Nicolas Roulx - Akor Expedition

11/15/19 • 73 min

The Akor folks like big expeditions—and they've got a massive one in the works for 2021

...they'll attempt a complete crossing of Canada from the northernmost point to the southernmost point. 8000km over 7 months—self-propelled by ski, canoe, and bike.

But if you're not sure if they can do it, you'll feel more confident once you hear about their last trip: in 2018, departing on June 7th from Shefferville, Quebec, they crossed Nunavik and the Torngats by canoe

They learned from the local Innu, Naskapi, and Inuit people along the way. People who inhabit the territory today and whose ancestors lived in these areas for thousands of years. In Akor-founder Nic's words: "They know their land so well, they know their land much better than I know my neighbourhood [in Quebec City]".
The crew of 6 accomplished their impressive trip in 65 days:
- dragging across frozen lakes
- paddling down the massive and icy George River
- dragging and lining up the Koroc
- portaging an interior passage of the Torngats
- running the Palmer River to the Labrador coast
- and finishing things up with a 500km paddle on the ocean to the village of Nain, Labrador
Polar bears were a big concern ("we felt like prey...")
You'll hear some great stories—about the challenges and fun along the way. Nic talks about their goals for collecting data for scientific research. And educating people in the "south" about the "north": at the time of this recording in November 2019, they'd presented to over 7000 people at more than 50 talks since returning from the trip.
Ready for a dose of inspiration and adventure? Akor's moving full speed ahead.
Links:
See a short and incredible video of the 2018 Torngats trip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGrW2dIYw9I
Akor website - http://expeditionakor.com/en/home/
Akor Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/expeditionakor/
Boreal River: https://borealriver.com/

The Akor folks like big expeditions—and they've got a massive one in the works for 2021

...they'll attempt a complete crossing of Canada from the northernmost point to the southernmost point. 8000km over 7 months—self-propelled by ski, canoe, and bike.

Previous Episode

Nouria Newman - part 2 | "Don't forget to go kayaking when you go kayaking"

Part 2 of the 2-part interview.
Once a competitive whitewater slalom kayaker who won World Championships (listen to part 1 for her backstory and how she got into kayaking), Nouria Newman now travels to the most remote corners of the globe—and paddles for different reasons...
In this episode we gain a little more insight into what makes Nouria tick, hear about some incredible trips, discuss issues in paddling, and get some great expedition tips.
Time stamps:

00:49 - There are no levels and everyone crashes
03:21 - Pitt River solo expedition—bushwacking and bear spray
12:26 - Actually, I'll take a sandwich
15:09 - Embrace it when it get's hard, and funny things happen
16:42 - Gear tip: webbing and carabiner 'flip line'
19:46 - Dream trips and finding missions in your backyard
21:27 - Near miss unpacked: The Tsarap, Zanskar, and Indus Rivers in India
26:54 - Don't forget to go kayaking when you go kayaking
36:21 - Paddling alone and risk...it's complex
41:26 - Challenges with social media
48:46 - Expedition food: lentils, croissant, and sometimes mango

Nouria's India solo expedition video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_O2_M1E7e4
Nouria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nourianewman/
Boreal River: https://borealriver.com/

Next Episode

Tim Irvin - Wildlife Journeys | 3 Incredible River Trips in Canada's North

Wildlife guide, biologist, photographer, writer, and spirit bear tour company owner—Tim brings us along on three of his most memorable canoe trips: the Back, the Snake, and the Western.
Links:
Tim's website, blog, and spirit bear tours - https://www.timirvin.com/
Tim's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/timothy.irvin/
Boreal River: https://borealriver.com/
Time stamps:
02:16 - How Tim got his start canoe tripping
03:10 - Back River, Nunavut
04:20 - "The Magic Middle"
10:30 - The Snake River, Yukon
23:04 - Bailey - Back - Western River - 7 week solo trip
35:09 - Tim's canoe trip camera kit