PHOENIX – A journey of a thousand miles should start with a single step, and within the case of an Arizona man, a 2,000-mile journey down Canada’s Yukon River begins with a single paddle.

Artwork Huseonica is about to embark on a solo journey that can take him from Canada by means of Alaska, earlier than flowing into the Bering Sea.

Huseonica knew when the time was proper, he would face his subsequent journey.

“I have been on many, many adventures in my lifetime,” mentioned Huseonica. “I set a number of data. I set data on the Arizona Path, I’ve set a contemporary period document on the Amazon River. Now, I am heading out to the Yukon River.

Arduous journey lies forward

At 71, the Arizonan explorer goes to paddle a frigid and distant river, in a visit he’ll try all on his personal.

“I am solo this yr as a result of it is actually powerful to seek out an expedition teammate,” mentioned Huseonica. “It is a harmful expedition. It is a lengthy expedition, and someone that might come together with me, I must go away their household, go away their pals for about two-and-a-half months to make this whole expedition of two,220 miles.”

The COVID-19 pandemic pressured a world border closure in 2020, when Huseonica first deliberate the journey with a accomplice. He encountered delays once more in 2021, however Huseonica by no means bailed on his dream, and stayed the course.

“The expectation is to count on the sudden,” mentioned Huseonica. “I really like pleasure coinciding with my journey, and journey is the sudden and coping with challenges.”

Studying concerning the territory and the individuals is a part of what Huseonica says he seems to be ahead to probably the most.

Huseonica will not be alone

Whereas he’ll sort out this journey solo, he will not be alone.

“There’s a number of good that got here out of it, truly, should you wanna put a constructive spin on it. I obtained a number of First Nations individuals within the Yukon paddling with me, and in addition in Alaska,” mentioned Huseonica. “We will finalize these preparations. We’re gonna see what my schedule is after I enter into Alaska.”

Coralee Johns is without doubt one of the individuals who will accompany Huseonica. Johns was born and raised in Whitehorse, which is positioned within the Yukon Territory. For the previous 18 years, she has labored within the fish and wildlife and pure assets area, and holds a present place because the communications liaison for the Council of Conservation and Fisheries. Johns says what most individuals have no idea is that the Yukon River is dwelling to one of many longest salmon runs on the earth. She is trying ahead to paddling with Huseonica.

“I I’ve grown up right here. I’ve by no means taken the time to paddle, even from Whitehorse to Dawson metropolis, and I’ve at all times needed to try this,” mentioned Johns. “So after I was approached by means of a member of the family, she was stating that we are able to paddle some time. Lake LaBarge, a portion of the the Yukon River. She had talked about that we’re in a position to paddle with him and speak about some salmon restoration tasks, and a undertaking that I personally spearheaded and took the lead on establishing and bringing Chinook again to our conventional territory at Fox Creek. I believed it might be an amazing segue into having the ability to share this information, the essential and invaluable.”

Huseonica describes want to push himself

“I am afraid of getting previous,” mentioned Huseonica. “I am afraid of sitting down, I am afraid of dying. I continually push myself after I rise up within the morning. I’ve to have one thing to do. I’ve to have an journey to stay up for.”

Whereas it’s spring and the Yukon will likely be thawing from the winter freeze, temperatures will fluctuate from 30 to 60 levels. Huseonica is ready to face up to wind, rain, and even snow if he has to.

“My greatest problem on this journey goes to be staying secure. That is on the calls for of my spouse, Karen,” mentioned Huseonica. “There’s gonna be a number of bugs on the market. Mosquitoes, it should be black bears, grizzly bears. I simply should be actually cautious. [The] most harmful side of the expedition is the water. It is glacier, it is snowmelt water. It may be extraordinarily chilly, particularly for the primary half of the expedition. I have to get to shore up inside three minutes earlier than my physique shuts down. I have to strip down, get dry garments on, construct a hearth, get re-combobulated, and ensure I am wholesome to proceed on.”

Paddling, for Huseonica, brings peace. The Yukon will deliver the unknown, as it would information him to distant villages. It can additionally problem him bodily and mentally. Huseonica, nevertheless, says as soon as he conquers it, the Yukon will likely be a chapter in his e book, a second in time by no means to be forgotten.

Huseonica is already in Canada, and is about to start his journey down the Yukon River on Could 27. He will likely be recording and documenting his whole journey.

Artwork “Karts” Huseonica

https://www.instagram.com/kartshuseonica/

Yukon 2020

https://www.yukon2020.com/

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