Norwegian adventurer pit stops in Yellowknife
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Mar 16/01) - A week without food, two months without daylight -- Lars Monsen's life on the land.
The Norwegian explorer travelling 8,000 kilometres from Alaska to Churchill, Manitoba, by dog sled shared tales of extreme highs and lows with 50 people at Northern United Place last week. He left for Lutsel K'e Monday.
One year, four seasons and 2,100 kilometres have passed since Monsen, 37, started his solo trip from Kokovik, Alaska, last April.
Perhaps you saw him around Yellowknife. A tall man with a purposeful strut and serious gaze. He was spotted buying a thermos and ski poles days before his departure.
Europeans recounting wilderness experiences is not new. What made Monsen's presentation somewhat unique was the humility woven into his stories of crashing through ice, charging bears, two months of unchanged underwear and scavenging for wood and food.
Good humour has served him well. An RCMP officer in Deline confiscated his firearms in December under the new gun registration law.
Not one to hold a grudge, Monsen headed out this week, unarmed. The appropriate paperwork won't be complete for another three months.
"I need a firearm to protect myself. The only thing that could be dangerous now are the wolves," Monsen said over a cold beverage.
Topographical maps and treeline trails (for firewood) are his guides. Two Christmases will pass before he raises a glass with friends and family back home.
When he was 13 years old, Monsen walked from dusk till dawn simply to see if he could.
Thirty years, in 1990, he gave up teaching after a 3,000 kilometre, 10-month life changing hike across Alaska with a friend. He's never turned back. This solo trip across Canada is yet another test of his physical and emotional will, he said.
Royalties and revenue generated from his seven books and freelance photojournalism finance his livelihood.
Monsen has never owned a house. He sold his car for this trip. When on the trail with his eight dogs, he misses milk, cold beer and eggs over easy with toast and sausage.
In the event of a life-or-death emergency, he carries an emergency locating device and specialized cell phone.
His message to the world is trust yourself.
"I hope I inspire people to go for their dreams," he said.
