In 2007, a cartographer and a wildlife biologist were attempting to locate a rumored pass through the Selkirk Range. Official maps showed solid mountain. Local knowledge insisted otherwise.
They found the pass. And in finding it, discovered how much documented wilderness remains unexplored by modern navigation systems.
What began as personal curiosity evolved into systematic documentation. We started filling gaps in the existing record, then moved into territories where no record existed at all.
Every route is walked by at least two team members in different seasons. GPS coordinates recorded at decision points, water sources, and hazard zones.
We note vegetation zones, animal corridors, and seasonal patterns. Routes exist within living systems, not on static paper.
Many of our routes follow Indigenous travel corridors or early exploration paths. We document this heritage where records permit.
Routes change. Bridges wash out, trails erode, wildlife patterns shift. We revisit and revise documentation annually.
Our core team includes specialists in cartography, ecology, geology, and wilderness medicine. We collaborate with park rangers, Indigenous knowledge keepers, and academic researchers.
What unites everyone involved is an understanding that wilderness is not empty space waiting to be conquered. It's complex territory that reveals itself slowly to patient observation.
We believe in informed access, not unlimited access. Not every route should be walked by every person. Some ecosystems cannot sustain heavy traffic. Some terrain requires specific skills.
Our documentation includes honest difficulty assessments and ecological sensitivity notes. If a route crosses critical habitat during breeding season, we state that clearly.
We work within park regulations and actively support conservation efforts. Revenue from our documentation services funds ongoing trail maintenance and habitat restoration projects.
If you're planning a backcountry expedition and need detailed route information, our documentation might prove useful. We also accept requests for custom route research in specific areas.
Request route documentation