By Andy Dutfield
How many lakes are there in the Whiteshell Park? How would you fare navigating them with only a compass and map?
On Saturday, October 11, I got to enjoy a joyful, well attended, and entertaining book launch. Ken Friesen is a local outdoor adventurer who has spent hundreds of days on extended trips in the wilderness around Canada. The focus in his debut book is on his odyssey to reach all 236 named lakes of Whiteshell Provincial Park. Over 14 years, Ken and his friends travelled over 2400 kilometers of challenging terrain, weather and obstacles using their own physical power to achieve their goal.
After an introduction from Jessica Smithies, our Guild convener, Ken’s wife Kris introduced Ken who soon had us laughing with humorous accounts of his memorable moments on the trail, all achieved with only a map and a compass.
Several of Ken’s lifelong friends shared memories from their time on the trail. All experienced something deep and meaningful of their time spent in the wilderness away from family and the trappings of modern life.
It was a pleasure to share an afternoon with Ken and his family, friends and others in the joyful celebration of his beautiful book, capturing the wonders of nature, brotherly love and humor that can be found in the experience of getting a little uncomfortable in the Canadian wilderness.