One of Canada’s most respected explorers made his way though the valley quietly on Friday afternoon, on his way around the world.
It was a quiet stop because he is on his trek, hoping to complete his journey under human power. For this leg, he was on a recumbent bicycle.
Markus Pukonen was named as one of Canada’s top 100 modern day explorers by Canadian Geographic, on a list that includes Dr. Phil Currie and astronaut Chris Hadfield. In 2013, he was part of the CWF Africa to the America Expedition, where he was part of a team attempting to row from Senegal to Miami. They capsized just outside of the Bermuda Triangle.
His more recent endeavour is routesofchange.org. He has given himself five years to circumnavigate the world under human power.
The Mail caught up with him as he descended into the valley Friday afternoon.
“My purpose is to inspire change,” he told The Mail. “My purpose is to save the planet from ourselves. It appears there is still mass denial as to what is happening to the planet and where our path is leading us, and I think it is time to start creating a sustainable way of life.”
He started his trip in Toronto and canoed through the Trent-Severn waterway and Lake Huron. He then boarded a peddle powered trimaran, and crossed Lake Superior. In Thunder Bay, he got on a recumbent hand cycle, and rode it to Winnipeg.
“I pogo-sticked through Winnipeg, for 10 kilometres…that is a long way on a pogo stick,” he laughs. “I thought it was going to be the most painful part of the trip, but after a few days of hopping around training, I managed to do it with no injuries or pain.”
From there, he has cycled across the prairie on a recumbent bike.
He has kept up a social media and online presence as he travels. On this day, he was live blogging on his way into the valley on Periscope. He had a mouth held mount for his iPhone.
He is raising support for local non-profits along the way.
“There is only so much I can do by myself, but, if I can follow my passions in a way that helps raise support for people who are doing a lot of great work,” he said.
Right now there are about a half dozen charities featured on his website that those who wish can donate to. He says many more will be added as he progresses.
The donations do not go towards his trip, and he is still working on financing the entire excursion. As a documentary filmmaker, he is hoping to secure funding.
He will continue on the recumbent to Canmore where he is planning to take some time before he heads over the mountains by foot, snowshoe or ski, depending on the conditions.
“I have a plan, but I am very flexible because I need to be because of the weather, but in my back pocket I have a road bike that can be shipped to me if I need it,” he said.
From Canmore he will head to the coast, will stand-up paddleboard to Vancouver Island, and then canoe to Tofino.
To learn more about Pukonen and his journey go to www.routesofchange.org.
