For you folks who are relatively new to the board, this is an amazing trip that BeaV solo paddled from Washington up to Alaska via the Inside Passage to Skagway then portaged 32 miles over the Chilkoot pass, down the Yukon, up the Chandalar river, another 16 mile portage over the tundra back to the Yukon River to the Bering Sea and to Anchorage. Over 5,000 miles. You owe it to yourself to experience this unbelievable adventure.

Go to the special private forum:
BeaV's trip

The trips are numbered 1-14 (they are spread out of order due to various comment posts) and total a little over 9 hrs. Some episodes are as little as 20 minutes and some as long as 1 hour. Each one requires a password (posted) that is unique to the episode.

I'll let BeaV decide when to take them down, so don't put it off too long.

If you have any problems viewing them, please shoot me an email or post here.
Enjoy!

Jerry

An amazing accomplishment.

Yeah! Thank you!

Thanks....
Can't wait to watch them again

Good job getting them back up Jerry!

quote CanoeKev: "Good job getting them back up Jerry!"

Couldn't have done it without you!

Well, there goes all of my studying during this week of final exams.... Thanks Jerry... How am I supposed to pass my classes now?

quote BlueSkiesWI: "Well, there goes all of my studying during this week of final exams.... Thanks Jerry... How am I supposed to pass my classes now?"

Aww, Bryce, if I had known.....

Tell you what, you study hard instead of watching these videos, ace all those exams and I'll make sure they're still up for you after the tests are over.

Good luck!

addicted all over again...

I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy them just as much the second time!

quote OneMatch: "

quote BlueSkiesWI: "Well, there goes all of my studying during this week of final exams.... Thanks Jerry... How am I supposed to pass my classes now?"

Aww, Bryce, if I had known.....

Tell you what, you study hard instead of watching these videos, ace all those exams and I'll make sure they're still up for you after the tests are over.

Good luck!"

Sounds good to me. Thanks!

Thanks!

Someone should have PBS look at this series. This is such an awesome series to watch.
That book he carried along must have helped keep him safe...there are many ways he could have gotten himself in a serious pickle.
Ken Burns ...are you out there?


dr bob

Thanks BeaV, Jerry and everyone else who helped with this! I watched twice the first time around and can't wait to start it again.

Ohh man I can't wait to watch these again!!

Thanks Beav and OneMatch! And others who helped compile these videos!

this is just great. thanks BeaV and Jerry.

quote ghamer: "Thanks BeaV, Jerry and everyone else who helped with this! I watched twice the first time around and can't wait to start it again."

+1

What I like about BeaV is that there's no pretense and he did the trip he wanted to do. In an age of high tech, neon colored adventurers BeaV is a throwback from a different era. An old school sort of fellow who takes along Easter candy and wolfs down a STACK of pancakes along the shore of a wild Alaskan ocean.

It's hard to pinpoint what it is exactly that's so attractive about the way he goes about his business. All I know is that he is the real deal. That trip will be legendary and told to the next generations and I suspect those people will just shake their heads in disbelief like I do at his accomplishment.

I don't think it will ever be repeated. People may try to copy the route but I'd put money down on them not being able to do it.

quote ghamer: "Thanks BeaV, Jerry and everyone else who helped with this! I watched twice the first time around and can't wait to start it again."

I sure see your name in the BWJ photo credits a lot. You do real nice work Gary.

quote TomT: "What I like about BeaV is that there's no pretense and he did the trip he wanted to do. In an age of high tech, neon colored adventurers BeaV is a throwback from a different era. An old school sort of fellow who takes along Easter candy and wolfs down a STACK of pancakes along the shore of a wild Alaskan ocean.


It's hard to pinpoint what it is exactly that's so attractive about the way he goes about his business. All I know is that he is the real deal. That trip will be legendary and told to the next generations and I suspect those people will just shake their heads in disbelief like I do at his accomplishment.


I don't think it will ever be repeated. People may try to copy the route but I'd put money down on them not being able to do it.

"

+1-- the thing that was attractive to me the first I heard about Beavs' epic journey was the fact he wanted to keep it on the low burner,, keep it just to his family and friends- no sponsors, no raising $$ or awareness for this or that-- just a strong willed human being wanting to test his limits. Nothing else. -- old school. The Lewis or Clark of our generation. Nothing is hidden with BeaV,, a man that simply loves the outdoors and more then willing to tackle the challenges that Mother Nature throws his way without all the bells and whistles. A man simply confident in his skills and humble at that same time, and humbled, not haughty, by his accomplishments. After all, only a truly humble individual is going to be able accomplish what BeaV did, hardships makes a prideful, boastful being humble through experience. Even when your alone for 7 months, finding out exactly what you think you are compared to who you really are. 99% of people never find out. BeaV did. Inspiration to say the least.
It will never be repeated in the same amount of time or less. Thanks to Beav for sharing again his adventure with complete strangers. Ask him a probing question-- and he will answer more so then you think.

Thank you again!

This is great news! Thanks everyone!

if this were a Hollywood movie, I wouldn't believe it
whirlpools!
camp next to a dead walrus!
those pancakes and that clamshell bannock bread, lol

quote TomT: "What I like about BeaV is that there's no pretense and he did the trip he wanted to do. In an age of high tech, neon colored adventurers BeaV is a throwback from a different era. An old school sort of fellow who takes along Easter candy and wolfs down a STACK of pancakes along the shore of a wild Alaskan ocean.

It's hard to pinpoint what it is exactly that's so attractive about the way he goes about his business. All I know is that he is the real deal. That trip will be legendary and told to the next generations and I suspect those people will just shake their heads in disbelief like I do at his accomplishment.

I don't think it will ever be repeated. People may try to copy the route but I'd put money down on them not being able to do it.



"

indeed
anybody who follows is a wannabee

One tough wannabe, tho. I sure couldn't do it

Maybe it could be an annual outing called the "BeaV 5,000" and used to raise money for a charity or illness research. Maybe a little hardcore but I bet people would sign up. Or is this too optimistic? :)

I would have to ask why?
you can't dream up your own adventure, you have to follow the trail broken by someone else?

I'm not sure how he came up with this trip, and sure, each leg has been done before, but the trip in total, and by canoe, that is what is amazing to me, that someone even thought it possible

and that's why I call anyone who will follow a wannnabee, it is quite different to blaze your own trail compared to following in someones footsteps knowing it can be done

I watched the beginning again now I want to watch it all again but I am leaving in seven days for Brule Lake so I don't have time right now! Arrgh!

If you have not seen this, find the time to watch. You just have to. Do not miss it. Extraordinary! Those that have watched before already know. Better than any TV show. Thanks!

I'm just happy it is back up! I never got to see the last 2 episodes. Today I should be able to see the last one.. I am so excited!

Yes I finally finished them all! Thank you so much! I wanted to watch how it ended :)

Bumping this up for those that may have missed the original post.

Thanks for reposting these!

finished #9 last night
good gawd, I thought pulling the canoe up the stream was tough, the tundra portage, all I can say is BeaV is one tough hombre

for those who have watched, what would be a proper name for this?
I almost want to say quest, but the best I can come up with is Odyssey

Cannot wait to watch these!

Beyond amazing!

All I can say is WOW! I have been watching these every night for the last week. BeaV, I want to thank you for the opportunity for me in Nebraska, who gets to Quetico every other year on a solo. These videos are just awesome. I have a couple to go and am excited to watch the next one. The mosquitoes in the video had me thinking they were in my house. Very good job and
Thank You.

Yep - still just as good the second time round!! Admittedly I am jumping around a bit to my favorite sections, but wow.

bump

If didn't see this series of videos, I would not believe that BeaV did the trip.
Amazing and incredible!

I think my wife would have tripled my life insurance and started making plans if I did a trip like that.

Take down date?? I'm at #10 and finding it hard to squeeze in the last few...

Ya know.... I've watched these 3 times already, and I could watch them again... and again.

Thank you, BeaV, and Jerry.

quote nojobro: "Take down date?? I'm at #10 and finding it hard to squeeze in the last few..."

None as yet, so have at it!

Really want to hand it to BeaV for this. This is my second time watching these. Obviously, the trip itself was a really incredible feat of mental and physical tenacity. But his videos are really oddly compelling. I watch one a night, and in between I find myself thinking about his trip, humming the songs, etc.

quote TomT: "I think my wife would have tripled my life insurance and started making plans if I did a trip like that. "

And she would have cashed in big time!

I think TomT and WhiteWolf (above) picked up on it too:


I love the real-ness of it, if that's a thing. It is a rarity in today's managed-media world. Here is someone who is NOT drinking his piss with celebrities, is NOT endorsing gear or promoting sponsors, and NOT trying to solicit attention or to build a brand or a viewing audience. BeaV is a real guy who craves adventure and challenge and was nice enough to take us along. He took off of work and financed the whole expedition simply because he wanted to do it.
The viewer is taken on the adventure, but is able to get a real sense of BeaV's emotions at several points. He has many highs and celebrated accomplishments where you can feel the euphoria; but also has lows with setbacks or pure grueling challenges where his disappointment is clearly evident. You can tell he appreciates the natural beauty of the outdoors, and is thrilled by the physical challenges of exploring it.

For a 5k mile solo trip you can pick up on some general themes of humanity at large, too. At one point having to camp outside of town to avoid the local drunks; but most people he ran into readily shared information, food, shelter.
I think one of the best parts is toward the end where he talks about being misled by local information at several points, but realizes that the discrepancy is just that the local people he talked to just don't see things the same way as a paddling adventurer who questions what might be possible. Very cool.

Congrats, BeaV. Thanks for posing the videos.

...and you can sing about as well as I can.

quote OneMatch: "

quote TomT: "I think my wife would have tripled my life insurance and started making plans if I did a trip like that. "

And she would have cashed in big time!"

Oh yeah she would. There is no possible way I survive that trip. I could possibly with a lot of luck and determination make it to the tundra portage. But that's where my carcas would be found. The mosquitos would have drained me dry so I would be preserved like a mummy.

I'm getting into watching these episodes again. On #4 currently.

quote muddyfeet: "I think TomT and WhiteWolf (above) picked up on it too:

I love the real-ness of it, if that's a thing. It is a rarity in today's managed-media world. Here is someone who is NOT drinking his piss with celebrities, is NOT endorsing gear or promoting sponsors, and NOT trying to solicit attention or to build a brand or a viewing audience. BeaV is a real guy who craves adventure and challenge and was nice enough to take us along. He took off of work and financed the whole expedition simply because he wanted to do it.
The viewer is taken on the adventure, but is able to get a real sense of BeaV's emotions at several points. He has many highs and celebrated accomplishments where you can feel the euphoria; but also has lows with setbacks or pure grueling challenges where his disappointment is clearly evident. You can tell he appreciates the natural beauty of the outdoors, and is thrilled by the physical challenges of exploring it. "

Yeah, it's something very rare to see these days. Someone not out to profit. although, I'm all for it if a proper documentary film or series is ultimately created. Maybe someday, who knows.

Anyone else re-watching these? I just finished episode 9 - The Tundra Portage. Pretty amazing footage.

I understand extreme exhaustion because of the work I do for a living. I've also done many solo canoe trips with portages and pushed myself to my limit. But this right here is something else.

To do the tundra portage with no guarantee of having water is something I would never do. BeaV never complains of dehydration and the accompaning headaches but to exert that kind of energy takes a lot of water.

I am just blown away by every leg of this trip. The Chilcoot Trail, The Yukon River, dragging up the Chandalar River (are you kidding me???) and then dragging up "BeaV's Fork over the rocks to where it dries up only to have to go miles through the tundra of dried bog and black spruce with no guarantee of finding water.

Another thing that's amazing is BeaV taking the time to document the trip on video. Setting up the tripod then filming dragging or portaging the canoe only to have to return to the camera and break it down. That's just added time and energy to an already high level of exhaustion.

This trip makes the Special Forces qualifying training look like child's play.

Yeah, I've watched all of them a second time and may watch some again.

The word "grueling" comes to my mind :).

I wanted to give this a bump and remind everyone this series of videos is still active... I am watching for the third time and just finished #9. BeaV's 5000 mile trip to, thru and around Alaska. It is such an incredible journey, highly recommended!!!
BeaV's Journey

Epic and inspiring. A study in determination and persistence in the face of what locals said was impossible. He did it and lived to tell about it but the risk of not making it (dying) was definitely there.

I would love it if the Smithsonian Institute or some organization like that would document Beav's trip and set up a display in honor of his perseverance and groundbreaking accomplishments. This is a first and may never be duplicated. I would just love to have all the videos in a set to inspire me from time to time. My son and I have watched all 14 videos twice through. I have someone to look up to who admires nature and over the top effort like I do.

quote KCMOcat: "I would love it if the Smithsonian Institute or some organization like that would document Beav's trip and set up a display in honor of his perseverance and groundbreaking accomplishments. This is a first and may never be duplicated. I would just love to have all the videos in a set to inspire me from time to time. My son and I have watched all 14 videos twice through. I have someone to look up to who admires nature and over the top effort like I do. "

I would contact BeaV personally about possibly getting DVD copies. I'm with you and think this should be a mini series on the Nat Geo channel. Great story and content.

Well these are addicting. Its fun putting yourself into his shoes......Sort of like a video game except you don't get a "new life" after biting the dust. So far I don't think I have watched one episode where I would of gotten all the way through. Good guy and one tough Hombre'.

quote TomT:
I would contact BeaV personally about possibly getting DVD copies. I'm with you and think this should be a mini series on the Nat Geo channel. Great story and content.
"

+1

I wonder if that old weather beaten leather hat he lost in the Bering Sea is sitting on a shore somewhere right now. Someone in the future will find the remnants of it and go "Hmmm, I bet there's a story behind this and where it came from".

Who can help me get ahold of Beav?

He hasn't looked at this string of messages.

My e-mail: mark.shireman@orbitalatk.com

quote TomT: "

quote KCMOcat: "I would love it if the Smithsonian Institute or some organization like that would document Beav's trip and set up a display in honor of his perseverance and groundbreaking accomplishments. This is a first and may never be duplicated. I would just love to have all the videos in a set to inspire me from time to time. My son and I have watched all 14 videos twice through. I have someone to look up to who admires nature and over the top effort like I do. "

I would contact BeaV personally about possibly getting DVD copies. I'm with you and think this should be a mini series on the Nat Geo channel. Great story and content.


"

Showing on PBS at least......

quote KCMOcat: "Who can help me get ahold of Beav?


He hasn't looked at this string of messages.


My e-mail: mark.shireman@orbitalatk.com"

cat: go up to my original post and click on the link, "BeaV's Trip". That will. Take you to the series. Click on the Episode 14 thread and scroll down until you find one of BeaV's posts. You'll notice an envelope icon below his name on the left. Click on that and his email will pop up for you.

Ps, I'm originally a KCMO guy myself. Email me sometime and let's talk Barbecue and Royals baseball.

Jerry

quote KCMOcat: "Who can help me get ahold of Beav?


He hasn't looked at this string of messages.


My e-mail: mark.shireman@orbitalatk.com"

BeaV checking in here...been in the BWCA paddling.

You may not be able to see people's email since you are registered as a "guest" only. I'll shoot you an email shortly.