention with her story of her dogsleding across a remote area of Greenland. Then from New Zealand, Ben King (FM ‘11) discussed his epic bike trip through Asia and his goal of combining biking, photography and medical engineering. Both talks were very inspiring as these explorers merge adventure with important local community work.

http://www.susanreaton.com/


November In November met again at Annie and Ray’s house. We heard a talk given by Amanda and Barry Glickman on their amazing journey on the lone Canadian sailing vessel that participated in the KAYRA 2004 Black Sea Rally. The KAYRA was an international good will tour that brought together boats from 11 countries to sail around the Black Sea and promote international cooperation. December For December we met at Maeva Gauthier’s (SM ‘08) floathouse, located in the inner harbour of downtown

Victoria. Our featured speakers were UVIC Biology graduate student Jenna Cragg, who gave a presentation titled, “Using marine radar to census populations and investigate the breeding behaviour of the mysterious, non-colonial Marbled and Kittlitz’s Murrelets (seabirds) on Kodiak Island, Alaska.” Jenna discussed her research last summer on the remote island of Kodiak in the north Pacific. Then oceanographer Françoise Gervais recounted her research into the marine life that inhabits the underwater observatories off the west coast of Vancouver Island and the NEPTUNE Project to explore the deep sea around the western coast of Canada. It was exciting to have two young female explorers talk about their amazing adventures. January In January, about 80 people came to the University of Victoria to see Hig Higman from Alaska. He shared his latest expedition on the Malaspina glacier in Alaska with his wife and their two young children. He’s part of the non-profit organization Ground Truth Trekking (http://www.groundtruthtrekking.org/), based on the belief that expeditions to see what is on the ground help us learn about important issues. They combine "ground truth" with "researched truth”. Hig has a Ph.D. in Geology, while Erin, his wife, has a Masters in Molecular Biology. Since 2000, they have trekked through over 11,000 km of wilderness (mostly in Alaska). vThey live in a yurt in Seldovia, Alaska, with their two young children. Erin has written a book on the year-long expedition A Long Trek Home: 4,000 Miles by Boot, Raft, and Ski, published in 2009.

Images courtesy of Maeva Gauthier

Ben King presenting about his medical engineering and bike expedition at our October gathering.

Hig presenting about the Malaspina glacier expedition in January.

http://www.groundtruthtrekking.org/

http://www.groundtruthtrekking.org/Book.php


Summer 2011 3rd Annual EC UVIC Student Chapter Retreat Cortes Island, BC

The last weekend of August saw four young explorer’s gather at the Cortes Island home of Barry (FI’05) and Amanda (FI’05) Glickman for the 3nd Annual British Columbia Explorer`s Club Student Symposium. The four young explorers were: Denise Gabriel (SM’08, graduate student, Anthropology), Annie Bourbonnais (SM’09, graduate student, Earth and Ocean Sciences), Ray Holberger (SLR Environmental Consultant) and Steven McGehee (FI’07, graduate student, Biology). They were joined by Barry and Amanda (UVIC, Biology) noted explorers and Dr. Lisa Gould (UVIC Anthropology) who has studied lemurs in Madagascar for 28 years. It was three days of relaxed yet enlightening activities, allowing young and seasoned explorers to share their experiences. The first day included hikes and sea kayaking around Cortes Island. It ended with us sharing dinner surrounded by some of Cortes Island’s distinguished residents. Dr. Fred Zwickel (author of “Blue Grouse: Their Biology and Natural History”) and his wife and daughter delighted everyone with their chronicle of a lifetime of studying Blue Grouse. Also joining us for dinner were Christian Gronau and Eilleen Douglas who last year gave the students a tour of their 35 years of living in a remote cabin. Denise presented a talk on her work with raising funds for a new school roof near her field site in Madagascar. Saturday morning we visited Linnaea Farm. Linnaea is located on the site of the first homestead on Cortes started by Mike Manson in 1886. Linnaea is a non-profit co-op farm. It has an 8-month long course where people of all ages come to learn how to grow vegetables and raise livestock. We walked away not only with a deeper understanding of the importance of knowing where our food comes from but also with armfuls of fresh zucchini.

Saturday afternoon we were treated to a barbeque at the home of Izzy and Blair. Izzy and Blair have lived on Cortes for over 30 years and built their house by hand. They shared stories of what it is like to live off the grid for so many years. Their wonderful gardens, that were laced around the openings of their forested property, are a thing of beauty. They have a fantastic outdoor barbeque overlooking the ocean and covered with grape vines. On the grill were local caught salmon, with zucchinis and potatoes from their garden. Using tent platforms built by Brandon Beatty (SM’08), the students camped

in the forest above the Glickman’s boat-access-only house. We took turns preparing meals and we were treated to everything from a raw foods lunch to an Indian feast for 15. The highlight was a spur of the moment decision by Annie and Ray to make an Indian rice dessert for everyone. Denise was able to spend time discussing her summer field season studying lemurs in Madagascar with Barry and Lisa who are Denise`s co-supervisors.

Ray, Denise and Steven (left to right) at the Linnaea Farm.


Special thanks to Barry and Amanda Glickman for hosting this event for the third year in a row. BC Explorers Club members who would like to be mentors at next summer’s symposium please contact student represtatives Denise Gabriel and Maeva Gauthier. We would love to have you join us and share your experiences. We can make the dates and times for next year’s symposium flexible to accommodate Explorer’s Club veterans. It is events like these that make the Explorer’s Club so valuable. Images courtesy of Annie Bourbonnais

Explorer Reports & Updates INTO THE ARCTIC with Cory Trepanier All images courtesy of Cory Trepanier

In 2006, I began a journey that would change my life. To fulfill my artistic need to paint the most wild of our Canadian landscapes, I began my multi-year Into The Arctic Project and headed to the western Canadian Arctic, returning to my Caledon home 2.5 months later. Since then I have completed 2 more excursions north, spending a month on Baffin Island, another month on Ellesmere, and some time in the south-central Arctic near Bathurst Inlet. My mind has been expanded with the grandness and beauty of the Canadian Arctic. From Mount Thor, the highest sheer rock face in the world, to the kilometer high granite walls of Sam Ford Fiord crested with ancient glaciers, to the vastness of Ellesmere and the power of Wilberforce Falls. My canvases are overflowing with dramatic landscapes unlike anything I’d painted before.


My goal of 50 paintings from one corner of the Arctic to the other is now well underway, with many canvases completed and in private collections.

But I cannot paint everything these journeys have to offer. The adventures, the challenges, the sheer effort required to get out there and paint the north are all part of what goes into every canvas. So, as a filmmaker, I have captured these experiences in the field and have recently competed my 2nd film from the north, Into The Arctic II. Now airing on CBC’s Documentary Channel and in HD on HIFI, this 90 minute film takes the viewer on a passionate exploration of the Arctic‘s majesty, with all the adventure it has to offer.

While television is a great medium, anyone that has been up there will agree that one of the most amazing aspects of our north is the scale of the landscape. In an attempt to further connect others with a taste of this, I began my Into The Arctic II Film Tour on October 19th, sharing our north with others on the big screen. I’ve toured 6 cities so far, including bringing the Arctic back up to the Arctic in Iqaluit, Nunavut. The response has been overwhelming. For many, it seems like this is the closest they will ever come to stepping foot there. The tour is on hiatus for the holidays, but I will be heading to Ottawa at the beginning of February, 2012, and while be

taking the tour to more cities after that.

Watch the film trailer, videos from the tour, and more for this unique Arctic experience at:

http://www.intothearcticfilm.com Cory’s multi-year INTO THE ARCTIC painting project: www.intothearctic.com The Fine Art of Cory Trépanier: www.trepanieroriginals.com Cory’s Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/corytrepanier

http://www.intothearcticfilm.com/

http://www.intothearctic.com/

http://www.trepanieroriginals.com/

http://www.artists.to/trepanier


Awards & Honours Committee members: Joseph Frey, (FI’02) Denis A. St-Onge, O.C., (FI’05) Two members of the Canadian Chapter will be recognized at The Explorers Club Annual Dinner (ECAD) in New York for their internationally significant contributions in scientific exploration.

Dr. Phil Nuytten (FI’85) will receive the 2012 William Beebe Award for his exceptional

contributions in the development of one-atmospheric suits and vehicles for underwater

exploration.

Dr. Phillip Currie (FI’02) will receive the 2012 Communications in Exploration Award

for his exceptional efforts in paleontology outreach programs.

The Stefansson Medal was presented to Dr. Eva Koppelhus (FI’02) and Dr. Philip John Currie (FI’02) for their many years of outstanding research contributions in paleontology. The Certificate of Merit was presented to Dr. George Burden (FI’03) and to Dr. Nathaniel W. Rutter (FE’78) for their dedicated service to the Canadian Chapter of The Explorers Club. Certificates were presented to Robert W. Butler (FI’08) and to Peter Rowe (FI’08) in honour of their successful Flag Expeditions.

Other Awards John G. Geiger (FI’04) was awarded an Alumni Honor Award by the University of Alberta in 2011 for outstanding contributions to the community and beyond. Citation: John Grigsby Geiger, BA, is an award-winning journalist and a gifted writer whose books are written in a scholarly, yet accessible, entertaining and inspiring manner. He is the best-selling author of The Third Man Factor among other internationally renowned non-fiction works, including Frozen in Time: The Fate of the Franklin Expedition. His work has been translated into 14 languages, and four of his books have been made into feature length documentaries, including by the National Film Board and National Geographic. An explorer-at-heart, he spent three field seasons in the Arctic as an historical investigator for the Knight Archeological Project with anthropologist Owen Beattie. An editorial board editor at The Globe and Mail, he is a senior fellow at the University of Toronto’s Massey College and president of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.


Austin Mardon (CM’86) was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Alberta Degree in 2011. Citation: Austin Mardon is an inspiring advocate for the mentally ill. A scholar and Antarctic explorer diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1992, he has worked tirelessly to eliminate the stigma associated with psychiatric disorders. As a member of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, his work has had a major impact on public policy and public perception. He is a member of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the CM Hincks Award, the highest award given by the Canadian Mental Health Association. He will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree.

In Other News From Matty McNair (FI ’10) It has taken 85 days and 3,300 km, but Sarah and Eric McNair-Landry have attained their goal of kite skiing the Northwest Passage. The Iqaluit brother sister team arrived in Pond Inlet on Saturday evening. Eric says after two days of rain and sloshing through puddles, it was nice to be welcomed into the community. "People were out. They had the sirens on the police car going. And it was a good 20 or 30 people down on the seashore there who had come out to greet us. Say hi, shake our hand, and congratulate us. And also just welcome us to Pond Inlet." McNair-Landry says he has a lot of good memories from the trip but also some bad ones. Especially a polar bear attack near the Gulf of Boothia. He says a bear pounced on their tent while he and his sister were sleeping. He had to fight it off with a shovel. His sister Sarah was finally able to scare the bear off with some gunshots. Eric says they didn't mention the bear attack earlier because they didn't want to worry their family and friends or re-live the nightmare. They plan to spend a few days in Pond Inlet now before returning home to Iqaluit later this week. You can read more about their expedition on their website: www.pittarak.com

http://www.pittarak.com/


From Mark Terry (FI ’08) Kensington Tours in Toronto, a prestige tour operator run by EC member Jeff Willner, (MI ’01) has just announced its new Explorer-in-Residence, Mark Terry. Mark is perhaps best known to EC members as the creator of such films as The Polar Explorer and The Antarctica Challenge: A Global Warning. He is also the recipient of the Stefansson Medal and the 2011 winner of the Gemini Humanitarian Award presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television at last year’s Gemini Awards. Mark will be writing three columns a month based on his expeditions around the world. The first one focusses on the little-known Pyramids of Cochasqui in Ecuador and can be read here:http://blog.kensingtontours.com/2012/01/kensington%e2%80%99s-explorers-in-residence-series-pyramids-of-cochasqui-ecuador/

From Jason Schoonover (FE ’86) Wade Davis to celebrate the publication of his latest book – Into the Silence: The Great War, Mallory, and the Conquest of Everest. This event is on December 14, 2011 at 468 Wellington Street West Toronto. Wade will speak for about 15 minutes at 7:30 and sign books, which will be for sale, from 8:00 to 8:30. RSVP is required. A donation of wine or beer will be much appreciated. I want like to make sure that every member of the Explorers Club has been given ample opportunity to tell me that they would like to attend. We also want a full house. On Wednesday December 7, the invitation to this evening will be extended to non-members. Attendance is limited to 60.

Geophysicist Paul Bauman (P.Eng. P.Geoph.) entranced a small but enthusiastic audience as the guest speaker at the first Prairie-NWT club event hosted by Simon Donato (FI '09) at his Calgary home on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. He spoke about his work using geophysics to find archaeological sites and targets in Canada, Israel and the Mediterranean, including a recent collaborative effort to locate the lost city of Atlantis in Spain (also the topic of a recent National Geographic Special). It was an evening of great discussion, wine and camaraderie. The next Calgary event will occur in March. It was also a great opportunity to promote the club to potential members. Jason just spent two weeks exploring the River Kwai’s Death Railway and Stone Age caves adjacent with Sir Rodney of Oz (not to be confused with his counterpart in Id). They had good luck, turning up Paleolithic tools and human bones. It’s all on Jason’s photo blog, at http://www.jasonschoonover.com/blah.html

http://blog.kensingtontours.com/2012/01/kensington%e2%80%99s-explorers-in-residence-series-pyramids-of-cochasqui-ecuador/

http://blog.kensingtontours.com/2012/01/kensington%e2%80%99s-explorers-in-residence-series-pyramids-of-cochasqui-ecuador/

http://www.jasonschoonover.com/blah.html


On December 8, 2011, the Ontario-Nunavut region celebrated the publication of Wade Davis' latest book, Into the Silence: The Great War, Mallory, and the Conquest of Everest. L to R: Michael Ondaatje, author of The English Patient, a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS); Joseph Frey, Vice Chair, College of Fellows of the RCGS and VP for Chapters, The Explorers Club (TEC); Elaine Wyatt, Director, Ontario-Nunavut Region, Canadian Chapter, TEC; and Wade Davis, a member of both the RCGS and TEC.

Passages

Geologist Alastair Linn MI’04 22nd November 1945 – 1st October 2011

He generously came to Salt Spring a day early to help Rosemarie and Pat Keough out with the September 9-11 symposium preparations but began to feel off and left to see his doctor a day before it ended. The test results came in about a week and a half later and they were not good. He emailed me on the 27th to say he had a “serious illness and don’t know the future” and wouldn’t be able to help out at the November Banff promotion booth, as he often did. He confided in Pat and Rosemarie that it was liver cancer. He contacted his son Rory (who generously had designed our Chapter banner and posters and is on my Chapter email list as a “Chapter friend”) in Scotland to come

immediately. Unfortunately, Alastair left, so as to speak, just before Rory and his wife arrived. I talked to Rory and he’s working with getting over jetlag before “throwing a dart at the board of all I have to do.” Fortunately, Nat and Marie Rutter recently arrived back at their Nanaimo home and have offered assistance. The Rutters and Alastair lived close by each other.

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/images/067697919X/ref=dp_image_0/175-3125132-0678424?ie=UTF8&n=916520&s=books


Alastair had a Scottish brogue as broad as the Firth-of-Forth. The first time I met him, at Banff in 2002, I stuck my tongue in my cheek and asked, “So, which part of England are you from?” He was known as the Limey from that point on and I enjoyed joshing him that he came from “that part of England north of Hadrian’s Wall.” He spent the last couple of years of his career topping up his retirement money in Libya (an experience he distinctly didn’t enjoy) and was hardly into it. He had very recently returned from an expedition to Iceland and was in very high spirits—in part because he had discovered a cache of Stefansson’s books in a private collection. We were working up a report to the Chapter on this when Alastair had his turn. In his last communiqué to me, tying up loose ends, Alastair stated the owner didn’t wish publicity. He had a good sense of humour, was a warm and friendly companion, an active member of the Club and explorer and will be greatly missed. Jason Schoonover

Calendar of Events Please remember that there is a complete Calendar of Events on The Explorers Club’s main website: http://www.explorers.org/calendar/month.php

DOCUMENTING THE ART OF EXPLORATION

The 4th Annual Explorers Club Film Festival at the Arts and Letters Club March 23 and 24, 2012

Toronto, Ontario

Save the Dates!

Looking forward to seeing what everyone has been working on. All other details including

tickets for the festival and the Saturday night dinner will be available soon.

http://www.explorers.org/calendar/month.php


Putnam Lake – Churchill River Canoe Expedition

Canoe the Churchill River – the “main highway” of exploration and the fur trade, which has seen everyone from explorers Franklin to Thompson to Mackenzie to Candy Wilson, Fred Gaskin and Jack Purchase. The reason I return to the Churchill so often is that it’s just the most gorgeous, ever changing canoeing river in the world – and so rich in exploration history. Cost sharing, estimated cost out of Saskatoon: $750.00. While studying Google Earth images of Putnam Lake, I realized that not only is it in the very most beautiful part of northern Saskatchewan—just north of Black Bear Island Lake, part of the Churchill River chain of lakes—access to it is relatively easy. Consequently, I’ll be leading my Putnam cousins to this lake named after their deceased uncle Max, killed on a bombing raid in WW-II, and there’s room for one. 3800 lakes, rivers and islands, etc. in northern Saskatchewan are named in honour of military killed in action. The paddle from Putnam Ocean to take out will take a week and is only 30 miles. I’ve designed an easy, laid-back trip with days off to enjoy Nature and each other. We’ll fly in on Saturday, July 21 arriving probably about 1-2 pm and spend the rest of that day and the entire next day on Putnam Lake. We’ll average 7.5 miles a day, which is a pretty easy pace, and have three days off. Many are new to paddling so we’ll average 2 miles an hour but that’s only 3-4 hours a day in the canoe (in average wind conditions) and we never launch before the infamous Schoonover Crack of Ten. We’ll camp at the entrance to Trout Lake where the Twin Otter will fly in for your pickup. The entire route is rich in the Canadian Shield. After you all fly out, I’ll finish the last week solo. I need a solo each year for solitude and sanity. This trip will provide a taste of real wilderness canoeing. The fishing in Putman Ocean is going to be incredible, with huge jack and probably pickerel too. And that’s because no one fishes it. The fishing will be great everyday on the trip actually. Dates: Saturday July 21 – Sunday July 29, 2012 (9 days total: 7 days paddling, 2 travel) *This is the prime time for canoeing: bugs are down, water is warm and berries and mushrooms are out. Route: Putnam Lake – Churchill River (fly in and out) northern Saskatchewan Skill Level: Beginner Length: 30 miles Daily Average: 7.5 miles with 3 days off Brigade capping at: 12


Explorer Resources

Have a product or service that you, as a member of The Explorers Club, provide or produce as an experienced explorer? Here is a chance to share with fellow Canadian explorers. Please note that this section is not for commercial advertising, but is intended to provide a venue for sharing the products produced by fellow explorers for fellow explorers. Please keep postings under 100 words and include an internet hyperlink if possible. Photos not accepted.

Classifieds

Classified ads are limited to 50 words and are free for Explorers Club members. These classifieds are limited to NON COMMERCIAL usage and are aimed at helping TEC members share resources, communications and contacts.

Issue Month Deadline

Winter January December 15

Summer June May 15

farafield - explorers club · the explorers club – canadian chapter 7 peter rowe returned flag...

Documents