The Mackenzie River is the longest river in Canada. Flowing through a vast, isolated region of forest and tundra, it’s one of the most remote areas on the planet. Right now, Peter Camp is attempting to solo paddle a Canadian canoe 1,000 miles from the centre of the country all the way to its northern tip, raising £10,000 for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the process.
Peter began his epic challenge last Friday (22nd June). Starting at the Hay River on the Great Sale Lake, he hopes to reach Inuvik in just over a month’s time.
To complete the 1,000 miles in 40 days, he’ll need to paddle almost a marathon a day. Not only that, the last quarter of the river is inside the Arctic Circle. He’ll also be spending his nights in a tent on the river shore and carrying his kit along the way.
So, why’s he putting himself through such an ordeal? Peter is a logistician at MSF. Working in disaster zones all over the world, he’s witnessed firsthand how MSF provide health care in areas where it’s needed the most. The money he hopes to raise would enable the charity to buy 15 new oxygen concentrators, a machine that Peter’s seen save the lives of many children.
Just a week into the challenge and Peter has already raised £1,000, making him well on his way to reaching his £10,000 target. If you’d like to support Peter, you can donate to his page here.
You can see how he’s getting on by following his progress on Facebook, on Twitter.
Peter’s also created an interactive Google map. If you’ve got your own event coming up, it’s a really fantastic way to show your supporters just how tough a challenge you’re taking on. Whether it’s a cycle, a run or a walk, you can create your own map, whatever the distance. For help customising your own Google map, this Google FAQ will take you through the different steps.
From Peter’s last update, he’s 110 miles into the route. Best of luck with the next 890 Peter! We’ll be following your amazing journey along the way.
Tags: canoe, mackenzie river, medecins sans frontieres, MSF, peter camp