003 - Other Explorers on the Bay

In the vast wilderness of Canada, fur hunters emerged as intrepid explorers, carving pathways through a continent as expansive as Europe. Their quest was not for glory, but for the invaluable fur that drove them to navigate the challenging waters of the Saskatchewan River, scale the Rocky Mountains, and traverse the rugged terrain of the Columbia. From the icy expanses of Athabaska to the Arctics edge, the ringing of dog bells signaled their relentless pursuit. Led by legendary figures like Ogden, Ross, and MKay, these dedicated hunters journeyed south from New Caledonia, crossing what are now the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, all the way to the Spanish forts of San Francisco and Monterey. It raises a fascinating question without the lure of beaver pelts, could La Salle have charted the Mississippi, Radisson reached the North Sea, or Mackenzie found the Pacific? Discover the untold stories of these adventurous spirits who shaped the fur trade and the history of Canada.