An energetic and engaging investigation into the life and death of legendary climber, paddler, and recluse Billy “Kayak Bill” Davidson.Billy Davidson (1947–2003) was born in Calgary, Alberta, and grew up in an orphanage in the 1950s. Living close to the Rockies, he was introduced to mountaineering at an early age and climbed his first mountain at 12 years old, eventually becoming one of Canada’s most prolific big wall climbers, with historic ascents in the Rockies ...

Over the past 100 years, climbers have been pushing standards in the Canadian Rockies. From long alpine ridges to steep north faces, the Rockies are synonymous with cutting-edge ascents. Peaks such as Robson, Chephren, Kitchener, the Twins and Alberta elude the many and reward the few. Many of the big faces were climbed between the 1960s and 1990, the golden age of alpinism in the Rockies. The men and women who first were part of that set high standards.Future alpinists read old jo...

Kevin Callan presents his best adventures -- and misadventures -- in the wilderness. Entertaining, yet enlightening, the stories are full of enthusiasm and are designed to get people to explore the wilderness on their own, and it's hoped, be inspired to protect what's still left.These captured moments of a life spent traveling in secluded areas and promoting their importance to all of us aren't just for outdoorsy types. The stories relate to a much broader audience: readers who hav...

Charley Boorman is back on his bike exploring the world's second largest country - home to some of the most stunning and challenging terrain known to man.Canada is a country of extremes, and Charley knows all about pushing the limits. He goes dirt biking in New Brunswick, dives through old shipwrecks in Tobermory and rides along Butch Cassidy's old Outlaw Trail. He also meets a fascinating mix of people on his journey. As he heads across Canada, he plays ice hockey with a legend of...

**PGWUncle John's taking the plunge . . . into the Great White North!RaincoastHey, Canada! Uncle John salutes you!**For 25 years, Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader has been wildly popular in Canada, so we decided to dedicate an entire edition to our friends in the Great White North--even though much of the continental U.S. is north of Canada’s southernmost point. That misconception--and a whole lot more--is revealed in this loving ode to a friendly natio...

From Captain George Vancouver to Muriel Curve of Time” Blanchet to Jim Spilsbury’s Coast” Spilsbury, visitors to Desolation Sound have left behind a trail of books endowing the area with a romantic aura that helps to make it British Columbia’s most popular marine park. In this hilarious and captivating book, CBC personality Grant Lawrence adds a whole new chapter to the saga of this storied piece of BC coastline.Young Grant’s father bought a piece of land next t...

The Great White North is revealed as the Great Weird North in this entertaining tome from the best-selling Bathroom Reader series.Did you know that Canada was almost called Hochelaga? That’s just one of thousands of wacky facts awaiting readers in Uncle John’s quirky celebration of Earth’s second largest country. You’ll find page after page of bizarre history (like why the beaver was once classified as a fish), plus head-scratching news items (like the crook who re...

Kevin Callan’s Once Around Algonquin is an exciting tale of misadventure on the toughest route in Ontario’s most well-loved wilderness. While sharing his love of this paddling paradise, Callan details some of the park's history and evolution, interweaving stories from the voyage. Chuckle along with the tales behind the blisters and bruises in this bromance adventure tale, all told with Callan’s trademark humor. With a storytelling vibe, 30 chapters share insights and describe some...

A National Bestseller!Fully revised with new chapters and fascinating destinations to explore, renowned travel writer Robin Esrock guides you to Canada’s most incredible experiences.Having visited more than 100 countries on 7 continents, Robin Esrock has built a career chasing the extraordinary. His bestselling Bucket List books feature experiences that are entirely unique, instantly memorable, wholly inspirational, and available to all. Celebrating his adop...

No one writes about mountaineering and its attendant victories and hardships more brilliantly than Jon Krakauer. In this collection of his finest essays and reporting, Krakauer writes of mountains from the memorable perspective of one who has himself struggled with solo madness to scale Alaska's notorious Devils Thumb.In Pakistan, the fearsome K2 kills thirteen of the world's most experienced mountain climbers in one horrific summer. In Valdez, Alaska, two men scale a frozen waterf...

As probably the world's most experienced long distance walker who also writes, Chris Townsend has many stories to tell and many photographs with which to illustrate them. Of all his adventures, those he enjoyed on America's Pacific Crest Trail in the 80s are among his favourites. The Pacific Crest Trail runs 2,600 miles from Mexico to Canada through desert, forest and mountain wildernesses. In Rattlesnakes and Bald Eagles Chris recounts not only his own six-month walk but also the longer s...

Winner ofThe CAA–Birks Family Foundation Award for BiographyThe 2000 Ottawa-Carlton Book AwardThe (U.S.) Rutstrum Award for Best Wilderness BookIn 1929, at the age of twenty-two, Duncan MacGregor, the son of a lumberman, great-grandson of a voyageur, and an avid reader and baseball fan, headed off into the largest tract of preserved bush in the world: Ontario’s Algonquin Park. When he got ther...