About us...

Pamela Harrison MacDonald

I was born in Whitehorse, YT, in 1975. I went to elementary school in Fort McMurray, AB, where I lived with my Dad; and high school in Provost, AB, where I lived with my Mom. I received a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta in 1997.

To prepare for this journey, I began studying wilderness skills in 2000. I spent time at a wilderness school as a student, caretaker, instructor, and eventually as the Director of Community Education Programs. While I was a caretaker, I built and lived in a primitive shelter for four seasons. The shelter was made exclusively of natural materials: grass for a roof, wood lashed together for support, and cob for an oven.

I can usually be found knitting, playing pool, practicing martial arts, or running. My parents own a lounge, and I consider my Dad a pool shark. He taught me a lot, and it has come in handy over the years. In 2006, our team competed in the World Championships in Las Vegas.

At the age of five I chose martial arts over ballet. I started taking Tae Kwan Do classes, and, after a lifetime of developing skills and discipline, I received a Black Belt in 2006.

Geoff introduced me to trail running. Together we’ve explored many backcountry trails training for races. My biggest accomplishment has been completing the Haliburton Forest 100 mile race in Ontario.

My roles on the trip are: bow paddler, archivist, and camp builder.

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Geoff MacDonald:

In 1975, I was born in Trail BC. I attended public and high school in Orillia ON, and graduated from the University of Waterloo, in Geological Engineering.

Some of my best times were spent in the bush: canoeing, hunting, and running.

I went on my first canoe trip when I was 12. I spent the next three summers in the voyageur program at Camp Ecole Keno in Quebec. I have been guiding my own canoe and snowshoe trips ever since.

At fifteen, I started hunting with family and friends. Whether it’s the chase or the roast that winter, it’s always good times with good friends! To me, it is culture.

The other passion in my life is running; especially on Wilderness Park hiking trails. I’ve buckled at the Leadville and Bighorn 100 mile trail races; I’ve also had a lot fun running at Horseshoe Valley and Keremeos.

The trip was inspired by Terry Fox, and maybe someday we’ll run across Canada on trails. This time we’re using a canoe.

My roles on the trip are: sternsman, cook, and canoe carrier.

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Jude Oliver MacDonald:

Jude was born on October 20, 2009. He enjoys chewing on steak to relieve his gums and squeals with delight every time Taq walks by. He loves to sit outside and watch the squirrels and birds.

He’s currently undergoing paddling and portage training…should pay off in about 12 years!

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Taq:

He is a purebred Alaskan Malamute born on October 18, 2005. His full name is Marruunik Taqsalik which stands for Two Spot in Inuktitut. When we were picking him from the litter, we could always tell it was him by the two spots on his belly. He is quite a character - when we scold him, he howls and talks back!

Taq currently weighs about 100 lbs. His role on the trip will be companion and mediator, bear alert, neckwarmer and heating blanket, sled puller and greeting committee.

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