John Dunn (explorer)
Encyclopedia
John Dunn is a wilderness
explorer, writer
and photographer, originally from England
, but now based in Calgary
, Canada
. He has completed a number of pioneering expeditions throughout northern Canada and the Canadian Arctic
. He writes for Canadian Geographic
and National Geographic magazines and conducts illustrated talks worldwide. He holds a degree in geology
and worked for a time in the Australian Outback before moving to explore the Canadian Arctic.
. The 96 day, 1250 kilometres (777 mi) journey was conducted on skis with the team pulling sleds containing supplies and photography equipment.
, the fifth largest island in the world. The 3030 kilometres (1,883 mi) journey was completed in 192 days during the northern summer
.
to Fort Nelson
in northeastern British Columbia
. This journey started with a solo kayak
up the west coast of Vancouver Island
, then became a canoe
trip up the Inside Passage
, and finished with a 54 day hike
across the Canadian Cordillera where Dunn was accompanied by biologist Bob Saunders. They carried an inflatable canoe to aid them on particular sections of the journey. Each lost around 14 kilogram in the process. The article describing the journey received an Honourable Mention in the photojournalism category at the 22nd Annual National Magazine Awards.
Wilderness
Wilderness or wildland is a natural environment on Earth that has not been significantly modified by human activity. It may also be defined as: "The most intact, undisturbed wild natural areas left on our planet—those last truly wild places that humans do not control and have not developed with...
explorer, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and photographer, originally from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, but now based in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He has completed a number of pioneering expeditions throughout northern Canada and the Canadian Arctic
Arctic
The Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
. He writes for Canadian Geographic
Canadian Geographic
Canadian Geographic is the bimonthly magazine of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society . It was first published in May 1930 under the name Canadian Geographical Journal. The society's objective was to produce a popular magazine dealing primarily with Canadian geography...
and National Geographic magazines and conducts illustrated talks worldwide. He holds a degree in geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
and worked for a time in the Australian Outback before moving to explore the Canadian Arctic.
Expeditions
Dunn has completed a number of expeditions during his career. Many of them have been pioneering, being the first recorded human-powered traverses of remote areas.Ellesmere Island, 1990
In 1990, Dunn led a four-man team on the first human-powered traverse of Canada's Ellesmere IslandEllesmere Island
Ellesmere Island is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. Lying within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, it is considered part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, with Cape Columbia being the most northerly point of land in Canada...
. The 96 day, 1250 kilometres (777 mi) journey was conducted on skis with the team pulling sleds containing supplies and photography equipment.
Baffin Island, 1994
In 1994, Dunn and his team completed the first human-powered crossing of Baffin IslandBaffin Island
Baffin Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut is the largest island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest island in the world. Its area is and its population is about 11,000...
, the fifth largest island in the world. The 3030 kilometres (1,883 mi) journey was completed in 192 days during the northern summer
Summer
Summer is the warmest of the four temperate seasons, between spring and autumn. At the summer solstice, the days are longest and the nights are shortest, with day-length decreasing as the season progresses after the solstice...
.
British Columbia, 1997
In 1997, Dunn completed a 2500 kilometres (1,553 mi) journey from Tofino on Vancouver IslandVancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
to Fort Nelson
Fort Nelson
Fort Nelson may refer to*Fort Nelson, British Columbia, a town*Fort Nelson River*Fort Nelson, Hampshire, a fort in England*Fort Nelson , a fur trading post and the first headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company near Port Nelson, Manitoba.*Fort Nelson...
in northeastern British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. This journey started with a solo kayak
Kayak
A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler...
up the west coast of Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
, then became a canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
trip up the Inside Passage
Inside Passage
The Inside Passage is a coastal route for oceangoing vessels along a network of passages which weave through the islands on the Pacific coast of North America. The route extends from southeastern Alaska, in the United States, through western British Columbia, in Canada, to northwestern Washington...
, and finished with a 54 day hike
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
across the Canadian Cordillera where Dunn was accompanied by biologist Bob Saunders. They carried an inflatable canoe to aid them on particular sections of the journey. Each lost around 14 kilogram in the process. The article describing the journey received an Honourable Mention in the photojournalism category at the 22nd Annual National Magazine Awards.