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Canoeing
Manitoba with Northern Soul
An interview with Paul Gossen of Northern Soul WiIderness Adventures
© Outdoor
Adventure Canada
 Around
the time OAC was launched I had the pleasure of watching a History
Channel series called Quest for the Bay. The series re-created
a York boat voyage from Lake Winnipeg to Hudson Bay. It was this
program that brought about my interest in Northern Soul Wilderness
Adventures. How does a York boat voyage connect with this adventure
company? The answer is Paul Gossen. Paul was one of eight "Yorkmen"
on this adventure. I was very impressed with how Paul carried
himself throughout the program. Even when the voyage became tough
and other people's tempers flared, Paul kept a positive outlook.
He was kind enough to grant me an interview. Paul provided detailed
information and answered the questions so well that I am at a
loss for what to write; therefore, I will go straight to the interview.
OAC:
Who is Northern Soul?
Paul:
Our full business name is Northern Soul Wilderness Adventures
- I usually refer to our company as Northern Soul. Northern Soul
is a talented family of fun loving folks passionate about Manitoba's
wilderness. Paul Gossen and Dave Pancoe are the owners and lead
guides for Northern Soul. We also employ two other guides, Chris
Pancoe and Sharon Tiessen.
Paul
Gossen
We have a Yorkman on our team! Paul had the privilege of participating
in Quest for the Bay this past summer and has come home with
a sack full of stories. Paul is a certified ARCA whitewater-canoeing
instructor and a certified Wilderness First Aid Attendant. His
great cooking skills and congeniality are matched only by his
knowledge of the land and its inhabitants. Paul has a lifetime
of interest and study in Canadian History, Geography, Boreal
Ecology, and Native Studies. This makes him our resident paddling
encyclopedia. Ask him anything! And, if by some chance he can't
answer your question, he'll make something up!
Dave
Pancoe
Dave has been paddling and learning the ways of the wilderness
since he was old enough to see above the gunwales. His love
for the boreal forest and canoeing is infectious and if he's
not out helping the beavers build their dams he's showing you
places that will bring out your Northern Soul. Dave has a diploma
in Adventure Tourism from the University College of the Caribou.
He holds national and regional certifications in whitewater
canoeing instruction, sea kayak guiding, Swift Water Rescue
and Emergency Wilderness Response.
Chris
Pancoe
Chris's high spirits will have you smiling away through the
thick and thin of it all. Chris is a certified ARCA whitewater
canoeing instructor and Wilderness First Aid attendant. Among
a lifetime of canoeing experiences, Chris led the 1999 Pan American
Tribal Journey, the 55 day voyage that retraced the historic
Aboriginal and voyageur routes from York Factory to Winnipeg.
His love for the song and dance win him renown for bringing
out the fun ambiance in the group.
Sharon
Tiessen
Sharon possesses the skills that any paddler would appreciate:
as a registered massage therapist Sharon can sooth your aching
muscles with skill and care. Be it guiding you safely down a
set of rapids or cooking up a fine pickerel feast, she is known
the world over for her exceptional client-care skills.
OAC:
How long has Northern Soul been operating as an adventure tour
company?
Paul:
Northern Soul has been sharing Canada's best wilderness rivers
with local and international guests since 1998.
OAC: What type of canoes does your company use?
Paul: We use excellent equipment - quality tandem
canoes based on the prospector designs like the Nova Craft Prospector
and Old Town Appalachian.
OAC: What is your team's experience?
Paul:
(note from OAC: please refer to the above question "Who
is Northern Soul?" for more details) Our guides have a terrific
mix of a lifetime of wilderness experience and professional certification.
We are also a lot of fun to have around! Our team has over 20
years of combined guiding experience. Manitoba is our playground
and we know it well.
OAC: What trip do you recommend for an inexperienced paddler?
Paul:
The Bloodvein River is a perfect introduction to remote-river
paddling. The majority of the guests we take down the Bloodvein
River are first time canoeists. The Bloodvein offers an ideal
mix of tranquil flatwater and thrilling whitewater. The scenery
is stunning and the whitewater pulse pounding. All our guides
are certified whitewater instructors so we make learning fun and
exciting.
OAC: What is the most challenging trip that you offer?
Paul:
The Pigeon River is the most challenging river we offer. While
the trip is only 7 days - those 7 days will be the most thrilling
- awe inspiring days anyone could expect from one of Canada's
best wilderness whitewater rivers. With over 30 rapids stacked
into a 40 Km canyon like setting, the Pigeon is roller coaster
ride that will leave you breathless. This section of the river
is often considered on par with Colorado's best whitewater rivers.
The Pigeon is a remote and wild place; it has a sense of remoteness
that often can only be found in rivers far to the north. The pigeon
requires some previous paddling experience and a reasonable level
of physical fitness.
OAC: What has been your most memorable moment as an adventure
guide?
Paul:
I am in this business to share the joys of traveling and living
in the wilderness. I love seeing the pleasure and relaxation on
the faces of our guests when they are exposed to our wilderness
rivers. I have many great memories of sharing the wilderness with
our guests but my most memorable moments as an adventure guide
come to me after the season is over and in the form of letters
and post cards from past guests. Like when a guest relates to
me how their vacation was one of their most enjoyable experiences
or how they felt a great sense of accomplishment to learn new
skills and see such beautiful wilderness. These simple stories
are the center of why I am involved in wilderness adventure vacations.
OAC: Did your experience as a Yorkman on Quest for the
Bay change how you view the rivers you travel on, and if so, how?
Paul:
I came away from Quest for the Bay with a much stronger sense
of the incredible value of Manitoba's wilderness rivers. The Hayes
River especially is a jewel in Canada's crown of Heritage Rivers.
Few rivers in North America are as seldom traveled as the Hayes
and yet have so rich a historical and natural heritage. There
are maybe 40 - 50 paddlers traveling the Hayes every year. Parks
like Quetico and Boundary Waters will attract over 60,000 canoeists
this season. Because Manitoba is relatively unknown by North Americans
as a place for exceptional wilderness canoeing we have the opportunity
to offer truly remarkable experiences; experiences that were common
when Canada was a much wilder place. Imagine pristine whitewater
rich in history and abundant wildlife shared in the camaraderie
of a small group. It doesn't get any better.
OAC:
Thank you so much.
Paul: Well it was a pleasure answering your questions.
OAC Note:
Please take a moment and visit the Northern Soul web site.
www.northernsoul.ca
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more articles please view the archives.
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