Beyond The Trees

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A thrilling odyssey through an unforgiving landscape, this narrative recounts Adam Shoalts's solo crossing of Canada's mainland Arctic in a single season—the first in recorded history. It intertwines Shoalts's journey with tales of adventurers, explorers, First Nations, fur traders, and bush pilots, creating an unforgettable story of exploration. As he navigates shifting ice floes, faces snarling bears, and maneuvers along cliffs above furious rapids, he shares fascinating legends and historical anecdotes that enrich the lore of the North. Among these are the saga of the Mad Trapper, known for his endurance and tragic end; the controversial Vilhjalmur Stefansson, blamed for the deaths of his companions; and the tale of the "Lost Patrol" of Mounties who perished in a blizzard. The formidable Tyrell brothers charted much of Canada’s North, while eerie ruins like Fort Confidence and the remnants of gold prospector David Douglas's cabin add to the mystique. The tragedy of John Hornby and his companions, who starved on the Thelon River, is also recounted, alongside folklore about wendigoes and the mystery of Angikuni Lake, where an entire Inuit camp vanished in 1930. These wonders and mysteries accompany Shoalts on his adventure of a lifetime.