I'm not a Canadian, however I have nothing but admiration for a man with such intelligence, bravery and strength of spirit. Having spent some time in the northwest and hoping to someday return (employment allowing), I fell in love with the area and I can see why he had such a passion for exploration of the lands there (that and the value of beaver pelts at the time). I suppose I need to read a biography about him...anyone read anything on the man and know which book is the best?
A great video by Canadian KSPS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EccSnNgQP7c
Never heard of David Thompson. Thanks for wonderful documentary link.
My brothers and I, at various times, paddled a number of his significant routes from Lake Superior to the Rockies. Including The Grand Portage route from Thunder Bay to Winnipeg, the circle route of up the Assiniboine from Winnipeg, portage into Lake Manitoba, down the Dauphin River (now that is a wild ride)into Lake Winnipeg and back down Lake Winnipeg to the Red. We also did the Bow River/South Saskatchewan from Banff to The Pas, Manitoba as well as the North Saskatchewan from Rocky Mountain House to The Pas. Both trips included stays at Cumberland House where Thompson was posted for several years.
The typical length of these trips was around 20-24 days. Tough enough with modern day (the 1970's) equipment. Almost unimaginable when you consider what Thompson had at his disposal.
Of course, being from the Pacific NW, David Thompson is always mentioned in any history courses of the PNW.
He set up a trading post on Pend Oreille Lake, about 40 miles north of here. A short brief on some of his travels in this area, in the links below.
http://www.historylink.org/File/5097http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/thompson_david_1770_1857_8E.html