Two Canoes: Jasper Valley
In October 1823, John Work and Peter Skene Ogden are making their way west from York Factory, on Hudson Bay, to their new employment on the Pacific slopes. For Work…
Read moreLeather Pass
As a fur trade descendant, I have always called the northern pass through the mountains “Leather Pass.” Today this is officially known as the Yellowhead, which comes from its original…
Read moreBridge River
I find that, entirely by accident, two threads (stories) I am telling merge at the same place: at what the HBC men called Bridge River! But, as you can see…
Read moreThe New Caledonia Brigades climb the Mountain
As we begin this blogpost, the incoming brigades are camped on the banks of the North Thompson River, presumably near modern day Little Fort — although I am not sure…
Read morePacking in British Columbia
I am going to tell you a story. In 1859, when Royal Engineer Lieutenant Spencer Palmer rode across the Tulameen Plateau to Campement des Femmes with Angus McDonald of Fort…
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