Yukon Journey: From Bennett to the Bering!

Trip

In the summer of 2022, writer/photographer John Van Barriger will set out to paddle the historic Yukon River, starting at the gold rush site of Bennett, British Columbia. The former teacher’s planned route will take him through the Yukon Territory and across the heart of Alaska, concluding on the salt waters of the Bering Sea. While he may be joined occasionally by friends, John will attempt the Yukon Journey as a solo paddler!

Cause

Whereas the 2018 expedition was undertaken to support first responders in rural and wilderness areas, the upcoming event is an educational expedition. John will be in daily contact with students from both Canada and the United States, answering questions, providing data, and sharing stories of life on the river. He’ll also be sending back photos and video, as well as conducting call-ins to classrooms from his re-supply points.

Multi-Media!

This self-supported trip will be documented in numerous ways, ranging from video and photos to articles and blogs. Additionally, every Thursday, John will call-in to the Paddling Adventures Radio podcast and its 7,000+ weekly listeners, as well as cover the event for his own podcast, “The Outdoor Kind Adventure Show.” When the Yukon Journey concludes, John will produce a special fundraiser documentary about both the 2018 and 2022 Yukon Journeys!

Promotion

Initial presentations on the expedition and video sneak previews were held in early 2019 at numerous paddling expos, sporting symposiums, and other public events in the U.S., Canada, and Japan. We’ll continue telling our story when we return in the fall of 2022 and well into 2023, which will include safety information to help prevent wildfires in North American forests. The documentary on the trips tentatively premieres in 2023. More details will follow!

“Yukon Journey: From Bennett to the Bering” will not only capture the excitement of paddling one of the world’s great bucket-list destinations, but it offers students and outdoors enthusiasts the opportunity to join in and follow along!

Meet Our 2018 & 2022 Paddlers & Support Team

Chelsea Mayer

Chelsea Mayer

2018 Paddler
For members of the “Yukon Journey” expedition, traveling north to canoe and kayak North America’s third-longest river is the start of a bucket-list adventure. It’s the same for Chelsea Mayer, a 29-year-old resident of Clinton, Iowa. But this trip is also something of a homecoming for Chelsea – she was born in Fairbanks, Alaska. “I’m...
Takuya Nii

Takuya Nii

2018 Paddler
Takuya Nii, a 32-year-old resident of Tokushima, Japan, lives a life that would make many outdoors enthusiasts green with envy. The talented writer, photographer and videographer divides his time between outdoors-related freelance work and employment at his family's backpacker lodge on Mt. Tsurugisan (located on the southern Japanese island of Shikoku).
Susan Walton

Susan Walton

2018 Support, 2022 Paddler
No one will have an easier time joining the Bennett-to-the-Bering group than Canadian Susan Walton. While some members of the team are flying or driving thousands of miles to start the paddle, Susan can simply walk out her back door and hop in her kayak. Susan has the great fortune to live in the Yukon...
Dan Aubrey

Dan Aubrey

2018 Paddler
Dan Aubrey, a 35-year-old mechanical engineer from Chepstow, Wales, will be joining the Bennett-to-the Bering crew for one week on what is one of the most scenic sections of the river, from Carmacks to Dawson City, Yukon. Dan has about 10 years canoeing and kayaking experience, and is an avid hiker and wilderness camper. He’s...
John E. Van Barriger

John E. Van Barriger

2018 & 2022 Paddler
Throughout his career, John Van Barriger has worn a lot of occupational hats. In addition to hosting “The Outdoor Kind Adventure Show” podcast and founding an outdoor apparel and gear company in 2017 (The Outdoor Kind, LLC), his video documentary work has been displayed in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History in Washington,...
Clare Gibbs, M.D.

Clare Gibbs, M.D.

2022 Medical Advisor
We first met Canadian Clare Gibbs when she paddled the Yukon River in 2013, canoeing the 444 mile/715 kilometer segment from Whitehorse to Dawson City with a group of friends. Since that time, the British Columbia native enrolled in and completed training from the medical school at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. She is providing...
Tanya Riemann

Tanya Riemann

2018 & 2022 Volunteer
Tanya Riemann, our web guru extraordinaire, won’t be joining the Bennett-to-the-Bering team on the water, but she’s critical to the group’s overall success and goals. Not only has the Canadian resident been helpful with logistics on the northern side of our shared border, but she’s been involved with all aspects of the journey’s web and...
Jan Werth

Jan Werth

2018 & 2022 Support
While Jan Werth is an avid paddler, her contribution to the Yukon Journey expedition primarily will occur as organizer, support crew, and documentary producer.  She’ll use her project management background and skills to assist with the trip’s organizational needs, a serious benefit when coordinating a 2,000-mile journey with as many moving parts as this one. ...

Following the Journey – The Podcasts!

The 2018 Yukon Journey team partnered with “Paddling Adventures Radio” to record weekly call-ins from the river (and will do so again in 2022!). The podcast, hosted by Sean Rowley and Derek Specht, is North America’s #1 paddling-only podcast and counts over 7,000+ weekly listeners! Click the images below for the episodes that include the Yukon Journey. And watch for continued calls in 2020!

When you’re done listening to these, you can click here to see the entire podcast archive!

Out and About – Select Archived Events

We love sharing the good news about the Yukon Journey. These are some of our favorite events from the recent past (and before Covid-19 changed the world). We look forward to getting out and talking with more people in the future!

Orillia Secondary School
Orillia, Ontario
November 21, 2019

“2018 Yukon Journey”
Conway, New Hampshire
November 12, 2019

The Atrium
Solon Springs, WI
4 – 8 pm, October 20, 2019

“The Yukon Journey Charitable Canoe and Kayak Expedition“
Marathon County Public Library
Wausau, WI
6:30 – 8 pm; May 14, 2019

Alliant Energy Center;
Madison, WI
March 8-10, 2019

Visit our booth in the lobby and
attend our presentation!

The Indianapolis Public Library;
Glendale Branch
March 6, 2019

MSU Pavilion;
East Lansing, MI
March 2, 2019

The Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show
Paddler’s Paradise Stage
& Best of Canada Stage
February 24, 2019

America’s Boating Club
Central Wisconsin Sail & Power Squadron
Schofield, WI
January 12, 2019

Midwest Mountaineering
Minneapolis, MN
April 28, 2018

Meet with John after either of his two presentations, or set up an appointment to discuss the Yukon Journey in greater detail!

Alliant Energy Center;
Madison, WI
March 9-11, 2018

Visit John at The Outdoor Kind, LLC, booth
or chat afterward at any of his three presentations!

MSU Pavilion;
East Lansing, MI
March 3, 2018

Visit John at The Outdoor Kind, LLC, booth
or chat afterward at any of his three presentations!

The Focus of Our Mission

  • Education

    The goal of the Yukon Journey is to educate students and outdoor enthusiasts on all things related to Yukon River life! We’ll also spread the word on wildfire and emergency prevention!

  • Supporting the First!

    While the 2018 Yukon Journey raised funds for first responders, we’ll spend a significant amount of time in 2020 educating the public on the tremendous value of these heroes and especially what they do for us in rural and wilderness areas!

  • Getting the Word Out...Again and Again!

    All post-river presentations and video work will focus on the same key messages – understanding the natural world around us, the importance of first responders, and life in the far north and along the amazing Yukon River system!

Recent News & Posts

Major Sponsors

The paddlers of the Yukon Journey thank the following organizations for their significant support of the expedition and charitable fundraiser!

North Water:
The Official Spray Deck
of the Yukon Journey

Bending Branches and Aqua-Bound:
The Official Paddles of the Yukon Journey

Yukon Brewing:
The Official Canadian Beer
of the Yukon Journey

The Outdoor Kind, LLC:
Educating outdoors enthusiasts on wildfire and emergency prevention & supporting first responders in rural and wilderness areas

Sponsors

The Yukon Journey team thanks the following individuals and organizations for their support of the expedition and charitable fundraiser!

Send Message

Get in touch

We’d love to hear from you! Use this form to reach us, and we’ll get back to you right away.

  • Marshfield, Wisconsin; USA
  • john@theoutdoorkind.com
  • 608.305.4837

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