SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Sometimes, you have to let someone else help you win your battles.
Dan Wong, pictured here Thursday on Yellowknife Bay, will ski from Frank Channel, near Behchoko, to Yellowknife beginning on April 4. He aims to complete his trek in honour of Jaret Moshenko's failed trek for cancer earlier this winter. - Laura Busch/NNSL photo
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This is true for Jaret Moshenko, whose attempt to snowshoe 400 km to the East Arm of Great Slave Lake and back in late December ended after just one day. While Moshenko's trek did not go to plan, he did manage to raise more than $10,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society and his message about acting in solidarity with cancer patients – who, although they may have the support of loved ones along the way, must ultimately go it alone in their battle against the disease – was well-received.
It was this message that inspired city councillor Dan Wong to attempt to pick up where Moshenko left off. Wong plans to ski about 120 km across the North Arm of Great Slave Lake beginning next Thursday, April 4.
When asked why he is attempting the trek, Wong said he would like to, "in a small way, finish what Jaret started."
"It was about showing solidarity with what people go through after being diagnosed with cancer. You have support but you are alone in a big way," said Wong, whose grandfather has been battling prostate cancer for about a decade.
Wong has been training for this trek all winter without knowing it. He has done several long-distance skis, including the Frostbite 45 on March 16. His longest distance in one day this winter was 62 km.
"I feel like physically, I'm ready," Wong told Yellowknifer.
Wong will begin his trek from Frank Channel near Behchoko. From there, he plans to ski across the North Arm of Great Slave Lake to Trout Rock on the north shore. At Trout Rock, there is a 42-kilometre portage into Grace Lake, which will bring Wong most of the way home. He aims to cross Frame Lake and end his trek on Yellowknife Bay.
The entire trip should take Wong between four or five days, and he aims to be back in Yellowknife by Sunday. However, he says he is prepared for anything.
"If something happens and I have to bunker down for a day or a week, I'm prepared," said Wong. "It would take a pretty catastrophic event to make me stop. If I was going to be permanently injured in someway or worse ... but I bring the same determination Jaret brought to his trek."
Wong will bring backups for all essential gear, such as a small, wood-burning stove in case his propane cookstove stops functioning. This, he said, he learned from Moshenko, who had to turn back the first night of his trek when cold temperatures gelled the propane for his heater and broke a seal on the tank, causing a small fire.
Since Wong contacted him to seek his blessing for the trek, Moshenko has been offering advice and lending gear to help in Wong's trek.
"He has youth and intelligence on his side and I had Redneck 101," joked Moshenko.
In all seriousness, Moshenko said he is glad his message resonated with people.
"I'm behind him 100 per cent," he told Yellowknifer.
Before Wong contacted Moshenko, Moshenko has been considering running to the East Arm of Great Slave Lake and back in late April once most of the snow had melted off the lake.
"It's just been bugging me," said Moshenko of not completing his trek. "It was like fate, though, when Dan contacted me. So, I'm going to put my support behind him. I did my thing, it's time for him to give it a go. He's an intelligent young man and he's got this down – he can do this, no problem."
Although Wong is not doing any formal fundraising for his trek – this is, in essence, a way to offer closure to Moshenko for the Hearne Channel Trek for Hope – he is asking anyone who wishes to support his cause to donate to the Canadian Cancer Society.
