Adventurous Magazine, summer 2005
When Chris Cooper runs out of chocolate bars on vacation, he knows it's going to be a long time before his next one.
Chances are, the Pitt Meadows, B.C. adventurer is miles from the closest store. And that suits him just fine.
"Just
being out there - that's the best part of it. You're away from the
phones, you're somewhat in isolation," said the 57-year-old, whose
career as an outfitter supports his explorations of Canada's wild
places. "I like the unknown. Wondering what may be on the other side is
intriguing."
This spring, Cooper skied 500 kilometres of
glacier, ice cap and sea ice in the High Arctic for seven weeks - his
seventh Arctic trip. Last year, he paddled a 42-foot canoe 2,000
kilometres from Alaska to Gibson's Landing in 105 days - the start of a
multi-year, tri-ocean voyage around Canada he'll resume in 2006.
Cooper's
adventure tally tops 50. Some of his favourites: A month-long ski down
Yukon's Mt. Kennedy. Dragon-boat racing in Hong Kong. Skiing one of
Peru's big peaks. Paddling more than 600 white-water rivers. His first
journey by big canoe: Fort St. James to Vancouver.
He's as fit as someone 20 years his junior, staying adventure-ready with frequent forays on backcountry hiking and ski trails.
"I
like self-propelled activities, whether it be on a bicycle or a set of
skis or a canoe or kayak," said Cooper, who has a ready smile and wears
his white hair and beard cropped short. "It's got to do with exercise
and physical shape. I like being in shape in order to do the things I
want to do."
Given his predilection for the wilderness, it's
easy to get the impression that Cooper's a loner. He's not. The husband
and father cherishes the relationships he's built with B.C.'s native
communities and fellow adventurers.
Besides, he never lacks for
company in the wilds. Close encounters with winged, finned and
four-legged creatures are a target whenever he's plotting his exploits.
Cooper
is also keen to explore logistical frontiers - field tests have
included a sled-cum-wagon-cum-boat for the Arctic's diverse terrain,
and a canoe with masts for sailing and double outriggers for rough
waters.
"I think inside, you feel you've got a bit of an
adventurous spirit," he said. "I believe it really goes back to the
days when I was a kid in England with the Scouts and Cubs. I took
a real liking to the outdoors, I can remember."
That old Boy Scout motto "Be prepared" still serves him well.
"I'm
not a thrill-seeker," Cooper insists. "I have a lot of friends who have
cut short at 30 or 40 - they've pushed the edge and they're gone. Look
at all the trips you miss."
-Karin Mark
(450 words)
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