CANADIAN ODYSSEY UPDATE

After 48 days (43 active paddling), the Canadian Odyssey is now in its 4^th Province! Resuming from Kenora, ON, on July 8 after the 3^rd pit stop and over 1600 km paddled.  Spirits are exceptionally high as it is now headed into the Canadian Shield in the summer months - the “best part of the trip”.

Manitoba – Adapting to the unexpected.

After the unexpected arrival of Jan Madsen in The Pas, MB, the duo felt renewed, rejuvenated and ready to take on Manitoba. Unfortunately, however, the journey from The Pas through the end of the Saskatchewan River and Cedar Lake toward the North Basin of Lake Winnipeg was marred by terrible weather, including relentless storms and the threat of tornadoes. They lost two days to ‘never ending wind and rain’ before reaching the ‘big one’ Lake Winnipeg.

Given the imminent arrival of Michael’s next paddling partner Bob Salmond in Winnipeg on July 7, they simply did not have time to paddle both the North and South basin of Lake Winnipeg and were forced to choose one or the other. They chose South and shuttled themselves down to Hecla Provincial Park. Both the weather and geography took a turn for the better. They paddled the entire South Basin into the Winnipeg River and across the Ontario border into Kenora before Jan said goodbye and Michael met with Bob Salmond in Winnipeg.

The difference a friend makes

“For many, many, many reasons it was great.”

1)   First and foremost he is a good friend. His company is great regardless of the environment; nonetheless after a month of solitude. It was nice to talk to someone other than wildlife.

2)   There is safety in numbers (those of us following on SPOT can attest to the relief!).

3)   He is a great kayaker. They paddled through challenging territory – Lake Cedar was much more difficult than anticipated including having to navigate complicated lake crossings that were open to changing waters and winds. Jan was an enormous help with navigation and all things technical.

4)   Leadership and moral support. Michael, exhausted from 1.5 months in a kayak asked Jan to push him. He took the trip by the reigns, reminded Michael each day to go for the ‘wow’ factor – “this is a trip of a lifetime – go big or go home!” and provided an enormous spiritual boost.

Michael, the Hartley family and all of SHLF are sincerely grateful to Jan Madsen for his amazing gift!

Up next

July 8, Michael and new partner Bob Salmond put a canoe into Lake of the Woods in Kenora Ontario. The canoe is a significant – and hugely welcome- change from the kayak.  After 43 days of paddling up to 12 hour days, Michael is looking forward to changing muscle groups and to paddling with a partner.  A canoe further allows for increased storage and ‘much easier toilet conditions’.  This week’s Michaelism – “the title to my book will be “Don’t Pee in the Boat, Eh”.

Bob(s) Rieder and Rebagliati will pick up Michael’s kayak in Kenora on their way to meet him in Fort Frances, ON in one week’s time. They will continue through Voyageurs and Quetico Provincial Parks toward Thunder Bay where Michael will meet his next partner Bill Climie.

According to Michael – “this next phase will be the best of the trip. Summer conditions on the Canadian Shield with great company. Jan’s company gave me a huge boost, I feel well rested and excited about what is next.”

New Grandpa

In other news, Michael welcomed his first grandchild since the last stop. Daughter Aimee-Noel and husband Mpho welcomed baby girl Khaya Noxolo Chloe Mbiyozo on June 27.  Wife Mary Ann is with the new parents at their home in South Africa.

The family and Foundation also celebrated the life of Strachan Hartley on the 5 year anniversary of his passing on July 5, also Michael and Mary Ann’s 38^th wedding anniversary.  As always, it is a difficult day for the family and serves as a reminder of how fast time goes and how we should make a point of cherishing every day.

Fundraising Update

To date, we have now raised just over $12,000 towards a goal of $50,000. Thank you to all who have donated!

Once again, we reiterate that 100% of all donations go to the youth we support through sports and education programs and we rely on your support and are deeply touched by each and every contribution. 

How to Donate:

1) Secure on-line donations: click here. **100% of all on-line donations receive tax receipts.

2) Send a cheque, payable to:
Tides Canada - Strachan Hartley Foundation
468 Arbutus Ave, Duncan, BC
V9L 5X6 
**Donations made by cash or cheque of $50 or more receive tax receipts.

Social Media

As before, Michael continues to update his daily progress on the SHLF website
This includes daily check-ins via his SPOT tracker, photos and media updates, and links to social media (Facebook and Twitter) which are being updated daily.

Thanks to all for their support! 

CANADIAN ODYSSEY UPDATE

One month later, the Canadian Odyssey has covered 1250km and is headed to one of the ‘big’ ones - Lake Winnipeg. Michael arrived at his 2nd pit-stop in The Pas, Manitoba on Father’s Day to a wonderful surprise.  

The Surprise of a Lifetime

Sunday afternoon, Michael arrived in The Pas, MB. Exhausted, wet and 20 pounds lighter, he started the long process of un-packing and dragging his kayak onto the shore when he heard “Hey Hartley, you need any help?”

Jan Madsen, Michael’s long-time kayaking friend from Vancouver had driven 30 hours to surprise him. 

“I’m here to keep you honest. You wanted to do Lake Winnipeg. Let’s get it done.”

Overcome by emotion, Michael broke into tears. 

After flipping his kayak on Day 1, Michael was reluctantly forced to accept he would have to skip Lake Winnipeg, one of Canada’s biggest and most storied waterways. It is particularly risky and subject to severe weather patterns at this time of year; just not safe to do alone. Additionally, a solo kayak severely limits the amount of provisions you can pack (the key reason he has lost 20 pounds in 1 month).

While being able to complete this key part of the Canadian Odyssey is a big thrill for Michael, it pales in comparison to how touched he is by this incredible gesture from a true friend. Under any circumstances, having someone travel this distance to help you complete your lifelong goal is overwhelming. Receiving this gift after spending the better part of a month soaked with rain, undernourished, exhausted and alone is impossible to articulate. 

We admit our bias, but feel this is an indication not only Michael’s relentlessly humble and genuine character but of the lengths people will go simply to do good. 

Thank you Jan for this amazing gift that truly Makes a Difference!

Trip to Date

Since his fantastic rest stop in Prince Albert, the trip has been plagued by bad weather and lonely days. The weather in Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba in June is predictably poor and appears to be in a holding pattern. He hasn’t seen the sun in 10 days and has been facing a strong wind from the East. Additionally, the river is small, winding, muddy and largely desolate. In his words - “It feels like Kane’s land out there.” It has been a tough stretch.  

Furthermore, due to storage limits in the kayak, his diet has been restricted to 1500 calories per day worth of freeze-dried food, supplements and energy bars. This while burning an estimated 5000 per day and he has lost 20 pounds in 1 month!

Up Next

June 19, Michael and Jan set out on the last 80 km of the Saskatchewan River toward Cedar Lake and Lake Winnipeg.

Besides great company, Jan brings many years of kayaking experience and expertise as well as much needed storage space. The two will pack their kayaks solid with provisions knowing that there is a real possibility they could end up ‘beached’ for days due to weather.  Furthermore, Lake Winnipeg is highly isolated without access to roads until they reach Hecla Provincial Park 2/3 of the way down. They will be very much ‘on their own’ out there.

In his words "The next 12% of the trip is the hardest. But we are doing our best to make good and knowledgeable decisions. The risks are fatigue and isolation but the company and change of scenery are welcomed! I have been thinking of this part of the trip for years and am excited to take it on." 

We look to hear from them when they arrive in Winnipeg in early July. From there, Michael will be joined byBob Salmond to cross into Ontario and immediately thereafter ‘the Bobs’ (Rieder and Rebagliati) into Voyageurs and Quetico Park.

A few ‘Michaelisms’: Cannonballs are not an Olympic sport!

• Due to the muddy conditions along the Saskatchewan River, getting in and out of the boat is challenging. So far Michael has lost 2 sandals to ‘quicksand’ and is therefore walking around towns (including meeting the police chief in Prince Albert) with mismatched shoes.
• Loneliness has set in after close to a month alone. Starved for company, Michael admits to have taken up conversation with the birds. He even pretends they are family members and friends.
• The river has many beavers, who make a lot of noise during the nights. Presumably, they are slapping their tails against the water surface. Michael has been accusing them of ‘cannonballing’ and got so frustrated one night that he yelled ‘Cannonballs are not an Olympic sport’ out of his tent.  


Media Update:




See Michael’s emotional interview with Global TV - http://bit.ly/L005ia 

Prince Albert Daily Herald -http://bit.ly/KxcQ4j
PA Now - http://bit.ly/Dy8Jo
La Presse -  http://bit.ly/L60GKG



Fundraising Update:

To date, we have now raised almost just over $10,000, towards a goal of $50,000.  Thank you to all who have donated! We will reiterate that 100% of donations go to the youth we support through sports and education programs.  


Donations are critical to ensuring these important programs continue to thrive. We rely on your support and are deeply touched by each and every contribution. No donation is too small!



How to Donate:

1) Secure on-line donations: click here. **100% of all on-line donations receive tax receipts.

2) Send a cheque, payable to:Tides Canada - Strachan Hartley Foundation468 Arbutus Ave, Duncan, BCV9L 5X6 **Donations made by cash or cheque of $50 or more receive tax receipts. 


Social MediaAs before, Michael continues to update his daily progress on the SHLF website
This includes daily check-ins via his SPOT tracker, photos and media updates, and links to social media (Facebook and Twitter) which are being updated daily.


Thanks to all for their support!