Together they set out to chart wildest Canada: a management consultant, a dental student, a Hollywood cinematographer, an ex-sniper, a mysterious treasure hunter, and a cowboy. Nobody believed in their expedition, saying things like, “You don't have the experience” and, “Your horses are diseased.” But Charles E. Bedaux was determined. For him this trip wasn’t about making maps, but the measure of a man. Read a full transcript of this episode on the Something True website. Follow Something True on Twitter @atruepodcast. (Or just follow Duncan and Alex.) Music on this week’s episode: Lloyd Rogers – Draw Me A Sheep (Act I)* lo-fi is sci-fi – Phase IV* Gablé – grate ok* Jason Shaw – Plantation* Kai Engel – Puddles and Bars* Jahzzar – Dummy* Josh Woodward – Hollow Grove (instrumental Version)* *modified for the podcast.
Ladies and gentlemen, members of the press.
The date is May 25, 1934, and I am Charles E.
Bedeau.
I am announcing an adventure on which I shall embark.
This summer.
I am to venture into wildest Canada.
I shall journey by motor car from Edmonton, Alberta, west to Telegraph Creek, British Columbia.
1100 miles of uncharted territory, right through the Rocky Mountains and the great Stickeen River.
I shall cut a path through this roadless land to the Pacific coast, opening up this mysterious country to the crucible of economic development.
I travel with a crew of 30.
Men and some women.
My wife Fearne, who will be bringing books in case she gets bored, and Fearne's friend Bologna, who may or may not be my mistress.
We shall be taking 100 pack horses.
And my friend Andre Citron has donated five of his state of the art half track vehicles to the mission.
A country drive through the Rocky Mountains.
Hmm.
They say it is impossible, but it's fun to do the things that other people say are impossible.
If I succeed, I will open up the whole of this country which has not been explored before.
The government will be able to put a road through it now.
They haven't much faith in me, but I have done so called impossible things before.