A testament to human endurance and the raw beauty of Canada’s wilderness emerges in the adventure film “Canada Vertical.” This extraordinary documentary, featured in the 2024 Radical Reels Tour from the Banff Mountain Film Festival, chronicles one of the longest wilderness expeditions in Canadian history. The epic journey covers an astounding 19% of Earth’s circumference, unfolding over eight grueling months and showcasing the limits of human willpower against nature’s formidable backdrop.
The expedition, led by intrepid adventurers Nicolas Roulx and Guillaume, is a triathlon of epic proportions. Beginning on Ellesmere Island, Canada’s northernmost point, the journey unfolds in three distinct stages: skiing, canoeing, and cycling, each presenting its own set of formidable challenges.
The first leg of the journey is a harrowing 1,600 km ski trek across the Arctic Archipelago. For 64 days, Nicolas and Guillaume battle polar bears, sub-zero temperatures, and whiteout conditions. Hauling heavy sleds across treacherous ice floes, they face not only physical exhaustion but also the constant mental strain of self-doubt. This segment alone would be a lifetime achievement for most, but for these adventurers, it’s just the beginning.
As winter reluctantly gives way to summer, the expedition transitions to a monumental 2,000 km canoe trip. Traversing Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Saskatchewan, much of it upstream, the team encounters a new set of challenges. Melting ice, raging rivers, equipment failures, and food shortages test their creativity and resilience over 90 gruelling days.
The final leg sees Nicolas and Guillaume swap paddles for pedals, embarking on a 4,000 km cycling journey to Canada’s southernmost point in Ontario. This 44-day ride brings its own unique challenges, pushing the adventurers to their limits as they race against time and their own exhaustion.
What sets “Canada Vertical” apart is not just the scale of the adventure, but the authenticity of its storytelling. Nicolas Roulx, co-leader of the expedition, took on the role of filmmaker, capturing every moment of their 234-day journey with semi-professional gear. No external film crew was involved, making this a truly self-supported expedition in every sense.
The challenges of filming in such extreme conditions cannot be overstated. Imagine trying to operate a camera at -60 degrees Celsius, with thick mittens, while balancing on unstable ice floes. Or capturing close encounters with polar bears and unpredictable muskoxen, where a single misstep could mean disaster. This raw, unfiltered approach brings viewers right into the heart of the action, allowing them to experience the challenges and triumphs alongside the adventurers.
But “Canada Vertical” is more than just a tale of physical endurance. It’s a love letter to Canada’s northern wilderness, offering viewers a rare glimpse into some of the country’s most remote and breathtaking landscapes. The film serves as a reminder of the vast, untamed beauty that still exists in our world, far from the well-trodden paths of conventional adventure.
Moreover, the expedition aims to broaden our understanding of these northern regions. It challenges viewers to rethink their concepts of adventure, encouraging us to look beyond the familiar and dare to dream bigger.
“Canada Vertical” is a must-see for anyone who has ever dreamed of pushing their limits or exploring the great unknown. It’s a celebration of human spirit, natural beauty, and the profound bond that can form between adventurers and the wilderness they traverse.
Don’t miss the opportunity to witness this extraordinary journey at the 2024 Radical Reels Tour. “Canada Vertical” promises to inspire, awe, and perhaps ignite your own passion for adventure in the great white north. It’s not just a film; it’s an invitation to dream big and push beyond your limits.
See it at the Radical Reels Tour – in theatres all around the country this October.
