Intrepid Explorer: James Hector's Explorations in the Canadian Rockies

by Ernie Lakusta

Years before the railway, and with only a network of ramshackle forts to support them, James Hector and his colleagues braved harsh winters, hot summers, unpredictable wildlife, personal conflict, and Native war parties to scout routes through the Rocky Mountains, often with only their wits to keep them alive. The Intrepid Explorer tells the story of the famous Palliser Expedition from the point-of-view of one of its most remarkable members as he looks back on his life during one final visit to Canada in 1903. By the end of his life Sir James Hector had become a world-renowned geologist and explorer, but it was for his exploration of the Rockies that Hector was best remembered. Ernie Lakusta uses journals, newspaper articles, and the original Palliser reports to paint a vivid picture of a true hero of Canadian history, a man whose brush with death is commemorated to this day by the Kicking Horse Pass in British Columbia.

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 30, 2007

Reviews

[Rodney97 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sympathetic account of Hector's explorations. Prose style accessible and enjoyable. My complaint is that there is little evidence of the author's attempt to get out there and tramp the route himself. Geographic features mentioned by Hector are often recounted without any identification of the actual or named feature in current geographic lore. Sometimes he does, indeed, identify the current name of the particular mountain or river; but it is usually found only in the notes at the back of the book; but by no means all such features. When I read about historical travels, I like to have the current names right there in the text, along with a map. Maps are also in short supply in the book. One general map at the beginning, and a few more that are usually copies of Hector's own maps. The result is that I often had to guess just where Hector went.

[Joseph Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book, I think the main hook to the story for me was the fact that James Hecotr and John Palliser are famous explorers but their story isnt as widely known as others. Very interesting expidition, with a huge amount of scientific findings and supported further communication with American tribes. The writing is a bit hard to follow at times switching between the author and the accounts of James and John.

[Bill Leach · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Dr. James Hector's travels as part of the Palliser Expeditions. Much of interest to those that have traveled this country including wildlife observations, the Indians and their cultures, local place names, and the logistics of travel at the time. Good sketches of other Expedition members including John Palliser and Peter Erasmus.

In their travels up the Bow towards Bow Pass, they divert around Bow Peak, apparently called Goat Mountain at the time. They also note that the glaciers descended almost to lake level at Hector, Bow and Peyto Lakes.

Illustrations include Hector's geological sketches. Unfortunately the maps are too small to be readable.