Coast man prepares for solo Arctic trek
Mon 28 April 2008
Shannon Sweeney, Journalism
Sunshine Beach resident John Cantor is set to become the first non-American and youngest person ever to trek solo across Alaska.
The 22-year-old is flying on May 12 this year to make final preparations for his expedition from east to west just above the Arctic Circle.
His equipment includes a tent, sleeping bag, pot, gas stove, slingshot, compass and a satellite phone, all to be carried on his back throughout the three to four month expedition.
Mr Cantor is filming the journey and the preparation leading up to it, hoping to produce a documentary and write a book about his adventure.
“I love writing, I love film and I love the wilderness. I’m trying to combine the three and if I can make a career out of it that would be amazing,” he said.
Inspiration for the trip came from the book Into the Wild by John Krakauer, which retraces the steps of a young man who died crossing Alaska.
Although he acknowledged that the adventure carried plenty of risks, Mr Cantor was positive the benefits would be worth it.
He is braving the possibility of exposure, starvation, injury, drowning and attacks from wild animals such as grizzly bears that inhabit the area.
“I go through a myriad of emotions … sometimes I’m really excited, sometimes I’m petrified, sometimes I try not to think about it.”
Although he arrives in Alaska in May the expedition will not start until early June, after he has met with pilots and park rangers.
His rations will consist of protein powder, dried fruit, chocolate bars, nuts and freeze-dried meals dropped off by a pilot once a week.
This pilot will be the only human contact Mr Cantor has throughout most of the expedition, but he said this would not bother him.
“[Loneliness is] not one of the things I’m most worried about. I’m looking forward to the solitude.”
He will call the pilot once a week with his co-ordinates to ensure a smaller area for a search party to cover in case of accidents.
Mr Cantor has been living with his parents in the lead-up to the trip and he said they were proud but worried.
“Once they realised I was definitely going to do it they were supportive, but they’re obviously quite anxious.”
Although he has travelled before, this is his first major wilderness expedition and the training leading up to it has been intense.
Running, surfing, weight training and hiking up hills with a weighted pack has all been part of a strenuous regime to ensure he is fit enough to survive Alaska’s harsh conditions.
Including preparation by the time Mr Cantor arrives back in Australia the expedition will have cost around $40,000, but he has no regrets.
“Life hasn’t been challenging enough. This is what I want to do.”
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