Podcasts about hudson's bay

Twitter conversations seem more interesting than the media's coverage on Canada's first Indigenous Governor-General. The Bay tries to empower BIPOC while stealing one's likeness without consent. And Canada's new "guiding principles" for diverse content online feel off to Jesse. Writer and lawyer Hadiya Roderique co-hosts. Links: Hadiya's essay that the stolen photograph actually accompanied The "Guiding principles on diversity of content online" here (Press release with a shorter summary here) This episode is supported by PolicyMe and Squarespace. Support CANADALAND: http://canadalandshow.com/join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Craig and Lee talk about Craig's analysis on The Hudson's Bay Company's potential redevelopment plans for its flagship locations in Canadian downtowns. Is it a good strategy or missed opportunity?The Weekly podcast by Retail Insider Canada is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.Discussed this episode:Hudson's Bay Downsizing Downtown Flagship Stores in Canada Subscribe, Rate, and Review our Retail Insider Podcast!Follow Craig:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/CraigPattersonTorontoInstagram: @craig_patterson_torontoTwitter: @RI_EIC Follow Retail Insider:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/Retail-InsiderFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RetailInsider/Twitter: @RetailInsider_Instagram: @Retail_Insider_Canada Listen & Subscribe:Apple PodcastsSpotifyOvercastStitcher Share your thoughts!Drop us a line at Craig@Retail-Insider.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The Hudson's Bay Company's Evolution From Fur Trading to Retail --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/shacast/support

We spoke with Stephen R. Bown, author of the new book "The Company:The Rise and Fall of the Hudson's Bay Empire"  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"CHARLES THE SECOND, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To ALL to whom these Presents shall come, greeting." With that opening line, a Royal Charter granted all of the land in the watershed of the Hudson's Bay, a massive area of present day Canada and the northern United States, to the Hudson's Bay Company, or as it was known then, "The Governor and Company of Adventurers of England, trading into Hudson's Bay." As an historic document, "it is both incredible and problematic," says Amelia Fay, Curator of the HBC Collection at the Manitoba Museum. Incredible because of the impact it had as one of the primary drivers in the creation of what is now Canada. Problematic because in doing so it gave away lands of the Indigenous people who had lived on them for millennia, without their consent. Fay takes us through the importance of the Royal Charter, written on animal skin 350 years ago, on May 2, 1670, in this first of three episodes inside the HBC Collection at the Manitoba Museum and Archives.

From the Simplr studios in San Francisco, this is your daily briefing.  IntroductionThis is Today in Five with Madison Huffman, for today, Thursday, February 13th. Here are today’s headlines in digital disruption.Harry’s and Brandless both suffered major setbacks this week, revealing the limits and struggles direct-to-consumer disruptors are facing.First, here are the latest headlines.Goop and Banana Republic Launch Co-Branded CollectionGwyneth Paltrow’s goop brand is launching a co-branded online apparel collection and podcast series installment with Banana Republic. The goop Edit for Banana Republic will launch in spring 2020 and feature five everyday essentials. The capsule will launch exclusively on goop.com February 11th and on Banana Republic’s e-commerce site beginning February 25th.Saks Off 5th Being Led by Former Nordstrom Rack ExecFormer Nordstrom Rack executive, Paige Thomas, will now lead Saks Off 5th, effective immediately. Thomas was most recently the general merchandise manager of men’s and kids at Nordstrom’s full-price business but was general merchandise manager at its off-price Nordstrom Rack operation for more than five years. She oversaw growth in both e-commerce and physical retail while there, including the opening of more than 100 stores and the launch of the Rack website. In tapping Thomas, Saks Off 5th is regrouping under the direction of an executive who once helped lead a powerhouse in the segment. The CEO from Hudson’s Bay Company said, “With her deep merchandising background and instinct to quickly capitalize on digital opportunities, I believe Paige is the right leader to further evolve Saks Off 5th and unleash its potential as a true off-price retailer.” Spotify Purchasing RingerAs part of its push into podcasting, Spotify is reportedly paying close to $200 million dollars for the Ringer, a growing online sports and pop-culture outlet. Spotify is expected to detail the costs in a regulatory filing soon. The streaming service has now spent more than $600 million dollars to acquire four companies that can accelerate its podcasting business. The company is already the world’s largest paid music service and is challenging Apple as the dominant way people listen to podcasts.  What Harry’s And Brandless Mean For DTC DisruptorsThis week, two promising DTC companies suffered major setbacks. Grooming company, Harry’s, learned that Edgewell is dropping its bid to take it over after the FTC sued to block the deal on antitrust grounds. And online consumer goods company, Brandless, shuttered its operations. The brands’ stumbles have a lot in common, notably, an inability to scale on their own. And they reveal the limits of DTC retail.  The principal at venture capital firm Comcast Ventures told a National Retail Federation audience that, “the pendulum has swung,” , regarding venture capitalist expectations, noting that it’s becoming easier to launch a direct-to-consumer company than to grow or sustain one. The fate of Brandless is a prime example of that swing.  The company launched in 2017 saying that each of its items would only be three dollars thanks to the company’s elimination of the middle man and that by going directly to the consumer, Brandless claimed it saved some 40 percent, which was passed along to its customers. The company received backing from SoftBank in 2018, allowing it to expand into new categories. Now, after a little over two years, the company is shutting down.  The two companies pose an interesting example of the changing retail landscape. The disruptor DTC brands have their limitations. The fate of Brandless seems clear, less so Harry’s. But most if not all DTC brands are likely grappling with the same realities of customer acquisition, the challenge of turning a profit, and a need to stand on their own.  ClosingSimplr can help you scale your customer service at any stage of growth. Head to Simplr.ai to learn more. That’s S-I-M-P-L-R.ai.Thanks for listening to this latest episode of Today In Five. We’ll see you tomorrow.   

An even more explosive New Year's Eve than usual has forced politicians to talk seriously about banning neighbourhood fireworks. We discuss whether 2019 will prove to be the tipping point in the annual debate about a tradition that leaves hundreds of people injured each year. The Netherlands pulls its troops out of Iraq, Hudson's Bay pulls out of its Dutch stores and Ajax defender Sergino Dest pulls out of the team's controversial winter tour. Plus we've got a red-hot ophef of the week, so be sure to check in with us online, unless you're a certain Dutch celebrity...

Bidding war for Saks 5th Avenue owner heats up Private equity firm, Catalyst, has made a 1-and- a-half billion dollar bid to take over Hudson's Bay, which also owns of Saks Fifth Avenue. The offer from one of the Canadian firm's biggest investors challenges an existing deal with a consortium led by Hudson's executive chairman, Richard Baker. Shares in the retailer jumped 13-percent after the news. Xiaomi reports slowing revenue growth in Q3 Chinese tech giant, Xiaomi, has reported its slowest-ever quarterly revenue growth due to a downturn in the country's smartphone market. Revenue in the first quarter rose 5-point-5 percent to 7-point-6 billion dollars, largely in line with analysts' expectation. Once China's largest smartphone maker, Xiaomi has been losing its market share in China to local rival, Huawei AtlasGlobal temporarily suspends all flights AtlasGlobal Airlines has temporarily suspended all flights until the 21st of December following a series of financial setbacks in the past few years. In a statement, the Turkish carrier says it's entered a new phase of restructuring in order to ensure its survival. Launched in 2001, AtlasGlobal operates a fleet of 18 aircraft and is headquartered in Istanbul.

Our guest is Michael LeBlanc. Michael is the founder and president of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc. He has over 25 years of experience in brand, retail marketing, and e-commerce leadership, and has worked with household brands like Black & Decker, Levi Strauss, Hudson's Bay, The Shopping Channel and Pandora Jewelry. Michael is also the producer and host of The Voice of Retail Podcast, a joint venture with The Retail Council of Canada where he is a senior advisor. Join us as we explore key differences between US and Canadian consumers, Canada's recent influx of foreign luxury brands, and what the Canadian cannabis market looks like one year after legalization. Hosted by Julia Raymond Researched, written and produced by Gabriella Bock Edited by Trenton Waller

Marc Patrone discusses Scheer under pressure as former Conservative MP calls in leader to step down with Mike Duffy. Brian Lilley joins Marc to discuss Ford's unity push with Brian Lilley and Spencer Fernando discusses Hudson's Bay option for Canada's oil exports.

This week, U.S. Women's National Team soccer players Ashlyn Harris and Ali Kreeger sat down with Scarlet to talk about their fight for equal pay. Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank and its current President & COO and incoming CEO Patrik Frisk talked with Caroline about the change of guard at the sportswear brand. Marc Cooper, CEO of PJ Solomon, joined to discuss Hudson's Bay decision to go private. Then Katharina Pistor, a comparative law professor at Columbia Law School and the director of the Center on Global Legal Transformation at Columbia, came on to talk about Mark Zuckerberg's Congressional testimony and what about Libra most concerns her.

From the Simplr studios in San Francisco, this is your daily briefing.  IntroductionWith your E-Commerce Retail Briefing for today, Tuesday, October 22nd, I'm Vincent Phamvan.Walgreens is officially piloting on-demand drone delivery. Eligible customers in designated delivery zones can now receive select packages via drone delivery. Walgreen is conducting the pilot in partnership with Wing Aviation.First, here are some retail headlines.Casper Sleep Working on IPOAccording to a Bloomberg report, Casper Sleep is working with Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Group on an initial public offering. The online mattress seller’s IPO could occur by the end of this year, or in the first half of 2020. Casper could exceed $1.1 billion private valuation. According to Bloomberg, the IPO proceeds would help the retailer fund expansion, including storefronts.Hudson's Bay Going PrivateHudson’s Bay Company has agreed to be taken private by a group of its shareholders. The investors have agreed to a deal of 10.30 Canadian dollars per share, a 62 percent premium over Hudson’s Bay’s most recent closing share price. In a press release, Hudson’s Bay said the deal offered a compelling value proposition given a deteriorating retail environment. The deal would be financed with debt and the company’s existing cash resources.Groupon and Mindbody Partnership GrowsOnline deals company, Groupon, announced they would grow their partnership with Mindbody. The expanded partnership is expected to give Groupon’s 29-million customer base a significantly larger selection of fitness, beauty, and wellness businesses offering deals in their local neighborhoods. The seamless real-time booking of wellness services via Groupon will also eliminate the need for vouchers or a call to the merchant to schedule an appointment. Experiential deals have increasingly been the focus for Groupon as research has shown that many millennial consumers prefer purchasing experiences over material possessions.Walgreens Launches Pilot Of On-Demand Drove DeliveryWalgreens is officially piloting on-demand drone deliveries in Virginia. The drugstore giant is live with a trial of store to door deliveries of health and wellness, food and beverage, and convenience items via drone delivery. Walgreens is conducting the pilot in partnership with Wing Aviation, a subsidiary of Google parent company Alphabet. Launch of the pilot makes Walgreens the first retailer to offer on-demand drone delivery service in the U.S.The companies are running the test in conjunction with FedEx. Eligible FedEx Express customers who live within designated delivery zones and opt into the Wing delivery service can receive select packages by drone. Customers in the area have access to more than 100 products and six pre-built packs of items through the Wing app. In a statement, a Walgreens executive said quote, “Today is a great day for the future of consumer convenience...This industry-first drone delivery pilot with Wing expands our omnichannel offerings to provide customers the products they need wherever, whenever, and however they want them,” end quote.ClosingFind out how Simplr can cut your customer response time through cutting-edge technology and on-demand talent at simplr.ai. That’s S-I-M-P-L-R.ai. Thanks for listening to the latest episode of the Retail E-Commerce Briefing. See you tomorrow. 

Terwijl het staartje van orkaan Lorenzo over Nederland raast nemen Michael en Dennis de week door. Een grijze week met een droevig begin en ware piek in het midden, want zo is het leven. Daarnaast hebben ze het over de winnaar van de Participatieprijs, vuurwerk, wandelaars, oplaadpalen en komen de mannen met dé oplossing voor de nieuwe invulling van de Hudson's Bay.

Warenhuisketen Hudson's Bay vertrekt nog dit jaar uit Nederland, dat maakte het bedrijf donderdag bekend. Hudson's Bay kwam twee jaar geleden naar Nederland en heeft hier vijftien winkels. Retail- en merkendeskundige Paul Moers hoor je over wat dit vertrek betekent voor de Nederlandse retailsector.

Na faillisement V&D en nu ook Hudson's Bay dreigt te verdwijnen, moeten we ons zorgen maken voor de winkeliers in de regio? Ruth Oei belt met Niels van der Schaaf van kledingzaak The Wardrobe.

Bedrijven balen van de houding van Hudson's Bay en start-ups moeten meer op waarde worden geschat.

Lekker een podcast maken op de vrijdagmiddag. Pilsie d'r bij en verstand op nu. Het PolderGoud festival staat voor de deur en dat maakt de dynamiek op het kantoor van Haerlems Bodem erg gezellig! Een beetje hectische podcast ook daardoor. Wel weer genoeg om over te praten. Zo hebben ze het uitgebreid over het Festival; daarnaast komen een oud schip, gedoe met liften en natuurlijk de Hudson's Bay voorbij. Al met al weer een mooi weekie…

In deze aflevering van Bakkie Media besteden we vooral veel aandacht aan de ondergang van Hudson's Bay. Hoe heeft het zo ver kunnen komen en had het voorkomen kunnen worden. Ook bespreken we de start van het nieuwe televisieseizoen en breken we een lans voor het gezamenlijke mediafront van de grote Nederlandse mediapartijen om de strijd aan te gaan met Google, Facebook en de andere grote tech reuzen. Bakkie Media is uiteraard ook te vinden op social media: Twitter: @bakkiemedia Instagram: @bakkiemediapodcast Facebook: facebook.com/bakkiemedia Of kijk op onze website: www.bakkiemedia.nl Shownotes: AllSecur: https://www.marketingfacts.nl/berichten/reclamereview-allsecur-wordt-allianz-direct Nederlands mediafront: https://www.ad.nl/nieuws/grote-nederlandse-mediapartijen-bundelen-krachten-tegen-netflix-en-youtube~abf49f9a/ Tim & Tom in Expeditie Robinson: https://www.libelle.nl/mensen/expeditie-robinson-kandidaten/ https://www.telegraaf.nl/entertainment/2003167335/tom-coronel-in-expeditie-robinson Hudson's Bay: https://www.emerce.nl/nieuws/hudsons-bay-verloor-bolcom-zalando

Hudson's Bay verabschiedet sich endgültig aus Europa. Tierschützer knöpfen sich Iglo vor. Kaufland baut Mittelpreis-Eigenmarke aus.

In dit gesprek met Paul van Liempt geeft Paul Moers zijn visie op het retaillandschap in Nederland. Met name binnen het landschap van de warenhuizen is er de afgelopen jaren een enorme verschuiving geweest. V&D is weg, Hudson's Bay kwam daar voor in de plaats. Maar waarom lukt die partij ondanks grote marketingcampagnes niet om klanten naar de winkels te krijgen? Ook bespreken ze waarom de Bijenkorf juist wel een succes en wat Hudson's Bay van dat succes zou kunnen leren. Daarnaast vertelt Moers over de veranderende functie van winkelpersoneel, met name als met een paar jaren de robots het bevoorraden overnemen. Over dat laatste doet Moers een bijzondere uitspraak: Ahold is volgens hem in 2 jaar al zo ver om de winkels door robots te laten bijvullen.

Hudson's Bay Company CEO Helena Foulkes talks with Recode's Kara Swisher in this live interview recorded at An Evening With Code Commerce in Las Vegas. In this episode: Yep, Foulkes was considered for the Uber CEO job; her background at CVS; how she came to Hudson's Bay; why she sold its European department stores, Gilt Groupe, and Home Outfitters; the importance of making retail shopping an experience; how Foulkes is rethinking Saks Off Fifth; "you can never out-Amazon Amazon"; how do physical retail stores use data?; and what will the store of the future look like? Subscribe to Casey Newton's newsletter, The Interface, at theverge.com/interface. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Approximately 17 Orcas have died in Hudson's Bay over the past few years because they got stuck in the bay by the ice. The marine mammals went into the bay during the winter months when there was no ice present (during a period of warming) to stalk belugas and narwhals; however, the ice came back and the animals got stuck in the bay without food cause the animals to starve to death.  The local Orca population is estimated have around 70 individuals, which means any number of deaths could be a huge hit to the population for these long-lived whales.  Take a listen to the episode for more details on the story. Do you think more species will endure hardship as they move to Northing habitats as they adapt to Climate Change? Share your thoughts in the Facebook Group: http://www.speakupforblue.com/group. Want to get started on living for a better Ocean? Sign up for the Grove Collaborative and get a free gift: http://www.speakupforblue.com/goocean. 

In another very special episode guest Zlatina Pacheva tells some ghostly tales from her time working a the Hudson's Bay building in downtown Vancouver. Join our Patreon Community - https://www.patreon.com/BadCookiePictures Music by Kevin Williams (aka The Complete) - http://www.kevinwilliamscomposer.com/ Little Zee Productions - https://www.instagram.com/littlezeeproductions/ *Note: If you hear something strange with the audio, your speakers aren't broken, we don't know what happened or how to fix it. We just hope it doesn't happen again.

Guest host David Menzies, and guests Lorne Gunter and Marc Morano.

MyFitnessPal and Saks data breaches and the Facebook fiasco  We have been hit by a wave of data breaches of recent. Should we keep trusting companies with our personal data? And the Facebook fiasco, it’s not about security, it’s a privacy breach that could spell the doom of social media giant.   Show Notes  Saks data breach   A few days ago, three Canadian locations of department store Saks, were exposed to the data breach. This was revealed by Saks parent company, Hudson's Bay.   Three Canadian Saks locations, all in Ontario, were exposed to the breach:  Sherway Gardens in Toronto.  Bramalea City Centre in Brampton.  Pickering Town Centre.  Hudson Bay itself, at the time of recording this podcast, hasn't said whether any of its Canadian locations were affected. It says the investigation is ongoing, but there's no indication the breach affected the company's digital platforms or Hudson's Bay and Home Outfitters stores.  The company is asking clients to review their account statements to see if there have been activity or transactions they don't recognize and that they will notify customers affected by the breach as quickly as possible and will offer free identity protection services once they learn more about the breach.  MyFitnessPal breach  There has been another massive data breach, over 150 million My Fitness Pal accounts were compromised.   Under Armour, the company that owns MyFitnessPal, quickly sent out notifications to its users and once the breach was discovered, so they deserve some credit for how they responded unlike the other examples we have seen over the last few year and recently.   In addition to notifying all MyFitnessPal users, the company has provided information about how users can protect their data, and asking that all users to change their passwords. They are also working with law enforcement to investigate and monitor for suspicious activity, and exploring enhancements to help detect and prevent similar unauthorized access in the future.  Facebook   Mark Zuckerberg has responded to the current backlash that Facebook is getting regarding the way data collected by Facebook was used. The shortened version of what he said, was, “We have a responsibility to protect your data, and if we can't, then, we don't deserve to serve you.”   That is not right. That’s not the issue here.   The Cambridge Analytica scandal is not about a failure to protect users’ data; it is a failure to protect the privacy of users’ data. There is a difference there. So, let me repeat, is not about a failure to protect users’ data; it is a failure to protect the privacy of users’ data.    

David Thompson heads west Last week, I ended the story of David Thompson with his leaving the employment of the Hudson's Bay Company, and joining the rival Northwest Company. As Thompson began his journey to the west, he described the landscape of the great plains: "The climate is good, the winters about five months, the summers are warm, and autumn has many fine days. The soil is rich and deep, and [there is] much vegetation mould from the annual decay of the leaves of the forest trees, and the grass of the meadows: civilization will no doubt extend over these low hills; they are well adapted for raising of cattle; and when the wolves are destroyed, also for sheep; and agriculture will succeed to a pastoral life, so far as markets can be formed in the country, but no further; for Canada is too distant and difficult of access. The only port open to them is York Factory on the dismal shores of Hudson's Bay, open four months in the year. And to go to York Factory and return will require all that part of the summer which cannot be spared: but when a civilized population shall cover the countries, means will be found to make its produce find a market." Thompson, better than most, recognized the vastness of the Canadian wilderness. In time, the prairies would become settled, and many more ports would become open to Canadian products. As he continued his journey west, he described the tranquillity of the Bow River. "The Bow River flows through the most pleasant of the plains, and is the great resort of the bison and the red deer (or elk), and also of the natives; the soil appears good along its wholes extent, but for the most part is bare of woods, and those that remain are fast diminishing by fire." He continued: "The rivers that roll through this immense unbroken body of land of plains and forests, are so beautifully distributed; all their banks so admirably adjusted to the volumes of water that flow between them, that neither the heaviest rains nor the melting of the snows of the mountains inundate the adjacent country. In all seasons, the Indians, the bisons, and deer repose on their banks in perfect security. Whoever calmly views the admirable formation and distribution of the rivers so wonderfully conducted to their several seas; must confess the whole to have been traced by the forger of the Great Supreme Artificer for the most benevolent purposes, both to his creature man, and the numerous animals he has made, none of whom can exist without water." Thompson was a deeply religious man and his journal is filled with his reflections on how the landscape was shaped by both the powers of nature, but also from the hand of God. Thompson was also charged with looking for fossils of dinosaurs and mammoths during his travels. While he succeeded in many things, this was one area where he failed. He writes: "Not a single fossil bone of an Elephant, Rhinocerous, or Mammoth has been found in all Canada nor about any of the Great Lakes, and valley of the [St.] Lawrence, and north-ward to the Arctic Circle, although almost all these countries are sufficiently known; nor has the travels of Captain Franklin in the Arctic Regions been attended with any success on this subject. On the west side of the Rocky Mountains, I passed six years of discovery, yet not a vestige that these great Animals once existed in those parts could be found. " Despite his not finding any fossil evidence, the first nations believed that the mountains were still the home of mammoths. Thompson described the first nations of the plains: "THE Indians of the Plains are of various Tribes and of several languages which have no affinity with each other. The Stone Indians are a large tribe of the Sieux Nation, and speak a dialect, differing little from the Sieux tongue, the softest and most pleasing to the ear of all the indian languages. They have always been, and are, in strict alliance with the Nahathaways, and their hunting grounds are on the left bank of the Saskatchewan and eastward and southward to the upper part of the Red River, and their number 400 Tents each containing about eight souls, in all 3200" Thompson was referring to the Stoney and Cree Indians. The Stoney's were part of the Sioux nation but had become separated from their eastern relatives and had since allied with the Cree. He continued: "THE Peeagans, with the tribes of the Blood, and Blackfeet Indians, who all speak the same language, are the most powerful of the western and northern plains, and by right of conquest have their west boundary to the foot of the Rocky Mountains, southward to the north branches of the Missisourie, eastward for about three hundred miles from the Mountains and northward to the upper part of the Saskatchewan. Other tribes of their allies also at times hunt on part of the above, and a great extent of the Plains, and these great Plains place them under different circumstances, and give them peculiar traits of character from those that hunt in the forests. These latter live a peaceable life, with hard labor, to procure provisions and clothing for their families, in summer they make use of canoes, and in winter haul on sleds all they have, in their frequent removals from place to place. On the other hand the Indians of the Plains make no use of canoes, frequently stay many days in a place, and when they remove have horses and dogs, both in summer and winter to carry their baggage and provisions: they have no hard labor, but have powerful enemies which keep them constantly on the watch and are never secure but in large camps" The Peagan, Blood and Blackfeet were all closely allied and over time, they displaced the Kootenays, Salish, and the Snake Indians. Thompson also mentions the Fall Indians, today known as the Gros Ventre, which were driven out of the area by the Stoney and Cree Indians. Thompson described the war chief of the Peigan, a solid man by the name of Kootenae Appe or Kootenay Man: "his stature was six feet six inches, tall and erect, he appeared to be of Bone and Sinew with no more flesh, than absolutely required; his countenance manly, but not stern, his features prominent, nose somewhat aquiline, his manners kind and mild; his word was sacred, he was both loved and respected, and his people often wished him to take a more active part in their affairs but he confined himself to War, and the care of the camp in which he was, which was generally of fifty to one hundred tents, generally a full day’s march nearer to the Snake Indians than any other camp… Kootanae Appe by his five wives had twenty-two sons and four daughters. His grown-up sons were as tall as himself and the others promised the same. He was friendly to the White Men, and in his speeches reminded his people of the great benefit of [which] the Traders were to them, and that it was by their means they had so many useful articles, and guns for hunting, and to conquer their enemies. " Thompson continues: "He had acquired his present station and influence from his conduct in war. He was utterly averse to small parties, except for horse stealing, which too often brought great hardships and loss of life. He seldom took the field with less than two hundred warriors but frequently with many more; his policy was to get as many of the allies to join him as possible, by which all might have a share of the honour and plunder, and thus avoid those jealousies and envyings so common amongst the Chiefs. He praised every Chief that in the least deserved it, but never appeared to regard fame as worth his notice yet always took care to deserve it, for all his expeditions were successful." Unlike so many white men that saw only savages when dealing with first nations, Thompson could see the entire cross-section of society within Peigan villages: "The character of all these people appear[s] to be brave, steady and deliberate, but on becoming acquainted with them there is no want of individual character, and almost every character in civilized society can be traced among them, from the gravity of a judge to a merry jester, and from open hearted generosity to the avaricious miser. This last character is more detested by them, than by us, from their precarious manner of life, requiring assistance from each other, and their general character. Especially in provisions is great attention [paid] to those that are unfortunate in the chace, and the tent of a sick man is well supplied." Thompson described the various languages of the Plains Indians: "The Languages of this continent on the east and north sides of the Mountains as compared with those of Europe may be classed as resembling in utterance. The Sieux and Stone Indian to the Italian. The Nahathaway and Chipaway with their dialects to the French. The Peeagan with their allies, the Blood and Black feet Indians to the English, and the northern people, the Dinnae, or Chepawyans to the German." The Peigan patrolled the mountain front in order to keep their enemies, the Kootenay, today known as the Ktunaxa, from crossing the mountains and trading with the white men for guns. Fortunately, in 1807, the expedition of Lewis and Clark was travelling along the Missouri River and Lewis shot two Peigan Indians. The Peigan abandoned the mountains in order to head south to seek revenge. Thompson and his men took advantage of this temporary absence. After leaving Rocky Mountain House on May 10, Thompson, along with his wife Charlotte Small, and their children made their way to the pass. While Finan McDonald took a canoe with supplies, Thompson road along the north side of the river, reaching Kootenay Plain, at the south end of Abraham Lake on June 3, and just 3 days later they were at the forks of the North Saskatchewan River near present-day Saskatchewan River Crossing. Here he had to head inland towards the pass. As Thompson wrote: "the murder of two Peagan Indians by Captain Lewis of the United States, drew the Peagans to the Mississouri to revenge their deaths; and thus gave me an opportunity to cross the Mountains by the defiles of the Saskatchewan River, which led to the head waters of the Columbia River, and we there builded Log Houses, and strongly stockaded it on three sides, the other side resting on the steep bank of the River: the Logs of the House, and the Stockades, Bastions &c were of a peculiar kind of a heavy resinous Fir, of a rough black bark. It was clean grown to about twenty feet, when it threw off a head of long rude branches, with a long narrow leaf for a Fir, which was annually shed, and became from green to a red color. The Stockades were all ball proof, as well as the Logs of the Houses." Thompson was forced to abandon the canoes just a few miles beyond the forks and they had to continue on horses, packing their supplies with them. They reached the pass on June 25, and descended the Blaeberry River to its confluence with the Columbia River. The previous season, Thompson had sent Jaco Finlay across the pass and he had built a canoe and left it for Thompson. Unfortunately, it had been destroyed by the winter and Thompson and his men spent several days building new canoes and repacking their supplies. With the canoes built and loaded, they continued down the Columbia River to present day Windermere Lake. He paddled just a few kilometres south of the lake and built Kootenae House, the first trading post on the Columbia River. He spent the rest of the season here trading with the Kootenay Indians and capturing wild horses which were plentiful in the region. Thompson knew there would be consequences for violating the Piegan blockade and sure enough, in mid-November, two Peigans crossed the pass, as he put it: "to see how I was situated; I showed the strength of the Stockades, and Bastions, and told them I know you are come as Spies, and intend to destroy us, but many of you will die before you do so; go back to your countrymen and tell them so; which they did, and we remained quiet for the winter; I knew the danger of the place we were in, but could not help it: As soon as the Mountains were passable I sent off the Clerk and Men with the Furrs collected, among which were one hundred of the Mountain Goat Skins with their long silky hair, of a foot in length of a white color, tinged at the lower end with a very light shade of yellow. Some of the ignorant self sufficient partners of the Company ridiculed such an article for the London Market; there they went and sold at first sight for a guinea a skin, and half as much more for another Lot, but there were no more. These same partners then wrote to me to procure as many as possible, I returned for answer, the hunting of the goat was both dangerous and laborious, and for their ignorant ridicule I would send no more, and I kept my word. I had now to prepare for a more serious visit from the Peagans who had met in council, and it was determined to send forty men, under a secondary Chief to destroy the trading Post, and us with it, they came and pitched their Tents close before the Gate, which was well barred. I had six men with me, and ten guns, well loaded, the House was perforated with large augur holes, as well as the Bastions, thus they remained for three weeks without daring to attack us. We had a small stock of dried provisions which we made go as far as possible; they thought to make us suffer for want of water as the bank we were on was about 20 feet high and very steep, but at night, by a strong cord we quietly and gently let down two brass Kettles each holding four Gallons, and drew them up full; which was enough for us: They were at a loss what to do, for Kootanae Appee the War Chief, had publickly told the Chief of this party, (which was formed against his advice) to remember he had Men confided to his care, whom he must bring back, that he was sent to destroy the Enemies not to lose his Men: Finding us always on the watch, they did not think proper to risque their lives, when at the end of three weeks they suddenly decamped; I thought it a ruse de guerre, I afterwards learned that some of them hunting saw some Kootanaes who were also hunting, and as what was done was an act of aggression, something like an act of War; they decamped to cross the mountains to join their own Tribe while all was well with them: the return of this party without success occasioned a strong sensation among the Peeagans. The Civil Chief harangued them, and gave his advice to form a strong war party under Kootanae Appee the War Chief and directly to crush the white Men and the Natives on the west side of the Mountains, before they became well armed, They have always been our slaves (Prisoners) and now they will pretend to equal us; no, we must not suffer this, we must at once crush them. We know them to be desperate Men, and we must destroy them, before they become too powerful for us; the War Chief coolly observed I shall lead the battle according to the will of the Tribe, but we cannot smoke to the Great Spirit for success, as we usually do, it is now about ten winters since we made peace with them, they have tented and hunted with us, and because they have guns and iron headed Arrows, we must break our word of peace with them: We are now called upon to go to war with a people better armed than ourselves; be it so, let the Warriors get ready; in ten nights I will call on them. The old, and the intelligent Men, severely blamed the speech of the Civil Chief, they remarked, “ the older he gets, the less sense [he possesses].” On the ninth night the War Chief made a short speech, to have each man to take full ten days of dried provisions, for we shall soon leave the country of the Bison, after which we must not fire a shot, or we shall be discovered: On the tenth night he made his final speech, and exhorting the Warriors and their Chiefs to have their Arms in good order, and not forget dried provisions, he named a place; there I shall be the morrow evening, and those who now march with me, there I shall wait for you five nights, and then march to cross the Mountains; at the end of this time about three hundred Warriors under three Chiefs assembled; and took their route across the Mountains by the Stag River, and by the defiles of another River of the same name, came on the Columbia, about full twenty miles from me; as usual, by another pass of the Mountains, they sent two Men to see the strength of the House; I showed them all round the place, and they staid that night. I plainly saw that a War Party was again formed, to be better conducted than the last; and I prepared Presents to avert it: the next morning two Kootanae Men arrived, their eyes glared on the Peagans like Tigers, this was most fortunate; I told them to sit down and smoke which they did; I then called the two Peagans out, and enquired of them which way they intended to return. They pointed to the northward. I told them to go to Kootanae Appee and his War Party, who were only a days journey from us, and delivering to them the Presents I had made up, to be off directly, as I could not protect them, for you know you are on these lands as Enemies; the Presents were six feet of Tobacco to the Chief, to be smoked among them, three feet with a fine pipe of red porphyry and an ornamented Pipe Stem; eighteen inches to each of the three Chiefs, and a small piece to each of themselves, and telling them they had no right to be in the Kootanae Country: to haste away; for the Kootanaes would soon be here, and they will fight for their trading Post: In all that regarded the Peeagans I chanced to be right, it was all guess work. Intimately acquainted with the Indians, the Country and the Seasons, I argued and acted on probabilities; I was afterwards informed that the two Peeagans went direct to the camp of the War Party, delivered the Presents and the Message and sat down, upon which the War Chief exclaimed, what can we do with this man, our women cannot mend a pair of shoes, but he sees them, alluding to my Astronomical Observations; then in a thoughful mood he laid the pipe and stem, with the several pieces of Tobacco on the ground, and said, what is to be done with these, if we proceed, nothing of what is before us can be accepted; the eldest of [the] three Chiefs, wistfully eyeing the Tobacco, of which they had none; at length he said, You all know me, who I am, and what I am; I have attacked Tents, my knife could cut through them, and our enemies had no defence against us, and I am ready to do so again, but to go and fight against Logs of Wood, that a Ball cannot go through, and with people we cannot see and with whom we are at peace, is what I am averse to, I go no further. He then cut the end of the Tobacco, filled the red pipe, fitted the stem, and handed it to Kootanae Appee, saying it was not you that brought us here, but the foolish Sakatow (Civil Chief) who, himself never goes to War; they all smoked, took the Tobacco, and returned, very much to the satisfaction of Kootanae Appe my steady friend; thus by the mercy of good Providence I averted this danger; The next spring, Thompson and his family returned over Howse Pass, but had to eat several of their horses when they couldn't find any wildlife to shoot for provisions. After crossing the Pass, Thompson and some of his men continued all the way to Rainy Lake, Ontario where they delivered the furs they had collected and then stocked up on trade goods. Thompson was also ordered to bring 2 kegs of alcohol with him, but he had always forbidden the trade of whiskey in his presence. He wrote: "[We] embarked the Furrs, and with five men set off for the Rainy River House and arrived July 22, where we landed our cargo of Furrs, then made up an assortment of Goods, for two Canoes, each carrying twenty pieces of ninety pounds weight; among which I was obliged to take two Kegs of Alcohol, over ruled by my Partners (Mess” Dond McTavish and Jo McDonald [of] Gart[h]) for I had made it a law to myself, that no alcohol should pass the Mountains in my company, and thus be clear of the sad sight of drunkeness, and it’s many evils: but these gentlemen insisted upon alcohol being the most profitable article that could be taken for the indian trade. In this I knew they had miscalculated; accordingly when we came to the defiles of the Mountains, I placed the two Kegs of Alcohol on a vicious horse; and by noon the Kegs were empty, and in pieces, the Horse rubbing his load against the Rocks to get rid of it; I wrote to my partners what I had done; and that I would do the same to every Keg of Alcohol, and for the next six years I had charge of the furr trade on the west side of the Mountains, no further attempt was made to introduce spirituous Liquors." Thompson returned to Kootenai House and in the winter of 1808-09, he stayed through the winter. The snow also brought safety from the Peigans as the snow was too deep for a war party to cross the Pass in winter. After briefly crossing Howse Pass again in the spring of 1809, Thompson returned to the west side of the mountains and headed south towards Idaho and built Kullyspell House near present-day Sand Point, where he traded with the Salish, Skeetshoo, and Kootenay Indians in the area. He wrote: "Our arrival rejoiced them very much, for except the four Kootanaes their only arms were a few rude lances, and flint headed Arrows. Good bowmen as they are, these arrow heads broke against the Shield of tough Bison hide, or even against thick leather could do no harm; their only aim was the face: these they were now to exchange for Guns, Ammunition and Iron headed arrows, and thus be on an equality with their enemies, for they were fully their equals in courage: but I informed them, that to procure these advantages they must not pass days and nights in gambling, but be industrious in hunting and working of Beaver and other furrs, all which they promised" He continued: "All those who could procure Guns soon became good shots, which the Peeagan Indians, their enemies in the next battle severely felt; for they are not good shots, except a few; they are accustomed to fire at the Bison on horseback, within a few feet of the animal, it gives them no practice at long shots at small marks. On the contrary, the Indians on the west side of the Mountains are accustomed to fire at the small Antelope at a distance of one hundred and twenty yards, which is a great advantage in battle, where everyone marks out his man." In the fall of 1809, Thompson built a small trading post that he called Saleesh House, near present-day Thompson Falls, Montana. He spent the winter of 1809-10 there and in the spring made several exploratory trips in the area around the post. Over the winter, the hottest trade item had been in weaponry. He writes: "The Saleesh Indians during the winter had traded up-wards of twenty guns from me, with several hundreds of iron arrow heads, with which they thought themselves a fair match for the Peeagan Indians in battle on the Plains." Over the summer, Thompson aided the Salish in a skirmish with the Peigan. Although the battle was pretty much a draw, the change in the balance of power brought on by Thompsons weapons made the Peigan even more determined to punish the traders that crossed the mountains to trade with their enemies. In the summer of 1810, David crossed back into Alberta over Howse Pass for the last time. As he approached the pass, he came across tracks left behind by Peigan scouts that were just a few hours old. They managed to slip through undetected. He travelled all the way to Rainy Lake where he reprovisioned for another trip to the Columbia. He returned to the Saskatchewan River to make his way over Howse Pass. Thompson writes: "The manner of furnishing the Men with Provisions, was by hunting these animals, and bringing their meat by Horses to the Canoes a supply for full three days; when we appointed a place to meet them with a fresh supply; thus the Canoes proceeded to within twenty miles of the east foot of the Mountains; we had given them a full supply for three days, and Mr William Henry, the two Indians and myself proceeded to the foot of the Mountains , where we killed three Red Deer, made a Stage and placed the meat on it in safety to wait the Canoes.  This was on the 13th October 1810, and we expected the Canoes to arrive late on the 16th or early on the 17th at latest, but they did not make their appearance; our oldest Hunter of about forty years of age as usual rose very early in the morning and looking at the Stage of Meat, said to me, I have had bad dreams, this meat will never be eaten, he then saddled his Horse and rode off. Somewhat alarmed at his ominous expression and the non-arrival of the canoes, I told Mr Henry and the Indian to proceed thro’ the Woods down along the River in search of the Canoes, and see what detained them, with positive orders not to fire a shot but in self defence; about eight in the evening they returned, and related, that a few miles below us they had seen a camp of Peeagans on the bank of the River, that a short distance below the camp, they had descended the bank to the River side, and found where the Canoes had been. They had made a low rampart of Stones to defend themselves, and there was blood on the stones; they went below this and fired a shot in hopes of an answer from the Canoes, but it was not returned: I told them they had acted very foolishly, that the Peeagans would be on us very early in the morning, and that we must start at the dawn of day, and ride for our lives; on this we acted the next morning, and rode off, leaving the meat: the country we had to pass over was an open forest, but we had to cross, or ride round so many fallen trees that active Men on foot could easily keep up with us; the Peeagans had very early arrived at the Stage of meat and directly followed the tracks of the Horses, and would in the evening have come up with us, but providentially about one in afternoon snow came on which covered our tracks and retarded them; about an hour after, as they related, they came on three grizled Bears direct on the track (they were smelling the tracks of the Horses) they were fully perswaded that I had placed the Bears there to prevent any further pursuit; nor could any arguments to the contrary make them believe otherwise and this belief was a mercy to us: we rode on through the Woods until it was nearly dark, when we were obliged to stop; we remained quiet awaiting our fortune, when finding all quiet, we made a small fire, and passed the night with some anxiety; my situation precluded sleep, cut off from my men, uncertain where to find them, and equally so of the movements of the Indians, I was at a loss what to do, or which way to proceed; morning came and I had to determine what course to take, after being much perplexed whether I should take to the defiles of the Mountains and see if the Men and Horses were safe that were left there; or try and find my Men and Canoes. I determined upon the latter as of the most importance; on the second day we found them about forty miles below the Indians, at a trading Post lately deserted; here after much consultations, we fully perceived we had no further hopes of passing in safety by the defiles of the Saskatchewan River, and that we must now change our route to the defiles of the Athabasca River which would place us in safety, but would be attended with great inconvenience, fatigue, suffering and privation; but there was no alternative." They reached the Athabasca River on Nov 29. By Dec 4, the winter conditions made it impossible to continue on horseback. Thompson and his men set about the task of making snowshoes and sleds to cross the mountains, as well as log huts for the supplies and a shelter for them stay warm as they prepared for their journey. The temperature dropped to -35 C as the winter set in. He writes: "Our whole attention for the present was turned to hunting and securing provisions; having now made Snow Shoes, and Sleds, on the 30th day of December  we commenced our journey to cross the Mountains and proceeded up the Athabasca River, sometimes on it’s [sic]shoals and ice, and at times through the woods of it’s [sic]banks. The soil was sandy and a Gale of Wind drifted it to lie on the low branched pines, of wretched growth, for Snow does not lie on Sand Hills; On the 31st December we proceeded but slowly and I had to reduce the weight of the Loads of the Dogs to less than two thirds, and make a Log Hoard to secure what we left…" It was the 5th of January 1811 when they began their push for the summit of Athabasca Pass: "by 11 AM set off with eight Sleds, to each two dogs, with goods and Provisions to cross the Mountains, and three Horses to assist us as far as the depth of the Snow will permit. We are now entering the defiles of the Rocky Mountains by the Athabasca River, the woods of Pine are stunted, full of branches to the ground, and the Aspin, Willow &c not much better: strange to say, here is a strong belief that the haunt of the Mammoth, is about this defile, I questioned several, none could positively say, they had seen him, but their belief I found firm and not to be shaken. I remarked to them, that such an enormous heavy Animal must leave indelible marks of his feet, and his feeding. This they all acknowledged, and that they had never seen any marks of him, and therefore could show me none. All I could say did not shake their belief in his existence." By the 10th of January, they were approaching the pass, and warm winds from the Pacific began to moderate the temperatures: He writes: "the view now before us was an ascent of deep snow, in all appearance to the height of land between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, it was to me a most exhilarating sight, but to my uneducated men a dreadful sight, they had no scientific object in view, their feelings were of the place they were; our guide Thomas...

David Thompson Part 2 Last week I talked about David Thompson's arrival in Canada and some of his adventures during the earliest part of his long career in Canada. They were just the start of a 40+ year adventure across the wilderness of this nation and the northern United States. This week, I planned to talk about his explorations in the Canadian Rockies and along the course of the Columbia River in British Columbia, but quite frankly, his story is just too important to rush. So this week, I talk about the period between last week's episode of a young David Thompson until he made the decision to join the Northwest Company in 1797. If we start from the 18-year old Thompson we left last week, then for the next 10 years, he settled into a routine as both a fur trader and surveyor. To be a Hudson's Bay man meant that you had to put trade above all else, including surveying. Thompson continued his gruelling schedule of travel during these intervening years, travelling to and from the forts of present-day northern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Thompson's true love was surveying. He was an admirable fur trader but the more time he spent in the wilderness, the more he began to admire the traders of the Northwest Company. They seemed to have the freedom to explore and were less tied to distant forts like Hudson Bay. He was under the command of Joseph Colen of York Factory. Colen was a cautious trader who focused his energy on getting more and more furs to Hudson Bay and didn't believe in wasting manpower and money to explore more distant areas, like the country surrounding Lake Athabasca. This, however, was completely counter to directives given to him from London. In 1778-79, Peter Pond of the Northwest Company had significant success trading at Lake Athabasca, and the Hudson's Bay Company directors wanted a piece of that action. Some 10 years later, In 1790, Philip Turnor was charged by the Hudson's Bay Company to lead an expedition to the lake and investigate the possibility of a route to the Pacific. During the previous winter, Turnor had trained David Thompson and Peter Fidler (another explorer of note), the skills of surveying. Turnor's experiences at Lake Athabasca showed that it was a potential bonanza for trade, despite the presence of the Northwest Company Traders that had preceded them. He described it as "the Grand Magazine of the Athapiscow Country," and believed that it would be an extremely profitable venture if the HBC were to build a fort there. The Directors in London were very excited and continually urged Colen to send Malcolm Ross and Thompson to follow-up on Turnor's explorations. While the London Directors were keen to expand trade inland, some of the local managers, like Chief Factor William Tomison and Resident Chief Joseph Colen, blocked any efforts to extend a permanent presence so far inland. While Ross and Thompson were sent out several times to retrace the route via Cumberland House, they were repeatedly unsuccessful. In 1792 they headed out, and after overwintering at Sipiwesk Lake in northern Manitoba, Thompson attempted to push on to Lake Athabasca but was forced to retreat when he couldn't find any native canoemen to accompany him. The next summer, 1793, Ross and Thompson were again sent up to Cumberland House and then on to another fort called Buckingham House. Ross and Thompson never attempted to travel to Lake Athabasca. It is likely that the Resident Factor at York Factory, Joseph Colen, may have also neglected to order the group to continue to Lake Athabasca, and instead directed them to Buckingham House, a fort to the NW of present-day Edmonton. Thompson returned to York Factory in the summer of 1794 and in the meantime, Colen and his associates at York wrote to England as follows: “Notwithstanding the steps pursued last fall to ensure the success of the Athapascow Expedition, we are sorry to remark it was again set aside at Cumberland House this Spring. As these transactions happened many hundred miles distance from us, and with much secrecy, we cannot from our own knowledge inform your honours the real cause, and it is from letter and hearsay we form our judgment. It, however, appears surprising, for when Mr. Colen accompanied the men and boats up Hill River, with trading goods, many volunteers offered their service for the Athapascow Expedition, and said they were ready to have gone from Cumberland House with Messrs. Ross and Thompson, but Mr. Tomison refusing to pass his word for the advance of wages promised by the Honourable Committee it of course stopt the Expedition in question and the considerable loss of your honours. Indeed we find this business involved in mystery, and as are many other transactions inland. . . . We have already remarked on the overthrow of the Athapascow Expedition this season. The repeated disappointments so much disheartened Mr. Ross determined him to return to England had not Mr. Thompson prevailed on him to pursue some other track into the Athapascow country, for they declare it will be impossible to carry it on from Cumberland as the Honourable Company’s affairs at present stand, as every obstacle is thrown in the way to prevent its success. In order to suppress similar obstructions Mr. Ross took men and one canoe cargo of goods with him from Cumberland House and built a house to the northward near to a station occupied by a Mr. Thompson, a Canadian Proprietor whose success of late years in collecting of furs has been great. Mr. David Thompson has been fitted out with men and three canoe cargoes from this place to supply Mr. Ross by proceeding up Nelson River track.” The response from London reaffirmed their confidence in Ross and Thompson. They wrote: “ We are perfectly satisfied with the conduct of Messrs. David Thompson, Ross, and others…" They continued “Obstacles are again, we perceive, thrown in the way of the Athapascow Expedition, but we trust all difficulties which occur and impede the Company’s success will soon be removed.” In 1795, Thompson visited York Factory for the last time. At this point, he had been collecting astronomical and temperature data everywhere he travelled for the previous decade. Despite this, the Hudson's Bay Company offered no encouragement to him to continue to explore further into the wilderness and add more data points to the map of what would later become Canada. Thompson headed out again in 1796 to push through to Lake Athabasca, but rather than properly outfitting him with canoes and supplies, he was forced to engage two natives that were completely unfamiliar with the territory. They weren't even given a canoe and so had to take the time to build their own. They set out on Jun 10th with: "one fowling gun; forty balls, five pounds of shot, three flints and five pounds of powder, one Net of thirty fathoms; one small Axe, a small Tent of grey cotton; with a few trifles to trade provisions, as beads, brass rings and awls, of which we had little hopes; our chief dependence next to good Providence, was on our Net and Gun." As they continued north, the trees began to disappear. It was hard country, without wood to burn. He wrote: "The Natives, when they hunt on the North East parts of the Rein Deer’s Lake, cannot stay long; the Moss, when dry, makes a tolerable fire; but in wet weather, which often happens, it holds the rain like a sponge, and cannot be made to burn; this want of fire often obliges them to eat the meat raw, and also the fish; the latter I have seen them by choice; especially the pike, and a Trout is no sooner caught than the eyes are scooped out and swallowed whole, as most delicious morsels." Manito Lake (now Wolloston Lake), lies just to the north of Reindeer Lake. Thompson had great respect for the first nations of the Canadian north. He lamented the way in which they were so ill-treated in areas far to the south: "By civilised men, especially those of the United States, who have a mortal antipathy to the North American Indian; or, as he is now called the, “Red Man”; it is confidently predicted, that the Red Man, must soon cease to exist, and give place to the White Man; this is true of all the lands formerly possessed by the Red Man, that the White Man has thought it worth his while to seize by fraud or force; but the Stony Region is an immense extent of country, on which the White Man cannot live; except by hunting, which he will not submit to. Here then is an immense tract of country which the Supreme Being, the Lord of the whole Earth, has given to the Deer, and other wild animals; and to the Red Man forever, here, as his fathers of many centuries past have done, he may roam, free as the wind; but this wandering life, and the poverty of the country, prevents the labors of the Missionary to teach them the sacred truths of Christianity." As he got closer to Lake Athabasca, the country got increasingly barren: "A civilized man may never travel this way again; there is nothing to tempt him; a rude barren country that has neither provisions nor furrs, and there are no woods of which he could build a warm hut; and at best his fuel, of which a large quantity is required, could be only of small poles, which would burn away, almost as fast as he could cut them. In the winter the Natives do not frequent these countries but hunt to the westward." In late June, they made it to Lake Athabasca but spent only a few days there. The forests had returned and the country was much more pleasant. On the return trip, Thompson went over a 3-metre waterfall and almost all of their supplies were lost. They managed to salvage his sextant and instruments as well as his papers but: "We had no time to lose, my all was my shirt and a thin linen vest, my companions were in the same condition, we divided the small tent into three pieces to wrap round ourselves, as a defence against the flies in the day, and something to keep us from the cold at night… It was now our destitute condition stared us in the face, a long journey through a barren country, without provisions, or the means of obtaining any, almost naked, and suffering from the weather, all before us was very dark, but I had hopes that the Supreme Being through our great Redeemer to whom I made my short prayers morning and evening would find some way to preserve us." Things looked very bleak for the party as their physical condition continued to deteriorate: Thompson wrote: "We continued our voyage day after day, subsisting on berries, mostly the crowberry, which grows on the ground; and is not nutritious. To the sixteenth of July; both Paddy and myself were now like skeletons, the effects of hunger, and dysentry from cold nights, and so weak, that we thought it useless to go any further but die where we were. Kozdaw now burst out into tears, upon which we told him that he was yet strong, as he had not suffered from disease. He replied, if both of you die, I am sure to be killed, for everyone will believe that I have killed you both, the white men will revenge your death on me, and the Indians will do the same for him; I told him to get some thin white birch rind, and I would give him a writing, which he did, with charcoal I wrote a short account of our situation, which I gave him, upon which he said now I am safe." Later that day, they met a group of Chipewyan (now Dene) Indians who took pity on them and gave them food, drink, and a meagre amount of supplies to continue their journey. They spent the winter at Reindeer Lake, a lake that crosses the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border slightly above 57° N. Thompson was finding that the extreme cold of the northern winter was making his thermometre less accurate than it should be. He had a custom one made for him that would go as low as -79°C. Temperatures in December dropped as low as -40°C and the northern lights were dazzling in the sky at night. He wrote: "Hitherto I have said little on the Aurora Borealis of the northern countries; at Hudson’s Bay they are north westward, and only occasionally brilliant. I have passed four winters between the Bay and the Rein Deer’s Lake, the more to the westward, the higher and brighter is this electric fluid, but always westward; but at this, the Rein Deer’s Lake, as the winter came on, especially in the months of February and March, the whole heavens were in a bright glow. We seemed to be in the centre of its action, from the horizon in every direction from north to south, from east to west, the Aurora was equally bright, sometimes, indeed often, with a tremulous motion in immense sheets, slightly tinged with the colors of the Rainbow, would roll, from horizon to horizon. Sometimes there would be a stillness of two minutes; the Dogs howled with fear, and their brightness was often such that with only their light I could see to shoot an owl at twenty yards; in the rapid motions of the Aurora we were all perswaded (sic) we heard them, reason told me I did not, but it was cool reason against sense. My men were positive they did hear the rapid motions of the Aurora, this was the eye deceiving the ear; I had my men blindfolded by turns, and then enquired of them, if they heard the rapid motions of the Aurora. They soon became sensible they did not, and yet so powerful was the Illusion of the eye on the ear, that they still believed they heard the Aurora. What is the cause that this place seems to be in the centre of the most vivid brightness and extension of the Aurora: from whence this immense extent of electric fluid, how is it formed, whither does it go. Questions without an answer. I am well acquainted with all the countries to the westward. The farther west the less is this Aurora. At the Mountains it is not seen." Those of us who live in the mountain west will recognize his error in saying that the aurora are not seen in the mountains. It's a regular visitor, especially during the dark skies of winter. His narrative though, brings this beautiful phenomenon to life, and his description of it as an "electric fluid" is one of the most apt that I have ever come across. After all he had suffered through, and done for the Hudson's Bay Company, in the Spring of 1797, he received a letter from Joseph Colen, the Resident Chief at York Factory that: "however extensive the countries yet unknown yet he could not sanction any further surveys." Thompson decided to leave the service of the Bay Men and On May 23, 1797 simply wrote: "This Day, left the service of the Hudson's Bay Company, and entered that of the Company of the Merchants from Canada. May God Almighty prosper me." He also wrote the best resignation letters I have ever read. It was addressed to Joseph Colen. He was, if anything, brutally honest: DEERS RIVER, June 1, 1797. “Mr. COLEN. “SIR: I take this opportunity of returning you my most respectful thanks for your loan of two guineas to my mother. I have enclosed a bill to you for the above amount. “My friends belonging to York inform me that you are very desirous to find out who was the author of those letters that were wrote to H. B. Co. and militated against you 1795. I will give you that satisfaction. When I came down that year the other gentlemen were waiting my arrival in order to assist them in drawing up their grievances; as you were then absent I accepted the office with some hesitation, but as the letters were to be delivered to you on your landing at York for your inspection, and that you might have time to answer them, I considered you in a manner as present. Those letters were drawn up by me, assisted by my friend Dr. Thomas, and not one half of the evils complained of were enumerated. “You told Mr. Ross that when in England you were endeavouring to serve those, who behind your back were trying to cut your throat. Before you went to England I had always a Letter and Books from the Co., since that neither the one nor the other, and I have been put the whole winter to the greatest inconvenience for want of a Nautical Almanac. “Many of us acknowledge with readiness that you have some good qualities, and I had once the greatest respect for you; I have some yet, but . . . it is not my wish to say those things which I know you do not wish to hear. How is it, Sir, that everyone who has once wished you well should turn to be indifferent to you, and even some to hate you, altho’ they are constant in their other friendships, - there must be a defect somewhere. “The fact is, that from your peculiar manner of conduct, you are also one of those unfortunate men who will have many an acquaintance, but never never a real friend.-Your humble Servant, “ D. THOMPSON.” In his narrative, Thompson describes his move from the Hudson's Bay to the Northwest Company in a very matter of fact way: "My time was up, and I determined to seek that employment from the Company Merchants of Canada, carrying on the Furr Trade, under the name of the North West Company: With two Natives I proceeded to their nearest trading House, under the charge of Mr Alexander Fraser; and by the usual route of the Canoes arrived at the Great Carrying Place on the north shore of Lake Superior, then the depot of the merchandise from Montreal; and of the Furrs from the interior countries. The Agents who acted for the Company and were also Partners of the Firm, were the Honorable William McGillvray and Sir Alexander McKenzie, gentlemen of enlarged views; the latter had crossed the Rocky Mountains by the Peace River and was far advanced by Fraser River towards the Pacific Ocean, when want of Provisions and the hostility of the Natives obliged him to return. From the Great Slave he had explored the great River which flowed from it into the Arctic Sea, and which is justly named McKenzie's River" Thompson was greeted with open arms. His extensive knowledge of the north country, along with his extensive records of astronomical measurements, helped them to determine the true locations of their various forts. Thompson was set free to do what he truly loved - survey and explore. He was charged with finding the position of the 49th parallel between the American and Canadian territories. Long before the Oregon treaty of 1849 established the 49th parallel as the international border, the Paris Treaty of 1782 established an interim boundary between Canadian and American Territories. As a result of his surveys, some of Northwest Companies most important sites, like Grand Portage ended up in American territory (now in Minnesota), and had to be moved north to Canadian territory. Fort William (now Thunder Bay, Ontario) replaced Grand Portage as the main depot of furs for the Northwest Company on Lake Superior. Thompson was also charged to: "if possible to extend my Surveys to the Missisourie River; visit the villages of the ancient agricultural Natives who dwelt there; enquire for fossil bones of large animals, and any monuments, if any, that might throw light on the ancient state of the unknown countries I had to travel over and examine. The Agents and Partners all agreed to give orders to all their Trading Posts, to send Men with me, and every necessary I required [was] to be at my order. How very different the liberal and public spirit of this North West Company of Merchants of Canada; from the mean selfish policy of the Hudson’s Bay Company styled Honorable; and whom, at little expense, might have had the northern part of this Continent surveyed to the Pacific Ocean, and greatly extended their Trading Posts" The day that David Thompson the fur-trader joined the ranks of the Northwest Company, he became David Thompson the explorer. Next week, I'll look into David Thompson as he cracks the mountain barriers to the fur trade. Next Up…What's wrong with climate change research? Errors in Climate Science Needless to say, there are few areas of science more dangerous to discuss these days than climate science. Back in episode 31, I shared a presentation by Bob Sandford titled: The Hard Work of Hope: Scientific Fact vs Politicized Fantasy in the Post-Truth Trumpocene. You can check out the episode at www.MountainNaturePodcast.com/ep031. In this presentation, Bob describes the challenges of communicating science in a political environment where high profile dismissers of climate science, including current president Donald Trump, simply won't listen to the science behind climate change. Anyone spending time in the glacier-filled landscapes of the mountain west has watched our icy heritage disappearing at an alarming pace over the past 100 years. Many people like to sow dissent into the discussion by saying that there is NO consensus amongst the many researchers that are investigating climate science. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. In a 2013 peer-reviewed study published in Environmental Research Letters, John Cook and 8 other researchers studied the abstracts of 11,944 scientific papers published between 1991 and 2011 that matched the subjects 'global climate change' or 'global warming'. The papers were specifically selected to limit the study to papers published by researchers that specifically identify as climate scientists. They omitted studies from people that did not claim to have a particular speciality in climate science. The media is full of speculative papers with a flawed scientific methodology that professes many different opinions. For the purpose of this study, it was limited to specifically peer-reviewed papers that were produced by climate scientists. Not all of the papers express an opinion on the cause of global warming. This paper wanted to look at, in particular, human-caused global warming. So they broke down the papers based on whether or not they made a determination as to whether climates were warming because of human changes to the environment. Of the papers, 66.4% did not make any claims as to the cause of global warming, 32.6% endorsed human-caused climate change and 0.7% rejected a human connection to warming climates. Of the scientists expressing an opinion on whether or not humans responsible, 97.1% were in agreement that humans are the cause of global warming. It's important to note that this study did NOT include papers by scientists publishing outside of their discipline. A petroleum geologist may have a very different opinion on climate change. It focused solely on climate specialists. A quick review of the bios of many papers will show their authors are not climate specialists and their results should be carefully examined. This doesn't discount interdisciplinary research, it just means that the methodologies need to be screened to remove any outside bias that may interfere with the results. The scientific method is one of the wonders of knowledge. Every scientific paper needs to start with a Theory, develop a methodology to test that theory, examine external factors that may influence the results, and then submit their results to other scientists for review - all before being published. It's then the duty of future researchers to test, and perhaps expand or disprove, those results. When multiple, independent studies come up with the same results, knowledge is advanced, and a new emergent truth arises. As Neil deGrasse Tyson, a world-renowned astrophysicist states in a video titled Science In America he states: "When you have an established, scientific, emergent truth, it is true whether or not you believe in it, and the sooner you understand that the sooner we can get on with the political conversations on how to solve the problems that face us". I'll link to the video in the show notes at www.MountainNaturePodcast.com/ep052. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MqTOEospfo In the future, new research may disprove or improve previous knowledge and lead us into new directions. So if 97% of papers support human-caused climate change than why do some disagree? In another paper, published in the Journal of Theoretical and Applied Climatology, researchers examined the papers that found no human connection to climate change and attempted to recreate them in order to confirm their results. They looked at the 38 papers from the previous study that did NOT agree with human-caused climate change. When they attempted to recreate the studies in order to confirm their findings, a critical part of the scientific process, they found errors in their methodologies that, when corrected, would provide very different results. The papers were grouped into categories based on errors discovered in their methodologies. Many started with false assumptions or used erroneous analysis. Another common mistake was ignoring any research that was contrary to your assumptions. Other papers used models that were Ill-suited to the research and essentially, fit the research to the curve. Others pre-processed the data in order to focus on certain features while others ignored negative tests in order to cherry pick the desired results. In some cases, the papers were published in journals not connected to climate change and so the reviewers may not have had sufficient understanding to properly peer review them. The scientific method is very rigorous and every paper must survive the scrutiny of future researchers questioning the methodology, assumptions, analysis and the results. In November of 2016, the U.S. National Science and Technology Council released a draft report called Our Changing Planet, which integrated scientific data collected across 13 Federal agencies. The very first paragraph states: "The global environment is changing rapidly. This century has seen 15 of the 16 warmest years since adequate thermometer records became available in the late 1800s; globally-averaged temperatures in 2015 shattered the previous record, which was set in 2014; and 2016 is on track to break the 2015 record. Arctic sea ice extent continues a dramatic, decades-long decline. Many independent lines of evidence show a long-term warming trend driven by human activities, with cascading impacts that may outpace the ability of human and natural systems to adapt to change." How's that for an opener? You can view the full report here (for the time being): (http://www.globalchange.gov/browse/reports/our-changing-planet-FY-2017). Despite the important message of the report, the U.S. Government in August dissolved the advisory committee responsible for creating it, so it's unlikely that it will be adopted as policy - even though it's still available on the government website. If you'd like to read it, go now, before it is removed from government websites. Most recently, Trump disbanded a cross-agency group designed to help communities protect their residents against extreme weather and natural disasters. In June, he dissolved the Environmental Protection Agencies Board of Scientific Counselors. Science IS science. As Canadians, we suffered through a dark era in terms of environmental stewardship during the Harper years. Stephen Harper, while pro-business and anti-environment, was tame compared to the rabid hatred of all things environmental that Trump has expressed. First, he forbid climate scientists to publish their findings, then other government-funded scientists. Eventually, the ban on communication trickled all the way down to the local National Park  Warden. In the end, the most innocuous media interview request to Parks Canada had to be forwarded to the Prime Minister's Office and was rarely rewarded with an interview. Thankfully, we are now in a new era of climate change leadership. Some of the brain drain that began during the Harper administration is reversing as American scholars look to Canada to avoid the scientific chill sweeping the U.S. There are many arrows in the anti-climate change quiver that also extend beyond potential government policy. In a paper Published on Nov. 29, 2017, in the journal BioScience, researchers led by Jeffrey Harvey looked at the influence of blogs in influencing popular opinion. Having just returned from Churchill, Manitoba, I'm very aware of the challenges facing polar bears in the future as warming climates limit their time feeding for seals on winter pack ice. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has confirmed that 2016 was the warmest year on record, followed by 2015, and then 2014. As I've already stated in this story, there is little scientific debate as to what causes global warming - at least within the scientific community. In the wider community, there is growing scepticism as to the human cause of warming climates. This recent study looks at the influence of non-scientific social media, in particular, blog posts in framing the public consciousness when talking about climate change. Nobody can dispute the power of websites like Breitbart in the U.S. and Rebel Media in Canada, but this paper looked to objectively look at the impact media like these were having on public perception. While blog sites like these aggressively try to muddy the water in terms of denying climate science and scientific consensus, even mainstream media are often afraid to overemphasize the human nature of climate change for fear of alienating readership or advertisers. The paper states: "Recent evidence shows that climate-change denial involves a growing labyrinthine network of corporations, conservative foundations, think tanks, and the mainstream media. Facebook, Twitter, and other social-media outlets also provide powerful voices in the battle for public opinion, and Internet blogs have become major conduits for disseminating various views on AGW (anthropogenic or human-caused global warming)." One of the democratizing characteristics of the Internet is that literally anyone can set up shop and promote their own opinions, regardless of the scientific validity of such opinions. Recent examples of malicious misinformation include anti-vaccination sites or others promoting folly like the idea that the Earth is flat…and come on! If it really was flat, the cats would have knocked everything off of it by now. Humour aside, sites like www.Wattsupwiththat.com which promotes itself as the "world's most viewed site on global warming and climate change", which gets some 2 million unique views per month, makes claims for which there is absolutely no scientific backing. Other sites like Climate Depot and Junk Science follow suit. The challenge with climate change dismissal sites is that they cross-link to each other creating, as the report states: "a large echo chamber, making them what one journalist described as 'foot soldiers' of AGW (human-caused global warming) denial". One of their favourite techniques is to use hot-button topics and turn the science upside down to support their completely fabricated view of reality. Polar bears are one classic example. Since their entire life is based upon their need to feed on seals using winter pack ice as a platform, these blogs simply ignore the peer-reviewed science and create their own alternate realities. As the report states: "Because the evidence is so overwhelming, it would be virtually impossible to debunk; the main strategy of denier blogs is, therefore, to focus on topics that are showy and in which it is therefore easy to generate public interest. These topics are used as 'proxies' for AGW (human-caused global warming) in general; in other words, they represent keystone dominos that are strategically placed in front of many hundreds of others, each representing a separate line of evidence for AGW (human-caused global warming). By appearing to knock over the keystone domino, audiences targeted by the communication may assume all other dominoes are toppled in a form of 'dismissal by association'." The case with polar bears is absolutely undeniable. With warming climates, their potential season for feeding is reduced every year as the ice forms later and melts sooner. There is no scientific debate that polar bears are one of the most at risk mammals based on predicted models of climate change. Of 90 blogs specifically dealing with polar bears and climate change, the views expressed fell solely into two camps. The 45 science-based blogs took completely opposite views from the 45 denier blogs. As expected science-based blogs used logical arguments backed up by peer-reviewed articles. Denier blogs did just the opposite, focusing on any uncertainties they could find while discounting the vast amount of evidence that did not support their viewpoints. Unfortunately, 80% of the denier blogs cited a single blog, that of Susan Crockford called Polar Bear Science. Not surprisingly, the report states: "Notably, as of this writing, Crockford has neither conducted any original research nor published any articles in the peer-reviewed literature on polar bears. However, she has published notes and 'briefings' through a conservative think tank, the Global Warming Policy Foundation (GWPF), and is described by them as 'an expert on polar bear evolution.' Similarly, the Heartland Institute, another conservative think tank that downplays AGW (human-caused global warming), describes her as 'one of the world's foremost experts on polar bears.'" Blog posts by Crockford insist that polar bears are highly adaptable and will easily adapt to any changes we make to the environment. Other strategies used by deniers like Crockford include personally attacking actual researchers and suggesting that they overstate their findings and that their work is both lame and dangerous. This helps to evoke fear and feed the denier's belief that the scientists are the enemy and that there is actually something called "fake science". The report continues: "Denier blogs that downplay the threats of AGW (human-caused global warming) to Arctic Ice and polar bears rely heavily on arguments that it has been warmer in the past, that temperature and seasonal ice extent vary naturally over time, and that it is therefore difficult or even impossible to predict what will happen in the future. While climates have varied in the past, summer ice didn't disappear completely as it will under current models. The current situation cannot be reversed without reducing the release of greenhouse gases. Also, when we are talking about natural fluctuations in climate change, we are talking about changes that took place over millennia - not the changes that are taking place over decades in the current reality. Ecosystems, and the wildlife that call them home can adapt to a certain extent given a few millennia, but over a few decades, there is little opportunity for adaptation. So how do you know if you're reading a reputable site? Follow the science. Denier blogs rarely overemphasize the science or provide methodologies or peer-reviewed information. Follow the money. In many cases, when you find out where the money comes from, you may find them supported by conservative think tanks, oil and gas concerns, or other groups with a vested interest in downplaying current science. Follow the credentials. If you see someone touted as an expert, do a google search and look for peer-reviewed publications that help to support their claims. With pundits like Susan Crockford, you'll find no evidence of peer-reviewed publications, or for that matter, any other evidence of her stated expertise on polar bears. Follow the language. Denier sites often don't spend much time focusing on the science but are quick to personally attack academics and other researchers whose views they discount. Real scientists don't use personal attacks. They use peer-reviewed science to back up their arguments. Any scientist that publishes a peer-reviewed article instinctively knows that it is the job of other scientists to disprove his findings. When subsequent research actually confirms the findings of previous studies, you get the emergent truths I spoke about earlier. As more and more people get their news from blogs as opposed to mainstream media, it's even more important that we evaluate the sites we visit. Anyone who spends time on Facebook has had friends share ludicrous claims that a quick search on sites like Snopes.com will show as false. I would argue that simply because a site does not have peer-reviewed publications to support their argument, that you shouldn't simply dismiss their value. Take time to evaluate both their message and the science they quote. I look at myself as an example of this. While I am not a field researcher, I spend countless hours reading, highlighting, translating and educating listeners to the most current, relevant science. If the science changes, so will the message that I promote. Look to blogs that reflect real science, and always be sceptical of claims that seem counter to the scientific literature. It is great when scientists take advantage of the personal nature of blogs, but currently, the sheer number of fact-free opinion blogs on any number of subjects will continue to overwhelm the ability of researchers to counter. I hope that podcasts like this help to provide ways to evaluate sites so that you can make truly informed decisions. Hey, as a polar bear viewing guide, I wish wild polar bears were going to be just fine, regardless of future changes to climate - but it just ain't so! And with that, it's time to wrap this episode up. You can check out the show notes for this episode at www.MountainNaturePodcast.com/ep052, or drop me a line by visiting the contact page on the same site. If you'd like to reach out personally you can hit me up on Twitter @wardcameron. If you're heading to the mountain west, Ward Cameron Enterprises is your source for step-on, hiking, snowshoe, and photography guides. Check us out at www.WardCameron.com. We look forward to helping you make the most of your mountain adventure…and with that, the sun's out and it's time to go hiking. I'll talk to you next week.

Melting Mountain Glaciers For many years it has been believed that Canada's western mountain glaciers, also known as the Cordilleran Ice Sheet, melted some 12.5 thousand years ago. A new study published in the Journal Nature by researcher Brian Menounos and his team is shedding new light on just when our mountains became ice-free. Deciphering the story of ice melt across western Canada's mountain has far-reaching implications. By understanding how ice melted thousands of years ago, we can also build better models to predict how current alpine ice sheets, like the one in Greenland, may melt in the future. It also helps to understand the challenges of previous theories of an "ice-free corridor" in terms of human migration to the North American Continent. And finally, it also is an important part of the story of ocean level fluctuations as a result of the increased meltwater. When we talk about landscapes we need to understand two concepts, inheritance and consistency. When we look at changing climates over the millennia, we also need to look at the associate landforms that each climate typically creates. In the mountain west, for instance, the mountain landscape was first carved by the power of water. Water dissects the land in a very specific way. It takes advantage of the contours as well as weaknesses in the rocks to guide its flow. Water passes over rocks of varying hardness including soft shales and harder limestones. Softer rocks will be worn down more quickly while harder rocks remain more resistant to the power of water. Cracks or fissures will be widened and over time, the landscape begins to be divided by mountain summits and intervening v-shaped valleys carved by water. When glaciers later inherited this water forged landscape, they inherited the same valleys previously carved by water and began to renovate them. Narrow V-shaped valleys were renovated into broad u-shaped valleys typical of valley glaciers. High on the mountains, glaciers also formed on cliff ledges and any area where snow could accumulate. As these glaciers moved, they enlarged the ledges upon which they sat and in many cases created round bowl-shaped depressions called cirques. I often refer to cirques as glacial nurseries as the ice usually formed there and then would overflow down the valley as it exceeded the ability of these bowls to contain the ever-increasing volumes of ice. Rock and debris fell onto the ice and some hitched a ride, just like a modern-day conveyor belt. It would later be deposited along the ice margins in linear ridges called moraines. Most of the rock becomes incorporated into the glacier and gets scraped and scoured along the base of the glacier. It's this action that allows glaciers to modify the landscape. Today, water has re-inherited this ice-modified mountainscape and is once again altering the cirques and u-shaped valleys. Consistency refers to the simple fact that processes acting on the landscape within a particular climate are the same processes that acted on the landscape at other periods of similar temperature and moisture. The way water changes the mountains today is the same way it would have done thousands or even millions of years ago. Each climate creates its own types of landforms but is always working with vistas carved by successive climatic periods. As a naturalist, this is what I love to look for in the surrounding peaks. Where can I find the impacts of previous climates and how are the current changes in climate affecting how water will shape the mountains long into the future. Brian Menounos' study helps climatologists to not only more accurately understand how our mountain glaciers melted, but also how similar landscapes today may react in the future. Just like looking at a star in the sky represents light that may have traveled for thousands or millions of years before it reached your eye, our mountains may represent a time capsule of how other mountain glaciers may melt in the future. One of the challenges facing this study was the fact that most previous studies found that the glaciers in western Canada only melted around 12.5 thousand years ago. This date was the result of Carbon dating. Carbon dating has been a tried and true way of dating materials for decades, but once you get into high mountain landscapes, it runs into problems; there's not a lot of carbon at high elevations. The carbon used for dating comes from ancient plants and once you hit the upper alpine environment, you find yourself in a land of rock and ice with little to no plant life. This may have added significant error to the dating. If you take a walk to the far end of Lake Louise in summer, you'll enter a land where winter is still king, and where glaciers have only recently revealed the landscape that was previously hidden by ice. You'll also notice that there is little regrowth on much of the lower valley as you hike up to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse. Once glaciers disappear from a mountain valley, it may take a millennia or more before it becomes fully reclaimed by plant communities. This means that the carbon that was being measured in previous studies may have represented plants that colonized the valley long after the glaciers had disappeared. Newer dating methods that don't rely on carbon offered some additional ways to get a better date. Beryllium is a mineral most of us have never heard of. It's a highly toxic and carcinogenic mineral, but it's also one of the lightest metals in the world and has a correspondingly high melting point. These characteristics make beryllium very important in today's cell phones, aeroplanes and even missiles. One isotope, beryllium 10, like carbon 14 is radioactive. The radioactivity is created by cosmic rays colliding with atoms on Earth. In the case of beryllium 10, it's caused when cosmic rays hit oxygen atoms in the bedrock. A layer of ice acts to stop these rays and so measuring how much beryllium 10, which is found in the quartz rocks so common in the mountains, can help to tell us when the rocks were exposed by melting glacial ice. Menounos and his team measured 76 samples from 26 locations to see if dates could be more accurately determined using this new dating method. They visited glacial moraines across British Columbia in order to test the theory that many areas may have been ice-free much earlier than previously believed. The great ice age, the Pleistocene, ended some 14,700 years ago when climates suddenly warmed. At the peak of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet, the amount of ice was similar to what can be found in present-day Greenland. The results showed that the moraine samples fell into two age ranges, 12,800 to 15,000 years for the older locations and 9,800 to 13,000 for the younger sites. If we work with the average ages of 13,900 and 11,400 years respectively, the study showed that large areas of the mountain glaciers had already melted prior to earlier estimates of 12,500 years ago. It also shows that ocean waters off the coast of British Columbia would have risen by approximately 4C between 15,500 and 14,000 years ago. This would have melted most of the low-elevation glaciers, leaving only the highest mountain regions ice-free. Also during this period, meltwater would have contributed to sea level increases of 2.5 to 3 metres. In other terms, the mountain glaciers lost half of their mass in less than 400 years. This also changed the ice sheet into a series of interconnected alpine glaciers, and icefields, gradually leaving us with the landscape we recognize today, just on a much much more extensive scale. This study shows that vast amounts of ice had been lost from the mountain landscape at least 2,000 years earlier than previously thought. It also shows that ice sheets as large Greenland's can also melt at a very fast rate. Essentially, once the melt starts, it can take place very quickly. While it may seem that this actually adds to the possibilities of human migrations towards a possible "ice-free corridor", the study shows evidence that low elevation travel routes would have remained ice-choked until long after the migrations would have needed to occur. Way back in episode 6 I talked about some of the new evidence that was rendering the ice-free corridor to the dustbin of history. You can check it out at www.MountainNaturePodcast.com/ep006. The most recent archaeological evidence shows that people had already arrived in North and South America as far back as 14,500 years ago. Assuming that early migrants made it across the ice-free corridor even 13,000 years ago, there is little chance they would have spread to Monte Verde in southern Chile by 14,500 years ago, yet there are archaeological sites that date to that period. Essentially, it's out with the ice-free corridor and in with the kelp highway. What the heck is the kelp highway you ask? Well, it refers to a coastal migration rather than an inland one. It wasn't long ago that this was considered fringe science. All the archaeological eggs were in the ice-free corridor camp and there was little research into an alternative option. Over time though, ancient sites began to appear across the coastal areas of North and South America that kept pushing the tenure of first nations further and further back. Currently, the oldest sites are 14,500 years old in places like the Page-Ladson site in Florida. As far south as this site seems today, this underwater site revealed evidence of mastodon bones that showed signs of human butchering. Even much further south, on the southern end of Chile, lies the Monte Verde site. In 1975 the remains of a Gomphothere, an animal considered to be ancestral to modern-day elephants was found and this spurred further investigations. These revealed amazing artefacts well preserved in a peat bog that included butchered Gomphothere bones, stone hearths, the remains of other local animals, wooden house posts and even bits of animal skin clothing. To most archaeologists used to having to deal with hearths and stone tools, this site was incredibly rich, largely due to the preserving qualities of peat. Again, the dates stretch back to some 14,500 years. Prior to sites like this, the Clovis culture was considered to the be the oldest North American indigenous culture, but these and many more sites are now pre-dating the Clovis culture which was believed to have arrived via the ice-free corridor between 12,900 and 13,200 years ago. So how exactly did these pre-Clovis cultures find themselves in the New World - well that's the kelp highway? Essentially it refers to a coastal migration of peoples confident in traveling by boat along coastal areas taking advantage of plentiful supplies of kelp and seafood that was available. The ice-free corridor Clovis migration has been suffering a death by a thousand cuts over the past few years. Doubtless, Clovis people did take advantage of a corridor across the Bering Strait but it is now clear that they were the followers and not the leaders. They would still have arrived several millennia after the coastal regions had already been settled. In Episode 37, I talk about a new site off the coast of British Columbia that begins to add fuel to the kelp highway migration theory. One of the Achilles heels of this potential migratory route in the past has been the lack of evidence of a coastal migration. A newly announced site on Triquet Island has revealed artefacts at least 14,000 years old. This makes it the oldest archaeological site in Canada and helps to finally build a trail of breadcrumbs to support a coastal migration. We still need to push the chronology back further if we are to bring well-established populations of humans to the southern tip of South America by 14,500 years ago, but perhaps this is a good start. One of the great aspects of science is that until you actually look for something, it may be hiding in plain sight. Some science is the result of just plain luck…looking for one thing, and discovering another. Sometimes, we're just looking in the wrong place. With renewed interest in a coastal migration, there will be more and more resources focused on examining sites that might have been visited by our very oldest ancestors. While part of me laments the loss of a good story on an ice-free corridor migration right past my doorstep, another part of me loves the fact that an entirely new archaeological story is now unfolding. Just to throw another wrinkle into the equation. We're still assuming a migration across the Bering Strait that hugged the Pacific coast of North America. What if these paleo sailors were more adept than we give them credit for? We know that Aboriginal Australians were there by 50,000 years ago. They would have had a more challenging, open-water voyage in order to discover this new continent. Maybe we're just beginning to scratch the surface in a new whodunnit of New World migration. A really unique site in California shows the potential for some kind of early human as far back as 130,000 years ago. The site was found in 1992 beside a highway site near San Diego California. While archaeologists are quibbling about a few hundred years here and there when dating sites, this site has come in more than 100,000 years before anyone thought humans could be in the new world. The site features a partial skeleton of a mastodon that appears to have been butchered by paleo-humans. The outrageous preliminary dating of the site kept it on the fringes until new dating techniques to confirm early dating. This resulted in the new research being published in the Journal Nature just in April of 2017. Every new discovery leads to new rabbit holes of investigation, confirmation, peer review, and then new questions. This site is so wacky early that if it's confirmed by subsequent research, then all human migration theories on the planet will be up for grabs. It's so old that we would be talking about hominids as opposed to humans. I can't wait to see how this story ends. Perhaps we are just at the beginning of a new mystery? Stay tuned. Next up - The greatest land geographer to ever live David Thompson's early years The history of the exploration of Canada is filled with the names of great men. Names like Simon Fraser, Alexander Mackenzie, Samuel Hearne, Anthony Henday, and David Thompson. All of these men were great explorers but in the final tally of simple achievement, none could hold a candle to David Thompson, or as the first nations knew him, the man who looks at stars. Thompson was born on April 30, 1770, in Westminster, England. His family was poor and after his brother was born two years later, his father died leaving the family even the more destitute. The day before his 7th birthday he was enrolled in the Grey Coat School in Westminster. At the time, it was a school devoted to educating poor boys. Its goal was "to educate poor children in the principles of piety and virtue, and thereby lay a foundation for a sober and Christian life". By all accounts, Thompson was an able student and this brought him to the attention of the School Board. In the minutes of their December 30, 1783, meeting it states: "The Master also reports that application was made by the Secretary belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company, to know, if this Charity could furnish them with 4 boys against the month of May next, for their settlements in America. The Master, by order of the Treas (sic) wrote a letter informing the Governor and Directors that there were but two boys that had been taught navigation in the school, which two boys they desire may be qualified for them, vis: Samuel John McPherson and David Thompson." What an adventure for a boy of only 15…or was it? Apparently, Samuel McPherson didn't think so as he did a runner the following day rather than be packed off to the new world. Thompson, on the other hand, embraced the opportunity and on the minutes of the Grey School dated June 29, 1784, he was apprenticed to the Hudson's Bay Company. The minutes state: "On the 20th of May David Thompson, a mathematical Boy belonging to the Hospl (sic) was bound to the Hudson's Bay Company and the Trear then paid Mr Thos. Hutchins, Corresponding Secretary to the said Company, the sum of five pounds for taking the said Boy apprence (sic) for seven years". I can imagine that when the Company ship the Prince Rupert departed London in May of 1784 that many things must have been going through the mind of this bright 15 year old boy. Part of him must have been terrified to leave the only home he had ever known for a vast wilderness. Thompson reflected on his years at the Grey School writing in his journal: "Books in those days were scarce and dear and most of the scholars got the loan of such books as his parents could lend him. Those which pleased us most were the Tales of the Genii, the Persian, and Arabian Tales, with Robinson Crusoe and Gullivers Travels : these gave us many subjects for discussion and how each would behave on various occasions." Doubtless, stories of the hardships awaiting him must have reached his young ears, yet he embraced his fate and soon after, the new world for the rest of his life. As the ship approached the coast of North America he wrote: "We now held our course over the western ocean ; and near the islands of America saw several icebergs, and Hudson's Straits were so full of ice, as to require the time of near a month to pass them ; this being effected the three ships separated, one for Albany and Moose Factories, another for York Factory, and the third for Churchill Factory at which last place we arrived in the beginning of September 1784." Thompson continued: "Hudson's Bay, including Jame's Bay, may be said to be an inland sea, connected to the Atlantic Ocean by Hudson's Straits…On its west side it receives Seal, Churchill, the Kissiskatchewan (now known as the Nelson), Hayes, Severn, Albany, and Moose Rivers; on the east side Ruperts and several other Rivers, the names of which are unknown as they come from barren, desolate, countries." What a first impression it must have been for Thompson? Fort Churchill was isolated at what must have seemed like the end of the world, especially when he learned: "The Factory is supplied once a year with goods and provisions, by a Ship which arrives on the last days of August, or early September, and in about ten days is ready for her homeward voyage; the severity of the climate requiring all possible dispatch." Thompson saw adventure along with hardship. In autumn, just like they do today for the viewing pleasure of thousands of tourists, the polar bears arrive at Churchill. Thompson wrote: "The polar Bear now makes his appearance, and prowls about until the ice at the sea shore is extended to a considerable distance ; when he leaves to prey on the Seal, his favourite food : during his stay he is for plunder and every kind of mischief, but not willing to fight for it." While the cold and the wind bothered all, there was little snow until the latter part of December when: "a north east snow storm of three days continuance drifted the snow to the height of the stockades and over them, and filled the whole yard to the depth of six to ten feet, which could not be cleared, and through which avenues had to be cut and cleared of about four feet in width ; and thus remained till late in April, when a gradual thaw cleared the snow away. From the end of October to the end of April every step we walk is in Snow Shoes. The Natives walk with ease and activity, and also many of us: but some find them a sad incumbrance, their feet become sore and their ankles sprained; with many a tumble in the snow from which it is sometimes difficult to rise." The winds of Hudson Bay are legendary. Any snow that falls quickly forms in huge drifts. After spending three weeks on the Bay this fall, I can see how the stockades would catch the drifting snow and how it would fill the enclosed yard as well. The climate is the great arbiter in the north and he wrote: "The country, soil, and climate in which we live, have always a powerful effect upon the state of society, and the movements and comforts of every individual, he must conform himself to the circumstances under which he is placed, and as such we lived and conducted ourselves in this extreme cold climate. All our movements more, or less, were for self-preservation : All the wood that could be collected for fuel, gave us only one fire in the morning, and another in the evening…" "The interior of the walls of the House were covered with rime to the thickness of four inches, pieces of which often broke off, to prevent which we wetted the whole extent, and made it a coat of ice, after which it remained firm, and added to the warmth of the House, for the cold is so intense, that everything in a manner is shivered by it" When the summer sun arrived, so did the swarms of mosquitoes. Thompson wrote: "Summer such as it is, comes at once, and with it myriads of tormenting Musketoes ; the air is thick with them, there is no cessation day nor night of suffering from them. Smoke is no relief, they can stand more smoke than we can, and smoke cannot be carried about with us. The narrow windows were so crowded with them, they trod each other to death in such numbers, we had to sweep them out twice a day ; a chance cold northeast gale of wind was a grateful relief, and [we] were thankful for the cold weather that put an end to our sufferings. " "different Persons feel them in a different manner ; some are swelled, even bloated, with intolerable itching ; others feel only the smart of the minute wounds ; Oil is the only remedy and that frequently applied ; the Natives rub themselves with Sturgeon Oil, which is found to be far more effective than any other oil. All animals suffer from them, almost to madness, even the well-feathered Birds suffer about the eyes and neck. The cold nights of September are the first and most steady relief." At one point, Thompson began to wonder why he had been brought at all: "It had been the custom for many years, when the governors of the factory required a clerk, to send to the school in which I was educated to procure a Scholar who had a mathematical education to send out as Clerk, and, to save expenses, he was bound apprentice to them for seven years. To learn what ; for all I had seen in their service neither writing nor reading was required, and my only business was to amuse myself, in winter growling at the cold ; and in the open season shooting Gulls, Ducks, Plover and Curlews, and quarelling with Musketoes and Sand flies." After spending a year at Churchill, he was sent to York Factory after the supply ship had arrived at Churchill in 1785. He was sent out, accompanied by two natives, on foot, without provisions, to walk 240 km in the cold of autumn to bring mail that had arrived on the ship to another fort. He was accorded a single blanket to keep him warm at nights. At the same time, two natives would be sent from York Factory to Churchill. This would give each fort current information about the state of the other while also forming as a ready means of communicating between the forts. They were dropped at Cape Churchill and while Thomson was given a blanket, his guides were given a gallon of strong whiskey. Alas, the day was lost as they quickly set down to consume the spirits. Thompson always opposed the use of whiskey in the fur trade and banned it from any post that he was in control of. The next day they walked all day without breakfast or lunch, and in the evening his guides shot a goose and three ducks. He arrived on Sept 13 and spent the winter in the fort and quickly settled into a new routine. The natives that walked with him were given 3 gallons of brandy and 4 pounds of tobacco. The fall and winter are spent collecting all manner of food, fishing, snaring hares, hunting geese in the fall and ptarmigan in the winter, and basically trying to stay warm. The forts had to be completely self-sufficient. March and April seem to be the months when snow blindness is most prevalent. Thompson writes: "As I never had it, I can only describe the sensations of my companions. Accustomed to march in all weathers, I had acquired a power over my eyelids to open, or contract them as circumstances required, and to admit only the requisite quantity of light to guide me, and thus [I] prevented the painful effects of snow blindness. In the case of those affected the blue eye suffers first and most, the gray eye next, and the black eye the least ; but none are exempt from snow blindness ; the sensations of my companions, and others, were all the same ; they all complained of their eyes, being, as it were, full of burning sand ; I have seen hardy men crying like children, after a hard march of four months in winter. Three men and myself made for a trading post in the latter part of March. They all became snow blind, and for the last four days I had to lead them with a string tied to my belt, and [they] were so completely blind that when they wished to drink of the little pools of melted snow, I had to put their hands in the water. They could not sleep at night. On arriving at the trading Post, they were soon relieved by the application of the steam of boiling water as hot as they could bear it, this is the Indian mode of cure, and the only efficient cure yet known, but all complained of weakness of sight for several months after." The Bay men had mastered the north country. As they expanded their influence further west, they encountered the peoples of the Blackfoot Confederacy, in particular, the Peigan. He wasn't the first to visit the Blackfoot, that honour was reserved for Anthony Henday who visited the area in 1754. Henday was trying to sell an impossibility though. He was trying to convince them to go to the Bay to sell their furs. This was pretty much a non-starter for a population of the grasslands. He learned that, rather than travel long distances to the Bay, the Blackfoot would sell their furs to the Cree, who would, in turn, trade them to the Company at York Factory for a profit. An additional wrinkle was that the rival Northwest Company had built forts far more convenient to the Cree and they would get the best furs long before the remaining poorer quality pelts made their way to the Bay. The Northwest Company sent men out, onto the land, to meet, live with, learn the languages of, and in some cases, intermarry with the indigenous people of the hinterlands. The Blackfoot, while they enjoyed the whiteman's trade goods, they really didn't need them, and they definitely didn't want trading posts in their territory. They also were in a position to manage trade across the continental divide to British Columbia. Essentially, any Hudson's Bay Man wanting to visit B.C. would have to go through them. To negotiate with the Blackfoot, the company sent James Gaddy who spent three winters living with the Peigan in the foothills west of Calgary. In 1787, 17-year old David Thompson accompanied him. At this point, nobody had realized that David was no ordinary teenager. He kept a careful journal and decades later would use it to write his memoirs. Thompson described the people that he stayed with and the stories shared with him by them: "The Peeagan in whose tent I passed the winter was an old man of at least 75 to 80 years of age ; his height about six feet, two or three inches, broad shoulders, strong limbed, his hair gray and plentiful, forehead high and nose prominent, his face slightly marked with the small pox, and alltogether his countenance mild, and even, sometimes playfull ; although his step was firm and he rode with ease, he no longer hunted, this he left to his sons ; his name was Saukamappee (Young Man) ; his account of former times went back to about 1730…" Saukamappee was not of the Peigan, today referred to by the name Pikani. He was part of a Cree nation known as the Nahathaway with whom the Pikani were closely allied. Both nations were constantly at war with the Snake or Shoshone Indians to the south. Usually, they were very well matched in terms of weaponry and few people died in their skirmishes…at least in the early days. Saukamappee related how the arms race began to alter the balance of power as horses and guns began to appear. "By this time the affairs of both parties had much changed ; we had more guns and iron headed arrows than before ; but our enemies the Snake Indians and their allies had Misstutim (Big Dogs, that is Horses) on which they rode, swift as the Deer, on which they dashed at the Peeagans, and with their stone Pukamoggan (war clubs) knocked them on the head, and they had thus lost several of their best men. This news we did not well comprehend and it alarmed us, for we had no idea of Horses and could not make out what they were. Only three of us went and I should not have gone, had not my wife's relations frequently intimated, that her father's medicine bag would be honored by the scalp of a Snake Indian." Guns and horse began to change the landscape of the plains. The Pikani won with the help of the Nahathaway guns. Thankfully, the Snake Indians didn't have any horses with them in this battle. A few days later, Saukamappee saw his first horse, a dead one that had been killed in a different skirmish. The Peigan were able to keep the Snakes gun-poor as they were able to control access to the Hudson's Bay and Northwest Company supply of trade goods. This allowed the Peigan to expand greatly across the plains until they encountered an unstoppable foe - Smallpox. "While we have these weapons, the Snake Indians have none, but what few they sometimes take from one of our small camps which they have destroyed, and they have no Traders among them. We thus continued to advance through the fine plains to the Stag River when death ca

Julia Coronado, Macropolicy Perspectives President & Founder, says a 3% productivity growth is unrealistic under any economic investment boom. Guy Chiarello, First Data President, says people are getting comfortable with online and mobile retail. Jerry Storch, Storch Advisors CEO and Former CEO of Hudson's Bay, says the future is bright for retailers who make rapid changes.

Why does Alaska include a long strip of land along the coast of Canada? Sara and Adam search for answers. EPISODE NOTES: Sara forgot to mention the navy stripe on Hudson's Bay blankets. The stripes are green, red, gold and navy. Check out our website for links to the English translation of 1825 agreement and a map of the Alaska boundary tribunal border http://liminallimitspodcast.com

In the winter of 1941, God and the Devil came to the Belcher Islands; an isolated Inuit community on the south east corner of Hudson's Bay. Years later two visitors would knock on a door.Tom Martin, an Anglican priest from Great Whale River, and John Sperry, Anglican Bishop of the Arctic, were making their rounds, offering eucharist services to shut-ins in the community. When they came to one mans door, Sperry went inside; discovered that man sleeping, and asked his companion if he thought they should wake the old man up for communion."Let's not," the priest decided. "We'd better let sleeping gods lie."With files from: http://jmortonmusings.blogspot.ca/2014/03/when-god-and-satan-battled-in-barren.htmlWritten by: Patee Woods & Kim DavidsonLogo by: Christian WoodsMusic: Lee Rosevere https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/ Creative Commons "Max Overdrive" by Lee RosevereFacebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/truenorthcast/Twitter: @TNSWpodcastEmail: truenortcast@gmail.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Howard Davidowitz, Davidowitz & Associates' chairman, says we will see more brick and mortar stores close as online sales grow. Then, Jerry Storch, CEO of Hudson's Bay, says that while 85 to 90 percent of sales are taking place in a brick and mortar store, more of the growth is taking place online. Finally, Don Rissmiller, Strategas Research Partners' chief economist, says the biggest thing he's worried about is rising tensions with China over trade.

After 27 episodes, 50 Canadian destinations, over 15,300 kilometers and countless once-in-a-lifetime experiences, it’s safe to say it’s been a long and incredible journey down the road less traveled. Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris have caught a rare glimpse of this beautiful country and they’ve done a spectacular job of recording the ride for our viewing pleasure. Over the course of the journey, the boys have seen breathtaking landscapes, come face-to-face with some unbelievable wildlife and sampled a small portion of everything this spectacular country has to offer. We hope you enjoy our final episode full of never before seen behind the scenes footage. A special thanks to everyone who helped make Project Adventure a success. Thank you for joining us. Canada is simply amazing.

Episode 26 takes our boys to Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia, the Project Adventure team’s final destination. They’ve traveled an incredible distance since their first surf on the West coast in Tofino and the boys could not be more excited to end the trip catching waves on the opposite side of the country. It’s only Ryan’s second time ever surfing but a few tumbles and a couple unexpected encounters with rocks later, he finally gets the hang of things. After many hours in the Atlantic Ocean’s icy waters, the boys are tired, covered in goosebumps and ready to go home. Then, by shear fluke, they run into pro surfers Nico Manos and Logan Landry who graciously take them to a perfectly built underground bowl for some sick skateboarding. The next morning, having made nice with the pros, Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris head back out to Lawrencetown Beach for a sunset surf on some crispy waves. The swell came in overnight and the powerful waves are about 8 feet high, but that doesn’t slow Mike down one bit. Five hours later, they’re finally ready to head home. What a day. What a trip.

Episode 25 of Project Adventure follows the boys to the East Coast of Canada to beautiful Prince Edward Island, where the soil is red and the potatoes are world famous. First, they stop at Ken’s Island Fries to taste the best homemade fries on the island. Using only hand-cut, locally grown potatoes, this traveling delicatessen is a Maritime favourite. Then it’s off to Ben’s Lake for some trout fishing with expert fly fisherman, George Craig. After a quick lesson on land, where they learn how to tie their own flies and properly cast their lines, it’s off to the docks to set some hooks. The rainbow trout are biting like crazy, and the boys catch fly-fishing fever as their rods bend and dip. After hours of excitement, they head back to the Hilton in Dartmouth for a much needed shower and a good night’s sleep.

It’s day 50 of Project Adventure and Chris, Mike, Ryan and Brent are headed towards our nation’s capital for their most action packed day yet. First, it’s off to HBC’s Ottawa store for a special welcome from the town crier, followed by some delicious custom striped Beaver Tails. Then the boys head to Carleton University to catch a rare glimpse of the city from way up high. Paralympic boardercross snowboarder and Petro Canada FACE athlete John Leslie, meets up with the boys at the Up & Away Tours launch site for some epic hot air ballooning. Ryan and Brent are terrified at first, but the view is so distractingly beautiful that they let their fears fall by the wayside. Two bumpy yet safe landings later, the boys head for Bowmanville, Ontario for the Boots and Hearts music festival to get on stage with acclaimed country music singer, Jason Aldean. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 50 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it! *Petro Canada’s FACE athlete program (Fuelling Athlete and Coaching Excellence) provides equal funding to developing Olympic and Paralympic athletes and their coaches. The program provides 50 up-and coming pre-carded Olympic hopefuls with the resources necessary to pursue their dreams.

Episode 23 of Project Adventure follows our boys to beautiful Québec City where they pay a visit to HBC’s downtown QC store. After a warm welcome from the friendly staff, they pick up some striped gear from the special pop-up shop, and enjoy a piece of custom striped cake. Then it’s off to explore Les Galeries de la Capitale, the largest commercial complex in Eastern Canada. With 280 shops, 35 restaurants, a 17,000 square foot ice rink and the second largest amusement park in North America, it’s impossible for the boys to see everything the mall has to offer. But they couldn’t leave without a ride on the rollercoaster, a flip on the zipper and a quick skate. A short half hour later, the boys arrive at Montmorency Falls Park, where they meet up with Petro Canada FACE athlete David Blais-Langlais for a short French lesson. Unable to fully grasp the language, the boys count their lucky stars that Dave is there to tear down the language barrier. Then it’s time to conquer the falls. As an aerial freestyle skiier, Dave is used to conquering great heights on the daily, and the boys are happy to have him along for moral support. With the help of experienced guide, Jordan, Dave and the boys head up the falls for an epic climb that lasts almost 5 hours. But they don’t mind: “All of the views while on that climb were so worth it,” says Ryan. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 50 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

It’s day 43 of Project Adventure and Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris are in Toronto to take a daring walk around the tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere. Standing at 553 meters above sea level, The CN Tower is made up of 147 floors, 2579 steps and decades of rich Canadian history. As the boys step into their orange Edge Walk jumpers, a mix of fear and excitement washes over them. But all that fades as soon as they step out onto the edge, and catch a rare glimpse of the spectacular view from 356 meters above the city. Though Brent has a very real fear of heights, it doesn’t take long for him to get his bearings: “If you can walk on the sidewalk, you can walk on the Edge Walk.” After a quick visit to 360, the CN Tower’s revolving restaurant, Mike takes his post Edge Walk adrenaline rush over to New Tribe Tattoos and gets inked. Over seven hours later, he’s left with a unique tattoo that will forever commemorate this epic, once-in-a-lifetime journey across Canada. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

Episode 19 of Project Adventure follows our boys to the glassy, crystal clear lakes found only in Canada’s world-class cottage country, Muskoka, Ontario. As the sun rises, the boys arrive at Bush’s Sports Centre’s private lake for a wakeboarding lesson with a couple talented, homebred ladies. Pan-American athlete Erika Langman and FACE athlete Tayler Wilton suit up in Stripes and strap on their boards to show our boys how to catch some big air. First timers Brent and Ryan have a little trouble getting up, but their persistence, and Erika and Tayler’s careful instruction, finally pays off. Ryan gets a little cocky, but after catching an edge and face-planting into the water he comes back down to earth. Mike does some fancy spins and inverts, and Chris carves through the cable park. But the ladies are the ones who dominate this day, and the boys leave in awe of their mad skills. *Petro Canada’s FACE athlete program (Fuelling Athlete and Coaching Excellence) provides equal funding to developing Olympic and Paralympic athletes and their coaches. The program provides 50 up-and coming pre-carded Olympic hopefuls with the resources necessary to pursue their dreams. For more information, click here.

It’s day 47 of our epic cross-country road trip and the boys are stoked to be in the second largest French-speaking city in the world to learn how to play Canada’s favourite sport: hockey. After getting suited up in brand new gear with the help of Montreal’s Sports Experts, Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris head to the Aréna Ville Mont-Royal to meet up with Canadian Olympic Women’s Hockey Team coach, Danielle Savageau and three-time gold medal Olympic goalie, Kim St-Pierre. It’s a day of firsts for Chris, who has never played so much as a game of shinny in his life. The drills, which focus on mobility, agility, passing and shooting, are tough to say the least. And Danielle Sauvageau, the woman who lead the first women’s ice hockey team to take home the gold in nearly 50 years, expects nothing less than everything our boys have. Tensions run high and after a slight altercation, Ryan and Chris drop their gloves and Chris experiences his first on-ice fight, which of course, ends with a hug. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

It’s episode 21 of Project Adventure and Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris are in Toronto for the most intense workout of their lives. Olympic beach volleyball player, Martin Reader arrives at one of Ashbridges Bay’s 85 courts, to whip our boys into shape using giant chains, truck tires, parachutes and of course volleyballs. As an Olympic athlete and the co-founder of a fitness company called Strive Life, Martin has no problem pushing the boys to their limits as he guides them through his own high intensity, sport-specific training session. After endless drills and a few good rallies, just as the boys start to feel like they’ve hit their stride, they’re joined by Casey McTavish and Caleigh Whitaker, members of the Canadian National Beach Volleyball Team. Needless to say, the boys gets owned and stuffed back down to earth. Brent and Chris are ecstatic after managing to mark even a single point against girls. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

Episode 18 of Project Adventure takes our boys to Thunder Bay, Ontario for an action-packed day on the largest freshwater lake in the world — Canada’s own Lake Superior. The boys meet Sail Superior’s Captain Greg Herioux and learn how to rescue a man overboard, before suiting up and setting sail. The tides are rough and the ship crashes through some high waves, reaching speeds of 8 – 10 entirely wind-fueled nautical miles. But that doesn’t stop Mike from climbing the mast during his first ever shroud walk. Then it’s off to Nipigon to explore uncharted territory with local surfer/ stand-up paddleboarder, Dawn Conci. Mike and Chris head to a small island on the off chance that they’ll find a coveted eagle feather… and they get lucky. It’s a great day in Thunder Bay! Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

The 17th installment of Project Adventure takes our boys on the ride of their lives as they saddle up for a unique summertime dogsledding excursion in Churchill, Manitoba. Lead by David Daley, an experienced trainer and co-founder of the Hudson’s Bay Quest, an annual dog sled race that spans over 330 kilometers, the boys tackle the tundra in specially designed sleds on wheels. And if that isn’t enough to get their blood pumping, Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris head south to Falcon Beach Ranch for the biathlon experience. Keeping a rifle on a target while your heart’s pounding from a hard sprint seems nearly impossible, but Canadian biathlon Gillian Imrie, schools our boys and makes it look easy as pie. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

It’s day 25 of our epic cross-country journey! The adventurers head east to visit the Hudson’s Bay Banff store and browse through some of the most coveted signature striped pieces. Then it’s off to Calgary to prepare for some serious wrangling. But before heading to the ranch, they stop at Hudson’s Bay Calgary store where they’re gifted white cowboy hats as part of Stampede tradition. Thanks to Levi’s, who outfitted our boys in denim from head to toe, Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris arrive at the Lucasia Ranch in style. In true cowboy fashion, they grab their lassos and learn to rope cattle before saddling up their horses for some indescribably beautiful hacking through the hills. Watch as the friendly ranch owners Wayne & Judy Lucas give our city slickers a taste of some true grit.

Episode 16 of Project Adventure follows our boys through Churchill, Manitoba, the Polar Bear and Beluga Whale Capital of the world. Before taking the plunge into Churchill River’s murky, yet mystical green waters, Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris suit up in head-to-toe wetsuits and signature stripes. After rubbing elbows with dozens of great white whales, the boys dry off and meet up with polar bear tour guide Jean-Phillipe for a ride in a monstrous tundra buggy. Several hours and many wildlife photos later, they begin to wonder if they’ll ever see a polar bear. Then all of sudden, they’re surrounded! Don’t miss this epic episode full of Canada’s most exotic wildlife! Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

It’s episode 15 and we’re halfway through our epic Canada-wide road trip! On this episode of Project Adventure the boys start their day off with a visit to the Hudson’s Bay Winnipeg store after a good night’s sleep at a Hilton. Then it’s off to Selkirk’s Red River for some action packed catfish fishing with City Cats fishing company. Lead by Todd Longley, one of Manitoba’s premier anglers, Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris learn how to bait and set a hook, and how to reel in a huge catch. To everyone’s surprise, the boys land three master anglers at once! “The fish are almost on spawn, and yet you got three big, big girls,” says Todd, amazed. Then the boys kiss their fish goodbye, and Ryan walks away with the City Cats Big Fish Award for landing a 37.5 inch channel catfish!

It’s Day 29 of our epic all-Canadian road trip! Follow our boys on their tour through Coronach, Saskatchewan’s Badlands, a place where fugitives once ran amuck. Lead by talented tour guide Trish Mansky, Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris sift through the sand and dirt until they arrive at Castle Butte, a crumbling clay and sandstone structure that they just had to climb. 40-some vertical feet up, the boys decide to play a short-lived game of football (there isn’t much room to “go long”). Then it’s off to explore the depths of the outlaw caves, where the unsavory used to hide their stolen horses. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

Episode 13 of Project Adventure begins with a much needed oil change and RV servicing, then it’s off to the 101rst Calgary Stampede – Come Hell or High Water! Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris put on their signature white Stampede hats and head for the action. Just past the gates, the boys meet up with ‘Petro Canada FACE’ athlete and Olympic hopeful, Barrett Martineau, a member of the Canadian National skeleton team. With Barrett as their guide, the boys catch a glimpse of some of the Stampede’s finest attractions including the rodeo, motocross and the 36 chuck wagon GMC Rangeland Derby (whose winner receives $100,000 prize!). Then it’s off to Calgary’s Olympic Oval for a speed skating lesson with Olympians Ivanie Blondin and Denny Morrison. After countless wipeouts and a few races, the boys head back to the RV, trailing a hobbling, slightly injured Ryan.

Episode 8 of Project Adventure follows our boys through their most action packed day yet. They continue to explore some of Whistler’s highest peaks on two separate adventures, both as risky as they are thrilling. First, they straddle some powerful 500s and head up Brandywine Mountain for the “Top of the World” ATV tour. Lead by Christian, one of Whistler ATV’s finest guides, the boys power through the perilous terrain, knowing that if they were to stray from the trail they would end up in a hospital bed. Then it’s off to Ziptrek Ecotours where they take the “Eagle Tour” and soar through Whistler’s rainforest on a single cable. Based on their willingness to pose and flip upside down, guides Bjorn and Jen are more than comfortable showing Chris, Brent, Ryan, Mike and Henry how it’s really done. Spoiler alert: one of our adventurers has to be rescued! Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

On episode 11 of Project Adventure our journey continues in Banff, Alberta where the adventurers get up close and personal with a grizzly bear. Before embarking on Lake Louise’s signature hike up to The Devil’s Thumb, our boys check out Takakkaw Falls, Canada’s second highest waterfall measuring over 380 meters high. “One of the most intense waterfalls I’ve ever seen,” says Chris. Lead by their guide, the boys head up the mountain, towards The Devil’s Thumb with one motto in mind: “summit or plummet”. After enduring heat, snow, high altitudes and higher blood pressures, Brent, Mike, Ryan, Chris and guest adventurer Henry reach the peak, at last! Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

Episode 6 of Project Adventure follows our boys further north to the lush forests of Smithers, BC. As Mike, Brent, Ryan, Chris and special guest adventurer Henry Baker strap on their shin guards, helmets, facemasks and gloves, they brace themselves for a bumpy ride down Hudson’s Bay Mountain. One of McBike bike shops’ downhill mountain biking instructors gives the boys a full rundown of what to expect on their ride into the wild, but nothing aptly prepares them for the steep, slippery, jarring terrain. Spoiler alert: this episode contains more epic wipeouts than an episode of MXC. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for the Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

On day 16 of our adventurers’ epic road trip, the boys head to Lake Louise to walk a mile in the moccasins of a voyageur. On the way, looking at the picturesque scenery through the windows of the RV leads to temptation, and the boys pull over for a quick dip in a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. “It’s the stuff you only see in magazines,” says Mike. After meeting up with a most enthusiastic guide, Brent, Ryan, Mike and Chris throw on 90 lbs. voyageur packs, grab a paddle and go for a ride in an authentic chestnut Centennial Canoe. Mike takes a break from paddling to play a lick on a flute he bought in Jasper. “I was this close to tossing the flute overboard,” says Ryan. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

On this special Canada Day episode of Project Adventure, our boys head to Edmonton, Alberta for some prairie style entertainment. Getting there is half the fun as Chris, Ryan, Brent, Mike and guest adventurer Henry Baker hang a giant Canadian flag out the window and wave to patriotic passerby. Then Ryan gets a hot flash and coaxes the boys into stopping at a nearby lake for a quick dip. Chris describes the experience as “bad decision #38 of the trip”. But morale is at an all time high as the boys get back on the RV and head for Hudson’s Bay Edmonton store where they are greeted by the friendly staff with striped cake and smiles. Then it’s off to Edmonton International Raceway to take advantage of a rare opportunity: racing stock cars! 15 laps fly by leaving the boys with some incredible footage and some unforgettable material for their memoirs. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

Episode 5 - Our epic journey across Canada continues in the fifth installment of Project Adventure! This episode takes our adventurers to Prince Rupert aboard the Northern Expedition, one of British Columbia Ferry Services’ largest ships. After catching a lucky glimpse of some Orca whales, the boys meet the captain and gain exclusive access to the ship’s upper bridge, where they are blown away by the sights and by the sheer force of the wind. After a 15-hour journey, Brent, Michael, Ryan and Chris set out to see some grizzly bears with the seasoned guides of Prince Rupert Adventure Tours. Being that close to grizzly bears is thrilling, but the highlight of the excursion is no doubt being in the thick of a swarm of bald eagles. “It’s absolutely incredible,” said Ryan. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for the Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

Episode 1 - Day One! Downtown Vancouver! Our four adventurers finish packing up RV (their home for the Summer) and hit the road for their epic, cross-country tour. First stop: Pitt Meadows, BC. for a few BMX pointers from Canadian Olympian Tory Nyhaug.